Meetings, tastings and social experiences under the banner of the EU project Euchronicles Eccellenze DOP: a truly European savoir-faire
March 23, 2026 (Verona, Italy) — Consorzio Garda DOC is preparing to take center stage once again at Vinitaly with a full program of events designed to highlight the appellation and its territory. From April 12 to 14, at the Consorzio Garda DOC stand in Avenue H Stand 1, visitors will experience a new edition of the Garda DOC Social Tastings, a format that last year was met with great enthusiasm from industry professionals, journalists and wine lovers.
“Vinitaly is a key moment for meeting and engaging with both the national and international market. It is an opportunity to share the identity of our appellation and present the innovations that mark the evolution of Garda DOC,” says Paolo Fiorini, President of Consorzio Garda DOC. “This year, we will also introduce the new regulatory framework dedicated to low alcohol wines, which makes Garda DOC the first appellation in Italy to adopt this category. Some of these wines will be available for tasting at the stand, showcasing the territory’s ability to innovate while staying true to its own identity.”
The theme chosen for the 2026 edition is GARDA360, a tasting journey designed to showcase Garda DOC wines alongside the elements that make their territory truly unique. It is an extraordinary environment suspended between the Mediterranean sea and the Alps, where Lake Garda creates a remarkable microclimate. The Social Tastings become a collective narrative of this natural balance, in which Garda DOC wines emerge as the authentic expression of a complex and harmonious ecosystem.
The tasting program will guide visitors through three themed days dedicated to the elements that define the identity of Garda. On Sunday 12 April, the journey will open with Garda DOC e il vento, un sistema perfetto (Garda DOC and the Wind, a Perfect System), a session dedicated to the role of the lake’s winds which, shifting throughout the day, help create an ideal microclimate for growing vines, olive trees and lemons. These same winds also make Lake Garda one of the most beloved destinations for sailors and outdoor enthusiasts.
On Monday 13 April, the focus will turn to Garda DOC da togliere il fiato (Garda DOC That Takes Your Breath Away), an experience exploring the relationship between water, landscape and breath: a tasting that weaves together wine, nature and breath awareness, featuring the contribution of a freediver.
On Tuesday 14 April, the cycle will conclude with Garda DOC underwater. Tra mondo sommerso e mondo fluttuante (Garda DOC Underwater. Between the Submerged World and the Floating World), a journey into the biodiversity of the lake and the species inhabiting its waters from pike to trout, from tench to agone, all essential components of the Garda ecosystem’s equilibrium.
Each day will offer two tasting sessions, at 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm, with small groups of twelve participants per session. The tastings will be led by oenologist and communicator Sissi Baratella, who will guide participants through three Garda DOC wines paired with outstanding Italian DOP products: Montasio cheese, Prosciutto Crudo di Cuneo and Salame di Varzi.
Participation in the Social Tastings is free of charge upon registration via the dedicated link.
The story of the Garda territory will continue in the historic center of Verona during Vinitaly and the City, where on Sunday 12 April at 6:15 pm Consorzio Garda DOC will take center stage in a wine talk hosted by Sissi Baratella. It will be an opportunity for dialogue and discovery, designed to share with the public the unique character of Garda DOC wines and the deep connection between the lake, the landscape and the cultural identity of the territory.
These activities are part of the European Euchronicles project, an initiative dedicated to promoting and enhancing Europe’s outstanding agri-food products, with the aim of strengthening awareness and understanding of the appellations among both industry professionals and consumers.
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author or authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
