The Rhaetian Alps close off Lombardy to the north, and Valtellina runs along their foot from east to west. The south-facing slope, terraced with kilometres of dry-stone walls, is a spectacular wine landscape: here Nebbiolo, called Chiavennasca, gives the reds of Valtellina Superiore. For wines outside the DOC and DOCG there is a typical geographical indication, created in 1995 as Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio and called Alpi Retiche since 2017.
A mountain IGT
Bianco, Rosato and Rosso may use the grapes permitted in Lombardy in any proportion; with a grape name on the label, at least 85% of it is required. The Rosato may also be frizzante, and there is a Novello. Minimum alcohol is 10%. It is an IGT designed to give room to mountain grapes and to the experiments of Valtellina producers.
Bubbles and sweet wines
An important part of the IGT concerns Spumante Metodo Classico, white and rosé, from Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, Pinot Bianco, Pignola and Rossola, the last two old local grapes. The high acidity the grapes keep at altitude is ideal for second fermentation in bottle. Then there are the sweet wines: Vendemmia Tardiva and Passito, white and red, which age for about 6 months and are not released before 30 June of the year after the harvest.
In the glass the Nebbiolo reds are lighter and more immediate than the great Valtellinas, with aromas of strawberry, rose and mountain herbs; the traditional-method wines are fine and taut, with a delicate mousse.
At the table
The reds go with pizzoccheri, bresaola, sciatt and alpine cheeses such as Bitto; the sparkling wines suit aperitifs, lake fish and cured meats. For comparison with Lombardy's best-known traditional-method wine, there is Franciacorta.
