If you find yourself desiring to drive around Italy's Lake Garda in an Aston Martin like James Bond in Quantum of Solace, remember to keep your eyes on the prize and to go slow, as the pleasure of wine tasting awaits you at Turina Vini.
Beyond the wondrously winding lakeside passages where pastel painted villages look like a fresh fruit tarts overflowing with strawberries and peaches galore, is the beautiful town of Sirmione, where wealthy Veronese have vacationed since the 1st century B.C. and where medieval Scaligero Castle has stood lakeside since the 13th century. Just a few miles west of this historical area is the treasured family farm and vineyard of Turina, where multiple generations join hands and hearts in creating wonderful wines and olive oil made to be loved.
The area of Lake Garda is a microclimate nestled beneath the mountainous Italian Alps that stand as guardians, their graceful forms reflected onto turquoise crystal clear waters below, which is alluring to say the least.
In Spring and Summer the sweet scent of blossoming lemon trees is known to envelope the area, stirring the senses and arousing inner romantics. In this regard, it is no surprise that Lake Garda is very close to Verona, where Juliet bemoaned from her balcony, “Romeo, oh Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo.” Yes, this region is perhaps the best in Italy for star-cross’d lovers and those seeking to seize the day as 007...with a glass of wine in hand.
Winemaker's Interview:
Q | What is your story with the winery?
I chose to work at the winery because of the passion that my grandfather Gaudenzio passed on to me as a child. He will always be my inspiration...he taught me how passion and dedication for one's work is a fundamental step to obtain credible and gratifying results.
Q | What do you do to keep your wines and land healthy?
Positioned below the Garda Mountains, in a special microclimate, the land is naturally suited to the cultivation of vines. First rule of the vineyard is to respect the ecosystem. Which is why we use minimum products to protect the plants and intervene as little as possible with the natural grazing of the land.
Q | How many different grape varieties do you work with?
The Valtènesi and Lombardy Lugana wine regions are proud to have been able to cultivate their own native varieties for more than a century. For this reason, we cultivate Trebbiano di Lugana and the four grape varieties used throughout Italy for the production of great red wines: Valtènesi, Groppello (a variety grown only here), Sangiovese (used in Brunello di Montalcino & Chianti), Marzemino and Barbera.
The Valtènesi we have been cultivating and vinifying for almost two centuries; producing top rosé wines.
The rosé of Valtènesi Chiaretto is pale pink, fresh with vitality, revealing firm and delicate intensity with notes of wild strawberry. Perfectly pairing with summer meals where green olives, prosciutto and melon, and or dishes with slight spiciness are presented.
Q | What are your goals for the winery?
I hope that our wine can inspire within the customer a healthy curiosity for trying to understand the unique and unrepeatable ways of wine. This is a region for pleasure seeking enthusiasts who want to discover a rich oenological and gastronomic culture.
Q | Tell us a little bit about the food of your region. What is your favorite local restaurant?
My favourite restaurant is Da Osvaldo in San Felice del Benaco. A historic restaurant, just a few steps from the lake, with a wide range of cuisine based on the fresh catch of the day, with local ingredients from within 100 miles. Si, it is one of those restaurants where you can truly taste the land.
Q | What do you eat at home with your wine?
At home, I also most enjoy eating fresh fish from the lake, which goes sublimely well with the delicate floral, fruity freshness of Fontananamora, our best rosé.
Vacation with Tinto Travel Tour to truly taste the terroir and experience the best of Northern Italy!
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Cantine Turina, Fontanamora, 2019 | Riviera del Garda Classico, Lombardy, Italy
Tasting Notes:This wine has a delicate fragrance showing floral and fruity aromas. The palate is firm and intense with wild strawberry notes and a bright acidity that gives the wine a wonderfully fresh quality. It has a very delicate and delicious honeycomb note on the finish.
Pair it With: We love it with flavorful foods like tacos, fruit salsas, fajitas, stuffed peppers, moroccan roasted vegetables, chicken kebabs and Indian curries!
Grape Varieties: 60% Groppello, 30% Marzemino, 10% Barbera
Cantine Turina | Gropello 2018, Riviera del Garda Classico, Lombardy
Tasting Notes: This Groppello has a ruby red appearance. While its young it pours a fruitful flavor that becomes more spicy with age. The flavors are intense and robust with a slightly herbal aftertaste.
Pair it With: This wine’s lighter body and fruity flavors lend it well to flavorful dishes like tuna and rice salads, chicken quesadillas, and our favorite - pork ribs marinated in harissa!
Grape Varieties: 100% Groppello
Cantine Turina Marzemino 2018 | Benaco Bresciano, Lombardy, Italy
Tasting Notes: This wine pours a pretty ruby red hue with purple undertones. It is dry and full of red and blue fruit flavors. It has hints of baking spice and aromas of herbs and undergrowth.
Pair it With: This fruity wine is delicious with barbecue, roasted and stewed meats and game, roasted chicken and aged cheeses.
Grape Varieties: 100% Marzemino
Cantine Turina ‘Resembol’ Passito 2015
Lombardy, Italy
Tasting Notes: From their best vineyards, and during their best vintages, Turina harvests a small percent of Trebbiano di Lugana, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling to leave on fruit-drying racks to wither for approximately fifty days. After a delicate pressing, the must is full of sugars and intense flavor. A slow winter fermentation contributes to a wine that is intense, sweet, warm and fruity with soft aromas of exotic fruit and honey. This wine has high aging potential.
Pair it With: This wine is absolutely perfect paired with ripe cheese and dry pastries.
Cantine Turina Seselle 2017
Valténesi Riviera del Garda Classico, Lombardy, Ital
Tasting Notes: This is a delicious wine. It gives aromas of red fruit and baking spice and pours a medium body with velvety and soft tannic structure. The wine tastes much like it smells, with delicious flavors of fresh red berries, jammy fruits and baking spice, giving it an almost “blueberry pie” quality. The wine is dry.
Pair it With: We absolutely love this wine with stewed and grilled meats, barbecue, roasted chicken, lamb, and moroccan and middle eastern spices.
Cantine Turina Spumante Brut Lugana DOC NV | Lombardy, Italy
Tasting Notes: This wine pours straw yellow when it’s young, and deepens towards a golden yellow with age. It’s nose is fruit with notes of yeast. The bubbles are soft, but persistent.
Pair it With:You can drink this wine with just about anything that is salty, fried or fishy and it will be magic. It’s a great aperitif, but it can be enjoyed with your main course as well.
Grape Varieties: 100% Trebbiano di Lugana
Cantine Turina Vigna Fenil Boi Lugana DOC 2017, Lombardy, Italy
Tasting Notes: This wine is intense and fruity with very persistent flavors of apricot and almonds. The nose is delicate, with hints of minerals, waxy white flowers, citrus and herbs.
Pair it With: Truly a fun wine to pair with food, we love this one alongside seafood dishes, prosciutto, savory tarts, cheesy puff pastries and quiche.
Grape Varieties: 100% Trebbiano di Lugana
Technical Info |
Appellation: LUGANA DOC e VALTENESI Riviera del Garda Classico
Producers in appellation:200000 bottles
Total production in bottles:25000
Cork closures (y/n): Yes
Yield per hectare: Valtenesi 90qli/ Ha Lugana 125qli/ha