Lambrusco, Lambrusco, Lambrusco....the stuff of the 80's that came in large bottles with screw caps. Part of me mentally categorises it with shell suits and wife swapping in a caravan in Llandudno, the rest of me is trying to think of a reason not to drink it.
I've got to be honest the label wasn't really allaying my fears. It looked a little like a wine nobody had bought in the last 25 years. Lambrusco is both the grape variety and the type of wine found in the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions of Italy. There is a Denominazione de Origine Controllata (DOC) for five areas Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco Reggiano and Lambrusco Mantovano.
The wine I tried was from Lambrusco Reggiano and it wasn't just the cork that set it apart from the Lambrusco's of the past, mainly because it was red. Much of the Lambrusco sold in the 80's was white or rose due to minimal skin contact but traditional Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine.
This isn't the most complex wine but it is fun, fresh and fruity. Chock full of blackberries, blackcurrants, plums, orange peel and sweet spice this wine had something of the Sangria about it which made me think of being sat outside on hot sunny days. The residual sweetness means that it is only 8.5% and slips down a little easier than I expected.
Served with pizza or soft white cheese this is an unexpected pleasure that would easily perk up a picnic. So keep your keys to yourself, pop your shell suit back on the bonfire and enjoy this sweet treat next time the sun comes out.
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