From our vineyards
The term “Lambrusco” in the Zingarelli Italian Language dictionary is defined as “fizzy Emilian wine of a bright red hue, achieved from the vine with the same name.” But we call all of them by name: Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Grasparossa ,… A great “family of autochthonous vines” derived from the wild vines of the Po Valley.
Today, 12 Lambrusco grape varieties are cultivated. Different qualities of Lambrusco wines are made out of those. Sometimes other varieties, such as Ancellotta, which are an integral part in the composition of these extraordinary wines, are added.
The Riunite wine family also includes other grapes typical of the Emilia and Italian tradition, such as Uva d’Oro, Grechetto gentile, Malvasia di Candia aromatica and Merlot.
DOC “Reggiano”
Lambrusco has very ancient origins: a centuries-old tradition that has never waned, from medieval banquets to the tables of today.
In 1971 the “Lambrusco Reggiano DOC was recognized and production regulations were set down.
This was the consecration and proper recognition for various varieties of Lambrusco from the Province of Reggio Emilia, which were protected and given greater quality through this important measure.
Some 25 years later, the name of the Denomination was changed to just “Reggiano” and the range of grapes that could be included in the DOC was enlarged.
Lambrusco di Sorbara
This is an indigenous variety with ancient origins, which is derived from the domestication of wild vines, also referred to as “uzeline” or “oseline”.
The vine gets its name from the hamlet of Sorbara in the commune of Bomporto, near Modena.
The phenomenon of the millerandage, which produces very small berries due to an anomaly in flowering, makes Lambrusco di Sorbara easy to remember and particularly highly-prized, a remarkable distinctive feature compared to other Lambruscos.
The vines are vigorous but with low yields, and produce a pale ruby red wine, with a pronounced fragrance of violets.
Lambrusco Marani
It is derived from wild vitis vinifera plants that were to be found throughout Italy in ancient times. The name “Marani” was mentioned for the first time in 1825.
It is an extremely vigorous vine with abundant yields; it has large, long, pyramid-shaped bunches. Lambrusco Marani produces a wine with alively ruby red color, an attractive vinous aroma and a light, characteristic, fruitiness.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Vine of medium vigor, adapted to hilly environments with clayey-calcareous soils. An autochthonous Emilian variety grown primarily in the area around Castelvetro area, it owes its name to the characteristic colour that the stalk takes on when the bunch matures. It is particularly suitable for producing semi-sparkling wines with strong body and good balance.
Lambrusco Salamino
It originates from the Carpi area north-west of the province of Modena and from the lands of the lower Modena area. It is a very vigorous vine with good yield and extremely compact bunches, that are cylindrical-conical in shape. It produces a fresh, deeply coloured wine with a pleasantly vinous fragrance. It is best consumed young, even in the sweet and sparkling types.
Ancellotta o Lancellotta
This grape is grown especially in the Province of Reggio Emilia. It is a vigorous vine with abundant yields. The bunches are of medium size and fairly loosely-packed. The wine obtained from 100% Ancellotta has a very intense colour and is used for the production of blending wines known as “Rossissimo.” Ancellotta especially contributes towards colour and sugar content.
Lambrusco Maestri
This name seems to derive from Villa Maestri which is located in the municipality of San Pancrazio, in the province of Parma. It is vigorous and is a rather late-ripening grape. The product of this variety is often vinified in blends with other Lambrusco varieties and is appreciated for its ability to give colour and body to the wine.
Grechetto Gentile
This name identifies a grape variety typical of central Italy belonging to the family of the “Greek” vines known as Pignoletto. Due to its excellent adaptability to the Emilia-Romagna environment, it can be well considered an autochthonous grape. It is now becoming one of the most interesting white cultivars. This vine is vigorous, with a medium-sized bunch capable of resisting diseases such as late blight and winter frosts. It is able to provide wines with good body but also sparkling and semi-sparkling wines thanks to the excellent malic acidity.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
It is a white grape variety particularly widespread in the fertile and flat areas of Romagna. It belongs to the family of the Trebbiani vines, of Etruscan origin. The medium-high vigor of this vine prefers fertile environments with large water resources. This allows fresh, slightly tannic wines with a neutral aroma to be obtained.
Malvasia
Together with Moscato it is one of the grapes with the most ancient histories. It presents numerous varieties and provides wines of all kinds: from dry and structured white to sweet dessert wines, up to sparkling red wines. This vine, featuring a bunch of considerable size, proves to be generous in quantities.
Malbo Gentile
It has recently been revalued for the oenological qualities it has shown. This vine can withstand drought while tolerating spring frosts less. It is vinified both in purity and in blends with the Lambrusco wines of the region. It is ideal both for obtaining new wines and for vines intended for light aging.
Uva d’Oro
This red grape variety, also known as Fortana, is cultivated in the Po Valley, mainly in Romagna and the area of Parma. Vinified in purity, it gives life to a high acidity wine, but with little alcohol content and a clearly evident tannic component. For this reason it is often produced in sweet and semi-sweet versions. In Emilia-Romagna it finds its ideal habitat in the sandy soils of the Adriatic Coast, but has also adapted to the fertile environments in the rest of the region.
