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Nestled in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, the Lambrusco di Modena DOC is an emblematic wine region that offers a vivid portrait of Italy's enchanting viticultural landscape. It's not just about the wine, but the narrative of a land, its people, and their intimate connection to the environment.
Blessed with a temperate climate and a unique blend of terroir, the vineyards of Modena have for centuries basked under the generous Italian sun. The soft rolling hills, kissed by gentle winds, provide the vines with the optimum conditions they need to flourish. Here, the rhythms of nature are respected, and the vineyards grow in harmony with the environment, painting a landscape of green vines against a canvas of azure skies.
At the heart of this region, and indeed its namesake, is the Lambrusco grape. This red grape variety is the star of Modena, giving life to the effervescent and vibrant wines that the area is renowned for. Lambrusco's vivacious character manifests in wines that are both refreshing and robust, bearing the signature deep ruby hue and frothy exuberance that wine lovers have come to cherish.
While Lambrusco is undoubtedly the leading protagonist, Modena's vineyards are also graced by a supporting cast of white grape varieties. Grechetto offers crisp and aromatic wines, with subtle nuances of citrus and herbs. Montù brings forth delicate floral notes, harmonizing beautifully with the region's diverse culinary offerings. Lastly, Trebbiano, a classic Italian varietal, lends its bright acidity and apple-like freshness to the wines, perfectly complementing Lambrusco's bold flavors.
Together, these grape varieties encapsulate the essence of the Lambrusco di Modena DOC. A region where tradition meets innovation, and where each bottle is a reflection of the passionate hands that nurtured the grapes, and the rich, fertile soils from which they sprung. Cheers to the timeless allure of Modena, a region that continues to inspire and captivate with every sip.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
The Lambrusco di Modena DOC, that is part of the Emilia-Romagna wine region, covers wines produced in 32 municipalities of the province of Modena. This province is located in the Po Valley.
This region has a humid subtropical climate but also receives continental influences. As a result, summers are very warm and sunny, while winters are cold and with frequent snowfalls. The temperature during the year usually ranges from 0°C to 31°C.
In the Lambrusco di Modena DOC, we can find two types of soils in the region: On the one hand, the soils of the low plains are richer in clay, while on the other hand, the soils of the hills are richer in limestone.
The Lambrusco di Modena DOC showcases a family of indigenous grapes that together define the identity of Emilia-Romagna’s most exuberant sparkling reds. Among the key varieties used are Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Salamino, Maestri, and Ancellotta, each contributing distinct personality traits to the wines of Modena.
Lambrusco di Sorbara is the most delicate and aromatic of the group, producing pale ruby wines with violet aromas, crisp acidity, and subtle notes of wild strawberries and cherry blossoms. Known for its high natural acidity and light color, Sorbara adds freshness and finesse, making it ideal for producing refined, dry frizzante styles.
Lambrusco Grasparossa delivers the power of the family. Grown mainly around Castelvetro, it thrives in calcareous and clay soils, yielding deeply colored, full-bodied wines with pronounced tannins and dark fruit intensity. Its bold structure brings balance and muscle to blends and is particularly valued in drier, more robust Lambrusco expressions.
Lambrusco Salamino, named for its salami-shaped bunches, bridges style and substance. It produces wines that combine the lively fruit and perfume of Sorbara with the richer texture of Grasparossa. Deeply colored, youthful, and vinous, Salamino shines in both dry (secco) and off-dry (amabile) versions, ideal for everyday enjoyment.
Lambrusco Maestri is prized for adding color, body, and length. Late-ripening and vigorous, it offers ripe red and black fruit tones with a soft, velvety texture. When blended, it enhances roundness and mouthfeel, grounding the liveliness of the other Lambrusco grapes.
Finally, Ancellotta, though not a Lambrusco variety, plays a vital supporting role. Deeply pigmented and high in sugar, it is used sparingly to intensify color and fullness. On its own, Ancellotta can be rustic, but in Lambrusco blends it acts like a touch of ink in a watercolor—amplifying depth, balance, and vibrancy without overpowering the composition.
Lambrusco di Modena DOC wines capture the lively essence of Emilia-Romagna through their vibrant color, fruity aromatics, and joyful effervescence. Produced primarily from Lambrusco grapes (at least 85%), these wines come to life in both frizzante (semi-sparkling) and spumante (fully sparkling) forms, crafted via the Charmat method to preserve freshness and fruit purity. Their deep ruby hue is accompanied by a frothy violet foam, a playful reminder that this is wine made for celebration as much as for the table.
On the nose, Lambrusco di Modena expresses intense aromas of blackberries, cherries, violets, and red currants, often with subtle spicy and floral nuances. The palate offers medium body, moderate tannins, and lively acidity that balance sweetness in the amabile versions or highlight brightness in the secco styles. The best examples achieve harmony between fruitiness and structure, resulting in wines that are both approachable and characterful.
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