Garda DOC wine is produced at the foot of the Lake Garda hills, in the provinces of Brescia, Verona and Mantua. In the Mantua province, the main Garda DOC producing areas are: Castiglione delle Stiviere, Cavriana, Monzambano, Ponti sul Mincio, Solferino and Volta Mantovana. This area, due to the nature of the morainic and clayey soil, breezy climate and proximity to Lake Garda, is an ideal place for vines. Today, the following versions of DOC wine are produced in this area, nestling between Lombardy and Veneto: Classico Bianco, Classico Superiore, Classico Groppello and Classico Groppello Riserva. The following grape varieties account for at least 85% of these wines: Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Merlot, Garganega, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cortese, Marzemino, Corvina, Barbera.
DOC Garda covers the following:
Red wines that age well after bottling: Merlot, deep ruby red, a wine that ages well in steel casks and subsequently in barriques. Cabernet, ruby red with varying degrees of intensity, winey nose. After fermentation, maturation and natural settling, barrique aging is the next stage, as per tradition. Ruby red Cabernet Sauvignon, pleasant nose with touches of fresh cut grass.
Young and energy-filled whites: Pinot Grigio, hay yellow, copper reflections, well-balanced nose, sometimes sweetish. Pinot Bianco, made from grapes that are grown on gravely soils, with a pleasant nose and hay yellow colour. Chardonnay, hay yellow, pleasant, harmonious, mainly dry, sometimes sweet.