Introduction: Franciacorta’s Hidden Still Wines While Franciacorta sparkling wines rightfully steal the spotlight as Italy’s answer to Champagne, few wine lovers know that the same prestigious terroir also produces elegant still wines under the Curtefranca DOC designation. These whites, built on Chardonnay, and reds, often led by Merlot and Cabernet…

What is Franciacorta DOCG? Franciacorta DOCG is Italy’s premier sparkling wine appellation, located in Lombardy near Lake Iseo. Made exclusively with the traditional bottle-fermentation method (méthode classique), Franciacorta is crafted primarily from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, with strict aging requirements of at least 18 months on the lees.…

What is Cellatica DOC? Cellatica DOC is a tiny, historic red-wine appellation in Lombardy (province of Brescia) that produces concentrated, terroir-driven reds built around Barbera and Marzemino. With only a few hectares under vine and a handful of producers, Cellatica is prized by collectors and curious travelers seeking rare Italian…

What is Casteggio DOC? Casteggio DOC is a small yet distinctive Italian red wine appellation located in Lombardy’s Oltrepò Pavese. Recognized since 2010, it specializes in Barbera-based blends that reflect the unique terroir of the Pavia province. Known for their lively acidity, red fruit brightness, and structured elegance, Casteggio DOC…

What is Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese? Want to discover Italian wines before they’re famous? Meet Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese—a “spitfire” red from Lombardy that wine connoisseurs are quietly collecting while the world chases Barolo. Produced only in a select slice of the Oltrepò Pavese hills, Buttafuoco is more than a wine—it’s a…

Oltrepò Pavese DOC is a wine region in Lombardy, Italy, just south of the Po River. Known for its Pinot Nero (Italy’s third-largest planted area) and Metodo Classico sparkling wines, it produces red, white, rosé, and sparkling styles across rolling hills and medieval villages. With its proximity to Milan, rich…

What is Capriano del Colle DOC? Capriano del Colle DOC is one of Lombardy’s most discreet wine treasures—a boutique appellation tucked into the rolling hills of Monte Netto, just outside Brescia. With only about 25 hectares under vine, this DOC is among the smallest in Italy, yet it produces wines…

Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio DOC: Complete Guide to Lombardy’s Hidden Gem Elegant yet approachable, Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio DOC is a northern Italian white wine that captures the understated charm of the Lombardy wine region. With a heritage stretching back centuries and a terroir shaped by the Po Valley and…

What is Sangue di Giuda dell’Oltrepò Pavese? Sangue di Giuda dell’Oltrepò Pavese is one of Italy’s most intriguing dessert wines—deep ruby, gently effervescent, and sweet without being cloying. Its name, “Blood of Judas,” is as mysterious as its origins, and it comes from Lombardy’s Oltrepò Pavese, an area celebrated for…

Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio DOC: Complete Guide to Lombardy’s Hidden Gem Elegant yet approachable, Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio DOC is a northern Italian white wine that captures the understated charm of the Lombardy wine region. With a heritage stretching back centuries and a terroir shaped by the Po Valley and…