DOCCrosses into Lombardy
Garda
Garda is a DOC (controlled designation of origin) wine made in the province of Verona, and partly in Lombardy. The production rules require at least 50% Garganega, Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Pinot grigio, Cortese e Tocai friulano. The rules allow 10 types (white, sparkling, semi-sparkling, passito and red).
- Category
- DOC
- Provinces
- Verona (+ Lombardy)
- Maximum yield
- 18 t/ha
- Minimum alcohol
- 10.5% vol
- Recognised
- DOC 1996
Grapes: Garda Bianco
The grapes allowed in the base wine and the shares set by the production rules.
- Garganega, Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Pinot grigio, Cortese and Tocai friulanoalone or together; Trebbiano di Soave and/or Trebbiano toscanoat least 50%
- other non-aromatic white-berried varieties and/or black-berried varieties vinified as whiteapproved in the Lombardy region and in the province of Veronaup to 50%
Garda Rosso
- Corvina, Corvinone, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Carmenère and Pinot neroalone or togetherat least 50%
- other non-aromatic black-berried and white-berried varietieswhite-berried ones up to a maximum of 15%; approved in the Lombardy region and in the province of Veronaup to 50%
Garda Rosato o Rosé Spumante
- Corvina, Corvinone, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Carmenère and Pinot neroalone or togetherat least 50%
- other non-aromatic black-berried and white-berried varietieswhite-berried ones up to a maximum of 15%; approved in the Lombardy region and in the province of Veronaup to 50%
Garda Rosato o Rosé Frizzante
- Corvina, Corvinone, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Carmenère and Pinot neroalone or togetherat least 50%
- other non-aromatic black-berried and white-berried varietieswhite-berried ones up to a maximum of 15%; approved in the Lombardy region and in the province of Veronaup to 50%
Varieties named on the label
15 varieties may appear on the label, with at least 85% of the grape named.
Wine types
Type names are given as they appear on the label.
| Type | Style | Minimum alcohol | Minimum ageing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garda Bianco | White | 10.5% vol | – |
| Garda Bianco Spumante | Sparkling | 11% vol | – |
| Garda Bianco Spumante di qualità (metodo classico) | Sparkling | 12% vol | –may carry the term "Crémant" on the label |
| Garda Bianco Frizzante | Semi-sparkling | 10.5% vol | – |
| Garda Bianco Passito | Passito (dried grapes) | 14% vol | –of which at least 12% vol actual; not before 1 September of the year after the harvest |
| Garda Rosso | Red | 10.5% vol | – |
| Garda Rosso Passito | Passito (dried grapes) | 14% vol | –of which at least 12% vol actual; not before 1 September of the year after the harvest |
| Garda Rosato o Rosé Spumante | Sparkling | 11% vol | – |
| Garda Rosato o Rosé Spumante di qualità (metodo classico) | Sparkling | 12% vol | –may carry the term "Crémant" on the label |
| Garda Rosato o Rosé Frizzante | Semi-sparkling | 10.5% vol | – |
Production area
In the province of Verona the zone includes the first 13 municipalities listed in full and the others in part; the denomination also extends into Lombardy, in the provinces of Brescia and Mantova.
45 municipalities in the province of Verona, wholly or in part:
- Bardolino
- Castelnuovo del Garda
- Cazzano di Tramigna
- Garda
- Illasi
- Lazise
- Mezzane di Sotto
- Montecchia di Crosara
- Roncà
- Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella
- San Giovanni Ilarione
- San Pietro in Cariano
- Tregnago
- Affi
- Badia Calavena
- Brentino Belluno
- Bussolengo
- Caldiero
- Caprino Veronese
- Cerro Veronese
- Cavaion Veronese
- Colognola ai Colli
- Costermano
- Dolcè
- Fumane
- Grezzana
- Lavagno
- Marano di Valpolicella
- Monteforte d'Alpone
- Negrar
- Pastrengo
- Pescantina
- Peschiera del Garda
- Rivoli Veronese
- San Bonifacio
- San Martino Buon Albergo
- San Mauro di Saline
- Soave
- Sommacampagna
- Sona
- Torri del Benaco
- Valeggio sul Mincio
- Verona
- Vestenanova
- Villafranca di Verona
Tastings and tours · affiliate links
Winery visits: Bardolino and Lake Garda
Sources
- Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (2025). Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata dei vini "Garda". Testo consolidato, ultima modifica: DM 24 settembre 2025, aggiornato con DM 16 dicembre 2025 (comunicazione pubblicata nella GUUE serie C del 9 marzo 2026).
Official texts are in Italian. Checked on 2026-11-03.
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