Lombardy wines’ 2018 harvest closed with record numbers, both in volume – with an increase in production of 55% compared to 2017 – and in terms of quality, with a jump of 121% for DOCG. Moreover, Lombardy wines are now in a stable position among the main ambassadors of Italian wines, with an increasingly recognized presence on international markets. Finally, these wines productions are characterized by a vocation for the enhancement of the territory, through actions aimed at recovering a tradition of great value and using cutting-edge technologies.
LOMBARDY WINES AT VINITALY
Lombardy wines will present themselves at the 53rd edition of Vinitaly, the international exhibition of wines and spirits that will take place in Verona Fiere from 7 to 10 April. This year, the meetings with buyers, operators and journalists at the Lombardy Pavilion (on the second floor of the PalaExpo) will be more than ever in the sign of quality. All this thanks to a year destined to go down in history for production and quality levels: 1,578,000 hectolitres of wine produced, 1,395,000 hectolitres (88.7%) of which are DOCG, DOC and IGT. More than 200 exhibitors will represent the world of regional wines at Vinitaly within the Lombardy collective, among the first by number of producers. The space available to companies and Consortia will be a total of 8,500 square meters, financed and implemented in accordance with the program agreement between Lombardy Region and Unioncamere Lombardy.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Operators and visitors will find about 2,000 labels for tasting, representing the best products of a unique territory for variety of environments, climates and ‘terroir’, whose success abroad is witnessed not only by exports data – which grew by 54% in the last ten years to reach a historical record of 271 million euros in 2017/2018 – but also by many awards won at international level. Among the wines selected by the American magazine Wine Spectator to represent Italy’s wines excellence at OperaWine 2019 – the exclusive event proposed by Vinitaly offering specialized operators from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the 100 best Italian wines (on April 6 at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia in Verona) – there are four Lombard products: Brut Franciacorta La Scala 2013 by Bellavista, Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi Riserva 2008 by Ca’ del Bosco, Sforzato di Valtellina Albareda 2015 by Mamete Prevostini and Sforzato di Valtellina 5 Stelle Sfursat 2013 by Nino Negri.
LOMBARDY SUPPORTING WINE PRODUCERS
“Lombardy produces 90% of its quality denomination wines, thanks to 5 DOCG, 21 DOC and 15 IGT, collecting 8% of the national quality denominations, while contributing by 3% in terms of volume. This is the way to go and the characteristic to be enhanced. Lombardy will continue to support producers both in the challenge for internationalisation and in the conquest of the Italian market,” says Fabio Rolfi, Councillor for Agriculture, Food and Green Systems of the Lombardy Region.
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
These are the result of the companies’ commitment. There are many systems used by companies to produce better wines and reduce environmental impact: from the promotion of biodiversity in the vineyard to the adoption of satellite surveys and precision viticulture, to increase homogeneity and quality. From the analysis of carbon and water footprints to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the use of sensors to monitor the condition of plants in the vineyard.
EMPLOYMENT BOOM
On the other hand, the growth of the Lombardy ‘wine movement’ has not only resulted in a further increase in quality, but has also had positive effects in terms of employment. “In the last five years the number of employees in the wine sector in Lombardy has almost doubled, growing by 76% between 2013 and 2018. The synergies that can now be created with a strategic sector such as tourism also provide companies with additional opportunities for growth and development,” said Gian Domenico Auricchio, president of Unioncamere Lombardy.
PROTECTION CONSORTIA
The protection Consortia to attend Vinitaly 2019: Consorzio Franciacorta, Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC, Consorzio di Tutela Moscato di Scanzo, Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese, Consorzio Vini Mantovani, Consorzio Volontario Vino DOC San Colombano, Consorzio Vini IGT Terre Lariane, Consorzio Tutela Valcalepio, Consorzio di Tutela Vini di Valtellina, Consorzio Valtènesi, Consorzio Montenetto ed Ente Vini Bresciani (in rappresentanza dei territori di Botticino DOC, Cellatica DOC, San Martino della Battaglia DOC e Valcamonica).