Lombardy Vineyard Revamp Targets Quality with EU Funds, Led by Brescia
Lombardy vineyards are shifting towards quality. From 2001 to 2005, a total of 2,500 hectares (500 annually), approximately 10 percent of the region’s vineyard surface, will be renovated to produce DOC and DOCG wines. Brescia is leading the way. This decision was made by the regional council. Our province is involved, along with Mantova (including the Colli Morenici) and Oltrepò Pavese, in the first year of implementing the plan. Of the 500 hectares targeted by the project, 170 are located among Franciacorta, Garda, Lugana, Cellatica, and Botticino (290 in Oltrepò, 40 in Mantova).
The Bresciano area will thus be able to benefit from the 7 billion euros in European Union subsidies. “The goal of the plan,” explains the regional agriculture councilor, Viviana Beccalossi, “is to improve the quality of products in Brescia and, more generally, throughout Lombardy. Quality, after all, is the winning weapon of our wine industry. Over 50 percent of our production is DOC, compared to the national average of 15 percent.”
According to Beccalossi, “This aligns with market trends: the consumption of table wine is decreasing, while the demand for quality wines is increasing.” Winemakers in these zones interested in vineyard reconversion projects must submit their subsidy applications by February 28 to the designated project managers: in Brescia, this responsibility falls on the Centro di tutela vini mantovani (the Consorzio di tutela nell’Oltrepò and the Consorzio provinciale tutela vini nel Mantovano).
The provinces will then handle the review process, verifying the rankings prepared by the entities and drafting lists of beneficiaries. Other news from Pirellone. The Lombardy Region has funded a family nursery project by the Italian association “Genitori” of Paitone.
The Asl Valle Camonica Sebino has been allocated funds for the association “Il Tandem famiglie” for a two-year foster care program at the San Salvatore church in Breno. Regarding funding for integrated social-health services, the Brescia ASL will receive 185 million euros out of 1.7 billion available. The Brescia province will also receive 1.74 billion euros (out of 16 billion regional funds) for the renewal of employment services.