Emilia Romagna and the Lambrusco of Today

Our Italian Food, Wine & Travel group will be exploring lambrusco from the region of Emilia Romagna.  I'm thrilled to be hosting and featuring lambrusco this month as I don't think it gets enough attention that it deserves.  It's a shame that some of these wines including lambrusco, pinot grigio etc. face tarnished images from the days of when the quality was low and the focus was more on quantity.  Gone are those days of low quality as there are wineries doing great things and putting lambrusco back on the map.

Emilia Romagna is located in northern Italy bordering Tuscany and Le Marche to the south and Lombardy, the Veneto and Liguria to the north.  There are 5 noteworthy DOC sub zones within Emilia Romagna where lambrusco is produced including: 

• Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
• Reggiano
• Salamino di Santa Croce
• Lambrusco di Modena

Each sub-zone produces a different style of lambrusco that I've highlighted previously.  You'll find lambrusco produced in different styles that may be labeled as spumante (sparkling), frizzante (semisparkling), amabile (semisweet) and dolce (sweet).  Many of what is remembered from the past falls into the amabile category, but there are beautiful dry versions showing the true potential of this wine.
An interesting discovery from my studies during my certification program was that lambrusco was a "wild vine" that grew in the brughi, or water canals/ditches, in the plains and fields of southern Emilia Romagna.  It's a cross between the classic vitis vinifera vines and "wild" species vitis sylvestris.

Copyright of Federdoc

Besides lambrusco, Emilia Romagna also provides many gastronomic delicacies.  Home to balsamic vinegar, aceto balsamico tradizionale, tortellini, parmigiano-reggiano and prosciutto di Parma to name a few.  There is a reason they say what grows together goes together.  There is nothing like a cheese and fresh meats board with some parmigiano, prosciutto and a glass of lambrusco. Cin cin!  Don't forget Emilia Romagna is also home to Ferrari, Maserati and the amazing Luciano Pavarotti.  This region has something to offer for everyone.

Here is a preview of what is to come on Saturday June 1st amongst our group of food and wine bloggers.  Plenty of lambrusco to go around.  Pick up a bottle and join us for our online Twitter chat Saturday June 1st 11am EST at #ItalianFWT as we chat all about lambrusco.

• Camilla from the Culinary Adventures with Camilla will be featuring "Every Wine Deserves a Second Look: Warmed Brie with Mulberry Chutney + Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco di Sorbara Vecchia Modena 2018"
• Jill at L'Occasion shares "La Collina Biodynamic Bubbles -- Lambrusco!
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm highlights "Lambrusco? Really??"
• Deanna from Asian Test Kitchen will showcase "Top 5 Fast Food Pairings with Lambrusco"
• Jeff at Food Wine Click will share "Lambrusco Shines with Red Fizz and Fun"
• Cindy of Grape Experiences will feature "Italian Old-School Classics: Easy Drinking Lambrusco with Spicy Vegetarian Pensa Romana"
• Marcia of the Joy of Wine will be highlighting "Lambrusco - The Star of Emilia-Romagna" 
• Linda from My Full Wine Glass will be sharing "Drinking Lambrusco in Strawberry Season"
• Pinny of Chinese Food and Wine Pairings  is focused on "Picnicking with Scarpetta Frico Lambrusco"
• Lauren at The Swirling Dervish will be sharing "Revisiting Lambrusco with Francesco Vezzelli Rive dei Ciliegi"
• Nicole with Somm's Table shares "Cooking to the Wine: Pezzuoli Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro with Antipasto Pizza"
• Gwendolyn of Wine Predator will be showcasing "Bugno Martino's Organic Lambrusco Defy Expectations"
• Susannah of Avvinare will be featuring "Sparkling Lambrusco from Vitivinicola Rota"
• I'll be hosting and sharing "Over 150 years of Dedication to Lambrusco with Cleto Chiarli"

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