Saturday is {yet another} “wine holiday,” so I thought what better reason to provide you with some of my special brand of #EffervescentEducation than giving you the lowdown on the sparkling wine you should be drinking right now: Lambrusco!
Some folks of a certain age may instantly cringe and shudder just seeing the word “Lambrusco.” It’s understandable, though, because it conjures up memories of a bastardized (woefully substandard) version of the wine from the 70’s and 80’s made in the name of American mass production.
For those of you unfamiliar with Lambrusco who may be asking “Well exactly how bad could have really been,” allow me to break it down in one simple, descriptive sentence: American mass-produced Lambrusco from the 70’s and 80’s was a poor quality, badly crafted, overly sweet, low alcohol, un-nuanced {not an actual word, but its accurate}, plonk-of-a-cheap-wine.
But fortunately for those of us who like good quality wines, it’s a new dawn and new day for Lambrusco and it–just like your ex–wants another chance to win you over. *just like the hook of that Notorious BIG song (and perhaps your ex) says, it wants you to give it one more chance
So first things first: this ain’t your Gran-gran’s Lambrusco! And that’s a good thing too, because Lambrusco has been recovering from the terrible reputation it earned as a mass produced, poorly made, overly sweet plonk-of-a-wine back in the 70’s and 80’s. But it’s a new dawn and new day for Lambrusco and now, just like your ex, it wants another chance…
<talk about the original wine makers in Italy resurgence; types of grapes>Lambrusco range from delicate and floral to dry and earthy,
If you’re ready to give Lambrusco a whirl, here are a few quick tips on picking a great Lambrusco that just right:
- For the ultimate Lambrusco experience, try to find those that undergo a second fermentation, the same method used to make champagne
- Look on the label look for “Secco” if you like drier styled wines
- Look for “Semisecco” or “Dolce” if you lean towards a sweeter wine preference.
NOTTE ROSA LAMBRUSCO
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CANTINA DELLA VOLTA
FLAVOR & AROMA PROFILE:
Have you ever popped a fresh un-pitted cherry into you mouth and rolled your tongue around the pit as you ate it to separate the sweet juicy flesh from the pit? That is the perfect description for what the first sip of this wine delivers: you get the fresh red cherry fruitiness and the slightly bittersweet edge of the pit. The cherry notes are followed by strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry notes, with just a splash of floral-ish citrus=y notes. The nose is full of the same ripe red berries that the palate picks up.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
This Lambrusco would work beautifully with a juicy beef, turkey, or meatless burgers {I’m looking at you, Impossible burger}. I’d also pair this with a tasted crostini {perfect for entertaining!} topped with roasted red pepper relish, Parm cheese, and grilled shrimp. I’m drooling just thinking about that last pairing suggestion…