In the northern corner of Italy, cradled by mountains and bordering the beautiful Lake Garda, vineyards and olive groves dot the landscape. This region, a tidbit between Lombardy and Veneto, offers plenty to see and do, from charming villages to spectacular castles and, of course, great wines.

A trip to wine lake garda is a must for all lovers of northern Italian wine, as the area's distinctive terroir and environment produces a range of peculiar wines. The lake is split between two regions, and several DOC appellations exist, covering the municipalities of both Verona (Bardolino, Lugana and Garda Colli Mantovani) and Brescia (Riviera del Garda Bresciano, Riviera di Custoza and Bianco di Custoza).

Here you can try a wide range of white wines including the crisp Chiaretto and easy-drinking Garganega. For something a little different, try Cavalchina's metodo classico Garda DOC rosé, blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and aged on its lees for 12 months, giving it a refreshing herbal character and a touch of salinity.

A visit to a winery with a tasting is an ideal way to spend some time around the lake, with many hotels offering their own cellars and arranging visits and tours for their guests. The wines of Lugana DOC, produced between the provinces of Brescia and Verona on the southern shores of the lake, are particularly well-known, with their soft and fruity notes. Their arid terrain, once covered by a thick swamp, is now fertile clay, ideal for cultivating grapes.