The Italian brand "Lambrusco" combines several varieties of wines and champagne with an exquisite taste.
What does Lambrusco mean?
Translated from Italian means "wild grapes." In their homeland in sunny Italy, grapes are found at every turn. It is nourished by the sun and hot air, it ripens naturally. The advantage of wild grapes is that it does not require special care and grows by itself. In Italy, it was always made from it a simple wine that could be drunk young. It turned out fragrant and light, did not require long-term maturation. Champagne "Lambrusco" is the common name for wines that foam naturally.
True experts say that there is nothing in common between this wine and real champagne.
Natural sparkling variety
Under "Lambrusco", experts mean several grape varieties, from which excellent wine is always obtained. Grapes of this variety are red, pink and white.
Wine historians claim that this wine was still loved by the inhabitants of ancient Rome. This is entirely possible, because grapes have been growing in Italy since time immemorial, and the technology for making wine is approximately equal to the age of mankind. Popularity at all times was facilitated by the fact that after pouring into large steel containers, the drink began to play, giving a unique taste and lightness. Hence the popular name - champagne "Lambrusco".
Variety of varieties
Modern winemakers count up to 60 grape varieties that have common features. The thing is that this berry changes in the natural environment of the habitat.
Grapes cultivated by humans have clear genetic characteristics. Winemakers specifically select for propagation of a healthy vine from genetically identical plants, protect the purity of the variety. That is, once found a good grape variety has distributed its exact copies around the world. So grow, for example, Chardonnay - also a world famous brand. Varieties of Lambrusco reproduce naturally, undergoing pollination from other vines. Bumblebees and bees on clear sunny days easily transfer particles of similar genes from one plant to another. The same thing happens with grapes as with other representatives of the flora in the wild: they vary slightly within the same species. So propagate dandelions, clover, herbs and other wild species. Because of this, Lambrusco champagne has a variety of flavors: generally similar, but still different from each other.
Wine fashion
She played a cruel joke with wine. Champagne “Lambrusco” got its maximum development in the 70s of the last century, when at the peak of popularity there were sweet and semi-sweet wines. Of course, dry wines could be produced from grape varieties in their homeland. They were produced, but in small quantities, because there was a fashion for sweets. The association is firmly rooted in the minds of consumers: Lambrusco sparkling is necessarily sweet.
But fashion is changing with time. From the moment dry and semi-dry wines became popular, sales of Italian wines of this variety declined.
Today, dry wine of this brand is produced and bought, but the current sales volume cannot be compared with what it was in the last century.
Name difficulties
Despite a long and interesting history, champagne Lambrusco is still not protected by any patent. The price for a bottle ranges from 250 to 880 rubles. The only thing winemakers have managed to do today is to limit the use of the name to Italy itself. But, since wine is produced everywhere, it is very difficult to monitor quality. With the same degree of probability, you can stumble upon both an exclusive version and an unimportant copy. Unfortunately, bona fide winemakers and profit lovers are equal in rights, so consumers can only rely on their luck.
Italian Sparkling
Some clues about the quality of the wine can be obtained from the inscriptions on the label. If “vino fermo” is written, it is a quiet wine in which there is no sparkling at all. This means that after the fermentation is over, the wine is bottled immediately. Everything is there: taste, aroma, smell of the sun, but sparkling wine - no. These are the properties of wine, it was so conceived.
The inscription “frizzante” indicates that the wine will slightly foam after opening the bottle. A special technology is used that makes the drink particularly attractive.
If spumante is written, then the bottle contains real Lambrusco champagne. The price of such bottles is usually the highest. The difference between real champagne and this Italian wine is that the first wanders in glass bottles with constant rotation. Italian wine is created in huge steel tanks, and the time of the spill is determined solely by the winemaker.
The art of making wine is so subtle that secrets are often passed on from father to son within the family. The formation of a winemaker as a specialist takes no less time than the ripening of the vine.
Champagne Alternative
This is the name given to all who have tasted it. The alcohol content is only 8%, they do not release stronger. Bubbles and foam are beyond praise. Intoxication practically does not occur - easy relaxation. Ideal for women's gatherings. It goes well with fruits, cheese, vegetable snacks. It happens in white, red and pink, so you can choose the right variety for meat and seafood.
Looks great in the glasses of champagne "Lambrusco." Reviews are unanimous: rich color, small bubbles and summer aroma will cheer you up in any situation.
Contributes to the popularity of wine is its price. Not differing in quality from expensive champagne wines, this variety is much cheaper than well-known brands.
White varieties
“Lambrusco” white champagne is quite rare, because white varieties are very moody. Its flowering takes place early, and in the process of ripening many inflorescences disappear. The harvest is always small, but the taste is very saturated. Sugar in berries is not enough, this wine plays poorly. Most often on the label will be written "Sorbara" - both on white and pink.
Also white is Reggiano wine from the Lambrusco family. For production, the drink is most often blended with other varieties, in particular Ancelotta. This grape is very sweet, it was from it that wine was made that conquered America at one time.
A method of manufacturing a "Lambrusco"
Sparkling wine is traditionally associated with the name of the monk Perignon, although the technology has been created in parts from the beginning of the centuries.
To make an elite wine, grapes must not be allowed to ripen to the end quite a bit. Guessing the due date is a whole art. Then the berries are squeezed very gently and get a cuvée - the best material or juice, practically not in contact with the bones and skin. Usually, several kinds of juice are mixed to make good wine.
After pressing the first juice, wine material is pressed further. It is from the second-squeezed juice that sparkling wines are made , so the Lambrusco pink champagne is made. The juice from the third pressing is not used for winemaking.
Squeezed juice is poured into huge metal containers, where it roams. In the same containers, the liquid is mixed to obtain the desired aroma and taste.
At a certain stage of fermentation, the wine is poured into durable stainless steel containers, which are hermetically sealed, preventing access to air. Containers must withstand a lot of pressure. This method is called the Sharma method.
Finally, the wine is bottled in glass bottles and corked with a cork that can withstand internal pressure.
Lambrusco Bianco
Magnificent white sparkling wine, the best drink for spring and summer, refreshing and pearl. Almost always made semi-sweet. Connoisseurs describe its taste as enveloping, and the color is pale golden. Fruity, berry and apple notes are revealed.
Wines such as Lambrusco Bianco champagne are best shaded with mature cheese. In our realities, this drink can be combined with good pizza, fruit, traditional Italian pasta with cream sauce, parmesan, not too sweet desserts.
Correct temperature is very important. The best range of the drink is from +3 to +10 , so the taste is felt most clearly. Glasses for champagne or ordinary wine - excellent design.
The magnificent "Emilia"
The very name of the wine is associated with an elegant and playful young woman, full of strength and vital fire.
On the label must be an indication that the drink is made according to the traditional or classical method. This means that correctly squeezed juice was used, and the wine went through several stages of fermentation.
The name was given to the drink by the best wine region of Del Emilia and Romagna lying nearby. On a map, these two regions make up a triangle outlined by the Adriatic Sea, the Apennines and the Po River. The climate here is unique: from alpine to mild continental. The capital of the region is Bologna, known to all. The number of sunny days reaches 200, and even in the coldest months there are no subzero temperatures. Summer rains rarely spill, but there’s more than enough sun.
Every year there is an autumn festival of food and wine, usually lasts from September to November. The real "Lambrusco Emilia" (champagne) to try for the first time is better here and at this time. At the festival you can try truffles and chestnuts, blue fish or Parma ham.
"Emilia" is real champagne, that is, wine made using champagne technology. This means that after spinning and blending, the unripe drink is poured into dark thick glass bottles and hermetically sealed. Maturation occurs in the tank. The technological process is complex: temperature, illumination, turning over.
Wines "Lambrusco" - a sweet occasion to meet friends, enjoy leisure or relaxation after a hard day.