Once upon a vine: The wines of the Italian lakes

With its mix of warm Mediterranean winds and cool alpine air, the mild climate west of Lake Maggiore is ideal for growing grapes – particularly the nebbiolo variety, a name that you’ll spot in some of the finest reds around.
 

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Barolo: Nicknamed the King of Wines, a full-bodied Barolo is what one in five Italian households choose to serve with special meals like Easter and Christmas. Packing rich notes of liquorice, rose and truffle, it’s the perfect pick if you’re sitting down to a steak dinner or venison stew.

Moscato d’Asti: For something totally different, try this lightly sparkling dessert wine – low in alcohol, it has a crisp, sweet flavour. But the sweetness isn’t overpowering either, so it’s pretty versatile and goes well with all kinds of desserts, from fresh sorbet to creamy panna cottas.

The climate between Lake Garda and the Dolomite mountains is cooler than elsewhere in Italy. And that suits pinot grapes just fine – the areas around the towns of Riva and Torbole are some of the best places in the world to produce this sought-after variety.
 
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Pinot grigio: This is one of the most popular wines in the UK thanks to its fresh, fruity flavour. There’s nothing like trying it in the place where it was made though, and it’s a go-to pick whether you’re savouring seafood risotto or tucking into some of the best pizza around Lake Garda.

Gewürztraminer: Originally from the Alsace region of France, these grapes flourish in the alpine climate and clay-rich soil north of Lake Garda. It sits somewhere between a sweet and a dry white wine and is great to drink as an aperitif. And its distinctive lychee flavour means that it matches well with Middle Eastern dishes too.

Marzemino: One of Italy’s oldest wines, marzemino even gets a mention in Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni. It’s known for its rich, dark colour and light, plummy taste, and you can enjoy it with Italian favourites from pizza to polenta, as well as strong cheeses, like gorgonzola.

When it comes to litres of wine produced, the Veneto region leads the way. The vineyards from the west of Lake Garda all the way to the Adriatic Sea are the most productive in northern Italy, and you’ll find everything from reds and whites to bottles of fizz here.

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Prosecco: Made from the region’s glera grape, and with over 600 million bottles made each year, this sparkling wine needs no introduction. It often sits next to Champagne in the shops, but it’s made using an easier process, so it’s cheaper to buy. Sip it by itself or enjoy it as a mixer in an Aperol® or Hugo Spritz, two of Europe’s must-try drinks.

Chiaretto: Italy’s take on rosé, chiaretto comes from the vineyards near Bardolino. Sometimes sparkling, the pale pink wine has hints of strawberries and citrus fruit, as well as touches of bitter tannin that should appeal to red wine drinkers too.

Bardolino: One of the region’s best-loved varieties, this red was the first Veneto vintage to be given the prestigious DOC label – the official Italian mark of high-quality wine. It’s made from a blend of local grapes, and is fresh, fruity and very drinkable.