Do you want to try Garganega wine? Would you like to know about the taste notes and origin before going ahead? If yes, you are in the right place. The Garganega wine might not be the most popular in the current condition. However, you will love its honeydew melon and apple notes with a fresh aroma. Also, you will enjoy the pear, greenage, and lemon flavors. If you want to know about the origin, you can keep reading. We will discuss taste notes, food fairing, and flavors as well. We will cover all the possible aspects to make it easier to decide.
Garganega is a white grape variety used in different types of white wines. We can take the example of the Gambellara and Soave. Wine manufacturers in Veneto, northern Italy, use Garganega grapes in Soave. You will also find this variety in other white wines. Also, DNA profiling in recent years has revealed that Garganega belongs to the same vine as the Grecanico Dorato, a vineyard in Sicily. Sicily and Veneto cities are 1000 kilometers far from one another. However, these cities are home to Garganega grapes with 11,000 hectares coverage.
Origin of the Garganega Grape
Garganega grape has an exceptional contribution to the Soave wine. However, it is a white variety of grapes, and it had its origin in the Veneto, northeast Italy. It is widely available in the famous wine of the region, Soave. Also, this grape is the main content in a lesser-known wine, Gambellara.
Garganega grape has been around for several centuries. However, a recent DNA analysis found it identical to another grape variety, the Grecanico Dorato grape. Both these types of grapes are available in two different cities in Italy. However, Garganega is less popular even if it is the most vital part of the famous wine of the reign. The reason is that wine manufacturers do not mention the name of the Garganega in labeling. They use this grape variety under the name of the Gambellara and Soave.
However, Garganega is a tremendously dynamic grape. It is capable of producing high yields when grown on fertile lands. Also, this variety is resistant to diseases and ripens late without being impacted by external and weather elements. Moreover, it is capable of retaining a good level of acidity.
More importantly, the Garganega grape variety is versatile and can be a part of dry table wines. Some manufacturers use it in sweet Recioto dessert wines. They follow the passito method for sweet wines. When it comes to Soave, Garganega contributes from seventy to a hundred percent of the finished wine. The quantity proves the effectiveness and the blending ability of the Garganega vine. However, some wine manufacturers use Trebbiano for the acidity and Chardonnay for the body. But the quantity of these cannot be more than thirty percent of the finished wine. Also, some manufacturers do not blend Garganega with other wines when they focus more on the quality.
DOC regulations support a high yield of this vine that contributes to the mass production of some well-known and lesser-known wines, including Soave. Moreover, Garganega can make exceptional sweet wines with flavors and different taste notes.
You will find Garganega wines light-bodied and delicate. Also, they will have a good acidity level. When it comes to aromas, you can expect the fragrance of white flowers. Yes, Garganega wines will have honeydew melon and apple aroma. Also, it will have greenage, lemon, and pear with an almond finish characteristic. For better quality wines, manufacturers consider treating the wine with oak. However, oak-treated wines can maintain their freshness for years. But the Garganega wine can be the best when consumed fresh and young.
The Soave wines that come with the Soave Classico labels are of the best quality. They use the vines grown on better soils, Also, these wines will have more concentrated flavor and restricted wields.
Reasons Behind Less Popularity & Wide Harvesting
Many wine manufacturers use Garganega white vine in their wines. The best example is the Soave. But they do not mention the name of this white grape on the labeling. As a result, many wine lovers are not familiar with this grape variety. However, Garganega has a high regard in its northern homeland. It has received the desired appreciation both in the winery and vineyard.
Growers prefer this variety due to its generous yields and its loose-knit bunch. The loose knit-bunch structure will increase the ventilation and minimize the risk of any disease, including fungal ones. Also, you will find the quality impressive while drying the grapes for recioto wines production. The Garganega grape has moderate acidity, high concentration, and elegant perfume. The combination of these excellent qualities helps to balance between quantity and quality.
When it comes to the desired appreciation, many wine manufacturers do not use the name of this vine on labeling. Even if it constitutes a significant part of the wine, the name is not present on the labels. Soave is a perfect example in this regard. However, it is good that Garganega is not a known part of the Soave and any low-quality wines. The manufacturers do not give credit to this grapevine. Therefore, it is less known but not negatively famous. But the Classico zone of the Soave has given credit to this local vine. The Classico is a quality wine and uses this single variety.
Also, a few producers blend this grapevine with some other varieties. As stated earlier, the DOC allows the use of thirty percent of the chardonnay or Trebbiano di Soave. Moreover, some Trevenezie IGT and Veneto IGT wines combine Garganega with other varieties.
The contribution of the Garganega white grape to Italian viniculture is worth appreciating. Garganega is not only the most widely planted vine variety. Also, it is one of the oldest grapes. The Soave wine has been around since the 6th century. It has been there since Cassiodorus, who described this wine as white and pure like a lily. It is noteworthy that Garganega had been a significant part of this wine from the beginning.
In addition to all these, Garganega has been a part of many other Veneto DOC wines. A few of them are Monti Lessini, Colli Berici, Arcole, and Bianco di Custoza. Apart from that, this variety is also available in wines of neighboring Friuli and Lombardy. Also, it is available in Umbria. The hills of Colli Perugini, and Colli Amerini are home to this vine variety. They use Garganega as the minor blending for their sparking and white wines.
Characteristics of the Garganega
As mentioned earlier, two regions of Italy have this white grapevine. Also, it contributes to Soave wine significantly, and it has been around for a long time. This grapevine has its place in the wine world for its intense aromas, medium acidity, baked golden apple taste, apricot taste tones, and peach blossoms. Also, it has the most contribution to dry wines. It has an exceptional ability to blend with sweet wines as well. However, sweet wines use dried and late-harvested grapes. Moreover, Garganega grapes have a rich texture and concentrated aroma. You can expect the fragrance of honeydew, lemon peel, tropical fruits, and sweet spices.
Growing Regions
From the above, you might have an idea about the regions. Soave DOC is a well-known Garganega producing region, located in Veneto, Northeast Italy. Also, you will find an identical variety throughout Sicily. Beyond these two places, you will find this grape variety in Umbria, Lombardy, and Friuli. Also, you can expect less production of the Garganega outside of Italy. However, there will be a difference in the quality. You can expect a wide variety ranging from bland to exceptional texture. Also, it can change from age-worthy to elegant based on the origin source. But the finest one is available in the Soave Classico zone. You will find the most protected and historical white grapes on this site. It is the heartland of the finest and quality Garganega.
Tasting Notes
Even if the DOC permits the blend of thirty percent of other white grapes, this grapevine is easy to identify. The white peach, melon, and green herbal notes are easily recognizable. Also, the melon and peach mix, layers of almond, and zestier citrus make it different from other varieties. As it ages, the Garganega gets full notes and rich textures. Besides, this grape variety is a popular option for the recioto and spumante-style wines.
Food Pairing
You can pair Garganega-based wines with scallops, lobster, grilled poultry, mussels, and a variety of fish. It can match up well with seafood dishes. You can enjoy the roast zucchini with goat cheese. For sweet recioto wines, you can pair sticky rice with mango. You can pair Garganega wine with vegetables and less spicy Indian, Chinese, and Thai cuisine. Also, fresh salads, including green herbs, can be true winners.
What Are the Main Styles?
Some Italians prefer oak barrels that give your wine more weight. However, most wine lovers prefer clean and citrusy whites. They love the combination with orchard stone fruit. Also, this vine can produce sweet wines from late-harvested and dried grapes.
