Bardolino DOC is located on the south eastern bank of Lake Garda in Verona province in the Veneto region of north east Italy. Bardolino is seen as a “cheerful and uncomplicated light red wine”. It is reserved for Bardolino, Bardolino Classico, Bardolino Chiaretto, Bardolino Classico Chiaretto, Bardolino Chiaretto Spumante, Bardolino Novello and Bardolino Classico Novello wines. 

Production zone: The production area of ​​the grapes used to produce the “Bardolino” DOC wines includes all or part of the territories of the following municipalities: ​​Affi. | Bardolino. | Bussolengo. | Caprino. | Castelnuovo. | Cavaion. | Costermano. | Garda. | Lazise. |  Pastrengo. | Peschiera. | Rivoli Veronese. | Sommacampagna. | Sona. | Torri del Benaco. | Valeggio.

Classico zone: Bardolino Classico DOC wines come from the smaller, original Bardolino production area. Its proximity to Lake Garda gives it particular climatic and environmental characteristics. The Classico zone comprises the municipality of Bardolino itself plus the municipalities of Affa, Cavaion, Costermano, Garda, and Lazise.

Viticulture: Vine density: 3,000 vines/ha minimum.

The blend: Bardolino wines are made from grapes coming from vineyards planted with 35–80% Corvina veronese (cruina or corvina) within which 0-20% Corvinone is permitted; plus 10–40% Rondinella, plus 0–15% Molinara. In addition, 0–20% of non-aromatic red grapes allowed for cultivation in the province of Verona are also permitted with a limit of 10% for any one grape. Examples include Rossignola.

Sparkling wines

Bardolino DOC Chiaretto Spumante:

Pink wines

Bardolino DOC Chiaretto:

Bardolino DOC Classico Chiaretto:

Red wines

Bardolino DOC Novello:

Bardolino DOC: Red wine from the larger production zone described above.

Bardolino DOC Classico Novello:

Bardolino DOC Classico: Red wines labelled Classico must come from the smaller Classico zone described above.

Wineries

Certified organic: Le Fraghe. | Villa Calicantus.

No certification: Santa Sofia.