The Wine Reference🍷 SupportLambrusco grape
Lambrusco is a red grape known for red cherry, strawberry, violet. Its best-known homes are Emilia-Romagna.
Origin and history
Not one grape but a family of distinct native varieties of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy, named from the Latin 'labrusca', meaning wild vine.
Where it grows
Emilia-Romagna around Modena and Reggio Emilia (Lambrusco di Sorbara, Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Salamino di Santa Croce, Reggiano) and Lombardy (Lambrusco Mantovano).
Structure
Light to medium body, frizzante (gently sparkling), high acidity and low to medium tannin; ranges from bone dry (secco) to sweet (dolce or amabile).
Aromas, young and aged
Young: red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, violet and rhubarb; Sorbara is pale and floral, Grasparossa dark and tannic. Not made for ageing.
Ageing
Drink within 1–3 years of the vintage.
Also known as
Varieties include Lambrusco di Sorbara, Grasparossa, Salamino, Maestri, Marani and Viadanese.
Good to know
Sweet Lambrusco was one of the biggest-selling imported wines in the US in the 1970s and 1980s; dry versions are the classic match for Modena's salumi.
Wine regions for Lambrusco
Lambrusco wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium
Emilia-Romagna · Lambrusco di Sorbara · Lambrusco
Pale, dry and frothy: strawberry, raspberry and bright acidity.
Food: Mortadella, tortellini, pizza
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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