The waters of Garda DOC have cleared after a significant drop in volumes in 2023. The “Garda Wine Stories” event, held on June 6, 2024, at the amazing Dogana Veneta in Lazise, provided an opportunity to discuss the dynamism, quality, and strong connection to the territory that characterize this denomination.
Prominent speakers addressed an audience of Italian and international journalists, presenting studies and reflections on the development of the Garda DOC, which is experiencing a recovery following an 8% decline in volumes in 2023.
Garda DOC, the strength of a system
One of the most significant moments during the conference was the presentation by Eugenio Pomarici, an expert from the Center for Research in Viticulture and Enology at the University of Padua. His study provided an overview of the dynamism and growth of the Garda DOC appellation, highlighting the remarkable evolution of the wine sector in the Garda area.
The cultivated area and the number of winemakers within the Garda DOC have seen extraordinary growth in recent years. Since 2017, the vineyard area has increased by 46%, and grape production surpassed 41,000 tons in 2023. This growth demonstrates the region’s ability to meet the rising demand in national and international markets.
Pomarici emphasized the Garda DOC’s ability to innovate and diversify its offerings, adapting to the modern consumer’s needs. Bottle production soared from 6.1 million in 2017 to 18.6 million in 2023, showcasing impressive growth and a positive market response to the appellation’s wines.
A crucial aspect highlighted in the study is the strength of the “Garda” brand. That name immediately evokes the beauty and unique characteristics of Lake Garda, giving the wines a positive and attractive image, particularly appreciated in Central Europe. However, Pomarici also pointed out the need for greater distinctive specificity for the appellation, suggesting a focus on varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio to achieve a higher market position.
Garda Doc and Google
In the second speech of the day, Angelo Zago from the Department of Economics at the University of Verona delivered an in-depth analysis of online search activity related to Garda DOC wines. The research project, funded by the Garda DOC consortium, examines the behavior of European and certain Italian users on Google, focusing on terms associated with Verona wines, particularly those of the Garda DOC denomination.
The findings indicate that “Garda” is the most searched term among the main Verona denominations, with significant interest coming primarily from countries as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Trentino Alto-Adige, and Lombardy.
The analysis also reveals a strong attraction in Garda DOC wines within the specific category of alcoholic beverages, with Austria, Germany, and England consistently highlighted as the countries with the highest curiosity. This interest is equally strong in the aforementioned Italian regions, where Garda DOC wines surpass other denominations such as Valpolicella and Lugana.
The project will continue to explore the role of tourism in further boosting interest in these wines and it will evaluate the development of predictive models to optimize promotional activities.
Future strategies and vision of the Garda Doc Consortium
Despite their success and prestige, Garda DOC wines face various challenges in the global market. Increasing competition and evolving consumer preferences need constant adaptation and innovation from the Consortium and its producers.
One of the main challenges is to maintain and strengthen the distinctive identity of Garda DOC wines. While the “Garda” brand immediately evokes beauty and quality, it is crucial to solidify this perception through targeted marketing strategies and effective communication.
Another significant challenge is environmental and social sustainability. The Garda DOC Consortium aims to reduce the environmental impact of wine production by adopting sustainable agricultural practices and minimizing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, it is committed to promoting corporate social responsibility by supporting local projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in surrounding communities.
Digitalization and technological innovation represent another critical area of development. The Consortium plans to fully leverage technological opportunities to enhance product traceability, optimize production and distribution processes, and strengthen consumer engagement through digital platforms and social media.
Lastly, the Consortium aims to bolster cohesion among local producers by promoting greater collaboration and sharing of best practices. This sense of community is seen as a key element in tackling future challenges and consolidating the position of Garda DOC wines in the global wine landscape.
“The wines of the Garda DOC are born in an unparalleled geographical area, a unique place enveloped by the Alps and illuminated by a captivating light that reflects in the lake waters. Here, hills dotted with vineyards narrate a landscape rich in ‘iconemes’, whose history intertwines indispensably with viticulture.” –
Paolo Fiorini, President of the Garda DOC Consortium.
History of the Garda Doc
The Garda DOC appellation, was established in 1996 and officially recognized in 2015. Its 250 producers, involved in every stage “from grape to bottle,” epitomize the authenticity and oenological excellence of the territory.
The unique characteristics of the Garda area translate into extraordinary diversity and richness from an oenological perspective.
Taking a closer look at the vine cultivation zones within the Garda region reveals diversified viticulture, divided into four main geographical areas: the eastern shore, the southern shore, the western shore, and the eastern wing of the territory.
The terroir of Garda DOC is shaped by unique aspects of the geographical area, influenced by the favorable climate near the lake, and by geological events that have shaped the territory over millennia.
Viticulture in Garda thrives on morainic conglomerate soils, formed from debris of rocks, sand, and clay deposited over time by the glacier that originated Lake Garda. These elements, combined with time, water, and vegetation, have transformed the area into the hills that characterize the Garda landscape today.
The soils of Garda have low differentiation of soil profiles; they typically consist of stones, gravel-rich, and heavily calcareous, but with low levels of active limestone. In most cases, these soils are moderately deep and have poor water retention capacity due to coarse texture and weak structure.
It is within this terroir that Garda DOC wines are born, renowned for their smoothness, freshness, and minerality. These distinctive features make Garda DOC wines unique and representative of their homeland, offering consumers a wine experience that reflects the richness and diversity of the Garda landscape.
Numbers and facts about Garda Doc
- 1986: the year when the geographical term “Garda” was first used to label wines produced in this region
- 1996: recognition of the DOC and the establishment of the Voluntary Consortium
- The Garda DOC Consortium today represents 250 producers
- Garda area, spanning across the provinces of Verona, Mantua, and Brescia
- 10 historical production zones within the Garda area: Valtenesi, San Martino della Battaglia, Lugana, Colli Mantovani, Custoza, Bardolino, Valpolicella, Valdadige, Durello, Soave
- 31,000 hectares total eligible area
- 371,000 quintals of grapes harvested in 2022
- 18,753,867 bottles produced in 2023
Terroir
- The area is characterized by morainic hills with a typical semicircular shape, formed from debris of movements, rocks, sand, and clay deposited over millennia by the glacier that later formed Lake Garda.
- Generally, the soils are rocky, rich in gravel, and highly calcareous, but with low levels of active limestone. In most cases, they are moderately deep and have poor water retention due to coarse texture and weak structure.
- The climate is temperate and subcontinental.
- The vegetation is rich with olive trees, capers, lemons, cedars, and agaves.
- There are four main geographical areas: the eastern shore, the southern shore, the western shore, and finally the eastern wing of the territory.
Garda wines
- characterized by softness, freshness, and minerality
- main grape varieties: totaling eight, four white grape varieties “Garganega,” “Trebbiano” (“Trebbiano di Soave” and/or “Trebbiano di Lugana”), “Chardonnay,” “Pinot Grigio,” and four red grape varieties “Corvina,” “Marzemino,” “Merlot,” “Cabernet Sauvignon”
Types of wines
- Still varietal wines:
Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling b., Sauvignon, Cortese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Corvina, Pinot nero, Marzemino. - Still wines blended and/or cold macerated:
- White (garganega, chardonnay, pinot grigio e trebbiano)
- Red (merlot, cabernet, corvina, marzemino, rebo)
- Sparkling wines “Italian method” primarly varietal:
- Bianco (garganega, trebbiano di lugana, pinot grigio)
- Sparkling wines “Classic method” primarly in cuvée:
- White (chardonnay, pinot nero, corvina)
- Rosè (marzemino, corvina, pinot nero)
The colors of Garda DOC
“A temperate climate reminiscent of the Mediterranean, enhanced by the breezes from Lake Garda, unparalleled luminosity, and sun exposure that ensures exceptional grape maturation.”
Paolo Fiorini, President of the Garda DOC Consortium.