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Lugana DOC: the wine of our land

3 May 2024

Greenish yellow, white pulp fruit and delicate flowers: we are talking about Lui, the Lugana DOC in all its beauty (and goodness!). Lugana speaks a single language, that of the territory in which it comes to life: Lake Garda, formed from a glacial origin (and not volcanic as many think due to the presence of the spa in Sirmione) which led to the southern area of โ€‹โ€‹the basin mineral salts and sediments that are characteristic of our soil today, giving an extremely recognizable saline and mineral profile to the wine. The area for the production of Lugana DOC concerns five municipalities (Sirmione, Lonato, Desenzano, Pozzolengo and Peschiera, the only municipality in the Veneto) and represents one of the few interregional denominations, in our case precisely between Lombardy and Veneto. The soils of these areas can be macro-classified into two types: clay towards the lake shores and sand on the moraine hills.

The aromatic profile that the wine perceives varies slightly depending on whether the plants were grown closer to the lake water or in the hillier areas. But which grape variety are we talking about if we are referring to Lugana DOC? Turbiana is the name of the grape variety used for the production of this DOC. It is part of the large Italian Trebbiano family and is related to Trebbiano di Soave and Verdicchio. We can therefore speak of an “native vine” of the lower Lake Garda area, although today this definition should be better limited, since each vine actually has its origins in the fertile crescent, where agriculture was actually born. Only later did various vine clones better adapt to the different natural areas in which they had the opportunity to grow, expressing interesting and always varied declinations. Another important factor to consider for Lugana wine is the climate, or rather the microclimate of the area.

Another important factor to consider for Lugana wine is the climate, or rather the microclimate of the area. Lake Garda is capable of strongly mitigating the temperature and weather of the southern area, giving summers that are never excessively hot and winters that are almost never below zero. However, an important factor for viticulture, it presents a strong range of temperatures, particularly during the summer, where the drier climate of the day (albeit still a little humid) alternates with the humidity that arises during the night.
However, the typical winds of the area – such as the Luganott of the Lugana bay in Sirmione – naturally dry the bunches, making the lives of farmers easier: thus avoiding mold and damage to the grapes in the phase right around the harvest. But now let’s delve into Lugana with our nose to the glass: what do we perceive? Spring air: jasmine, elderflower, chamomile to name a few delicate flowers; green apple, slightly unripe pear, litchi if we move on to the more fruity scents, typical of vintage Lugana, such as Lugana I Frati by Ca’ dei Frati. But we do not disdain a Lugana with a few years behind it as in the case of Ca’ dei Frati’s Family Privileges: in this case the aromas veer towards more mature and even exotic fruits such as mango, papaya and passion fruit, also present with its acidic note.
And in this case you can also perceive more structured scents that recall hydrocarbon notes and then comes the fragrant poetry, all to be smelled and drunk in company. Try the Turbiana experience among the wines on offer at Ca’ dei Frati: taste it pure to fully appreciate the DOC or in a balanced blend with some important international vines.

  • Address: via Verona 69/71, Lugana di Sirmione, Bs.

  • Telephone: +39 030 919003