Where to drink Champagne in Milan?
Milan is probably one of the easiest Italian cities in which to make Champagne part of your day. The city has a strong aperitivo culture, plenty of wine bars and a restaurant scene where a good bottle can easily turn an ordinary evening into something a little more special.
You can go for a glass during an afternoon around Brera or the Duomo, find somewhere for aperitivo, or settle in for dinner with Champagne on the table. And because Milan is in Lombardy, there’s another reason for wine lovers to pay attention: Franciacorta is just a short trip away.
Champagne or Franciacorta?
Milan is a particularly good place to try both.
Franciacorta comes from Lombardy, so it’s the local sparkling wine you’re most likely to encounter when exploring the region. It is made using the traditional method, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc among the permitted grapes.
If you normally reach for Champagne, order a Franciacorta alongside it and see what you think. They share a production method, but they don’t taste identical – and the differences are part of the fun.
If you have time to leave Milan, Franciacorta itself makes an excellent day trip. The wine region stretches around Lake Iseo, with wineries and vineyards spread between the lake and the foothills. You can turn the trip into a proper wine day rather than just fitting in one tasting.
Milan is made for aperitivo
You can’t really talk about drinking in Milan without mentioning aperitivo. The idea of having a drink and something small to eat before dinner is deeply woven into the city’s social life.
Champagne fits into this very nicely. You might start with a glass before dinner, have some small bites, wander through the city and then continue somewhere else for dinner. There’s no need to make the whole thing a formal Champagne occasion.
And if you want to stay local, look for Franciacorta during aperitivo too. It’s an easy way to try Lombardy’s own bubbles without leaving Milan.
Good to know
Milan works particularly well if you want Champagne and Italian sparkling wine in the same trip. Spend a few days exploring the city, then take a day to Franciacorta and compare what you drank in Milan with bottles from the region itself.
If you’re visiting in spring or early autumn, a day outside the city can also be a nice break from Milan’s busy streets. And if you find a Champagne spot that isn’t on our map, add it to Champagne Hunters or leave a comment on an existing listing – especially if you know whether they offer Champagne by the glass.
