You might want to check out the allium forum on this site. There is plenty of information there about how to get some great garlic. (I'm guessing that the variety is not the issue so much as methods of culture.)

I agree with the above poster, I have grown both soft and hard neck types of garlic, it is said the soft neck has a longer storage life but if I've dried the hard neck properly I haven't had a problem with storage. I prefer the hard necks, the 7 or so larger cloves of the hard neck are much easier to prepare then the fiddly small and smaller cloves of soft neck types just my opinion.

A......

I believe that the hardneck is actually the one which stores better. At least, that is how it goes for me. I grow both hardneck and softneck varieties (one of each) from seedstock I purchased from the feed store and one of the vendors at our farmer's market. Buying the seed stock locally is probably the best way to get varieties which are suited to your area.

My suggestion is to visit a local farmers market and sample what they have to offer. Most farmers are more than willing to talk about what they grow. See what you like and then go back and buy enough of that variety to suit your planting needs. It is definately cheaper than ordering from a seed catalog and will usually give good results. German Porcelain and Italian Purple are both ones that we like.