At Vinexpo the world wine fair in Bordeaux from 16 to 20 june Brusselsdiplomatic discover a typical wine region from the lake Garda, the Garda Classico DOC.

The Garda Classico region lies primarily along the Brescian coast of Lake Garda. This is an area where vine-growing harks back as far as pre-Roman times.

In 1967 this well-rooted tradition was awarded the classification of “Garda Bresciano” which was later integrated into the Garda DOC. Later, in 1996 it was awarded the denomination “Classico”, a distinction which is only granted to well-established historical wines.
Today the Garda Classico DOC sub zone boasts 550 hectares of vines, worked by about 80 producers with an annual yield of approximately 3500 tons of grapes for a total production of more than 2.5 million bottles.

Garda Classico is primarily known for its red wines and in particular for its local oenological treasure: the native groppello. These grapes are cultivated in great quantities exclusively on the Valtenesi hills which are the productive heart of this area.

Two of the most well-known and esteemed wines of the region (Garda Classico Groppello DOC and Garda Classico Chiaretto DOC) are produced from this singular grape, which many like to compare to Pinot Nero. Together these wines represent about 50% of the total regional production which includes two other types of red (Garda Classico Rosso and Rosso Superiore) obtained from a blend of regional grapes including marzemino, barbera and sangiovese, as well as groppello. There is also a white wine made in small quantities that is highly regarded for its distinct personality, attributable to its composition of 70% Italian and Rhine riesling (italico and renano).

In Garda there is also the wines of the IGT (typical geographical indication) Benaco Bresciano denomination. These wines are also under the watchful eye of the Consortium, and have an annual production of about 150 thousand bottles of highly regarded wine. These are primarily single-variety wines which the estates put to good use in furthering the development of a growing dynamic sector. In the last few years the producers have been successfully riding the wave of wine-tourism, thanks in large part to the foundation of the “Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori del Garda” – (Garda Food and Wine Road).

Source: Consortium Garda Classico Doc