Superiore Lugana DOC: New Premium White Wine Debuting Soon
Just a few months of anxious anticipation remain, and then what will become the new prince of Italian white wines will become a reality! We are, of course, talking about the Superiore Lugana DOC, which after nearly two years of aging in the cellar, will make its debut on both national and international markets.
Characteristics and expectations for the Superiore Lugana DOC
An eagerly awaited development among tasting enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine beverages, recently covered by Agrisole. They provided a serious and well-documented mapping of not only the anticipated Superiore but also the entire production landscape of Lugana DOC.
From the initial technical tastings, the new Superiore Lugana promises genuine flashes of quality. Certainly, it is a wine that lends itself to medium- to long-term aging, challenging the often-held belief—yet to be verified—that white wines are best enjoyed while still young.
It is well known that a wine with good structure, such as Lugana DOC — which even recently was reaffirmed by Luigi Veronelli, the renowned international gastronomy and oenology expert, reiterating its potential — is in the best condition to withstand extended aging with surprising results.
Market situation and production
The only obstacle to this possibility is that the international market has recently recognized the exceptional qualities of this wine, produced on the shores of Lake Garda, spanning three provinces—Verona, Brescia, and Mantova—and two regions, Lombardy and Veneto. This demand has depleted supply so much that in some wineries, even the recent 1998 harvest is virtually sold out.
“We have produced enough to meet the requests already received,” says one producer, “but unfortunately, we are unable to fulfill further orders.”
The production of Superiore, made from vines with lower yields per hectare, requires a wine with a minimum total alcohol content of 12.0% vol., a minimum total acidity of 5.0 g/l, and a minimum net dry extract of 17.0 g/l.
The president of the Consorzio Tutela Lugana, Francesco Ghiraldi, recently stated at Agrisole that sales are on a positive trend, leading to the expected rapid depletion of the new Superiore Lugana DOC.
Municipalities and production
Five municipalities are involved in the production of Lugana DOC across its three types: Lugana DOC still, Lugana DOC sparkling, and Lugana DOC Superiore.
Approximately 3 million bottles produced and 549.69 hectares planted with Trebbiano di Lugana. There are 120 member wineries of the Consortium, with a total declared production of 43,000 hectoliters of wine, updated to the 1998 harvest.
Last note: the possibility offered by the Wine Common Market Organization (OCM vino) to establish new plantings and replantings covering a total of 20 hectares, which can enter production starting from 2033.
