Description
The Garda PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Semi-Sparkling White, White Spumante, Rosé Spumante, Semi-Sparkling Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito; Chardonnay (grape variety specification), Pinot Grigio (grape variety specification), Corvina (grape variety specification), Merlot (grape variety specification). The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety.
Production Area
The production area of Garda PDO is in the area surrounding Lake Garda, which falls within numerous municipalities in the Province of Verona, in the Veneto region, and numerous municipalities in the provinces of Mantua and Brescia, in the Lombardy region.
Description of product typologies
Garda PDO Bianco is yellow, varying in intensity and tending towards greenish yellow; the nose displays sweet fruitiness with traces of alfalfa, hay and almond; fruity notes burst on the palate, with sensations of freshness, sapidity and minerality. It can also be produced as semi-sparkling wine. Garda PDO Spumante Bianco is straw-yellow to greenish-yellow; the nose is light and characteristic; it is fresh on the palate, harmonious in the wines ranging from brut nature to demi-sec. Garda PDO Rosé Spumante is pink, varying in intensity, with fine, persistent foam; the nose reveals an ample light and characteristic bouquet; it is sapid on the palate, well-structured in the wines ranging from brut nature to extra dry. Garda PDO Spumante Metodo Classico Bianco is straw-yellow, varying in intensity, with a fine and persistent perlage; the nose is ample and long-lasting; it is sapid on the palate, well-structured in the wines ranging from brut nature to extra dry. Garda PDO Passito Bianco is golden yellow, varying in depth; the nose is intense and fruity; it is characteristic on the palate, harmonious in the wines ranging from dry to sweet. Garda PDO Spumante Metodo Classico Rosè is pink, varying in intensity, with a fine and persistent perlage; the nose reveals a light and characteristic bouquet; it is fresh on the palate, well-structured in the wines ranging from brut nature to extra dry. Garda PDO Rosè Frizzante is pink, varying in intensity, with fine, evanescent foam; the nose is light and characteristic; it is sapid on the palate, harmonious in the wines ranging from dry to semi-sweet. Garda PDO Rosso is a ruby red colour, varying in intensity; the nose is reveals complex fragrances of ripe fruit and minerality; it is harmonious on the palate, fruity in the wines ranging from dry to semi-sweet. Garda PDO Passito Rosso is ruby red with garnet red reflections; the nose is intense, revealing fruity and spicy notes; it is full-bodied on the palate, harmonious in the wines ranging from dry to sweet. Garda PDO Passito Rosso and Garda PDO Passito Bianco can be released for consumption after September 1st of the year following that of the harvest.
Grape variety specifications
The Garda PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling (Riesling Italico and/or Riesling Renano), Cortese, Sauvignon, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other varieties suitable for cultivation in the Province of Verona and the Lombardy region, max. 15%. Garda PDO Chardonnay is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose is pleasant and characteristic; it is sapid on the palate, harmonious in the wines ranging from dry to slightly-sweet. It can also be a semi-sparkling wine. Garda PDO Pinot Grigio is straw-yellow, at times coppery; it is light and characteristic on the nose; it is fresh on the palate, harmonious in the wines ranging from dry to slightly sweet. It can also be a semi-sparkling or Spumante wine. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Cabernet (Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Carmenère), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Merlot, Marzemino, Corvina, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Province of Verona and the Lombardy region, max. 15%. Garda PDO Corvina is ruby red, varying in intensity; it is delicate and fruity on the nose; it is harmonious on the palate, ranging from dry to slightly sweet. Garda PDO Merlot is ruby red, at times intense; the aroma is vinous and characteristic; it is full and harmonious on the palate, ranging from dry to slightly sweet. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. For wines with the Garda Protected Designation of Origin, reference may be made to the names of two grape varieties, provided that the wine produced is made with 100% of the specified grape varieties and that there is no less than 15% of either variety.
Additional specifications
Inter-regional PDOs: Garda PDO is produced with the same characteristics in the provinces of Verona, in the Veneto region, and Mantua and Brescia in the Lombardy region. The Garda PDO designation may be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) on the label, with the relative toponym.
