Corte Giara Bardolino 2025
£11.45
The wine
Bardolino comes from the moraine hills on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, and the lake is the point: it moderates the climate and gives a red that is paler, lighter and more perfumed than Valpolicella made from the same three grapes. Half Corvina, 35 per cent Rondinella and 15 Molinara, at 12.5 per cent, this is a red for drinking young and lightly chilled.
Corte Giara started in 1989 as the negociant label of Allegrini and has since bought the vineyards behind it, so the fruit is estate grown and made with the same care the family bring to their own Valpolicella estate. That is what distinguishes these wines from most Veronese bottlings at the price, and why the range is worth knowing at the everyday end.
The producer
Corte Giara
View all Corte Giara winesCorte Giara is a Veneto label from the respected Allegrini family, created to offer honest, well-made wines from the vineyards around Verona at everyday prices. It draws on the same knowledge that made Allegrini a benchmark of the region. Approachability is its guiding idea.
The range spans the classic wines of the Veneto, from crisp Pinot Grigio to the mighty Amarone della Valpolicella. Corvina and Rondinella lead the reds, grown on the hillsides of Valpolicella, while Pinot Grigio comes from the wider Venezie. Careful sourcing keeps quality high.
In the cellar, traditional methods meet a modern eye for freshness and fruit. The Amarone is made from partially dried grapes for richness and power, the Pinot Grigio kept crisp and clean. Each wine is true to its type.
Corte Giara offers the flavours of the Veneto at friendly prices, backed by a great name. From an easy midweek white to a serious Amarone, these are dependable, characterful Italian wines.
