How to Pick a Lambrusco Wine

Don't let the reputation of Lambrusco turn you off from giving it a try. It is rare that you will find this red Italian table wine on a wine list at any fine dining establishment, but if you come across it, give this sweet, fruity and fizzy wine a try.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Red wine or Bordeaux glasses

1. Know the flavors of Lambrusco. It is fizzy and sweet with strong flavors of ripe, dark fruit and berries.

2. Learn the price range. A good bottle of Lambrusco will cost between $10 and $15 a bottle. Priced any lower and you will get a Lambrusco that is artificially sweetened without much flavor.

3. Understand when to drink Lambrusco. Drink this wine when young. It is low in tannins and is not suitable for aging.

4. Learn about the two main types of Lambrusco. This wine is either sweet or dry. Sweet Lambrusco will have the word Amabile on the label and the dry type will have Secco on the label.

5. Pick an artisanal Lambrusco. Choose La Luna by Cantine Ceci or Lini Lambrusco Rossa to get the true flavors of Lambrusco.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink Lambrusco that is well chilled at around 50 degrees.
• Enjoy Lambrusco as soon as you open the bottle. There is no need to aerate this wine.
• Stick with Lambruscos from Italy. Otherwise you will get a mass-produced, overly sweet Lambrusco that will taste more like fermented grape soda than wine.
• Don't put it on ice. A couple of cubes to cool it down is actually fine for this wine, but true Lambrusco on ice is not so nice.

Resources

• Learn more about Lambrusco at Italianmade.
• Additional information on Lambrusco is at Epicurious.

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[loverofwine]

on 8/26/2009 The finest artisanal Lambrusco from Italy is called Concerto and made by Medici Ermete. Concerto is the only lambrusco included in the '1001 Wines You Have Try Before You Die' list (see book by that title).