Hello Again, Lambrusco – Everyone Deserves a Second Chance (#ItalianFWT)

Are your 2020 holidays shaping up differently than past events? No surprise. Starting with a toned-down Thanksgiving, it appears we’re moving into a lockdown or semi-lockdown holiday season.

So how do we create a festive celebration – whether that’s Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s Eve – in a pandemic year?

Italian food and wine are the answer! Yes, you can upscale by popping the cork on a high-end Prosecco (a theme I’ll revisit in another post). Or you can go low-key and casual with a fun and fizzy Lambrusco.

Read about lots of options from the bloggers listed below and join the conversation Saturday, Dec. 5, when the Italian Food, Wine and Travel group goes sparkling for the holidays. The Twitter chat starts at 8 am PT/11 am ET. Simply follow the #ItalianFWT hashtag.

A revolution in Emilia-Romagna

Once upon a time in north-central Italy, Lambrusco was a cheap, mass-produced, sweet wine made from grapes in chemically dependent vineyards. Those days, thankfully, are waning.

Today, artisan winemakers are using various Vitis labrusca grapes grown organically or sustainably and returning to metodo ancestrale (also known as Pet-Nat), the ancient method of producing Lambrusco – through secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Lambrusco – like Muscat – is a collective term for a group of grape varieties. More than 60 varieties have been identified so far. The highest quality wines are from the five Lambrusco DOCs (sub-regions): Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco di Modena, and Lambrusco Reggiano. Lambrusco wines, either frizzante or spumante, are made in styles ranging from dry (secco) to semi-dry to sweet.

Denny Bini is among the game-changers in Emilia-Romagna. He founded Podere Cipolla in 2003 on his family’s farm to make Lambrusco the old-school way. Before striking out on his own, Bini was a cellar master at Venturini-Baldini, a well-known Lambrusco estate. His metodo ancestrale wines are made from organic fruit grown in the clay and sand soils of his five-acre vineyard.

The wine – NV FUSO21 Denny Bini Podere Cipolla Lambrusco dell’Emilia IGP
30% Lambrusco Marani, 30% Lambrusco Salamino, 20% Lambrusco Maestri, 10% Lambrusco Grasparossa, 10% Ancellotta

Project FUSO21 is owned by PortVino wines, an importer/distributor, and focuses on 21 producers of 21 “daily drinkers” in 21 Italian wine regions.

The party-time label on this frizzante wine (above) says it all. Ironic, as a party is the last thing we want to consider this year. But that’s all the more reason to kick back and indulge in the light-hearted spirit of this everyday Lambrusco. Maybe cook up a pan of lasagna and spend at least part of the holiday lounging in your pajamas and binge-watching The Queen’s Gambit.

This is my second Lambrusco post. Last time, a year and a half ago, I was less than thrilled with the wine I initially chose and went back to the Pennsylvania state store to find another one. If you’re counting, this is actually my third go-round with a grape and wine that people seem to either love or leave behind. Everyone deserves a second (or third) chance.

My tasting notes: Pours a foamy dark ruby, almost purple color after opening the crown cap. Black cherry and grape-y on both the nose and palate. Fizzy feel with a hint of pepper on the tongue toward the end. Slightly bitter but not unpleasantly so. Medium acidity. Medium finish. Easy-drinking. Alcohol: 11.5%. Price: $14.99.

Suggested pairings: Any meaty, tomato-based pasta dish would pair nicely with this party wine. We tasted the Lambrusco with two kinds of ravioli – beef and Butternut squash – covered in Marinara sauce and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Beef ravioli was the winner. The wine also worked decently with a simple spinach salad dressed in Balsamic vinaigrette. Or you might nibble charcuterie with this wine or pick up a pizza. It’s all good.

Looking for more ideas? Check out these posts:

• Terri of Our Good Life says Beviamo alla nostra! Prosecco Superiore and Happy Christmas!
• Marcia of Joy of Wine is Celebrating the Season with Sparkling Freisa.
• Cindy of Grape Experiences writes about Pure Trentodoc – Sparkling Wines from the Mountains.
• Jill of L’Ocassion encourages us to Be in Italy for the Holidays with This Bubbly Wine Lineup.
• Gwendolyn of Wine Predator pushes Beyond Prosecco? Try These Sustainable Sparkling Wines from Italy’s Erbaluce, Franciacorta, Lambrusco, Pignoletto.
• Lynn of Savor the Harvest gives us Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco to Make Your Holiday Sparkle – La Tordera Rive Di Guia.
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm says Cheers to 2021…2020 Don’t Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out.
• Susannah of Avvinare pours Versatile Lambrusco for the Holidays.
• Deanna of Asian Test Kitchen serves Val D’Oca Prosecco Paired with Party Starters.
• Payal of Keep the Peas offers A ‘SeeYaNever2020’ Toast with Italian Bubbly.
• Linda of My Full Wine Glass says Hello Again, Lambrusco – Everyone Deserves a Second Chance.
• Jane of Always Ravenous pairs a Frizzante with Holiday Sweet Treats.
• Robin of Crushed Grape Chronicles pours Prosecco – Joyful Bubbles to “Wring” Out 2020.
• Jen of Vino Travels is ready to Sparkle up the Holidays with Prosecco Superiore.
• Martin of ENOFYLZ Wine Blog offers A Taste of 21st Century Lambrusco; Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice.
• Nicole of Somm’s Table shares The Wide Worldof Italian Bubblies.
• Katarina of Grapevine Adventures posts A Year in Need of Sparkling Wine Surprises.
• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla is Celebrating with Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Amidst the Pandemic.