Lambrusco - Italy's Red Sparkling Wine
Lambrusco is Italy’s answer to a red sparkling wine. It is also the name of a family of grapes which means “wild grape” in Italian, native to Italy’s Emilia-Romagna DOC region in Central Italy.
The indigenous Italian Lambrusco varieties are as follows - look for these terms on the label to know which style you are purchasing:
Lambrusco Salamino: deep ruby color, floral and fragrant, full body and high acid.
Lambrusco Grasparossa: deep purple color, full body/creamy and medium to high tannins.
Lambrusco di Sorbara: pale pink color, lighter body, high acid.
Lambrusco di Modena: this wine is made from Lambrusco varieties in the Modena province, mainly full bodied, deep purple color.
In addition, the Labeling of sweetness levels is as follows: Secco (dry wines), Semisecco/Abbocato (off dry) & Dolce (sweet style, meant for dessert pairing such as milk chocolate).
The wines are macerated on the skins for 1-2 days depending on the variety in order to extract color, red fruits and tannins. The first fermentation is in stainless steel tank at cool temperatures of 18-20°C. The second fermentation also in a stainless steel tank at 12-15°C for 2weeks for a Frizzante style (lower carbonation sparkling wine) or 1 month for Spumante (fully carbonated sparkling wine) . The wines are produced in higher volume, affordable/inexpensive and quick to market sale and consumption. These wines aren’t ageable like Champagne. The wine can range from dry to sweet. The color can vary from pale pink to a deep ruby color. The flavors range from strawberry, watermelon, cherry, black currant, blueberry, cocoa powder, violet, hibiscus, rhubarb, orange, oregano. The high acidity which makes it such a good food pairing wine. The quality levels are good with some very good examples. This is a generally affordable wine. The wine is best served well chilled 45-55°F.
Pairs with many foods from Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, wood fired pizza or grilled beef burger.
Australia also produces a red sparkling wine made from Shiraz grapes. These wines are made similarly to Champagne and are of a higher quality.
Try a Podere Il Salicete Albone Lambrusco di Modena 2018
Photo: Courtesy of Wine Folly
