Italian Wine Highlights: Kerner, Garda DOC, and Burgundy Goals
If your New Year’s resolution involves drinking smarter (not just more), Susannah’s year-end highlight reel is a masterclass in how to keep Italian wine fresh, relevant, and genuinely exciting. She’s launching community-driven content, representing regions and consortia that matter, teaching Gen Z to love Nebbiolo without fear, and dusting off Burgundy maps like it’s exam time. In short: she’s doing the work. And honestly, it’s inspiring.
Why This Matters
Behind every great bottle is a story, and this one matters. It reflects broader trends shaping how wine is made, sold, and enjoyed. Stay curious—your palate will thank you.
“This short post is just to say Happy New Year/Buon Anno.”
—Susannah, Avvinare
Beyond the toast, there’s substance: Susannah showcased Alto Adige’s cooperative strength through Cantina di Bolzano and helped amplify Garda DOC’s range—ten denominations and a forward-looking low-alcohol classification. She also represented the Conte Guicciardini family at the James Beard House, taught Italian wine at City Tech (CUNY), paired wines across all 20 regions with the Italian Trade Commission, and recommitted to the Wine Scholar Guild’s Master of Burgundy program. It’s a lot—and it all points in one direction: building bridges between producers, educators, and drinkers.
Key Takeaways
- Key themes: Alto Adige, Kerner, Garda DOC—stay informed on these evolving trends.
- The takeaway? Keep exploring, keep tasting, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Style snapshot: Kerner and Garda DOC
If Kerner isn’t on your radar, fix that. This Alto Adige white—born from Riesling and Schiava—tends to be dry, brisk, and zesty with alpine freshness. Think citrus, green apple, sometimes stone fruit, and plenty of lift. Medium body, high-ish acidity, and a mountain breeze vibe that makes weekday seafood feel special.
Garda DOC is more of a strategy than a single flavor—an umbrella that lets producers flex. You’ll find crisp, dry whites (Lugana’s Turbiana is the star), delicate reds, and increasingly lighter styles. Lugana, specifically, is classically dry, medium-bodied, citrus-leaning with a savory almond echo—perfect for lake fish, shellfish, or sushi night. The consortium’s new low-alcohol classification is a savvy nod to how many of us drink today: flavorful, sessionable, and aligned with modern wellness without sacrificing typicity.
Why cooperatives and consortia matter
Alto Adige’s co-ops—like Cantina di Bolzano—are consistently high-performing, pooling resources and elevating quality. In Italy, consortia aren’t just marketing machines; they set standards, protect appellations, and help small producers punch above their weight. Garda DOC’s inclusive framework is a case in point: a broad platform where Lugana can shine, new low-alcohol categories can emerge, and producers can adapt to changing tastes without losing regional identity.
On the education front, Susannah’s class at City Tech echoes what many of us see: Gen Z is curious, values authenticity, and asks sharp questions. She put it best by framing how the experience made her revisit where younger buyers are today—meeting them where they are and letting Italy’s diversity do the convincing.
The Burgundy pivot isn’t random either. Mastering Burgundy is like learning to read terroir with a microscope—parcel by parcel, village by village. That precision trickles down to how we talk about Alto Adige or Garda DOC: it sharpens our lens. When someone’s studying Chablis soil types by day and pouring Lugana by night, you know the conversation’s going to be smart.
“I look forward to 2026 being a year of writing, brand ambassadorship, teaching, studying, and podcasting again.”
—Susannah, Avvinare
As for the buy intent? If you’re Kerner-curious, shop Alto Adige for a dry, bright white that plays beautifully with citrusy seafood, veggie tacos, or just a good ocean view. If you’re exploring Garda DOC, start with Lugana for an elegant, versatile white; then branch into lighter reds and anything that leans fresh over heavy. The low-alcohol move is a smart lane for weeknight sipping—your palate gets flavor, your morning gets mercy.
Best occasion: New Year recalibration—friends over, clean flavors, conversation first, labels second.
Best pairing direction: Kerner with lemony shrimp or grilled veggies; Lugana with sushi, lake fish, or creamy risotto.
Susannah’s highlight list reads like an invitation: join the chats, support the co-ops, explore Garda, and study something that makes you taste better. If that’s the energy for 2026, count me in.
Source: https://avvinare.com/2026/01/01/happy-new-year-buon-anno-2025-highlights/
