Garda

Extra virgin olive oil produced on the shores of Lake Garda in the Provinces of Brescia, Verona, Mantova and Trento, registered as a PDO under file number PDO-IT-1516. The designation covers oil with a green to yellow colour, a fruity taste, and a characteristic almond after-taste, subject to defined chemical and organoleptic limits.

About this designation

Garda PDO designates extra virgin olive oil whose entire production process — growing and harvesting of olives and oil extraction — must take place within the defined geographical area encompassing land overlooking the Lake Garda basin in the Provinces of Brescia, Verona, Mantova and Trento. The designation may be accompanied by one of three additional geographical references: 'Bresciano', 'Orientale' or 'Trentino', each subject to its own variety requirements. For 'Garda', 'Garda Bresciano' and 'Garda Orientale', the varieties Casaliva, Frantoio and Leccino must account for at least 55 %, with other varieties present in olive groves permitted up to 45 %. For 'Garda Trentino', Casaliva, Frantoio, Leccino and Pendolino must account for at least 80 %, with other varieties permitted up to 20 %. Acidity expressed as oleic acid must not exceed 0,5 %, and peroxides must not exceed 14 Meq O₂/kg. The median of defects in the organoleptic assessment must be zero. The oil must be packaged within the production area in glass or metal containers of a maximum capacity of 5 litres. The label must carry the name 'Garda' in clear, indelible letters larger than all other writing, accompanied by the EU PDO symbol; use of the designation logo is mandatory. The year of production of the olives must be indicated on the label. The Consorzio di tutela olio extra vergine di oliva Garda DOP, based in Cavaion Veronese, is the applicant producer group. The designation was registered as a PDO on 25 November 1997 and carries eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013394.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 25 November 1997 under file number PDO-IT-1516, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013394.
• The production area of Lake Garda is described in the specification as the most northerly region in the world where olive trees grow.
• For the 'Garda Trentino' sub-designation, Casaliva, Frantoio, Leccino and Pendolino must together account for at least 80 % of the olive grove.
• Packaging must take place within the production area; containers are limited to a maximum capacity of 5 litres.

Tasting notes

EVOO from Lake Garda (the world's northernmost olive-growing region) in three sub-zones (Bresciano, Orientale, Trentino), predominantly Casaliva, Frantoio, Leccino. Light-medium fruity intensity, gentle balanced flavor, delicate notes of fresh almond, green herbs, light artichoke — very elegant style suited to delicate dishes.

HoReCa use

The specification notes the oil is well-suited to fish, white meat, raw and cooked vegetables, pulses, fresh or semi-ripened cheeses, thinly-sliced raw meat, 'carne salada', and desserts.

Packaging

• glass-bottle-250ml
• glass-bottle-500ml
• glass-bottle-750ml
• tin-3L
• tin-5L

Seasonality