Lake Garda wines in Desenzano: Santa's wine list

Lugana, Chiaretto, Groppello and Valpolicella: the wines of Lake Garda, on the Desenzano waterfront

Santa is on the Desenzano del Garda waterfront, in the heart of the Lugana and San Martino della Battaglia wine areas, a few kilometres from the Valtènesi and the Verona shore of the lake. Our wine list tells the story of this land: mineral whites grown on clay soils left by the glaciers, rosés from the Valtènesi, light Garda reds and great Valpolicella reds, plus Metodo Classico sparkling wines from Lake Garda and Franciacorta. Many wines are also served by the glass, to go with pizza al padellino, the restaurant menu or a lake-view aperitivo.

At Santa we work with the best local wineries, which we feature in rotation depending on the menu: the labels available may change from month to month.

Wines by the glass

• Lugana DOC Montefluno Carlo Zenegaglia €5
• Lugana DOC Patrizia Cadore €6
• Chardonnay DOC Bosio €5
• Gewürztraminer Alsace €5
• Bardolino DOC Carlo Zenegaglia €4.50
• Valpolicella Classico Superiore Zenato €7
• Amarone della Valpolicella Zenato €10
• Prosecco DOC Millesimato €5
• Franciacorta Brut Contadi Castaldi €7

By the glass you will often also find Lugana and Lugana Brut by Famiglia Olivini, Chiaretto "Rosamara" by Costaripa, Siclì Rosé by Monte Cicogna and a Valpolicella Ripasso: ask our staff what is open today. Bottle prices are on the wine list at the table.

The appellations of Lake Garda: Santa is in Desenzano, at the heart of the Lugana and San Martino della Battaglia area.

Lugana DOC: the white wine of the lake

Lugana comes from the southern shore of Lake Garda, between Sirmione, Desenzano and Peschiera, from the Turbiana grape. The clay soils left by the glaciers give it its minerality and typical salty note. It is the most requested wine at Santa and perfect with white pizzas, lake fish and vegan dishes.

• Montefluno Carlo ZenegagliaWhite flowers, peach, anise and lychee; full, velvety, with a salty finish.
• Lugana Famiglia OliviniMarked minerality, flowers and citrus; fresh, savoury and assertive.
• Montelupo CobueWhite flowers, citrus, peach and apricot; soft, dry and lively.
• Lugana Tenuta RovegliaNotes of lemon zest; very fresh, with a rich finish.
• Selva Selva CapuzzaCitrus, apple and hay; balanced, fresh and savoury.
• Lugana Patrizia CadoreWhite flowers, pink grapefruit and almond; fine, savoury, well structured. Our best-loved Lugana by the glass.
• Montunal MontonaleWhite peach, tropical and balsamic notes, wet stone; fresh, mineral, long.
• Imperiale Monte CicognaThe Lugana from the Moniga del Garda winery: white flowers and citrus; fresh, savoury and mineral. Best served well chilled, in the ice bucket, with a lake view.

San Martino della Battaglia DOC

One of the smallest appellations in Italy, on the hills of San Martino, ten minutes from Santa. It is made from Tocai Friulano and takes its name from the battle of 24 June 1859, which inspired the founding of the Red Cross. Floral, savoury and elegant, it is excellent with cured meats and sharing boards.

• San Martino della Battaglia Patrizia CadoreWhite flowers, pink grapefruit and almond; fresh and savoury with a mineral finish.
• Campo del Soglio Selva CapuzzaWhite peach, wild flowers and wet stone; full-bodied and long.

Sparkling: Lake Garda Metodo Classico and Franciacorta

• Lugana Brut Famiglia OliviniTropical fruit and floral hints; fresh, savoury and creamy.
• Hirundo Metodo Classico Brut Selva CapuzzaBread crust, toasted nuts and citrus; full, with a fine perlage.
• Mattia Vezzola Rosé Metodo Classico CostaripaRedcurrant, raspberry and citrus; savoury and fragrant. From the Valtènesi, made by one of Italy's great Metodo Classico winemakers.
• Franciacorta Brut Contadi CastaldiWhite peach, brioche and toasted almond; fine perlage and creamy finish.
• Franciacorta Satèn Contadi CastaldiWhite fruit and white flowers; silky and enveloping.
• Franciacorta Brut BosioGreen apple and orange blossom; precise and lively.
• Franciacorta Satèn BosioAlmond blossom, bread crust and pear; full and round.

Chiaretto and rosé from the Valtènesi

On the Brescia shore of the lake, between Moniga and Puegnago, Chiaretto is made: a rosé from Groppello and other local grapes, with the skins left in contact with the must for only a few hours. Fresh yet food-friendly, it goes perfectly with pizza.

• Chiaretto "Rosamara" CostaripaRaspberry, white peach and herbs; elegant, with vibrant freshness.
• Rosé Valtènesi PasiniStrawberry, cherry and wild flowers; fresh with a savoury finish.
• Siclì Rosé Monte CicognaFrom Moniga del Garda, mainly Groppello: elegant, delicate, very versatile.
• Rosé CantrinaRosé from the Valtènesi. Ask our staff about availability.
• Bardolino Rosé Carlo ZenegagliaFrom the Verona shore: wild strawberry and cherry blossom; light and juicy.

Reds from Lake Garda and Valpolicella

• Groppello Riviera del Garda Classico PasiniThe native red of the Brescia side of the lake: redcurrant, cherry and sweet spices; full and elegant.
• Groppello Monte CicognaGroppello from Moniga del Garda. Ask our staff about availability.
• Notte a San Martino Famiglia Olivini, Merlot Benaco Bresciano IGTBlack cherry, plum, rosemary and spices; round and long.
• Valpolicella Classico Superiore ZenatoRipe cherry, violet and sweet spices; soft and balanced.
• Valpolicella Ripasso ZenatoBlack cherry, plum and raisin; rich, with a velvety finish.
• Valpolicella Ripasso "Secondo Marco"Cooked cherry, dried fig and chocolate; structured and enveloping.
• Amarone della Valpolicella ZenatoFrom dried grapes: dried fruit, black cherry and spice; opulent and warm.

Alcohol-free wines

• Bolla Bianca Extra Dry 0% glass €7From dealcoholized Pinot Grigio: white citrus, citron, lemon blossom and elderflower.
• Rosso Superiore 0% glass €7From dealcoholized Pinot Merlot, with the grape's natural sugars.

Which wine with pizza al padellino?

• White pizzas, vegetables and vegan menu: Lugana or Chiaretto.
• Cured meats, Salamino Piccante, Pepperoni Veg: Groppello, Bardolino or Valpolicella Superiore.
• Sliced steak and pasta al ragù: Ripasso, Valpolicella or Notte a San Martino.
• Fried food, aperitivo and toasts: Prosecco, Franciacorta or Lugana Brut.
• Aged cheeses and truffle pizzas: Amarone or Ripasso.

Local beers

Like our wines, our beers come from the area: Magis is a brewery in Desenzano, Curtense is from Franciacorta. And there is our own Santa Birra.

• Santa Birra by Birrificio Inesistente, 33 cl €4Light, easy-drinking Golden Ale with notes of malt and bread crust.
• Magis Desenzano Brew Weiss, Red or Maldipa (IPA), 33 cl €6
• Curtense Franciacorta Brew Blanche, Hell, Red, IPA, Amber, 0.5 l €7Curtense Gluten Free also available.
• On tap: Pilsner, unfiltered Dolomiti Lager, Bock Castello Rossa and the beer of the month from €3.50
• Engel Keller alcohol-free €6Unfiltered German craft lager.

Gin selection

For your gin tonic, choose the gin and we pair it with the right tonic. Among the local gins: Piero Gin and Aro Gin (GinAro), plus Inferno Gin.

• Gin MareMediterranean herbs and Arbequina olive; with Mediterranean tonic.
• Hendrick'sRose and cucumber; with Mediterranean tonic.
• BulldogCitrus and lotus flower; with Premium Indian tonic.
• Professore MonsieurBitter orange, lemon and herbs; with Indian tonic.
• Santa AnaFloral with exotic citrus; with Elderflower tonic.
• EngineJuniper and citrus, dry; with Indian tonic.
• Alkemist London DryVerbena, mint and sage; with Mediterranean tonic.
• Tanqueray and Tanqueray 0.0 alcohol-freeThe classic London Dry, also in a 0% version.
• RokuJapanese botanicals, yuzu and green tea; with Premium Indian tonic.
• Knut HansenScandinavian juniper and pine; with Nordic tonic.
• Inferno GinBlack pepper and smoked paprika; with Premium Indian tonic.
• Piero GinCitrus, coriander and rosemary; with Mediterranean tonic.
• Aro GinFloral, cardamom and ginger; with Elderflower tonic.
• Malfy Con Limone and Malfy Con PompelmoCitrusy and fresh; with Indian tonic.

Discover also Il Santapè, our lake-view aperitivo every day from 5pm to 8pm, the pizza al padellino menu and the Restaurant Menu.