The Lugana region
Nestled in the picturesque landscape south of Lake Garda, the Lugana region stands out for its wine-growing prowess and production of wines packed with personality. The region is rich in history, legend and tradition, which is reflected today in the white wines that embody the charm and uniqueness of this area. Let’s look at where Lugana is made.
The history of the region
The southern shore of Lake Garda has a fascinating past. At one time, the area was completely covered by the “Selva Lucana“, a dense, marshy forest. It was only thanks to the reclamation by the Republic of Venice in the 15th century that the area was gradually transformed into cultivable land, mainly used for the production of cereals. However, vines have been present in this region since the Bronze Age, as evidenced by the famous Vitis Silvestris (Wild Grape) seeds found in pile dwellings in Peschiera del Garda.
Legend and history entwine with references relating to the poet Catullus, Theodoric the Great (king of the Ostrogoths) and more recently to Isabella d’Este Gonzaga, who tasted the “beautiful grapes” at the ruins of the Roman villa in Sirmione during a trip to Lake Garda. But it was not until the 16th century that the region’s white wine began to take on an identity all of its own. Early references confirm this: for example, Andrea Bacci described the “exquisite Trebulani” in his 1595 writings, while Ottavio Rossi spoke of the “strong and sweet” wine of “muddy Lugana” in his ‘Memorie Bresciane’ from 1693. And this is how this wine’s fame and popularity started to spread.
Where is Lugana wine made?
As journalist Zeffiro Bocci wrote, Lugana is a “two-faced” place as it belongs to two different regions, Lombardy and Veneto. The part of the designation in Lombardy, with four out of five municipalities in the Brescia province (Desenzano, Sirmione, Pozzolengo and Lonato), boasts the majority both in terms of municipalities and hectares under vine.
From a wine-growing perspective, the Lugana region is divided into two main areas:
- The first, which is larger and flatter, extends along the hinterland between Desenzano, Sirmione, Pozzolengo and Peschiera. This area is known for its compact clay and is the beating heart of the designation. Here, between Rovizza and Lugana, we find the historical and elective areas of Lugana, where the wines produced have a more “lacustrine” and mineral style;
- The second area is hillier and further east, stretching from San Martino della Battaglia towards Pozzolengo and Lonato. The clay here is sandier, the hills are gentle and rolling (with altitudes no higher than 130 metres) and the soil is more morainic (especially towards Lonato), with a good presence of gravel. The wines from this area are less mineral, have good acidity and impressive body.
This “two-faced” identity, shared between Lombardy and Veneto, gives Lugana a singular, distinctive character, the result of a complex and nuanced terroir, which is reflected in the uniqueness of its wines.
The terroir of the Lugana area
Lugana’s organoleptic qualities are shaped by the hills of Lugana, with their stratified clay of morainic origin with a sedimentary nature, predominantly limestone-based and rich in mineral salts. As the vineyards are located on a strip that becomes sandier as it ascends towards the hills, it gives the wine intense aromas with almond and citrus notes. Plus, the soil gives Lugana a marked acidity, full flavour and well-balanced structure.
The microclimate in the area is also key as it is positively influenced by the temperate breezes from Lake Garda. The mild and constant climate, with only a small difference in temperature between day and night, creates a “climatic cradle” perfect for enhancing the unique properties of Turbiana, the native grape variety used to make Lugana.
The soil, the climate and the native grape variety make Lugana’s terroir an ideal combination that lends the wine its unique and unmistakable characteristics.