Lambrusco is only 100% Lambrusco (the wine) when made from at least 85% Lambrusco (the grape)

The Hills of Castelvetro

True Lambrusco, Italy's most important varietal wine, is made from Lambrusco grapes.

As a matter of fact, Italian wine law stipulates that your bottle of True Lambrusco wine must be made from a minimum of 85% Lambrusco grapes.

Lambrusco is a typical example of a good relationship between a group of grapes and its territory: Fertile alluvial plain stimulate vigour, yield and characteristic quality traits of the vine.

How can you tell if you purchased a True Lambrusco or just a bottle of....red wine with bubbles?

The label of a True Lambrusco wine will list the words 'Lambrusco...DOC (or DOP)' or 'Lambrusco dell'Emilia IGT (or IGP) (Lambrusco Emilia IGT or IGP)'. If none of these particular definitions appear anywhere on the front or back label, you purchased a "red wine with bubbles" but not a bottle of True Lambrusco - even though the word 'Lambrusco' (the grape) may be listed on the label. Most true Lambruscos are blended with a maximum of up to 15% of Ancellotta, aka. Lancellotta, Malbo Gentile, Fortana, and/or Marzemino grapes - which are not Lambrusco grapes.

Confused?

Lambrusco is not only the name of a particular TYPE of wine but at the same time it is also the name of the grape that was used to make this type of wine.

Lambrusco (the type of wine) is a slightly fizzy (frizzante in Italian) red wine with high acidity and fresh fragrances, produced in a particular area of Italy. Specifically, in a region called Emilia Romagna even though the wine can only be made in Emilia and not in Romagna. Why? It's not only "the law" (DOC regulation) but also due to the special climate (continental) and special (very moist) soil of Emilia; another proof that there's a very strong relationship with a particular varietal and its territory.

WSJ: "Lambrusco may be one of Italy's most confusing wines."

Enjoyed reading the great article about true lambrusco in the Wall Street Journal. As a matter of fact, we can't read enough about this Italian original. To further 'un-confuse' and demystify lambrusco we would like to add the following personal comments, notes, corrections, and observations:

1. WSJ:  "...There are six different clones of the Lambrusco grape, with six different, multipart names, grown in subregions all over Emilia Romagna in the very heart of Italy. There's Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, home of the Grasparossa clone, where the wines are mostly big and dry. There's Lambrusco Reggiano, the largest region, which is also home to the famous cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano). It produces both sweet and dry wines, and mostly frizzante ones. And there's Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce - a clone said to resemble salami, in fact. Salamino wines tend to be simple and light...."

TL: Actually, there are 13 to 17 different indigenous Lambrusco grape varieties, not clones. Most Lambruscos are made from the following six: Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Sorbara, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Monterrico. (More: http://www.lambruscoday.org/facts-or-fiction.html) Even though the wine region/state is called Emilia Romagna, Lambrusco cannot be made in Romagna - by law.

Grasparossa (lambrusco variety) di Castelvetro (a town in Emilia), Lambrusco Reggiano (Lambrusco from Reggio Emilia) and Salamino (variety) di Santa Croce (town) are zones, better known as DOCs (DOPs). The forth one, not mentioned in the story, is Sorbara (town and name of indigenous grape variety; named after town). While 3 of the DOCs have 'lambrusco grapes' in their denominations, Reggiano refers to the zone/region of Reggio Emilia. The number of Lambrusco DOCs is now at 8 to 12 (More: http://www.lambruscoday.org/facts-or-fiction.html).