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In short: Chiaretto is the rosé wine of Lake Garda, and it has two souls. On the Brescia shore there is Valtènesi Chiaretto, based on the Groppello grape; on the Verona shore there is Bardolino Chiaretto, made from Corvina and Rondinella. Both come from a short maceration of red grapes – the “one-night wine”. This guide explains the differences, the styles, how to serve it and what to pair it with.

What is Chiaretto?

“Chiaretto” is the historic name for the rosé wines of Lake Garda. It is made from red grapes by leaving the must in contact with the skins for just a few hours: enough to extract a pale pink colour and some of the aromas, without the structure and tannins of a red wine. The result is a fresh, savoury and fragrant wine with notes of small red berries, citrus and flowers.

On Lake Garda, Chiaretto is not a by-product but a genuine tradition, with two main designations corresponding to the two shores of the lake.

The “one-night wine”

The Chiaretto tradition on the Brescia shore is traced back to the late 19th century and to Pompeo Molmenti, a Venetian senator with an estate in Moniga del Garda, who developed a winemaking method inspired by French rosés. Hence the expression “vino di una notte” (one-night wine): the must stays on the skins for roughly one night, then it is separated and fermented like a white wine. The Valtènesi Consortium still refers to this “Molmenti method” as the historic root of its rosé.

The Brescia shore: Valtènesi and Groppello

Valtènesi is the hilly area between Desenzano and Salò on the western shore of the lake, with villages such as Moniga, Padenghe, Manerba, Polpenazze, Puegnago and Soiano. Its signature grape is Groppello, a native red variety with compact bunches, alongside other varieties such as Marzemino, Barbera and Sangiovese.

Chiaretto from this shore is found mainly under the Valtènesi Chiaretto DOC and Riviera del Garda Classico DOC designations. Groppello gives wines with a delicate pink colour, aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and flowers, and a fine savouriness supported by the area's morainic soils.

In our shop you will find, for example, RosaMara Valtènesi by Costaripa, the organic Valtènesi Chiaretto by Cantrina and the Garda Classico Chiaretto Siclì by Monte Cicogna. The full selection is in our Chiaretto and Valtènesi collection.

The Verona shore: Bardolino Chiaretto, Corvina and Rondinella

On the eastern shore, among the morainic hills around Bardolino, Garda, Lazise and Cavaion, Bardolino Chiaretto DOC is produced. The grapes are those of red Bardolino: mainly Corvina and Rondinella, with small shares of other permitted varieties.

In recent years Veronese producers have focused on a very pale, bright style, fresh and citrusy, with notes of wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and a savoury finish. One example in our shop is Traccia di Rosa by Le Fraghe, a Bardolino Chiaretto DOP.

Valtènesi and Bardolino compared

• Shore: Valtènesi to the west (Brescia), Bardolino to the east (Verona).
• Main grapes: Groppello for Valtènesi; Corvina and Rondinella for Bardolino.
• Style: generally, Valtènesi leans towards more savouriness and small red berry notes; Bardolino Chiaretto towards a more citrusy, floral profile. But style depends heavily on the producer.
• Common ground: short maceration and the influence of the lake, which brings freshness and drinkability.

Chiaretto styles

Young Chiaretto

The most common version: fresh and fruity, to be drunk young, ideally within one or two years of the harvest.

More structured Chiaretto

Some producers select their best grapes or age the wine longer, making more complex rosés that can keep for a few years and stand up to richer dishes.

Sparkling Chiaretto

There are also sparkling versions, from both Valtènesi and Bardolino, perfect for an aperitif.

How to serve Chiaretto

• Temperature: 8–10 °C; 10–12 °C for more structured versions.
• Glass: a white wine glass, not too wide, to highlight freshness and aromas.
• When to drink: young Chiaretto is at its best early; there is no need to cellar it.

Food pairing: what to eat with Chiaretto

Chiaretto is one of the most versatile wines at the table, combining the freshness of a white with a touch more structure. Some ideas:

• aperitif with cured meats, focaccia and nibbles;
• lake fish, even in bolder recipes such as lake sardines or pike in sauce;
• pizza, especially with fresh tomato and vegetables;
• summer dishes: rice salads, grilled vegetables, grilled white meat;
• international cuisine that is not too spicy, including sushi.

Chiaretto FAQ

Are Chiaretto and rosé the same thing?

Yes: Chiaretto is a rosé wine. “Chiaretto” is the traditional name used on Lake Garda for the rosés of its designations.

What is the difference between Valtènesi Chiaretto and Bardolino Chiaretto?

The shore and the grapes: Valtènesi Chiaretto comes from the Brescia shore and is based on Groppello; Bardolino Chiaretto comes from the Verona shore and is made from Corvina and Rondinella.

Why is it called the “one-night wine”?

Because, according to tradition, the must stays in contact with the red grape skins for about one night before being separated – hence its pale pink colour.

Is Chiaretto only a summer wine?

No. It is perfect in the warm season, but its freshness and versatility make it suitable all year round, from the aperitif to a Saturday-night pizza.

Choose your Lake Garda rosé

Want to compare the two shores? Build your own 6-bottle carton with a Valtènesi and a Bardolino Chiaretto, perhaps adding a Lugana from our Lake Garda wines. Looking for a gift? Discover our Lake Garda boxes, such as the Garda Aperitivo Box or the Garda Experience Box. All our wineries are on the Shop – Wines and wineries page.