Next up on my (and hopefully your) wine list this summer is a crisp white wine from Northern Italy called Lugana.

Heard of it? The wine comes from the Lugana DOC region situated on the southern end of Lake Garda, between the towns of Sirmione and Desenzano, just west of the Veneto – Lombardy provincial border, and is a perfect place for wine tourism while visiting the lake or as a day trip from one the nearby cities (Verona/Milano/Venice).  

Lake Garda is a picturesque summer getaway in Northern Europe, both for lake/beach goers and wine tourists alike. This large Italian lake (it is the biggest in Italy) may not be synonymous with wine but it has an incredible wine culture completely surrounding it. Lake Garda has a temperate microclimate, known for it’s summer escapes, picturesque towns, sailing, olive and lemon trees, and the wines that surround it.

A perfect wine for summertime, Lugana is a white wine currently thriving in the wine market (and for good reason). Previously overshadowed by the more prestigious surrounding wines, Lugana has really begun to make a name for itself, both locally and through export. This compact region close to the lake makes wine tourism a breeze (even by bicycle). 

What is Lugana wine? 

The grape is Turbiana, which historically was thought to be a varietal of Trebbiano, but recent DNA testing has shown it is actually a close relative of Verdicchio. 

What are you looking for when tasting Lugana wines? 

When drinking Lugana you will find the wine is crisp, acidic, but versatile. Wines can be a little salty with a rich texture, ripe apple, citrus, and even tropical fruits. When aged the wine changes to a slightly golden yellow, holding a balanced acidity, acquiring notes of flint, nuts, and balsamic. A majority of the Lugana wines are still, but sparkling and sweet wines are also made.

What is incredible for the wine tourist is that the Lugana area is directly on Lake Garda, with the wineries quite closely packed together. Located on the southern side of the lake between the towns of Desenzano and Peschiera, predominately just south of the very touristy Sirmione. Being such a compact region, you can expect to make a list of a handful of wineries to visit all within only a 20 minute drive!

ITINERARY – This is flat land (so you could bike between wineries with ease). Incredibly, this list of my 5 recommended wineries is only a 10 minute drive (or 20 minutes by bike)! Google Mapped Itinerary

As usual in Italy, make appointments online or by phone with the wineries you intend to visit. Most wineries have open tasting rooms, are used to speaking English, and provide full tours upon request.

So, if you are planning to explore this southern end of Lake Garda, where do you stay? Personally my favourite town on this end of the lake is Desenzano. I find it the right mix of cute and authentic. The lake is also lined with resorts, hotels, and summer home rentals. If you are not particular about staying in a town centre, these hotel areas are a great option, good value for money, and probably even closer to wineries than the towns themselves. 

The towns surrounding Lake Garda are incredibly cute, all with personality and lake access. Down on the southern end of the lake you have the very famous town of Sirmione, with cute more liveable towns flanking it; west Desenzano, and east Peschiera del Garda. The Lugana DOC region sits firmly in the middle of these towns, basically straight south of Sirmione. The land under the Lugana DOC is about 5,500 acres.

I feel like I need to make a full note about the town Sirmione that I wish I was told as it is maybe the most famous place on Lake Garda.

Sirmione is one of those places that is touristy/became touristy because it is truly incredible. The walled city is home to an well preserved castle, and full (gigantic) Roman ruins. Sirmione is unique in that it is located on a thin strip of land that runs out into the lake. Having said that, the busses of tourists do not stop pulling in, every other shop sells ice cream, and things are overpriced. Places do tend to be touristy for a reason though, I recommend going for the morning to see this unique town. It is also possible to have a private boat ride, or book a boat to take you to dinner there from another town on the lake. On the way into Sirmione town it is packed with resorts and hotels, so it is also an option to stay there, but I would suggest just taking a half day trip to Sirmione.

Whether you intend to go to Lake Garda for wine tourism or not, try a bottle of this refreshing wine this summer. The Lugana region is fully tourist accessible; easy to navigate, fun, and home to great wines. Discover why this Northern Italian white wine is popping up all over the world. After all, Lugana really is a perfect summertime meal wine!