Lake Garda in a Glass: Exploring Zeni's Lugana Wines

Vino Travels has released it’s first quarterly exclusive newsletter to subscribers last month and the feature was on the wonderful wine appellation of Lugana wines.  If you’re a subscriber I’d love to hear from you if you enjoyed it or if you want to see something different in the next newsletter.  If you missed it and want to learn more about the Lugana wine region including information on the native Turbiana grape, typical pairings, an interview with the President of the Consorzio Tutela Lugana, and places to see, just visit my site at www.vinotravelsitaly.com and subscribe. I’ll send you a copy!

Cantina Zeni winery 

This week I decided to follow up sharing a Lugana wine from renowned Cantina Zeni that I tasted while preparing for my newsletter Release.  The Zeni estate was founded over 150 years ago back in 1870 by Bartolomeo Zeni Whom was a traveling wine merchant at the time.  Gaetano “Nino” Zeni Helped to modernize the business and established the wineries we know today.  Today, the winery is led by the 5th generation, Nino’s children, Elena, Federico and Fausto.   

Elena, Federica, Fausto Zeni - sourced from Cantina Zeni

Cantina Zeni’s winery can be found in two locations, the main estate is in Bardolino on the eastern shores of Lake Garda and the other is in the Valpolicella wine region.  They occupy over 60 acres of vineyards with their estate grapes, but they also contract with respected growers to help supplement some of their production.   

Sirmione on Lake Garda

The Wine 

I tasted the 2024 Zeni Vigne Alte Lugana DOC wine that is labeled as Trebbiano.  It makes it a little easier for the average consumer that may not know what a wine from Lugana is made from since most labels don’t bare the grape.  This wine is made from 100% Turbiana, also known as Trebbiano di Lugana.  The grapes are grown in white clay, limestone rich soils.  The grapes are hand harvested and then macerated on the skins and gently pressed.   

“Vigne Alte” stands for tall vines and probably represents how the vineyards in Bardolino are set on morainic hills.  This wine was pale straw in color with aromas of stone fruit and tropical notes.  It was nice lightly bodied with crisp acidity brightened with some lemon citrus, pineapple and a little tang/bitterness.  ABV 13%, SRP $20-22. 

If you visit the Zeni wine estate in Bardolino you can also experience their treasured wine museum, which was a vision of Nino’s established in 1991. 

You can find many Lugana wines to sample on your own at Wine.com. I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels. 

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Bollicine di Primavera: Italy's Finest Sparkling Wines

Italian sparkling wines at one point in time may have been remembered and enjoyed as being something sweet and sparkling to be enjoyed during a celebratory event.  The Prosecco of the past was something fizzy that didn’t maybe spark much interest and don't even get me started on Lambrusco and what that was known for.  Italy’s history of Italian bubbly was nowhere what it is today.The game has changed! 

The many sparkling wines of Italy 

Today, Italian sparkling wines are some of the most exciting wines in the bubbly world of wine.  From the bone dry Franciacortas of Lombardy that rival some of the best champagnes of France, to the variety of Lambrusco from Emilia Romagna, to the prestigious destinations for Prosecco including Asolo and Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Don’t forget about some of the others to include Trento DOC from the Trentino region, Alta Langa from Piedmont, those from the Oltrepo Pavese in Lombardy to name a few.   

In addition what I think has also stepped up the attention of these wines is the use of some of these beverages in the many mixed cocktails.  Italy has always been known for its aperitivo, but new generations are experiencing spritz driven beverages using Italy’s sparkling wines in a variety of ways. 

Italian sparkling wines are increasing in popularity and Prosecco is leading the pack.  In the first half of 2025, Gambero Rossi stated that Italian sparklers, led by Prosecco, are dominating sales for sparkling wines by volume totaling about $1 billion.  They even mention that Prosecco has a slight edge over Champagne in the US market as well with Asolo and Conegliano Valddobiadene showing sustaining growth. 

Prosecco wine map copyright of Wine Scholar Guild

The Wines 

I’ve been meaning to share some of these wines for some time so I’m excited about this month’s theme.  Today we’ll take a look into Prosecco in particular highlighting those from the Asolo and Valdobbiandene Conegliano designations and a special treat from the Oltrepo Pavese. 

Oltrepo Pavese Sparkling Wine 

The Oltrepo Pavese is the largest wine appellation in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.  The Oltrepo’s primary grape is Pinot Nero and like today’s wine that I’m sharing, the sparkling wines from here are made using the classic method similar to Champagne known as metodo Classico. 

The wine I'm sharing today comes from La Versa, which was founded in 1905 by Cesare Gustavo Faravelli.  This is a cooperative in La Valle Versa working with around 20 wine growers and farmers.  Sparkling wine production is very important to this winery’s success and their first traditional method sparkling wine that they produced was in 1935.  The winery was later acquired by the Terrie d’Oltrepo Group in 2017 and is now one of the large cooperatives in northern Italy with over 660 members covering 1,200 acres. 

I’m sharing the La Versa” Collezione Metodo Classico Oltrepo Pavese DOCG Brut which is made from 85% Pinot Nero and 15% Chardonnay.  Yes, you read that right, 2007!  This wine shockingly spends close to 11 years on its lees!  With citrus and yeasty notes this wine had citrus on the palate with a slight bitterness, almost citrus pith like, along with a tingly, touch of salinity on the finish.  13%  

 

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco  

All the Prosecco I’m sharing today are made from 100% Glera grapes, which is the primary grape used in producing Prosecco.  The Conegliano Valdobbiadene appellation of the Veneto is probably the best-known appellation for producing high quality Prosecco.  Not too far north of Venice, about 30 miles, is where you will find this particular territory, and it sits within the Trevino province just south of the Dolomite mountain range.  This is also a UNESCO heritage site, and its steep slopes are quite the site.  As one that experiences it would imagine, these grapes are manually selected and hand harvested.   

I won’t dig too much into Bellenda since this is a winery and wine that I have shared several times here on Vino Travels, although It's a hard wine not to enjoy so I’m including another vintage that I haven’t covered. 

The 2022 Bellenda San Fermo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut has floral aromas with citrus, apple and pear.  Dry, clean, crisp and refreshing on the palate with lemon citrus and apple notes.  A beautiful mousse with nice salinity on the finish. 11.5% 

I also tasted a wine From Vinicolla Tesini also in one of the communes of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in Vittorio Veneto.  The owner Davide Tesini, an Italian American, started this winery after finding the family vineyards later in his life as an adult in Vittorio Veneto where his grandparents were from. 

The Vinicollina Tesini ”Venti22due” Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry.  At the Extra Dry level this wine has about 12-17 grams of residual sugar.  Lemon citrus aromas.  Medium-bodied on the palate, dry and crisp with citrus pith notes along with tart green apple.  Nice sanity mid palate through to the finish with a lengthy finish. 11% 

Asolo Prosecco 

The Asolo Prosecco appellation became a DOCG in 2009 and set in the Colli Asolani hills between the town of Asolo itself and Cornuda. 

La Gioiosa means “joyous” and takes its name after the name of the Treviso province, Marca Gioiosa et Amorosa, meaning joyous and loving land.  The winery officially started in 1974 when the family established the winery, but the grandfather of current president, Giancarlo Moretti Polegato, purchased the land back in the 1920’s.  The winery today is a large cooperative made up of over 600 farmers with many of them having been working together for decades.  They are a leader in being environmentally friendly using the nearby Piave River as an energy source for their hydroelectric power. 

The 2022 La Gioiosa et Amorosa Millesimato Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry is medium-bodied with a nice airiness to the weight of the wine.  Ripe apple notes with beautiful crispness, fine mousse and salinity towards the finish.  ABV 11% 

Pairings with Italian sparkling wines 

Many of the wines shared today can be enjoyed in various capacities. They are joyous on their own as an aperitif or as a starter with either a salad or a nice charcuterie of cheeses and cured meats.  They’re a natural accompaniment to seafood dishes or can be paired with vegetable based dishes.  They also can be enjoyed with fresh fruit juice as an apertivo, think aperol spritz or the many various versions created today. 

Join the rest of our Italian sparkling wine writers as they explore the variety throughout Italy

• Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles will feature “San Fermo Prosecco by Bellenda with Roasted Beech Mushrooms, Cheesy Polenta, and a tarragon, basil, lemon/pesto" 
• Camilla from Culinary Cam will be taking a look at “Beyond Prosecco: Exploring Other Italian Bubbles”  
• Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm is “Celebrating our Anniversary with a Hugo Spritz” 
• Martin from Enofylz Wine Blog is sharing "Rethinking Lambrusco: A Metodo Classico Surprise from Cantina della Volta"
• Cathie from Side Hustle Wino is highlighting "Lambrusco-A 21st Century Look at a Century's Old Wine"

Other sparkling wines of Italy to explore 

• Sparkling Wines from the Alta Langa with Borgo Maragliano 
•  Brachetto: The Sweet, Red Bubbly of Piedmont 
• Cantina Vignaioli Wines of the Maremma Paired with Acquacotta 
• A Sweetness of of Moscato d’Asti with Ca’d’Gal Wines 

Also, if you’re not familiar between the differences between the charmat and metodo classico methods you can learn more about these two sparkling wine methods used in Italian sparkling wine production. 

I've recently partnered with a company Wandering whom has partnerships with wineries all throughout Italy.  They offer some sparkling wine tours in this region to check out if you find yourself venturing to the land of Prosecco.

• From Vine to Glass: Premium Prosecco Tasting at Fasol Menin 
• Tasting of Valdobbiadene DOCG with Ciccheti at Il Casale Wine Experience 

You can find many sparkling wines from around Italy on Wine.com to try.  

I may receive compensation for any wines or trips purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels. 

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*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.

A Value at Trader Joe's: Villa Molino Soave Classico

At one point in time the Soave wine territory faced overproduction with an expanded territory that weakened the reputation with a flood of lower quality to mediocre wines produced and introduced to the market.  Thankfully, times have changed, and the wines of Soave have elevated.  Let today’s blog on Soave introduce you to the wines of this region that will reward you in your glass for your exploration.  

The Soave wine territory 

Set in the hills and valleys of the Lessini Mountains, northeast of Verona, is the Soave wine appellation.  Named after the medieval town, Soave, that is surrounded by walls and crowned with a castle on the hillside.  The Classico zone, which is the historical part of the territory set between the town of Soave ad Monteforte d’Alpone, is home to some of the classic, historic wines of the region with the truest expression of these wines that show complexity and structure with age. Per the Consorzio, the Soave wine region “has the highest viticulture density in Italy with about 3,000 small estates each with about 2 hectares”. 

Castello Scaligero

Soave wines were officially recognized in 1931 as ”one of the first wines to be declared a fine Italian wine by royal decree” and was officially delimited according to the Consorzio's site.

hills of Soave Classico

The grapes of Soave

The Soave DOC was created in 1968 and requires a minimum of 70% Garganega and a 30% maximum usage of Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay.  Garganega is one of the oldest grapes in Italy.  It’s a late ripening grape that finds its best expression in Soave in the territory from Lake Garda to the Colli Euganei.  Typical characteristics are ripe stone fruit, citrus, apple, white flowers and almond.  The addition of Trebbiano adds freshness and delicate floral notes.  It is a low yielding grape that was slowly abandoned in favor of Garganega, but is making its comeback.  The Chardonnay adds softness to the blend if used. 

Garganega grapes

Trebbiano di Soave grapes

The soils of Soave

The soils of Soave are made up of tufaceous volcanic soil and a basalt mix with limestone.Those in the limestone soils tend to be young, fresh and floral with a subtle almond note.  They are enjoyed best on their own, as an aperitif or with lighter fare.  Those of the Classico zone and Superiore versions grown in the volcanic soil show mineral components and are more complex and structured that pair well with flavorful dishes of chicken and seafood.  

basalt, volcanic soils of Soave

limestone soils of Soave

The Soave wine 

The 2022 Villa Molino Soave Classico DOC is made from 90% Garganega and 10% Trebbiano di Soave. I couldn't find a technical sheet on this wine, but by the taste of it I'm assuming only stainless steel was used. The color was straw colored.   Light to medium-bodied in the glass, soft with a round mouthfeel with bright tropical fruit. It was easy drinking with a touch of salinity on the finish.  ABV 12%, $6 (Trader Joes) 

Even though today we highlighted the Soave DOC wines, there are also Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG wines to seek out that are high quality wines with stricter regulations. 

I’ve featured a number of respected producers in the past on my blog so feel free to check them out. 

• The Volcanic Wines of the Veneto with Monte Tondo Soave Wines 
• The Legacy of Pieropan in Soave 
• Comparing and Pairing Inama’s Soave Classico Wines 
• Swept Away to Soave with Gini 
• Garganega and Exploring Soave 

Cin cin! 

You can find many Soave wines to try on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels. 

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Pictures copyright of Consorzio Tutela Vini Soave