Lambrusco DOC
Lambrusco is the red sparkling wine made in Emilia-Romagna region to the south of Veneto. The frizzante red wine was massively popular in the US and Europe in 1980s, which led to industrial-scale expansion of production that did the region’s reputation no favor. As a result, the sparkling was much maligned, but in recent years it’s making a comeback.
Lambrusco itself is actually made from the namesake grape or rather grape varieties. Lambrusco was a wild grape known already to the Etruscans and ancient Roman. There are more than 60 different Lambrusco in the grape group, but Lambrusco Grasparossa is the considered by many in Italy to be of highest quality. It is the only Lambrusco that grows on hillside (vs plains), and is able to reach ripeness even at cool temperature.
Although most Lambrusco is sweet or semi-sweet, the traditional and high-quality version is dry and tend to use traditional and ancestral methods, and extended lees ageing to give more complexity and texture.
Wines to try:
2020 Casali Cantastorie Lambrusco Reggiano DOC Cantastorie (11B, Enoteca Italiana, HKD 128)
Grape: Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Ancellotta
Winemaking: Metodo Martinotti
2019 Villa di Corlo Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC Amabile (7C, CWS Fine Wines )
Grape: Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
Winemaking: Metodo Martinotti
