Veneto

DOC for dry red and rosé wines, located in the West of the Veneto region in Italy. It is named after the city of the same name, located East of Lake Garda. The zone is located between the south-eastern shores of Lake Garda and the Etsch river, and includes the communes of Affi, Bardolino, Bussolengo, Caprino Veronese, Castelnuovo del Garda, Cavaion Veronese, Costermano, Garda, Lazise, Pastrengo, Peschiera del Garda, Rivoli Veronese, Sommacampagna, Sona, Torri del Benaco and Valeggio sul Mincio in the province of Verona. The wines of the core area, which includes the communes of Affi, Bardolino, Cavaion Veronese, Costermano, Garda and Lazise may additionally bear the designation Classico on the label. The red wine is similar to Valpolicella, which is from the same region, but is a little lighter in colour. It is made from the following varieties: Cruina = Corvina Veronese (35-65%) and Rondinella (10-40%), while the following may be added: Covinone, a sub-variety (max. 10%), as well as one or more of Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marzemino, Merlot, Molinara, Rossignola and Sangiovese (max. 20%, no single variety more than 10%) to the blend. Other variants produced include a Novello, a rosé Chiaretto and (with 11,5% vol) a sparkling Chiaretto Spumante Brut. Bardolino Superiore and Bardolino Classico Superiore were classified as DOCG in 2001. The minimum alcohol level is 12,5% vol, and the wine must be matured for a minimum of one year. Well-known producers of Bardolino include Cavalchina, Corte Gardoni, Guerrieri-Rizzardi, Lenotti, Montresor, Pantini, Le Vigne di San Pietro, Zenato and Zeni. The best recent vintages are 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.