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10 Delicious Lambrusco di Sorbara Wines To Try Now

by Anthony Zhang

Lambrusco di Sorbara is an Italian DOC for red and rose sparkling wines primarily comprising the ancient Lambrusco di Sorbara grape variety.

These excellent wines, hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region of north-central Italy, are delicate, floral, and intensely aromatic. In this article, we will cover the delicious Lambrusco di Sorbara wines in detail, the best bottles to buy in 2023, their tasting notes, serving tips, and winemaking.

Further reading

Lambrusco di Sorbara: Wine Characteristics And Tasting Notes

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The Sorbara grape variety is the highest quality clone of the Lambrusco grape.

The Lambrusco di Sorbara grape produces the lightest-colored and lowest-tannin wines compared to Grasparossa, Salamino, Marani, Maestri, and similar varieties from the Lambrusco family.

Here are two different Lambrusco di Sorbara wine styles:

  • Rosato wine: It is a refreshing rose wine with delicate floral and fruity fragrances, soft minerality, and bright acidity.
  • Rosso wine: It is typically a dry and well-balanced red wine with fruity characteristics and crisp acidity.

10 Beautiful Lambrusco di Sorbara Wines 

Here’s a curated list of delicious Lambrusco di Sorbara wines.

1. 2018 Podere Il Saliceto ‘Falistra’ Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($32)

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Made solely from the Sorbara clone, the 2018 Falistra has a perfumed nose of apple, clear flower shades, and lemon zest. It is rich with fruity notes, crisp acidity, and a sweet finish on the palate.

2. 2014 Cantina della Volta Rose Brut Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($32)

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This 2014 vintage from the Cantina della Volta winery has a delicate bread crust, red berry, field flower, and peach mingle aroma. It presents strawberry, pomegranate, and ginger hints with a lightly sparkling palate.

3. 2020 Fiorini Corte degli Attimi Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($22)

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The 2020 Corte degli Attimi is a lively purple color with strawberry and floral notes. This Sorbara clone wine displays great balance with an uncomplicated mineral taste, fine bubbles, and bright acidity.

4. 2018 Paltrinieri ‘Radice’ Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($21)

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The 2018 Radice is a vibrant salmon pink color with persistent bubbles and crisp acidity. It has an enticing nose of raspberry, grapefruit, and citrus blossoms.

5. 2018 Cantina della Volta Rimosso Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($21)

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The 2018 Rimosso is a frizzante with wild red berry, violet, and bread aroma. This Lambrusco offers a crisp palate with red fruit flavor, a hint of citrus, and racy acidity.

6. 2018 Paltrinieri ‘Leclisse’ Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($21)

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The Leclisse is a crisp and vibrant wine with a perfumed nose of strawberry, orange zest, and violet. It presents delicate fruity and vanilla notes, tangy acidity, and a persistent finish on the palate.

7. 2020 Zucchi Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($19)

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This 2020 vintage Lambrusco is a ruby red wine with a strawberry and violet aroma. The wine has a lightly sparkling palate with prominent minerality, firm acidity, and a pleasant finish.

8. Donelli Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia Romagna, Italy ($17)

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This Lambrusco wine is a fresh and dry rendition of the region’s staple wine.

It offers red cherry, strawberry, blossom, and bubble gum aroma with raspberry flavor, a hint of bright citrus peel, medium acidity, and a creamy texture on the palate.

9. 2019 Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($17)

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The 2019 vintage from the Cleto Chiarli winery is a pale rose sparkler with a nose of ripe raspberry, strawberry, and brushwood. The wine has a crisp palate with an uncomplicated mineral taste and a velvety finish.

10. Cantina di Carpi e Sorbara Emma Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($14)

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The Emma Lambrusco is a red wine made from Lambrusco di Sorbara and Salamino grape varieties.

It delivers a bouquet of red cherry, strawberry, and floral notes with red fruit flavor, medium sweetness, bright acidity, and a clean finish on the palate.

How To Serve Lambrusco di Sorbara Wines

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Serve Lambrusco di Sorbara wines chilled at 42-55ºF (6-12ºC) in tall and tapered Bordeaux wine glasses.

Being the region’s staple wine, it pairs well with local dishes. So, enjoy this wine with Prosciutto or other cold-cooked meats, pasta, tortellini, lasagna, and dishes with Parmesan-Reggiano cheese and Modena Balsamic vinegar.

Lambrusco di Sorbara: Viticulture And Winemaking

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The Sorbara grape variety has a low yield due to an anomaly that causes the vine to drop its flowers.

So to increase yields through pollination, the Sorbara strain is often planted side by side with small percentages of Salamino in the vineyard. Together, these vine plantings effectively utilize the fertile alluvial soils of Emilia-Romagna.

How is this Lambrusco wine made?

According to DOC regulations, a traditional quality Lambrusco di Sorbara wine must feature a minimum of 60% Sorbara strain and a maximum of 40% Salamino or 15% other Lambrusco grape sub varieties.

The wines can undergo a second fermentation in either bottles or pressurized stainless steel tanks.

Furthermore, Lambrusco di Sorbara frizzante wines must have a minimum of 10.5% ABV, while the spumante wines need to have at least 11% alcohol. And they can both have any level of sweetness.

Indulge In A Fine Bottle Of Traditional Quality Lambrusco 

Lambrusco di Sorbara wines have harmonious fruity and floral notes that make for an indulgent treat - sure to lift your spirits!

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