The best varieties of Lambrusco

The Italian Lambrusco sparkling wine has a poor reputation, which is the fault of the consumers themselves. Times change, vineyards grow, winemakers learn from their mistakes. Lambrusco of the current sample is, if not a great alternative to champagne at an adequate price, then at least a drink that deserves your attention. The main thing is not to miss the moment!

Let me guess, now you say that Lambrusco is not champagne?

Exactly! Nothing but champagne is. Lambrusco is a technical grape used for the production of sparkling wines of the same name in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy (and partly in Lombardy). More precisely, it is a collective term for a whole group of grape varieties - today more than 60 sub-varieties of Lambrusco are known. Among other things, Lambrusco is a wine with a rich history that has been admired since ancient Rome. At least a drink made from similar grapes was mentioned by Cato in his De Agri Cultura, the world's oldest printed agricultural manual, published in 160 BC.

This is, of course, interesting, but how does it differ from champagne?

Region... Champagne can only be called sparkling wine that was prepared in the Champagne province. Lambrusco is a sparkling wine from the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.

Grape sort... Only three grapes are used for the production of champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Lambrusco, as we have already found out, is made from the variety of the same name, sometimes with the addition of Ancellotta grapes to correct the color of the drink. Lambrusco grapes do not grow in France.

Manufacturing method... Champagne is prepared according to the "classic champagne technology" (Metodo Classico, Méthode Champenoise), when the secondary fermentation of the wine takes place directly in the bottle. Modern Lambrusco is produced according to the Sharma method - secondary fermentation takes place in large steel tanks, which significantly reduces the cost of the drink. However, premium Lambrusco is also prepared according to Metodo Classico.

Colour... Champagne is mostly light, very rarely has a pinkish tint. Lambrusco is famous for its bright ruby ​​color, but it can be completely white, despite being made from red grapes.

Sweetness... Champagne is almost always dry, while most Lambrusco wines are semi-sweet and sweet.

Price... Due to the complex production technology, an entry-level bottle of champagne costs about $ 40, while a bottle of the cheapest Lambrusco can be bought for 3 euros.

So cheap? Probably because of a bad reputation, right?

Again to the point. Lambrusco has long been on the black list not only of connoisseurs of sparkling wines, but also of the average consumer, which was due to the wine boom of the 70s. In those years, budget sweet wines came into fashion in the United States, among which Lambrusco was a favorite.Italian producers had to adjust to the market sentiment and the shelves of American and European stores were filled with uninteresting, insipid, sweet, slightly alcoholic wine. The worst thing is that such wines are still in demand today. But good Lambrusco, made with quality in mind, is a real ecstasy of taste. Its best species are dry, even salty, and always refreshingly well.

It's clear. And what is Lambrusco? In stores, the variety is dizzy.

So far, the Italians have not been able to achieve the international status of a name controlled by origin for their wine (apparently, all the forces went to prosecco), so Lambrusco can be cooked in other countries. Of course, there is a DOC Lambrusco category in Italy, which regulates the production of a drink within the country, but it does not guarantee that the bottle you bought will endow you with excellent taste. In general, you will have to search, but there are a lot of criteria that affect Lambrusco's classification.

First, this sparkling wine can be red, pink and even white... The color is regulated during the primary fermentation: the pigments in the skin color the wort in a bright ruby ​​color, but if you remove the skin earlier or not add it at all, the wine will turn out to be lighter or completely white. Sometimes, due to a poor harvest, Lambrusco turns out to be too light, even with prolonged contact with the skin, and then Ancellotta grapes are used - another variety approved for production in accordance with the requirements of DOC Lambrusco.

Second, there is Lambrusco dry, semi-dry and sweet... There are versions of absolutely “quiet", That is, not carbonated, but there are slightly sparkling wines, which the Italians traditionally call"frisante"(Frizzante). There is also Lambrusco "spumante»(Spumante), that is, a full-fledged sparkling wine, in which there are no less bubbles than in champagne. But this whole classification is superficial and obvious. The best Lambrusco is made from sub-grape varieties awarded their own DOC (some are tied to a specific sub-variety, some only to the region), namely: Lambrusco di sorbara , Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce and Reggiano... Wine by any of these appellations must be made from at least 85% Lambrusco grapes. The remaining 15% usually remains with Anchellotta.

Lambrusco di sorbara

Sorbara DOC is located north of Modena, near the village of Sorbara. The Sorbara grape is considered to be the highest quality Lambrusco sub-variety, from which the wines are especially aromatic. Sorbar vines shed some of the flowers during flowering, due to which the yield decreases, but the aroma of the berries increases. Lambrusco di Sorbara wines are light, delicate, floral and often light pink in color. The best versions are dry but have delicious sweet aromas of orange blossom, tangerine, cherry, violet and watermelon.

Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro

The wine is made from the Lambrusco Grasparossa grape, which is grown around the town of Castelvetro di Modena. Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro has a rich, bright purple color, with a pronounced aroma of violets, strawberries, fresh plums and black cherries. These are the "fattest" and strongest subspecies of Lambrusco, highly enriched in tannin.

Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce

According to the DOC Lambrusco requirements, Salamino wine must be made from at least 90% of Lambrusco Salamino grapes, and the remaining 10% can be taken by Ancellotta and / or Bruniola. Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce is a dry or semi-sweet wine in the frizzante style. The name Salamino di Santa Croce comes from the shape of the grape bunches - small, compact, cylindrical, they resemble the shape of salami. These wines have absorbed the stunning ethereal aroma of Sorbar and the deep color of Grasparossa. From the latter, they also took a lot of tannin, which is often leveled out by residual sugar.

Reggiano

Largest region of Lambrusco production. Reggiano wines are a mixture of different Lambrusco sub-varieties: up to 15% Ancellotta, the remaining 85% - Maestri, Marani, Monstericco and Salamino in any combination. Reggiano is best known for his sweet versions, which are so beloved in the United States and northern Europe. Sweet styles are usually made as frizzante (light pink, slightly carbonated), while dry styles are darker and more intense.There are also white Reggiano sparkling wines, where the wort is fermented without the skin and stems.

There is also DOC Modena, which brings together almost all Lambrusco styles, and the young Lambrusco Mantovano, the only DOC outside Emilia Romagna, in Lombardy. And Lambrusco is also grown and prepared in Australia and Argentina, where the grapes were brought by Italian immigrants.

Eh, without 100 grams ... Okay, how and with what to drink Lambrusco, so as not to be disappointed?

Lambrusco should be drunk chilled, to about 10 ° C, from champagne glasses. The simplest specimens can be cooled another couple of degrees. Premium wines are best drunk from standard red wine glasses to capture all the flavor and aroma of the drink. But most importantly, Lambrusco is almost always served with food - this is the way it is in Italy. High acidity and lightness make this wine an ideal accompaniment to meats and cheeses. For example, Lambrusco Sorbara is a traditional addition to pork with beans, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and lasagna, Grasparossa is served with the traditional local dish zampone (pork leg shell stuffed with minced meat), and Salamino is served with kotekino (fatty pork sausage). Of course, no one forbids you to drink Italian sparkling wine as an aperitif, especially the refined Sorbara. And yes, Lambrusco does not tolerate aging - all his copies should be drunk young, until they have lost their freshness!

Why did you decide to write about Lambrusco just now?

Because, according to experts, a real Lambrusco boom is coming and the prices for still budget sparkling wine can jump a lot. Now these are modest initiatives to revive authentic wines, but in 5-10 years, producers can unite as a united front and arrange a real wine revolution on a local scale. More and more often they began to come across Lambrusco prepared according to the "classic champagne technology". The so-called “method of ancestors” (Metodo Ancestrale) is gaining momentum, when the wort is fermented in vats to 10-11% alcohol, and then bottled, where it is further fermented by a couple of percent. This is already a real craft, which today is at a great price. So don't miss your chance to try something worthwhile!

Okay, I'll take it into account. Can you advise then a couple of bottles for the first acquaintance?

Why not advise. First of all, look for Lambrusco, which has one of the DOCs described above on the label. As for specific instances, these are:

• Cavicchioli Vigna del Cristo Lambrusco di Sorbara 2014
• Villa di Corlo 'Corleto' Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro 2014
• Lambrusco Grasparossa Monovitigno Fattoria Moretto
• Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Pruno Nero
• Camillo Donati Lambrusco dell'Emilia I.G.P. 2014
• Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco dell'Emilia I.G.P. 2015
• Fattoria Moretto Morose Lambrusco Grasparossa

If you cannot find them, and it is not so easy to find them, pay attention to Lambrusco from Medici Ermete, Vittorio Graziano, Fiorini and Monte delle Vigne, which are better represented in the CIS.

Lambrusco is an Italian sparkling or semi-sparkling wine produced in the Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna regions of Italy. Most of it is red wine, but there are also white, rosé, dry, semi-dry and semi-sweet varieties. The best varieties of the drink have been classified as DOC and are produced in the vicinity of the cities of Reggio Emilia and Modena.

History of origin

The history of the development of Lambrusco winemaking is comparable to the heyday of Italy itself. According to the data of archaeological excavations, it can be argued that the production of the drink began even long before the heyday of the Roman Empire... Over the years, this sparkling wine has become very popular among Italians.

There are many legends regarding the origin of Lambrusco. The most famous version is Luigi Bertelli, which was written at the end of the 19th century.

According to her, in the midst of a bloody battle between the warring Italian cities of Bologna and Modena, the Roman gods Venus, Bacchus and Mars decided to help the Modenians, whose forces were running out. Bacchus as a token of his support gave the tavern owner a grape seed and ordered to put her in the ground.

Over time, at the place where the first grape seed was planted, a generous harvest grew, from which they subsequently began to produce winewith a refined taste and aroma.

And the drink acquired the name "Lambrusco" directly thanks to the numerous questions from the visitors of the tavern about what kind of wine the owner serves them, to which the latter answered "l`amo brusco", which is from Italian translates as "I love tart".

There is also a version that claims that the name comes from the Latin word labrusco, translated as "wild".

1938 was a landmark year in the history of Lambrusco. It was at this time that five families of quite successful winemakers were a company named "Cantina Puianello" was established... Today the company owns about 300 hectares of vineyards and supplies for world export about 80% of the total harvest of this sparkling drink.

Lambrusco is now sales leader not only in Italy, but also far beyond its borders... Due to its natural effervescence, the drink has become very popular in the United States, where only Coca-Cola can compare with it in terms of the scale of acquisition.

Champagne or sparkling wine?

In reality champagne and Lambrusco have nothing in commonapart from the fact that both wines have bubbles and are produced in very similar bottles.

The following can be distinguished differences between these drinks:

• by grade - Lambrusco is made from grapes of the same name, which are grown exclusively in Italy (but not in France, where champagne is made);
• taste - it depends, first of all, on the grape variety, as well as on the place where it grows and the production method. Even if Lambrusco were made from the same varieties as champagne, there would still be significant taste differences between the two wines (due to different soil composition, climate and other factors);
• by production method - Lambrusco is made using a simplified technology called the "Charm method", and champagne - using a more expensive and complex technology called "classic champagne technology";
• by color - champagne cannot be red, the maximum drink can have a pink tint;
• according to the degree of sweetness - quite often Lambrusco is made very sweet, and champagne is almost always dry or very dry wine.

Manufacturing

As mentioned above, Lambrusco is produced by technology "Sharma method", the first records of which were made public in 1305. Today the drink is produced only in the Emilia-Romagna region.

A distinctive feature of all types of wine is their strong sparkling, but it is achieved thanks to a special production method. The method consists in secondary fermentation in steel containers, and not in separate bottles. It is because of this feature that Lambrusco wines differ from champagne.

Drink bottled right during fermentation, this contributes to the formation of dense foam in the glass after opening, which indicates that the cooking technology has not been violated.

In addition to adding different varieties of Lambrusco to sparkling wines the presence of the Ancelotte variety is allowed... As a rule, it is added not so much for taste as to maintain a certain color scheme of the wine, which, as a result, acquires a richer and brighter purple hue. If you use only the original grapes, the color will turn ruby ​​(only if the bunches are well ripe).

Flavoring features

Lambrusco to your taste and aroma comes out differently for each specific manufacturereven if the same grape variety is used. The only thing that always remains unchanged is the character of this drink, the wine is fresh, light, young, sparkling, there are many small bubbles in it.

Has a pronounced grape taste, rich fruity aroma with notes of almond (for red Lambrusco) and flowers (for white). Another distinctive feature is the presence of expressive acidity and berry shades.

Types, price

At this point in time Lambrusco includes more than 60 varietal varieties of grapes... The most famous and popular, both among amateurs and among manufacturers, have gained the following types:

• Lambrusco Marani;
• Lambrusco Salamino di Santacroce;
• Lambrusco Reggiano;
• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castalvetro;
• Lambrusco di Sorbara;
• Lambrusco di Modena;
• Lambrusco Maestri;
• Lambrusco Montericco.

The wines of the Salamino and Sorbara varieties have a pleasant slightly sour taste, while the Grasparossa varieties have a sweet floral aroma.

The most popular and beloved of all these types is Lambrusco Sorbara... In domestic countries, preference is given to Lambrusco Emilia.

How much does Lambrusco wine cost? The average cost of a bottle can vary from 340 Russian rubles to 600-700 rubles... Even the most expensive designer Lambrusco costs no more than 25 euros. The price is consistent with the quality of this drink and does not scare true wine connoisseurs.

What do you know about Martini Asti champagne? Find out all about this sparkling wine and consider whether it is worth tasting.

Sparkling wine, especially white wine, goes well with seafood risotto. Learn how to cook it.

It's a good idea to combine Italian sparkling wines with lasagna, the recipe for which you can find at home here: and serving

In order not to run into a fake and purchase a truly original drink, you should go shopping to the brand store of alcohol... You can also choose Lambrusco from the large supermarkets that have a good reputation.

Wine connoisseurs recommend giving their preference only to a red dry drink, because it is it that is consumed in the homeland of Lambrusco, in the Emilia-Romagna region. Whites and sweets are made exclusively for export, mostly for Russia.

Lambrusco is traditionally served chilled to a temperature of 7-9 degrees.

This is a fairly versatile variety of wine that is excellent suitable for almost all dishes, it goes especially well with fatty heavy dishes, as well as seafood, real Italian pizza, salads, desserts and fruits.

Reviews

• I was very pleased with this drink, the wine has a pleasant harmonious taste with a slight astringency. It is very easy to drink, does not have a sour taste and alcoholic smell. Does not cause strong intoxication, in the morning after it does not have a headache.

  The alcohol content is only 7.5%, I would say that it is not felt at all. Perfect for girls and for everyone who does not want to get very drunk.

• We bought a drink for the birthday, despite the rather democratic cost, we liked the wine, it tastes good and has an unobtrusive fruity aroma. It can be an excellent alternative to champagne, it will be great to combine with fruits, as well as light snacks. Looks beautiful in a crystal glass, Lambrusco's color is very bright and saturated, will help create a festive atmosphere.

  Although it costs only 300 rubles, there is no need to complain about the quality. We can conclude that cheap doesn't always mean bad!

• I don't like sparkling wines too much, but I really liked Lambrusco Emilia. It is not very strong, without acidity, and is sold at a very reasonable price. I used to buy exclusively domestic wines, but now I am directly addicted to this drink.

  Most of all I like white, it is very light and pleasant, much tastier than champagne, although it is the same sparkling wine. And no alcoholic aftertaste, which is often present in domestic products!

• If you want to taste a delicious wine that is very easy to drink and does not lead to a hangover, you should definitely try Lambrusco wines. They are perfect for any festive event, even with their one look they will decorate your table.

  They are sold in supermarkets and special wine stores, the cost is very pleasing, and for this money you drink a really tasty and high-quality drink. I would definitely recommend everyone to purchase.

• I didn't like the wine. I chose between it and the usual champagne, for a change I decided to buy Lambrusco, as a result, half of the bottle had to be simply thrown away, since it was impossible to drink it due to its too tart taste.

  Maybe this is my personal taste preferences, I only love sweet wines, the smell of the drink was really quite pleasant, and the cost was not bad, but I definitely won’t buy it anymore, it’s better to drink what has been tested and really suits you.

It can be concluded that Lambrusco has become such a popular wine drink all over the world for a reason. Relative availability, excellent taste and high quality products make the wine very attractive to buyers, and the delicate aroma and rich bright color will definitely not leave indifferent any wine connoisseur.

It is important to buy it only in specialized stores., this will help eliminate the possibility of counterfeiting and you can enjoy a real drink, the main thing is not to abuse it too much, because this can cause significant harm to your health.

Lambrusco is one of the best wines in the world. It has a rich history and traditions. Lambrusco wine is an exquisite sparkling drink with a pronounced fruity aroma. To date, it is produced only on the grounds of Emilia-Romagna.

Wine history

The name "Lambrusco" originally referred only to the berry variety. The first drinks were made from wild grapes. Many of these varieties are still in use today, such as Grasparossa and Sorbara. Now all these names are used as separate brands.

The first Lambrusco wine, white semi-sweet, was squeezed out in ancient Rome. In those days, Italians loved this low-alcohol drink. The advantage was that the vineyards were very easy to grow. Even in dry season, they are able to give an excellent harvest. Some hereditary winemakers say that Lambrusco wine was Caesar's favorite drink.

Over the past few centuries, more than a dozen new variations of Lambrusco have been born. And by the 1990s, there were already more than 60 varieties. It is worth noting that it was extremely difficult to breed all these varieties. Many grape varieties are genetically identical to the original. Take Chardonnay for example. The harvest from a vine a century ago will be the same as today. The analogy can be drawn with many other varieties.In America, the drink has become popular since the 1970s, when the country began to experience the financial crisis. The fact is that semisweet sparkling wine "Lambrusco" is relatively cheap, but it has an amazing range of tastes. In the Soviet Union, the drink appeared at evening parties towards the end of the 1970s.

It is noteworthy that today the manufacturers of Lambrusco are seeking from the Italian authorities a decision to subject the sale of products to careful control, since in recent years there have been repeated cases of counterfeits with branded labels.

Varieties of "Lambrusco"

Each of the variations of this wine amazes with its characteristic lightness, sparkling and fruity aroma. This primarily distinguishes the original from cheap fakes. It is also important to note that Lambrusco wine is never a dessert wine. It is either semi-sweet or dry, and can be red, pink and white. It all depends on the type of crop. Based on the structural component, the drink is divided into sparkling and quiet. In the first case, the bottle must be labeled "Frizzante".Experienced tasters note that the sparkling wines of this collection have no less bubbles than the same traditional Italian Spumante champagne.

For a long time, the drink has been produced according to the secret method of Sharma. It is only known that secondary fermentation is used to obtain an exquisite taste and improve the properties of sparkling. In the process, bubbles are formed at a higher frequency. For manufacturing and storage, only steel barrels from a refined alloy are used. If the bottles bear the inscription "The Classic Method", then they were produced at the Emilia-Romagna plant in accordance with the best traditions.

For an improved rich pigmentation of the drink, only Lambrusco grapes are used. Manufacturers rarely allow mixing varieties. This is the only way to achieve the signature ruby ​​color and bright aroma. It is not for nothing that some of the wines were awarded the highest DOC award.

Distinctive features of "Lambrusco"

Many people confuse sparkling white wines with traditional Italian champagne. At first glance, such a mistake is very likely. The fact is that sparkling variations of Lambrusco are really very similar to champagne. This primarily concerns the number of bubbles and consistency, as well as the shape of the bottle. Nevertheless, there are a number of clear distinctive features:

1. White wine "Lambrusco" is made only from local grape varieties. Nowhere in the world can you find such berries anymore, even in France.

2. The manufacturing method is based on double fermentation. This method of producing sparkling wine was proposed by the well-known biologist Sharm. In turn, any champagne is made using a complex technology with preliminary filtration.3. Taste characteristics directly depend on the place of growth of varieties and the way of storage of the drink. Lambrusco is produced only from berries from the fields of Emilia-Romagna. Therefore, the taste of wine will in any case differ from champagne. Besides, sparkling Lambrusco is never dry.

The only thing that can unite both drinks is the color scheme. But here, too, there is a slight difference. The pink Lambrusco has a slight purple overflow.

Lambrusco di sorbara

This Lambrusco wine is distinguished by its bright aroma and high quality. Experts point out unusual color saturation. The fact is that this drink is made from special varieties of berries. The yield of such a vine is artificially reduced. Due to this, the flowering is abnormally strong.

Sorbara combines high flavor and aroma concentration. The wine is light, delicate. Refers to a kind of sparkling wine. When tasting, the delicate tone of a violet is clearly manifested. The taste, as noted by the tasters, is sour, so it is recommended for fatty dishes. This type of drink fits into the DOC category.

Salamino di Santa Croce

This is one of the most demanded and expensive variations of the drink. This Lambrusco wine is made from the berries of the Salamino, Ancelotta and Bruniola varieties. In terms of taste, it can be dry and semi-sweet. The latter variety was also called "semi-sparkling". Such a bottle must have the inscription "Frizzante". Since quite rare grape varieties are needed for the production, the cost of "Salamino" may not be affordable for many. However, the price matches the quality.

An interesting fact is that this type of Lambrusco should be drunk when young. Wine "Salamino" does not tolerate long aging. The reason for this lies in the berries and the method of pressing. A glass of wine is usually served with meat dishes.

Lambrusco Reggiano Reviews

The name comes from the region of Reggino Emilia, in which this Lambrusco wine is made. Experts' reviews show that the original variation of Reggiano is only a red sparkling drink. However, dry white wines can often be found on sale.They also have a right to exist, but it is worth knowing that different varieties of berries were used in their production.

Semi-sweet "Regino" contains up to 15% of Ancelotta grapes, and dry - Maestri and Marani. This, as noted by consumers, gives the drink an additional aftertaste. During production, only Lambrusco berries are subjected to double fermentation.

"Regino" pleases with a soft and delicate aroma of fruit. Experienced tasters give off a light grape skin flavor. According to wine lovers, acidity, sweetness, richness and maturity are in perfect balance in this drink. It is usually served with cheese and ham.

Giacobazzi Lambrusco Rosso Reviews

Jacobazzi Lambrusco is a sparkling wine aged in the best traditions of Emilia-Romagna. This is a semi-sweet drink. In terms of color - red with a slight purple tint. The wine has an exquisite sweetish taste. The fortress is 7.5%, however, according to numerous customer reviews, it can be concluded that these percentages are not felt.

"Jacobazzi", according to tasters, differs from other semi-sweet varieties in freshness and velvety berry aftertaste. The aroma is fruity, but the violet stands out among the bouquet.

The wine is ideal for desserts, lasagna and salami. In Italy, it is customary to serve it with confectionery.

Grasparossa di Castelvetro

Red wine "Lambrusco Grasparossa" is distinguished by an inky red tint and raspberry foam. In consistency, it is full-bodied, rich. In terms of the percentage of alcohol, "Grasparossa" significantly surpasses all other varieties. There is also a high tannin content. Di Castelvetro has a very catchy aroma. Violet, strawberry, cherry and plum stand out in the bouquet. The composition contains 85% of Lambrusco berries, the rest belongs to such a rare grape variety as Malbo Gentile.

Grasparossa is considered a rather strong drink, so it is usually served with fatty pork dishes.

Lambrusco mantovano

This wine is made in the province of Mantua, hence the name. Since 1987, after receiving the DOC status, the drink has become popular all over the world.

The color range is pink and red. The distinguishing feature is the low alcohol content.

In the manufacture of this dry wine, such varieties of berries are used as Vyadanese, Marani, Salamino, Ancelotta, Sorbara, Maestri, Brunyola, Grappello.

The wine has a characteristic violet aroma. Served with any dish.

Lambrusco cubista rose

"Cubista Lambrusco" is a sparkling wine with a pink tint. It belongs to the semi-sweet variety. Produced in a land called Ca'De'Medici. The alcoholic strength of the drink is 8%. This strain does not fit into the DOC category, but it has its loyal fans all over the world.

In "Cubista" there are delicate fruity notes, among which the strawberry stands out. The wine has a fresh, sweet berry aftertaste. Experts note the velvety astringency after the first sip. Cubista Lambrusco is served with appetizers, salads and meat, as well as dessert.

The Italian brand "Lambrusco" combines several varieties of wines and champagnes with exquisite taste.

What does Lambrusco mean?

Translated from Italian means "wild grapes". In their homeland in sunny Italy, grapes are found at every turn. It is nourished by the sun and hot air, it ripens naturally. The advantage of wild grapes is that they require little maintenance and grow on their own. In Italy, they always made a simple wine from it, which could be drunk young. It turned out to be fragrant and light, did not require long ripening. Champagne Lambrusco is the common name for naturally foaming wines.

True connoisseurs say that there is nothing in common between this wine and real champagne.

Natural sparkling variety

By "Lambrusco" experts mean several varieties of grapes, from which excellent wine is always obtained. Grapes of this variety are red, pink and white.

Wine historians claim that this wine was still loved by the inhabitants of ancient Rome. This is quite possible, because grapes have been growing in Italy from time immemorial, and the technology of making wine is approximately equal to the age of mankind. Popularity at all times contributed to the fact that after filling in large steel containers, the drink began to play, giving a unique taste and lightness. Hence the popular name - Lambrusco champagne.

Variety of varieties

Modern winemakers have up to 60 grape varieties that have common features. The thing is that this berry changes in the natural conditions of its habitat.

Grapes cultivated by humans have clear genetic traits. Winemakers specially select healthy vines for reproduction from genetically identical plants, and take care of the purity of the variety. That is, once a good grape variety was found, it spread its exact copies all over the world. This is how, for example, the Chardonnay variety is grown - also a world famous brand. The Lambrusco varieties reproduce naturally, undergoing pollination from other vines. Bumblebees and bees on clear sunny days easily transfer particles of similar genes from one plant to another. The same thing happens with grapes as with other representatives of the flora in the wild: they vary slightly within the same species. This is how dandelions, clover, grasses and other wild species breed. Because of this, Lambrusco champagne has a variety of flavors: generally similar, but still different from each other.

Wine Fashion

She played a cruel joke with the wine. The Lambrusco champagne reached its maximum development in the 70s of the last century, when sweet and semi-sweet wines were at the peak of popularity. Of course, dry wines could also be produced from grape varieties in their homeland. They were produced, but in small quantities, because there was a fashion for sweets. The association is firmly rooted in the minds of consumers: "Lambrusco" sparkling is necessarily sweet.

But fashion changes with time. From the moment dry and semi-dry wines became popular, sales of Italian wine of this variety began to decline.

Today dry wine of this brand is produced and bought, but the current sales volume cannot be compared with what it was in the last century.

Difficulties with the name

Despite its long and interesting history, Lambrusco champagne is still not protected by any patent. The price per bottle ranges from 250 to 880 rubles. The only thing that winemakers have managed to date is to limit the use of the name outside Italy itself. But, since wine is produced there everywhere, it is very difficult to monitor the quality. With the same degree of probability, you can stumble upon both an exclusive version and an unimportant one. Unfortunately, conscientious winemakers and profit lovers have equal rights, so consumers can only rely on their own luck.

Italian sparkling

Some clues about the quality of the wine can be obtained from the labels on the label. If it says "vino fermo" it is a quiet wine with no sparkling at all. This means that after the end of fermentation, the wine was immediately poured into bottles. Everything is there: taste, aroma, the smell of the sun, but sparkling is not. These are the properties of wine, it was so conceived.

The inscription "frizzante" means that the wine will slightly foam after opening the bottle. A special technology is used, which gives the drink a special appeal.

If it says "spumante", then the bottle contains real Lambrusco champagne. The price of such bottles is usually the highest. The difference between real champagne and this Italian wine is that the former ferments in glass bottles with constant turning.Italian wine is created in huge steel containers, and the moment of bottling is determined exclusively by the winemaker.

The art of winemaking is so subtle that secrets are often passed down within the family from father to son. The development of a winemaker as a specialist takes no less time than the maturation of a vine.

Alternative to champagne

This is what everyone who tasted it calls this wine. The alcohol content is only 8%, it is not produced any stronger. Bubbles and foam are beyond praise. Drunkenness practically does not occur - slight relaxation. Ideal for women's gatherings. It goes well with fruits, cheese, vegetable snacks. It comes in white, red and pink, so you can choose the right variety for meat and seafood.

Champagne "Lambrusco" looks great in glasses. The reviews are unanimous: rich color, small bubbles and summer aroma will cheer you up in any situation.

Its price contributes to the popularity of wine. No different in quality from expensive sparkling wines, this variety is much cheaper than well-known brands.

White varieties

"Lambrusco" white champagne is quite rare, because white varieties are very capricious. It blooms early, and many inflorescences fall off during the ripening process. The harvest is always small, but the taste is very rich. There is little sugar in the berries, this wine plays badly. Most often, the label will say "Sorbara" - in both white and pink.

There is also white wine "Reggiano" from the family "Lambrusco". For production, the drink is most often blended with other varieties, in particular with Ancelotta. This grape is very sweet, it was from it that the wine that conquered America was made.

Manufacturing method "Lambrusco"

Sparkling wine is traditionally associated with the name of the monk Perignon, although the technology has been created piece by piece since the beginning of the century.

To make an elite wine, the grapes need not be allowed to ripen to the end quite a bit. Guessing the collection date is an art. Then the berries are squeezed very gently and a cuvée is obtained - the best material or juice, practically not in contact with the seeds and skin. Usually, several varieties of juice are mixed to make good wine.

After pressing the first juice, the wine material is pressed further. It is from the juice of the second pressing that sparkling wines are made, this is how the Lambrusco rose champagne is made. The juice from the third pressing is not used for winemaking.

The squeezed juice is poured into huge metal containers, where it ferments. In the same containers, the liquid is mixed to obtain the required aroma and taste.

At a certain stage of fermentation, the wine is poured into durable stainless steel containers, which are hermetically sealed, preventing air from entering. The containers must withstand a lot of pressure. This method is called the Sharma method.

Finally, the wine is poured into glass bottles and corked with a cork that can withstand internal pressure.

"Lambrusco Bianco"

Great white sparkling wine, the best drink for spring and summer, refreshing and pearly. It is almost always produced semi-sweet. Connoisseurs describe its taste as enveloping, and its color is delicate golden. Fruit, berry and apple notes are revealed.

Wines such as Lambrusco Bianco champagne are best set off with mature cheese. In our reality, you can combine this drink with good pizza, fruits, traditional Italian pasta with creamy sauce, parmesan, not too sweet desserts.

The correct temperature is very important. The best range of the drink is from +3 to + 10 ° C, so the taste is felt the brightest. Champagne glasses or regular wine glasses are great decorations.

Magnificent "Emilia"

The very name of the wine evokes an association with an elegant and playful young woman, full of strength and vitality.

The label must necessarily indicate that the drink is made according to the traditional or classical method.This means that correctly squeezed juice has been used, and the wine has gone through several stages of fermentation.

The name of the drink was given by the best wine-growing region Del Emilia and the nearby Romagna. On the map, these two regions form a triangle outlined by the Adriatic Sea, the Apennines and the Po River. The climate here is unique: from alpine to mild continental. The capital of the region is the well-known Bologna. The number of sunny days reaches 200, and even in the coldest months there are no subzero temperatures. Summer rains are rare, but the sun is rife.

An autumn food and wine festival is held here every year, usually from September to November. It is better to taste the real Lambrusco Emilia (champagne) here and at this time for the first time. At the festival you can taste truffles and chestnuts, blue fish or Parma ham.

"Emilia" is real champagne, that is, wine made using champagne technology. This means that after squeezing and blending, the unripe drink is poured into dark thick glass bottles and hermetically sealed. Maturation takes place in a container. The technological process is complex: temperature, illumination, overturning.

Lambrusco wines are a nice occasion to meet friends, enjoy leisure time or relax after a hard day.