Lugana
Lugana is a scenic region that produces white wine in the north of Italy. The vineyard area straddles across the regions of Lombardy and Veneto and sits at the southern end of Lake Garda. The grapes that are grown here are referred to as Lugana or Trebbiano di Lugana which are in fact related to Verdicchio. This region has been producing wines since the Roman times
I decided to import Lugana because of its profile. It’s a great alternative for the unoaked Chardonnay or highly aromatic riper Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio drinker. It is more pronounced aromatically than unoaked Chardonnay and the acidity is softer than that of Sauvignon Blanc. Its weightier oily texture makes it great for food pairing, but it can also stand up nicely on its own. I have only seen a handful of Lugana on the LCBO shelves and thought that it was a wine that needed to be in the Ontario market. If you’ve had a chance to explore some other Italian whites, then you will understand why I thought we needed more Lugana in Ontario. If you’ve yet to explore this category now is your chance.
Giarolas Production process: The grapes are harvested in early October, gently pressed, and fermented at a controlled temperature. The wine is stored in stainless steel tanks and bottled in a sterile line under vacuum. This results in a ripe expression of the fruit with primary aromas and fresh acidity. As the grapes are harvested later in the year there is also a lot of dry extract creating a weightier almost oily texture on the palate, yet the wine finishes fresh and dry.
The wine has a straw-yellow color, an intense aroma of dried fruit, citrus, and peach, and a soft, elegant, savory, and well-balanced taste with a mineral finish.
Giarola is a family owned and operated company that has been working its vineyards since 1923. In 1968 Patriarch Umberto began to produce wine instead of selling his family’s fruit. Umberto sons have taken up the mantle with Valeriano following him into the vineyard and winery, and Michele running the distribution and sales arm of the company.
Their philosophy is simple “Respect for the Environment and Love for Nature”.
2020 Lugana DOC $29.50/btl available in cases of 6
