Garganega Wine In Australia

Garganega originates in the Veneto region of North West Italy. It is well known as a vigorous high yielding variety and needs careful management in the vineyard.

Garganega made by Mt Towrong in the Macedon Ranges region

According to this book, Gargenega is the 79th most common variety in terms of area planted globally.

Garganega is best known for producing the popular Italian white wine Soave. 

Soave is a dry white wine from several DOCG regions in Veneto that must contain at least 70% Garganega. Trebbiano or Malvasia are common blending partners with Garganega in Soave.

Soave wines used to be thin acidic and fairly neutral, at least at the cheaper end.  Nowadays they tend to be a little richer with light aromatics, especially when blended.

Recent DNA profiling has revealed that Garganega is genetically identical to the Sicilian variety Grecanico Dorato. Under this name in Sicily it is used alone and in blends to make quality dry white wines.

Garganega is also as a parent for many other important Italian wine grape varieties.

Garganega in Australia

There are a few Australian growers and winemakers interested in this variety, but it has yet to make an impact on the Australian scene.

• Billy Button Alpine Valleys
• Box Grove Vineyard Nagambie Lakes
• Dal Zotto Estate King Valley
• Darling Estate King Valley
• Domain Day Barossa Valley
• Fetherston Yarra Valley
• Hently Farm Wines Barossa Valley
• Kaesler Barossa Valley
• Lark Hill Winery Canberra
• Longleat Wines Goulburn Valley
• Mac Forbes Wines Yarra Valley
• MDI Murray Darling
• Morrisons of Glenrowan Glenrowan
• Mount Towrong Macedon Ranges
• Munari Heathcote
• Politini* King Valley
• Pondalowie Bendigo
• Primo Estate McLaren Vale
• Range Life King Valley
• Redbank Victoria King Valley
• Romavilla Queensland Zone
• Serrena Que Estate Granite Belt
• Somos McLaren Vale
• Stefano di Pieri Murray Darling

Other Italian White Wine Varieties used in Australia

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