Lugana is one of Italy’s most exciting and underappreciated white wine appellations — and one that is quietly winning over wine lovers across Europe who are discovering it for the first time. Situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, where Lombardy meets the Veneto, Lugana is made from Trebbiano di Lugana — a distinctive local grape variety that produces wines of a quite different character to the Trebbiano you might know from elsewhere: richer, more textured, and more complex, with a natural affinity for the mineral-rich, clay-limestone soils of the lake shore that gives the wines a lovely depth and precision. The lake itself plays a crucial role, its vast expanse of water moderating the climate and creating the perfect conditions for white wine of real elegance and freshness. Zamichele’s 2024 is a beautiful example of the appellation at its most appealing: the nose is exotic and inviting, with a complex aroma of honey, ripe stone fruit, and a lovely floral lift that is quintessentially Lugana. On the palate it is fresh and well-balanced, with a lovely natural acidity, a subtle vanilla warmth on the finish, and a texture and depth that sets it apart from everyday Italian whites. The kind of discovery wine that becomes a firm favourite — and at £20.99, outstanding value for a DOC of this quality and character.