Lugana: An Italian White Wine For All Seasons

Photo Credit: Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC

Lugana, surrounding captivating Lake Garda, is an Italian wine enclave in Lombardy and Veneto. If you’re looking for a full-bodied white wine to take you into the Autumn season, Lugana may be your answer.

Lugana is comprised of 2,100 hectares, situated between the provinces of Brescia and Verona near Italy’s largest lake. Lake Garda provides a Mediterranean aspect to the growing environment, with cooling breezing emanating off the water and relatively stable diurnal spread. The soil here is predominantly clay-based and rich in minerals — in hilly areas of the denomination soil can tend to be sandy.

It is interesting to note that the area was once that of a marshy, wet forest called Selva Lucana. To reclaim the land for agriculture, at the time grain farming, the Republic of Venice drained the land. With a Bronze Age history of vineyards, the practice of wine grape growing eventually became prevalent and the variety turbiana reigns here. Turbiana is an expression of Verdicchio

There are five classifications of Lugana wine. Basic Lugana accounts for around 90% of production in the denomination. Lugana Superiore has been aged for at least a year after harvest. Lugana Riserva is aged further, for at least 24 months with at least six in the bottle. Lugana Vendemmia Tardivia is a late harvest wine, with a balance of residual sugar and acids. Lugana Spumante sparkles, made in the Charmat method (second fermentation in a tank) or the Traditional method (second fermentation in bottle).

Two wines from Lugana, both food-friendly and under $20. Photo Credit: Jill Barth

Two Wines To Try

Marangona 2016 Lugana ($17)

This wine balances a sense of creaminess with acidity, a body that maintains freshness while holding steady with orchard flavors tinged with citrus. Organic. Pair with White Fish Risotto.

Olivini 2017 Lugana ($18)

In this wine find apple notes and rich melon built on sufficient acidity and bright florals. Pair with Pasta Salad With Pesto And Prawns.

Italian Food, Wine & Travel

This month, Gwen from WinePredator hosts our Italian Food, Wine & Travel group. Our Twitter chat will pop up on Saturday, October 6, 2018 from 10:00 – 11:00am CST. Look for our hashtag, #ItalianFWT and well as the hashtags for the producers and growers of Lugana: #Lugana #LakeGarda #VinoLuganaDOC.

So much treasure in these articles on the topic:

Marcia at Joy of Wine: Lugana is “Not just Another Italian Grape”

Jane at Always Ravenous: “Crab Herb Crusted Chilean Sea Bass and Lugana Wine”

Wendy from A Day In The Life On The Farm: “Seared shrimp and wild mushroom Risotto with Lugana wine”

Camilla from Culinary Adventures With Camilla: “Turbiana Grapes and Tuna Tacos”

Here at L’Occasion: “Lugana: An Italian White Wine For All Seasons”

Jen at Vino Travels: “Love for the Wines of Lugana”

Katarina of Grapevine Adventures: “3 Lugana DOC Producers in Comparison at #italianfwt”

Lisa at The Wine Chef:  “Seafood Pasta With Tomatoes, Garlic And Lugana White Wine”

Li of The Wining Hour:  “Lugana Loves Lake Garda”

Rupal the Syrah Queen: “Exploring Lugana – Italy’s Elegant White Wines.”

Lynn at Savor the Harvest: “Change It Up With Lugana DOC and Turbiana”

Our host Gwen at Wine Predator with: “Love for Lugana and Chicken Piccata”