Puegnago Fair Sparks Controversy Over Garda Classico DOC Status
There is no peace among the vineyards. The Puegnago Fair (which will be presented to the press on Friday at the town hall, with provincial councilors for agriculture, Giampaolo Mantelli, and tourism, Ermes Buffoli, present) is experiencing the clash of wines firsthand. ‘The Garda Classico, the consortium representing producers from the lake and presided over by lawyer Sandro Redaelli De Zinis, had urged the Ministry to clarify the situation and to cancel the old designation “Riviera del Garda bresciano,” but the response from Rome was negative. It is not possible to eliminate a DOC, a controlled designation of origin, since, in the regulation, there are still about thirty agricultural companies. Few, but not to be dismissed… However, this has sparked ongoing controversy, with Coldiretti creating the Riviera consortium and De Zinis warning his members against participating in the Puegnago Fair.
Institutional roles and internal conflicts
It should be recalled that the mayor, Gianfranco Comincioli (his family’s winery was the first in Valtenesi to be awarded at the Douja d’Or in Asti), is on the board of Coldiretti and in the executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce. As a result, the Ente Vini, which handles logistical activities and administrative support for various Brescia-based consortia, led by Alberto Pancera, owner of «Masserino» in Raffa, withdrew its sponsorship from the Groppello contest.
What will happen? Is the Fair at risk? Will the bottles disappear? Giuseppe Piotti, the oenologist from Salò who presides over the Cavalieri della luna d’agosto, the tasting committee scheduled to meet tomorrow, explains: «So far, out of 25 samples submitted, only two have been withdrawn» – Piotti responds. «Therefore, there will be no negative repercussions».
Program and events of the event
The fair authority, headed by Silvano Zanelli, has outlined the schedule for the four days. Opening: Friday, September 1, at 7 PM. With the «Court of tastings» and the «Garda Alembic» (a brandy showcase). At 8 PM, a running race and traditional dance, followed by a Groppello tasting, the king of Puegnago, while in Polpenazze, reds and whites are celebrated, and in Moniga, the chiaretto. At 9 PM, a musical show with cabaret.
On Saturday, the under-23 cycling race (starting at 1 PM), bocce tournament, and an agricultural equipment demonstration (3 PM). A conference on brandy (5 PM) with tasting, a regional extra virgin olive oil exhibition with tastings (6 PM), a popular concert by «Cantori della Valtenesi» (6:30 PM), performance by the folk group «I Piasaroi de Poegnac» (7:45 PM), traditional dance (8 PM), the «Palio delle contrade» (8:15 PM) featuring folk games, the bocce final (8:30 PM), and a concert by the Acoustic Fingers Trio (9:30 PM).
On Sunday, September 3, the official inauguration. Parades of allegorical wagons at 9 AM, arrival of authorities at 9:30 AM, then Mass; at 11 AM, ribbon-cutting by the oldest farmer born in 1930. Representatives from various confraternities will be present. At noon, awards presentation to the selected wines, winners of the Groppello contest, and the direct farmers celebrating their 70th birthdays. At 1 PM, a competition for the best spit-roast among agritourism farms in Valtenesi. The afternoon will feature musical performances, including the «Manghin e Manghin» from Novara (2:30 PM), the Rataplan circus (5 PM), honey tasting by the Beekeepers of the Province of Brescia (6 PM), traditional dancing (8 PM), «I Piasaroi de Poegnac» (7:45 PM), the «Palio delle contrade» (8:15 PM), and a concert by the group Caronte, with soprano, baritone, and piano (9:30 PM).
Monday, the last day, will feature performances by the Albanian group «Ensemble Elba Folk» (5:30 PM), an exhibition of extra virgin olive oils and a conference organized by Aipol (6 PM), traditional dance (8 PM), and the theatrical comedy «Auguri Nina» with the Combricola dell’oratorio di Botticino (9 PM). The event is scheduled to close at midnight. During the fair days, an exhibition dedicated to vintage photographs will be open in the library.