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Vineyards of Lambrusco Grasparossa in autumn at sunset. Getty Images photo

Are you ready to celebrate sparkling red wine? It’s Lambrusco Day on June 21st!  If you thought the fashion of sparkling wine has no limits, you are right. While we love Champagne, Cava and Prosecco, it’s time to celebrate Lambrusco—the epicurean Italian that can be dry or sweet, rich or light and anywhere in between. 

Made from an indigenous grape of the same name in the charmat method, Lambrusco is perhaps one of sparkling wine’s best kept secrets, and is both delicious and affordable. Hailing from the foodie capital of Italy, Emilia Romagna, it’s historically significant, dating back to the Etruscans. Then it was sweet and expensive. Today these wines are youthful and ready to be drunk now with or without food. Traditional pairing includes Italian salami, cheese and much more. Serve chilled.

Two regions to recognize:

• Lambrusco Reggiano is the largest producing region of Lambrusco. Making both dry and sweet versions where sweet wines tend to be light bodied and the drier wines are more full bodied and darker in color.

• Lambrusco di Sorbara is from the north of Modena near the village of Sorbara, Sorbara is generally regarded as the highest quality making wines that are more fragrant, darker in color and fuller bodied.

Here are three recommended sips for Lambrusco Day:

Labrusca Lini 910 Reggiano DOC Lambrusco Rosso Secco, 13% ABV, $23.49

This wine is dry and fresh with aromas and flavours of dark black cherries and ripe racy redcurrants. It’s crunchy and vibrant. 13% ABV. 90 Points from Decanter. 

Medici Ermete Concerto Organic Reggiano DOC Lambrusco , 11.5% ABV, $21.99

This wine is dry with fruit-forward aromas and flavours of juicy red berries (strawberries, raspberries) and cherries. It’s a harmonious and well balanced sip of perfection. 92 Points, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2022. 

Paltrinieri Leclisse Lambrusco di Sobara, 11% ABV, $46.28

A top quality, highly rated dry Lambrusco style featuring Sobara. In the glass it’s pale pink, with a nose of ripe red berries (strawberry raspberry) and sweet vanilla. It’s racy, with fine bubbles and persistent flavours. 95 Points (2021) from Wine Enthusiast. 

Barb Wild

Barb Wild is the Good Wine Gal, and her goal is to help people discover what they like—without snobbery. Follow Good Wine Gal’s life of wine study, wine tastings and wine travel at goodwinegal.ca.