Description
The Riviera del Garda Classico PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Red Superiore, Claret, Spumante Rosé (in the sparkling wine and quality sparkling Wine categories) and Groppello (grape variety specification). The Designation also incorporates one geographical specification.
Production Area
The production area of Riviera del Garda Classico PDO is within the territory of numerous municipalities in the Province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region.
Description of product typologies
Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Bianco is straw-yellow with greenish reflections; the nose is fresh, harmonious, delicate and characteristic, at times revealing floral hints; it is harmonious and velvety on the palate, ranging from dry to medium-sweet. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Chiaretto ranges from soft to deep pink; it is elegant and intense on the nose, at times revealing floral and fruity hints; it is sapid and elegant on the palate, ranging from dry to medium-sweet. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Rosso is ruby red, tending towards garnet red with ageing; the nose is characteristic and fruity, at times with spicy notes; it is dry and sapid on the palate, with an almondy aftertaste. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Rosso Superiore is ruby red, at times with garnet red reflections; the nose is ample, complex and at times spicy; it is dry, structured and velvety on the palate, with an almondy aftertaste. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Spumante Rosé is pink, varying in intensity, and has fine, persistent foam; if the Charmat gasification method has been used, the nose displays fragrant fruity hints, while wines produced with the traditional method reveal an elegant bouquet; it is fresh, sapid and persistent on the palate in wines ranging from dosaggio zero (no added sugar ) to demi-sec, with almondy sensations in the finish. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Spumante Rosé wines must be produced with the Charmat natural secondary-fermentation gasification method or the or the Classico method. Gasification processes must take place within the provinces of Verona, Mantua, Brescia, Vicenza and Treviso.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Riviera del Garda Classico PDO can be accompanied by the geographical sub-designation Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Valtenesi, which is produced as Red, Red Riserva and Claret wines. These are made with a minimum of 30% Groppello, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from the Marzemino, Barbera and Sangiovese grape varieties, individually or combined, max. 70%, with no more than 25% of each. A maximum of 25% of unaromatic grapes originating from black grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area can also be used, of which a maximum of 10% can be the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere or Merlot grape varieties. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Valtenesi Rosso can be released for consumption from September 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced, and Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Valtenesi Chiaretto from February 14th of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Valtenesi Riserva wines must be aged for a mandatory period of at least two years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced.
Grape variety specifications
The Riviera del Garda Classico PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Groppello (Gentile, Mocasina, S.Stefano biotypes), pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. Riviera del Garda Classico PDO Groppello is ruby red, varying in intensity; the nose is characteristically fruity, at times with slightly spicy notes; it is dry and sapid on the palate, at times with an almondy aftertaste.
