The Bergamasca IGT covers the wine-growing territory of the province of Bergamo, in Lombardy, from the hills around the city to the slopes of the pre-Alpine valleys. It was created in 1995, by the decree of 18 November of that year. Today it has about 67 hectares and an output of 4,700 hectolitres.
What an IGT is
An Indicazione Geografica Tipica guarantees above all the origin of the grapes, and leaves the producer much more freedom than a DOC. In the Bergamasca this freedom concerns first of all the grape varieties: all the grapes authorised for Lombardy may be used, in any proportion. It is the space where the province's wineries experiment with blends and varieties that do not fit within the area's designations of origin.
The styles
The rules provide for three colours. Bianco, Rosato and Rosso are made from grapes of the corresponding colour, with no fixed percentages. Alongside them are the varietal wines, which show the name of a grape on the label: in that case the grape must make up at least 85%, with other non-aromatic grapes for the rest. There is also a Novello, in the red version and in the red varietals.
Minimum alcohol is 10% and no minimum ageing is required. The style is therefore up to the winery: from fresh, light whites to more structured reds aged in wood, and young wines to drink within the year.
At the table
The variety of styles suits the cooking of Bergamo: the whites go with starters and the fresh cheeses of the valleys; the rosés with cured meats; the reds with polenta, casoncelli and stewed meat. In the same region, to the east, lie Franciacorta and the Cellatica DOC, on the hills around Brescia.
