Stunning landscapes, ancient history and fabulous wines are all part of a visit to Lake Garda in Italy. Discover the wine Lake Garda region is known for, and pair it with regional dishes like lavarello ai ferri, grilled sardines or risotto con le tinca. Insight Guides’ Enchanting Italian Lakes trip offers plenty of opportunities to visit a winery and enjoy a tasting with local producers.
The presence of grapes on the hills surrounding Lake Garda dates back to the Bronze Age, when archeological findings reveal vine seeds in Peschiera and Pacengo. Later, the Romans cultivated grapes in their rural villas around the area of Bardolino and Lazise, producing wine that was widely used throughout Europe at the time.
Today, the Lake Garda region encompasses three distinct wine zones: Lugana, Valtenesi and Casteller DOC. Each one is characterised by the different soils and microclimates influenced by the lake, producing wines with their own unique flavours.
In the Lugana zone, tucked into the southern edge of Trentino and touching Lombardy, you’ll find wines with a distinctive freshness and ripe fruit thanks to the calcareous soils of its vineyards. The area is also known for the elegant Trebbiano di Lugana DOC, which pairs well with fish and white meats. Another famous red wine from this region is Marzemino, which has a unique aroma originating from its Asian origins. wine lake garda