Red grapeSommo grape guide

Lambrusco

Lambrusco wine guide: what this red grape tastes like, where it comes from, the regions that grow it, and what to eat with it.

Colour
Red
Body
Medium
Origin
Italy
Top region
Emilia-Romagna
3
Key regions
5
Pairings
4
Synonyms

Lambrusco is a red grape variety, and it traces back to Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Structurally it lands at medium body, low tannin, high acidity, varies and medium alcohol.

Look for cherry, plum, berry, floral and herbal.

The regions that matter for it are Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Basilicata.

In the vineyard it is marked by early ripening, medium vigour and a preference for warm, mediterranean.

It blends readily with Ancellotta and Sangiovese.

Watch for the synonyms: Lambrusca, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa and Lambrusco Salamino.

At the table it suits prosciutto di parma, roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, cherry pie, cured meats and tomato-based pasta dishes.

The structure.

Body
Medium
Tannin
Low
Acidity
High
Sweetness
Varies
Alcohol
Medium
Flavours
cherryplumberry
Aromas
floralherbal
Styles
sparklingfrizzantedrysweet

Where it grows.

Blends well with.

Food pairings.

01 Prosciutto di Parma
02 Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Sauce
03 Cherry Pie
04 Cured meats
05 Tomato-based pasta dishes

Also labelled.

Lambrusca, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Salamino.

Bottles to look for.

  • Cantina della Volta Lambrusco di Modena Spumante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Cantina della Volta Rose Brut Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Cantina di Soliera Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Cantine Ceci Otello Lambrusco Rosso Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Cantine Ceci Otello Nero di Lambrusco 1813 Rosso Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Casali Pra di Bosso Lambrusco Amabile Reggiano, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Cavicchioli & Figli Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  • Cavicchioli & Figli Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Amabile, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Lambrusco: common questions

01.
What does Lambrusco taste like?
+
Lambrusco tastes of cherry, plum, berry, floral and herbal. Structurally it lands at medium body, low tannin, high acidity, varies and medium alcohol.
02.
Where is Lambrusco from?
+
Lambrusco originates in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
03.
Where is Lambrusco grown?
+
The key regions for Lambrusco are Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Basilicata.
04.
What food pairs with Lambrusco?
+
Pour it with prosciutto di parma, roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, cherry pie, cured meats and tomato-based pasta dishes.
05.
What else is Lambrusco called?
+
Lambrusco is also labelled Lambrusca, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa and Lambrusco Salamino.

Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of Italy.

Grapes in the app

Scan a Lambrusco,
see what is in your glass.

Sommo reads the label, names the grape and the region, and files the tasting note where you will find it again.