Our first taste of Lugana wine was at an exquisitely romantic restaurant overlooking Lake Garda in the storybook commune of Sirmione in Lombardy.
It was 1985, our first trip to Europe together, kind of a pre-honeymoon as we were to be married in the coming fall.
Wanting to savor every part of Italy in it's truest form we followed the advice of a food and wine writer and always ordered the "Vino Locale" with our meals. On this night we had seafood and so it was "Vino Bianco Locale." And of course it was a Lugana, the "white wine of Lake Garda." We loved it.
For years we enjoyed this wine, the well priced Lugano by Zeneto was easily available. But, in time we sadly grew bored of Lugano, not knowing that there are so many different variations to enjoy.
At a tasting presented by Consorzio Tutela Lugana D.O.C. at Eataly La Scuola Grande, in New York City, we had the very exciting opportunity to taste and savor and learn about over a dozen Lugano wines with delightful bites from the Eataly kitchens. Wow what an exciting wine this is. Our love of Lugana is revivied.
Carefully crafted around the Lake Garda region of Brescia, Lombardy, if you like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc you will love these.
Across the dozen or so wines we tasted we sensed a similar root taste profile from the common grape Trebbiano di Lugano, which is not the same as the Trebbiano that is widely planted in other parts of Italy, but as we learned the same grape as what is called Verdicchio. Another white wine we adore, produced mainly in the Marche region of Italy.
Yet, beyond this common thread, there was tantalizing and seductive variety in these wines. Some drier, others fruitier, some deep and unctuous and others more light and fluid, all with distinct complexity. "Fractured" was a word one wine maker used to explain the nuances to me. Not a word I would use, but illustrated the dimensional experience of enjoying this wine very well.
You can imagine how excited we were to find two of our favorites of the evening in the Lombardy section of Viscount Wines the next day in Wappinger Falls.
Tenuta Roveglia Lugana Limne a delightful wine made on the southern shore of Lake Garda that has been a place for farming grapes since the Romans. Founded in the 19th century, the winery has been maintained great excellence over four generations and today great grand daughters Sara, Vanessa and Babettli continue the tradition.
Every vineyard here, members of the Lugana Consortium have equally rich storied histories worthy of your exploration. exploration.
Like the story of Pasini San Giovanni winery, who makes the other bottle, Il Lugana, we found locally. It began in 1940 and is now tended by a third generation.
I would not hesitate to try any wine from this region, their commitment to perfection is that great.
Our Lugana experience began in love and continues
July, 2015, is Lugana month at Eataly, if you are in the neighborhood stop by and try a glass of this fabulous wine. More Here
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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