Pronunciation – gar-gah-neh-gah
Garganega is an Italian white grape variety, mostly cultivated in the Northern East Italian region of Veneto, especially in the hills of Soave and Gambellara, between the cities of Verona and Vicenza. Small plantations are also found in the neighboring region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the center of Italy, like in Umbria, and also in Sicily with the name of Grecanico.
Some studies have found that there could be a close relationship between Garganega and other Italian grape varieties, like Trebbiano Toscano (one of the most planted white varieties in the whole world). However, these studies yet haven’t come to a right conclusion, so it’s not possible to definite an official conclusion about that fact.
Found in many DOC and DOCG appellations spread across Italy, Garganega is the main grape variety of the most famous white dry and sweet Veneto DOC and DOCG: Soave DOC, Soave Classico DOC, Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG.
Garganega is a late ripening variety, usually harvested in October, and its berries have a nice golden color. It’s then capable of producing both dry and sweet wines, the latter through the “Appassimento” method.
Garganega Tasting Notes
Garganega shows delicate notes of mainly primary fruits such as lemon, apple, stone fruits and spicy notes of white pepper. Intended to be drunk young, especially for the examples coming from the plain in the Soave DOC where these wines have medium body and medium-high acidity so with little capability of aging.
Typical Garganega is unoaked, preserving the freshness of the delicate primary fruits, though the best examples can undergo a period in oak developing rounder body, smokey and honeyed characteristics.
Higher quality wines then usually come from the hills and volcanic soils of Soave Superiore DOCG. Here wines have higher acidity, more body and natural notes of almonds, honey and wet stones. They can also age for some years in bottles.
Garganega Styles
Usually, the vast majority of wines from Garganega are dry and still. However, as seen before, it is possible to make sweet wines through “appassimento”. Appassimento is the method through which selected bunches of Garganega grapes are left to dry for some months into covered trays in special rooms with controlled temperature and humidity. This process makes evaporated water, leading to more concentrated and developed dried fruit and honey flavors and higher sugar levels in the final wine.
Small productions of sparkling Garganega are also made, both with Traditional and Tank methods.
Garganega Classifications
Garganega takes part in various DOC and DOCG through Italy. In Veneto, the more important are Soave DOC, Soave Classico DOC, Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG and Recioto di Gambellara DOCG, in which is the only grape allowed.
In Sicily, famous denominations with Grecanico (synonym of Garganega used in Sicily) are Menfi DOC and Sicilia DOC.
When To Drink Garganega
Its vibrant minerality when it comes from the volcanic soils of Soave hillsides it’s lovely with pasta with vegetables or with raw seafood; we don’t have the risk of overwhelming the delicate taste of the seafood.
Special mention has to be made for the use of Garganega in aperitivo time. In fact, in Veneto this is almost a religion. Just before dinner or after a long work shift, a nice glass of Soave (or Prosecco) is mandatory!
Service temperature depends on the style of wine: Fizzy Garganega about 6-8°C (42-46°F), dry wines slightly more around 8-10° (46-50°F), oaked examples or passito 10-13° (50-55°F).
Best Years To Drink Garganega
Young simple Garganega has to be drunk soon after release, so it doesn’t have the capability of aging a lot. Top quality Garganega, such as Soave Superiore DOCG, that come from hillsides from the best producers, can develop more, up to 20 years.
With age, the primary fruits of these wines develop and turn into tertiary, dried fruit and honeyed characteristics. In any case, to avoid losing the wine, it’s fundamental to follow the rules on how to appropriately stock it (no direct lights, high humidity, no vibrations, cool temperatures)!
Garganega Average Prices
Garganega wines have low prices with good price-quality ratio. In fact, you can find Garganega from $5 and not much more expensive than $20.
Fun Facts About Garganega
Garganega is mainly found in the North East of Italy and Grecanico Dorato in Sicily, Southern part of the peninsula, they are genetically identical!
A cocktail called “Pirlo”, like the Italian footballer, has been invented in the city of Brescia, Lombardy. It’s usually made with Soave!
Currently Garganega is the 2nd most planted grape variety in Veneto, but it’s been replaced with Pinot Grigio, which has more international appeal.
