Lugana has enriched the wine history of lake Garda.
Ca’ dei Frati was founded in Lugana di Sirmione, Brescia, in 1939, when Felice Dal Cero divined the area’s winemaking potential.
After thirty years spent working in the vineyard and the cellar, Felice’s son Pietro Dal Cero helped develop the Lugana DOC. Since then, the value of the family business has improved with the acquisition of new lands and vineyards on the Lombard banks of Lake Garda.
The construction of the new cellar was started two years ago. In just 5 years the production increased fourfold – the miracle of Italian wine.
The production of Lugana, a name deriving from Turbiana vine, drives all the other products: Rivera del Garda Classico DOC, a still white wine, two traditional method spumanti, a red wine from Marzemino, Sangiovese and Cabernet grapes, one Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (from their vineyard in the Valpolicella region) and a sweet wine made from overripe grapes.
The tasting
The tasting and the visit of the new cellar, along with the owners and the friendly staff, are worth the whole trip.
A wine you surely can’t miss is Brolettino Lugana Doc. This Turbiana vine grows on a clayey and calcareous soil which gives well-structured grapes and then proper savouriness and acidity to the wine.
Perfect with any kind of dish, pasta with sauce, white and poultry meat, and excellent with medium mature cheeses.
Wine Princess suggests
Wine Princess’ choice was Tre Filer, a sweet wine made from overripe Turbiana, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes. This dessert wine, that comes only in small 0,375 l bottles, is delicious, with a perfect balance in terms of sweetness, savour and acidity.
Who should drink it: EVERYONE! A women’s wine, sweet and not intrusive, but also a men’s wine, when enjoyed with herbed cheese at the end of the meal.
When to drink it: In any season of the year, served at a temperature of 6 to 8 degrees. You’ll be delighted by its scents!
A wonderful opportunity: A trip to lake Garda and a visit to the family’s new cellar.
God save Lugana!