San Martino della Battaglia is the smallest Doc area of Garda Lake: an area that suffered greatly in the time of competition with Lugana (whose area of production coincides largely with that of San Martino), but that nevertheless has been able to find a way to maintain its unique identity and its traditions.
This Doc was born in March of 1970, and was extended on the villages of Sirmione, Desenzano, Lonato and Pozzolengo. For many years, in the taverns of the near Brescia, the white wine of choice was San Martino: a name that is also rich in history, and identifies an area still intact and fascinating, just symbolized by the Tower built in 1880 in honor of the fallen of the War of Independence, in which San Martino was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles. From here can and must start the visit to an area whose fate has always crossed with viticulture, and whose climatic conditions have ended up favoring the spread of a grape difficult to grow as Tocai. As mentioned before, many winemakers have switched through the years to Lugana, and San Martino has almost risked extinction. Today, however, things have changed: a handful of producers remained faithful to this type and have bet on the relaunch of San Martino, which today remains a niche product but can still be and absolutely delicious discovery.
But be careful: do not use the term Tocai anymore. Since March 2007, in fact, the European Union has awarded Hungary the exclusive use of the name Tocai: and the same grape grown in Italy had to find a new name after centuries of history. Friuli chose Friulano, Veneto Tai, while in San Martino the name chosen is “Tuchì”. But this change can really do little to affect the satisfaction and even the joy of discovering a wine for a few connoisseurs, fascinating as the territory on which it is produced.San Martino della Battaglia, the rediscovery of a forgotten Doc
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