The charming semi-sparkling wine of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco is considered the ideal wine to pair with local Emilia cuisine, from cured meats like Salame and Prosciutto di Parma to pastas like tortellini and local cheeses.
Often frizzante, or lightly sparkling, classic Lambrusco wines are dry or slightly off-dry with floral aromas, bright red fruit characters and refreshing acidity. The wines are light in tannins and have moderate alcohol.
Typically produced using the Charmat (tank) method, a small proportion is also made by the Traditional or Ancestrale methods. The best examples reflect the different varieties and distinct characteristics of the three main Lambrusco grapes including Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Grasparossa.
Scroll down to discover four Lambrusco wines to try from DWWA 2024
A local favourite, the classic Lambrusco wine style, bottled with mushroom corks as opposed to the sweet, mass-produced Lambrusco wines bottled with screw-cap, is deservedly finding its way into international markets.
And catching the attention of the expert judges at Decanter World Wine Awards, four Lambrusco wines received Silver medals (90 points).
A region and wine style well worth exploring, below discover Emilia-Romagna’s top-scoring Lambrusco wines from the 2024 competition to celebrate World Lambrusco Day.
Search all award-winning wines from Emilia-Romagna at awards.decanter.com
World Lambrusco Day: Four award-winning styles to try
Venturini Baldini, Cadelvento Rosé Brut, Lambrusco Reggiano Secco NV
Silver, 90 points
100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
Fresh and inviting on the palate. Gentle aromatics, orange peel and light peach, bright acidity and a refreshing light mousse. Not overly complex but there is appealing purity and liveliness here. Alc 12%
Cantina Sociale di Gualtieri, Il Ligabue, Lambrusco Reggiano Secco NV
Silver, 90 points
90% Lambrusco Salamino, 10% Lambrusco Maestri
Intense fruity nose with good purity. Blackberry, raspberry, cherry and plum characteristics with evidence of carbonic maceration on the palate. Pleasant mouthfeel, with a slight sweetness to finish. Alc 11%
Fattoria Moretto, Monovitigno, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvertro 2023
100% Lambrusco Grasparossa
Silver, 90 points
Plenty of concentration and power! The palate is well-orchestrated, intense fruit layered with herbaceous characters, pleasant tannins, a light body, and a long finish. Alc 12%
Albinea Canali, Ottocentonero Secco, Lambrusco dell’Emilia NV
Silver, 90 points
50% Lambrusco Salamino, 40% Lambrusco Grasparossa, 10% Ancellotta
Cranberry, crunchy strawberry, red currant, blueberry and cranberry characteristics. The palate has great freshness, fine mousse and beautiful acidity. Alc 11.5%
See all DWWA 2024 results
