Turbiana is a white grape from the southern shore of Lake Garda, in northern Italy. It is the grape of Lugana DOC, a dry white wine made on the border between Lombardy and Veneto. Lugana must contain at least 90% Turbiana, and most producers use it alone.
For a long time the grape was called Trebbiano di Lugana, and some labels and books still use that name. But Turbiana is not a true Trebbiano. DNA studies have linked it to Verdicchio, the white grape of the Marche, and to Trebbiano di Soave: the three are the same variety or very close relatives. It is not related to Trebbiano Toscano, the common, fairly neutral Trebbiano of central Italy. That family tie explains why Lugana tastes more like Verdicchio than like an everyday Trebbiano.
Is Turbiana wine sweet or dry?
Almost always dry. Lugana, the main Turbiana wine, is dry unless the label says Vendemmia Tardiva (late harvest). Those late-harvest wines are richer and often slightly sweet.
Is Turbiana a Trebbiano?
Not really. It was long called Trebbiano di Lugana, but DNA research ties it to Verdicchio and Trebbiano di Soave, not to Trebbiano Toscano. In Italy, several unrelated white grapes carry the Trebbiano name.
What does Turbiana taste like?
Young wines are crisp and unoaked, with lemon, green apple, white peach and white flowers. Many have a savory, slightly salty edge and a light almond note on the finish. With age they gain honey, dried fruit and nutty notes while keeping their freshness.
Is Turbiana the same as Verdicchio?
They are the same variety or very close relatives. The wines differ because they grow in different places: Turbiana on the clay soils of Lake Garda, Verdicchio in the hills of the Marche.
How do you pronounce Turbiana?
Say "toor-bee-AH-nah".
Turbiana is closely tied to one place: the Lugana zone at the southern tip of Lake Garda. Four of the five towns in the zone, Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda, Lonato del Garda and Pozzolengo, are in the province of Brescia in Lombardy. The fifth, Peschiera del Garda, is in the province of Verona in Veneto.
Here the vines grow mostly on heavy, chalky clay soils left behind by ancient glaciers. These soils, and the mild climate around the lake, give the wine its body and its long, savory finish. Away from Lugana, the same grape grows in Soave and in the Marche under its other names, Trebbiano di Soave and Verdicchio.
Turbiana is a flexible grape. It keeps its acidity well, so it works fresh, aged or sparkling. The Lugana DOC has five styles:
Most basic Lugana is best within two or three years of the vintage, while it is fresh and citrusy. Superiore and Riserva wines can age well for five years or more. With time they turn deeper gold and taste rounder, with honey and nutty notes. Verdicchio shares this ability to age.
Turbiana's fresh acidity and savory finish make it an easy food wine.
These producers make Turbiana wines in our catalog:
To learn more about the wine, read our full Lugana DOC page. Compare Turbiana with its relatives Verdicchio and Trebbiano di Soave, or explore the Lombardy wine guide, the best Italian white wines and the grape varieties index.