Bardolino comes from the eastern shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Verona, among moraine hills left by the glaciers and the mild climate the lake carries well inland. The area includes all or part of the municipalities of Bardolino, Garda, Lazise, Affi, Costermano, Cavaion Veronese, Torri del Benaco, Caprino, Pastrengo, Bussolengo, Sona, Sommacampagna, Castelnuovo, Peschiera and Valeggio sul Mincio. The DOC dates from 1968; vineyards cover about 2,505 hectares, with an output of 187,000 hectolitres.
The grapes of the Verona side of Garda
The grapes are the same as in nearby Valpolicella, but the result is different: lighter, fresher, more fragrant wines. The regulations require 35 to 95% Corvina and Corvinone, with Corvinone at most 20%, 5 to 40% Rondinella and up to 20% other red grapes, including Molinara. Minimum alcohol is 10.5%.
Rosso, Chiaretto and subzones
Bardolino Rosso is a young wine, released as early as 15 January after the harvest; there is also a Novello. Chiaretto is Garda's rosé, made from the same grapes, also as a spumante. The Classico zone corresponds to the historic area around Bardolino. Since the 2020 vintage there have been three subzones for the Rosso: La Rocca, the western strip along the lake; Montebaldo, to the north-east; Sommacampagna, to the south-east. Their wines age for at least one year and are not released before 1 September after the harvest.
In the glass Bardolino is light ruby, with aromas of cherry, strawberry, raspberry and spices such as pepper and cinnamon; on the palate it is fresh and savoury, with light tannins. Chiaretto has a pale pink colour and aromas of citrus and small red fruits.
At the table
It is a wine for the whole meal: it goes with soups, pasta, fried food, poultry, snails and flavourful cheeses, and is served between 16 and 18 degrees. Chiaretto is perfect with lake fish. On the southern shore of the same lake comes the white Lugana.
