Bardolino Travel Guide: Lake Garda’s Scenic Town & Famous Wines
Bardolino, located in the province of Verona, sits gracefully on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Its charming maze of historic alleys, ancient medieval walls, and the rolling morainic hills covered in vineyards and olive groves make it one of the most beautiful and sought-after travel destinations on Lake Garda.
It is the perfect getaway whether you are looking for peace and relaxation, or scenic walks to discover postcard-perfect views. Above all, it is an ideal destination for food and wine lovers, as its fertile land is dedicated to producing exceptional olive oils and world-class wines.
The Origin of the Name
According to some theories, the name Bardolino derives from the Gaelic word "Bardus", meaning poet or singer.
Others believe it stems from Pardali or Bardali, the daughter of King Aulete, the legendary founder of Mantova.
Bardolino Wine: Same Grapes as Valpolicella, Globally Loved
Fossil discoveries reveal that grapevines have graced the Veronese hills for over 50 million years. Unsurprisingly, grapes were already a vital part of the local population's diet during the Copper Age. While vines shifted from wild plants to cultivated crops around 1000 BC, it was under the Romans that viticulture truly flourished.
Historical documents show that a wine called "Bardolino" was produced in the Lake Garda region as early as the second half of the 19th century. In fact, in 1897, the writer Giuseppe Solitro wrote about Garda wines:
"Among the most renowned in the region are those of Bardolino; this name runs throughout Italy and competes with the best wines of the peninsula."
In 1926, the "Consorzio di difesa del vino tipico Bardolino" (Bardolino Wine Protection Consortium) was founded, and in 1968, it became one of the very first Italian wines to achieve DOC status. Bardolino is crafted from a precise blend of grapes: Corvina Veronese (35-65%), Rondinella (10-40%), Molinara (10-20%), and Negrara (up to 10%). Interestingly, Bardolino is produced using the exact same grapes as Valpolicella wine.
However, the unique morainic soil of the hills and their sun-drenched exposure to Lake Garda give Bardolino a completely different character from Valpolicella.
Bardolino wine features a bright red color, turning ruby or garnet with age. Its taste is dry and pleasantly bitter with a crisp, slightly sparkling touch. The aroma is intensely fruity, revealing notes of strawberry, raspberry, cherry, and currant, alongside subtle hints of spices like cloves and cinnamon.
The prestigious Bardolino Superiore DOCG must undergo a mandatory aging period of at least one year. On the other hand, Bardolino Chiaretto DOC is produced using "white winemaking" techniques, where the grape must remains in brief contact with the skins, resulting in a beautiful, light pink rosé. Bardolino is an excellent food wine that pairs beautifully with pasta dishes, vegetable soups (like the traditional Venetian "pasta e fasoi"), red or white meats, and it is equally fantastic when paired with fresh lake fish.
As is often the case with exceptional Italian products, this wine is even more famous, loved, and appreciated abroad than it is at home.
Bardolino website: http://www.comune.bardolino.vr.it/.
Altitude of the Municipality: 65 m (zone: 3)