Lambrusco D.O.C.

Lambrusco is the name of both a red wine grape and an Italian wine made principally from the grape.

The grapes and the wine originate from three provinces in Emilia-Romagna (Parma, Reggio Emilia & Modena)  and one in Lombardy (Mantua or Mantova). The grape Lambrusco has a long winemaking history, in fact we have to go back even to Etruscan & Roman times.

The most highly rated of its wines (designed to be drunk young) are the five following recognized DOC:

Lambrusco Mantovano, Lambrusco Reggiano, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro & Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce.

Lambrusco had been the biggest selling import wine in USA  in the years '70s and '80s.

Lambrusco can be produced red but also in a white and rosé style, limiting the contact of the skin with the must.

There are many different varieties of "Lambrusco grape", but the mostcommon  variety is the Salamino clone.

The most common clones are the Marani, Maestri,  Monstericco, Salamino, Grasparossa and Sorbara.

The grape itself is not particularly sweet but many of the sweet Lambrusco are made by either partial fermentation or with the addition of the sweeter Ancellotta grapes to the blend. When not fermented sweet, the Lambrusco grape is capable of producing a dry wine with strawberry notes and a slight bitter finish.

Lambrusco peculiarity are berry flavors & high acidity.