With the gala dinner hosted in Pozzolengo, the Lugana Consortium officially closed the celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of the denomination: an anniversary that coincides with a new quantitative primacy, that of 2016, when the bottles produced by the 113 wineries in the supply chain broke through the roof of 15 million, reaching precisely 15.120.133. But what is even more significant is that according to what was declared by the consortium, this production is already virtually sold out, as the availability in companies is now exhausted. In short, the moment of grace of the Lugana phenomenon does not seem to know cracks: the 2016 official numbers speak of 1,586 hectares cultivated in 5 municipalities (Desenzano del Garda 36%, Pozzolengo 32%, Peschiera sul Garda 14%, Sirmione 10% and Lonato del Garda 9%), a grape production of 182.450 quintals, of wine of 127.715 hectoliters, with a production value of bottles equal to 66.528.585 euros, while the average price of grapes reached 190 euros per quintal, an Italian record for white wines.
“It’s a success that does not surprise us – says the president of the Consortium Luca Formentini -. What we are experiencing is the result of a careful strategy started by my predecessors and carried out with great seriousness and with a long-term vision by all those who have taken the lead of the Consortium. This does not mean that it is taken for granted or that we can live on rent. In order to keep these numbers and keep on growing, everyone must be involved, not only the cellars but also the 196 winegrowers who make up the Lugana supply chain, with a constant willingness to question themselves to listen to consumer requests, even of new and different markets, knowing however to maintain the strong identity that distinguishes us and that is our strong point “.
The vintage Lugana continues to be the flywheel of the Doc with 90% of the total volumes.
“But even the other types are growing in popularity and feedback from admirers – explains the director Carlo Veronese -. Superiore, Riserva, Vendemmia Tardiva and Spumante are giving so much satisfaction to the producers, confirming how the essential combination of terroir with the Turbiana grape, absolutely unique and unrepeatable, succeed precisely in these other declinations and in the old vintages to express its full potential “.
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