2022 Zenato Lugana DOC Riserva Sergio Zenato, Veneto

Sergio Zenato was a visionary who helped transform Lugana from a little known local wine into one of Italy's most respected white wine styles. Founded in 1960 on the southern shores of Lake Garda, Zenato remains one of the benchmark producers of the appellation. The Riserva Sergio Zenato is the estate's flagship white wine, created as a tribute to its founder and produced only from the finest parcels of old vine Trebbiano di Lugana, known locally as Turbiana.

The vineyards lie on the clay rich soils that surround Lake Garda, where the moderating influence of the lake creates a long growing season and ideal ripening conditions. The 2022 vintage delivered fruit of exceptional concentration and balance. Extended lees ageing and careful maturation add texture and complexity, transforming Lugana from a fresh everyday white into a wine of genuine depth and ageing potential.

Bright straw gold in colour, the bouquet is beautifully layered with aromas of white peach, ripe pear and preserved lemon, intertwined with notes of chamomile, acacia blossom and toasted almond. As the wine opens, hints of honey, spice and crushed stone emerge, adding further intrigue. The palate is rich yet beautifully poised, delivering flavours of citrus, nectarine and baked apple supported by a creamy texture and vibrant acidity. A distinctive mineral thread runs through the wine, leading to a long, saline finish with lingering notes of almond, citrus peel and subtle spice.

This is a magnificent partner for grilled lobster, Moreton Bay bugs, seafood risotto, roast chicken with herbs, veal scaloppine or a pumpkin and sage ravioli. While already captivating, the structure and concentration allow it to evolve beautifully over the next decade, developing greater complexity and nuance with time.