Emilia-Romagna

The only sweet wine (amabile) in our Lambrusco range from Albinea Canali – and for good reason: Grasparossa is naturally full-bodied and rich in tannins; a little residual sugar brings it into balance. Malbo Gentile, the gentle autochthonous Reggio variety, gives the blend its softness, roundness and characteristic floral notes. Fermentation in steel, Charmat method – fresh and clean.

Bocciolo means flower bud. And that is exactly what this wine is: something that is just opening, not yet fully blossomed – with a sweetness that promises rather than overwhelms. 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa from the hills of Scandiano and Canossa, clay soils, Cordone speronato, reduced yield. Fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature, stopping at the desired sugar content. Only 7.5% alcohol – deliberately light so that freshness dominates.

The Medici family has been growing Lambrusco in Montecchio Emilia for over a hundred years. Not because it sells well at the moment – but because they know no other way and want no other way. Four generations, one obsession: to make the best Reggiano DOC that these hills have to offer. Harvests far below the maximum authorised yield, soils made of heavy clay, care taken down to the last detail of vinification. Assolo is their most accessible wine – and it is not a compromise. 51% Ancellotta for colour and fruit, Lambrusco Salamino for acidity and bite. Fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature, second fermentation according to the Martinotti method in a closed pressurised chamber.

The name comes from the red autumn leaves of the Lambrusco Salamino vines – a picture that the hills south of Reggio Emilia paint anew every year. Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Marani and Ancellotta – three indigenous varieties, all from Reggiano, all with a long history on these medium-textured, deep soils. Fermented in steel, Charmat method, matured dry.

A name with history: Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, the bold 15th century general, once lived on this estate – piero della Francesca immortalised him in a portrait that now hangs in the Louvre. After the devastation of the wars, the Ricci family began to rebuild the estate in the 1950s; the entire vineyard has been certified organic since 2021. Battista comes from vineyards at an altitude of 150 metres, characterised by brown, calcareous clay soils. The grapes are pressed immediately after the harvest to maximise freshness. Fermentation and ageing take place in stainless steel and three months on the fine lees give the wine a subtle fullness without heaviness.

Fiumana di Predappio – sangiovese has had its home here since the Middle Ages. The estate's lowest vineyards between 80 and 150 metres provide the grapes for the Federico, named after the family's long-time employee. Fermentation and nine months of ageing take place 70% in stainless steel and 30% in oak wood – enough structure without masking the fruit. Bright ruby red colour. The nose literally leaps out of the glass: fresh cherries, raspberries, a hint of herbs and violets. Lean and juicy on the palate, with fine tannins that invite you to take another sip. A charming Sangiovese that does not make you ponder, but is a pleasure to drink – uncomplicated in the best sense of the word, certified organic and exactly what an everyday wine should be. SUPERIORE.DE

In the 19th century, this was the only method of sparkling Lambrusco: second fermentation in the bottle, yeast remains in the bottle, no retaking, no correction (pet-nat method). Albinea Canali has never given up on it. The result is a little different every time – and that's exactly the point. Lambrusco Grasparossa as a base, steel tank for the first fermentation, then bottle. The fine lees of the yeast soften the structure and give the bouquet those characteristic brioche notes that no Charmat process can produce.

A delicate, luminous pink with lively, fine bubbles. Vigna del Cristo reveals the elegant and dry side of Lambrusco di Sorbara: fresh, subtle and full of character. On the nose, redcurrants, fresh raspberries, pink grapefruit and a hint of white flowers. On the palate, dry, lively and crisp, with invigorating acidity and mineral tension. A finely sparkling, stylish Lambrusco – refreshing, pleasantly tart and with impressive lightness. Perfect with summery meat dishes, antipasti, seafood or simply as a sophisticated aperitif. Lovely length and an even lovelier drinking experience. SUPERIORE.DE

This could be your perfect white house wine: Light straw yellow with greenish reflections. The Bianco "Ceregio" from Zerbina is made from pure Trebbiano Romagnolo and matured in stainless steel tanks. The nose has a fresh aroma of green apple, white blossom, a little lemon and a hint of freshly cut hay. On the palate, the wine is dry, clear and straightforward, with lively acidity, a delicate flavour and fine minerality. A fresh, typical regional white wine with organic certification that focuses entirely on the grape variety and the terroir of Emilia-Romagna – unpretentious, honest and pleasantly enjoyable to drink. SUPERIORE.DE

Ceregio is designed as an early ready-to-drink wine due to its quicker and lighter vinification. Intense ruby red colour. Red fruits in the glass, especially cherry and pomegranate. Good correspondence with the nose on the palate, juicy and vinous, with good tannin density and reasonable length. A "wine for every day" with refinement and an enviable balance, it presents its beautiful concentration and fruitiness without frills. SUPERIORE.DE

In 1900, Cleto Chiarli travelled to Paris. In his luggage: bottles of his Lambrusco, fermented using the traditional method – fermentation in the bottle, no intervention, no dosage. The jury at the World Exhibition awarded him the "Mention Honorable". A century later, *Wine Spectator* selected the Fondatore for its Top 100 Wines of the World. The secret lies in the method. Whilst the market favours the Charmat method, Chiarli 1860 continues to use the *Metodo Ancestrale* for the Fondatore, with the second fermentation taking place in the bottle. This is followed by six months' ageing on the lees. No dosage. The result is a Lambrusco whose vintages can be traced back – and which reveals what this wine tasted like long before anyone had the idea of making it sweet.

Lambrusco has an image problem. Not because it's bad – but because for decades the wrong version of it has been making the rounds: sweet, run-of-the-mill, served free with pizza. However, anyone who knows that Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC is one of Italy's most fascinating red wine appellations – aromatic, light-footed, with an acidity that puts Bordeaux to shame – will open this bottle with entirely different expectations. 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara from the Vigneto Sozzigalli, 100 hectares of the estate's own vineyards, carefully selected. Short maceration, slow "prise de mousse" in a closed fermentation tank using the Charmat method. No compromises where it doesn't matter.

The French would call it a "cru". Chiarli simply writes the name of the vineyard on the label: Tenuta Generale Cialdini, around 13 hectares in the pre-Alpine hills of Castelvetro, south of Modena. Loamy soils that give the Grasparossa what it needs: body, colour and tannins. For generations, this is where the Chiarli family has been producing what they consider to be the purest expression of this grape variety. Anyone who knows and loves Sorbara should brace themselves. For the Grasparossa is the exact opposite: dark, full-bodied, firm in tannin, with fruit that is more reminiscent of blackberries and wild berries than strawberries. 36 hours' maceration at a cool temperature, slow "prise de mousse", bottling only once the wine has reached the appropriate level of maturity.

The namesake of the winery – and the wine. Pandolfo Malatesta, the bold 15th century general whose portrait by Piero della Francesca now hangs in the Louvre, once lived on this estate. The Sangiovese vines stand at an altitude of 150 to 250 metres, characterised by brown limestone soils, planted in 1999 with 4,500 vines per hectare. After 14 days of maceration, 70% of the wine is matured in stainless steel and 30% in large Slavonian oak barrels – one step more complex than the Federico, but not yet the Riserva.

The Cantina della Volta is located on a section of the Naviglio di Bomporto canal – the place where river trains used to have to turn round before continuing towards Modena. La Volta means the turn, the hairpin bend. Not an inappropriate name for a frizzante that also goes its own way. 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara from the alluvial soils of the Secchia river, hand-picked in 15-kilogramme crates, cold maceration, first fermentation in steel tanks. What follows is the decisive step: the second fermentation in the bottle – bottle-fermented like a Méthode Classico, then the yeast carefully removed, crown cork. The same artisanal effort that Christian Bellei shows in his great sparkling wines – for a frizzante that should simply be a pleasure to drink.

A medieval watchtower on the river Marzeno gave this wine its name – and indeed it watches over the boundaries of what Romagna Sangiovese can be. Cristina Geminiani, who took over her grandfather's winery in 1987, has created something here that has nothing to hide from any Tuscan. Her secret: Alberello, the old bush cultivation, planted in densities that are considered insane elsewhere. What grows here is Sangiovese of unusual concentration, complemented by a touch of Merlot and the indigenous Ancellotta. Twelve months in French barriques polish the wine without masking its origins.

Away with the clichés, bring on the surprises! Even the Paltrinieris’ most famous Lambrusco will delight any connoisseur. Radice is produced using the Pét Nat method (Metodo Ancestrale) and therefore undergoes a second fermentation on its own lees after bottling. This naturally cloudy, dry frizzante captivates right from the bouquet with notes of rhubarb, a fresh citrus note and a hint of bread. Its lingering, delicate effervescence and drinkycharacter make it a spirited companion to hearty, spicy antipasti, light meat dishes, or simply a lively celebration amidst nature and cheerful company. SUPERIORE.DE