Lambrusco

Pronuciation: Lam-broo-skoh; Italian Lahm-broo-skaw ]

Lambrusco is the wild child of Italian wines, and like most wild things, it's complicated. Starting with its name, which is derived from ancient Roman and translates as 'wild vine,' named because of its ability to grow anywhere and its high yields. But the Romans also applied the name to any grapevine that grew outside of cultivated vineyards, so many varieties selected to plant from 'wild vines' and bred further were named Lambrusco. This makes it neither a single grape variety nor a family of grape varieties, but a term used for countless arrays of grapes. The many vines bearing the name Lambrusco are mostly unrelated and adding to the mix, there are currently 60 identified as Lambrusco.

Thankfully, they have a lot in common. They all originated from the central-eastern Italian region of Emilia. They're all red. They're all either made frizzante or spumante. They're all labeled either secco - dry, amabile - slightly sweet, or dolce -sweet and most are blends of various Lambrusco grapes with the Ancellotta grape to adds natural fruit sweetness.

Lambruso Wine

Frizzante v. Spumante

Frizzante comes from the Italian word frizzare, which literally means to prick. Spumante comes from the Italian word spumare, which means to foam. So, what's the difference between frizzante and spumante sparkling wines of Italy? The biggest difference between them is the levels of effervescence or bubbles produced in each bottle. Technically speaking, frizzante wines are semi-sparkling wines with mild bubbles, where spumante wines are fully sparkling wines with vigorous bubbles.

Given the Lambruscos' many sparking personalities, it's hard to know where to begin, so for the sake of simplicity, let's focus on the five most common styles.

Lambrusco di Modena

The basic level of Lambrusco, sourced throughout the Province of Modena, home of balsamic vinegar.

Lambrusco di Sorbara

Also made in the Province of Modena around the village of Sorbara. This wine is traditionally made dry, with cranberry, pomegranate and reflects the region’s terroir.

Lambrusco di Grasparossa di Castelvetro

Made in the southern Modena Province from a darker-colored grape with more tannins, more structure and deeper dark-berry fruit.

Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce

Farther west from the province of Emilia Reggio. Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce is the most widely planted and adds color and acidity in blends. It has raspberry and cherry fruit with a light tannic structure.

Lambrusco Reggiano

The primary source of off-dry/semi-sweet blended Lambrusco labeled amabile and dolce and is known to be crisp and pungent. It's also the home of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

The Structure, Taste & Style of Lambrusco Wines

With these styles and flavor profiles of Lambrusco(s) reading the label is crucial to find a wine for our tastes and culinary complements. However, there are a few things that you can expect from all quality Lambrusco wines. In the glass, it should be deep ruby with purple tints with a pink froth while expressing aromatics of lilac, violet, rose, pine, licorice and leather. In terms of taste, expect sour cherry, black cherry, pomegranate, elderberry, raspberry, black tea, orange peel and black olive.

Pairing Lambrusco With Food

Lambrusco is an incredibly versatile food wine, but as with most wines from a specific region, "what grows together goes together"- Emilia-Romagna, the home of salami, prosciutto, mortadella, bresaola Bolognese Ragu, tortellini, ravioli, cannelloni and PIZZA! Other matches are Strawberry Arugula Salad with Balsamico, grilled chicken, lamb, hamburgers, steak, Tokyo-style ramen, Asian orange chicken, General Tso’s chicken and Korean BBQ ribs. Cheese-wise try it with pecorino or Parmigiano Reggianon, Grano Padano. It even complements hard to match dark chocolates.

Current Countries Producing Lambrusco:

• Italy
• Argentina
• Australia

Notable Lambrusco Producers:

NV Zanetti Villa di Corlo Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Corleto

NV Cantina Puianello Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa Grasparossa Secco Lambrusco

2017 Chiarli Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Villa Cialdini Secco Frizzante

2017 Alberici Amilcare Lambrusco Dell'Emilia Rosso I.G.P. Emilia IGT

2014 Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Modena Grosso Brut Lambrusco di Modena DOC

2016 Fiorini Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Becco Rosso

NV Caprari Lambrusco dell'Emilia Osteria Emilia IGT

2013 Cantina Della Volta Rosé Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC Lambrusco di Sorbara

NV Lo Duca Reggiano Rosso Dolce Emilia Romagna Lambrusco

2011 Cavicchioli Lambrusco di Sorbara Vigna del Cristo Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC

NV Venturini Baldini montelocco Emilia IGT Lambrusco

2009 Camillo Donati Lambrusco Tenuta S. Andrea Emilia IGT

NV Medici Ermete Reggiano I Quercioli Dolce Lambrusco

2017 Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC

NV Donelli Lambrusco Lambrusco di Sorbara Vino Secco Frizzante Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC

2011 Lo Duca Reggiano Rosso Dolce Emilia Romagna Lambrusco

NV Rota Lambrusco di Modena 27 Villa Castellazzo - Via Romani Lambrusco di Modena DOC

2018 Tenuta Pederzana Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Semi Secco

2009 Francesco Vezzelli Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Rive Dei Ciliegi Red Blend

2015 Cantine Ceci Otello Nero di Lambrusco Emilia IGT

2017 Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Leclisse Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC

2019 Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce Rosso Viola Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC