Le Morette Mandolara Lugana 2021

Grape: Turbiana

Region: Lugana, Italy

Farming: Organic

Less than a mile from the beautiful southern shoreline of lake Garda, Le Morette uses only the best estate fruit. Not to be confused with their cousins at the Zenato bottling company, this branch of the Zenato family tree has been grafting vines, studying indigenous varieties, and farming for three generations. The winery derives its name from a local duck, sacred to the ancient Etruscans, still protected and highly regarded today. The family’s expertise with the unique glacial soils around lake Garda help exemplify the flavor and character of their native varieties: the historic white grape, Turbiana (related to Verdicchio), and the classic red grapes in Bardolino, Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Fabio and his brother Paolo are creating some of the most compelling examples of these native grapes with organic practices, affiliated with World Biodiversity Association. As part of the Verdicchio grape family, this local grape is called Turbiana and it is unique to the southern shore of Italy’s largest lake, lake Garda. This unoaked wine has a full-bodied texture, not unlike Chardonnay, but with aromas and a finish that are markedly distinct.