Discover the Wines of Lake Garda ⛵️

+ How to Visit Lake Garda’s Towns (& Wineries) by Ferry

Five Italy Substackers joined together to participate in last week’s Grubstack Virtual Food Festival. Our theme was “Italy for Food Lovers: a Deep Dive”. We shared recipes, food ideas and inspiration, some Italy travel tidbits and insights, and a few laughs. It was fun and fabulous, and I encourage any of you who missed it to check out our two live events through any of our profiles:

Wendy Holloway - Flavor of Italy
substack.com/@wendyholloway

Giulia Scarpaleggia
substack.com/@julskitchen

Lolly Martyn
substack.com/@weeknightpastafromitaly

Eric Beall - Life Lived Italian
substack.com/@ericbeall

Jo Piro
substack.com/@lakegardadiaries

Jo Piro @lakegardadiaries was my inspiration for this newsletter. I loved her tip on the best way to visit the enormous Lake Garda: ferry hop from one lakeside town to another.

Here's some information on how to do just that, along with a look at Lake Garda’s fabulous wines.

Toscolano Maderno - Photo credit

Lake Garda, Italy’s largest and most picturesque lake, is not just a scenic marvel but also a hub of exceptional wines. Thanks to its unique microclimate and diverse soil composition, this region produces some of Italy’s most distinctive and celebrated wines. From refreshing whites to complex reds, Lake Garda’s wines offer something for every palate. Here they are in a nutshell:

Bardolino: A Fruity Red Wine with History

Bardolino is a ruby-red wine known for its bright fruit flavors, including cherry, sour cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and red currant, complemented by a touch of spice. Made primarily from Corvina Veronese and Rondinella grapes, Bardolino is valued for its high drinkability and versatility with food.

The best Bardolino wines come from the Bardolino Classico zone, which includes the historic municipalities of Affi, Bardolino, Cavaion Veronese, Costermano, Garda, and Lazise.

Chiaretto: The Rosé of Bardolino

Chiaretto is the rosé counterpart of Bardolino, crafted from the same grape varieties. This elegant wine boasts delicate notes of wild berries and vanilla, making it a fresh and lively option for warm-weather sipping.