Lambrusco Flashcards
What is the sparkling wine method is used to make Lambrusco wine?
The Tank Method, The Charmat Method, The Martinotti Method
What region of Italy is responsible for Lambrusco production?
Emilia-Romagna
Lambrusco has two distinct styles of effervescence, what are the two styles?
Frizzante (Lightly Sparkling) & Spumante (Fully Sparkling)
If a wine is labeled Frizzante, how many atmospheres of pressure are typically in the bottle?
1.00-2.50 Atmospheres of Pressure
If a wine is labeled Spumante, how many atmospheres of pressure are typically in the bottle?
Minimum of 3 Atmospheres of Pressure. Typically 3-6
What is the river in Emilia-Romagna that influences grape growing in the region?
The River Po
What is the climate in Emilia-Romagna?
Warm & Continental
What is the predominant soil composite in Emilia-Romagna?
Alluvial, predominantly Clay & Silt
What is the fertility level of soils in Emilia-Romagna?
High. This leads to VERY high yields.
What are the typical training styles for vines planted in Emilia-Romagna in regards to Lambrusco production? (2) Why?
Cordon Trained (Sylvoz) & Geneva Double Curtain.
These training styles are ideal for high vigor vines, and allow for full mechanization.
What are the three most important Lambrusco varietals? (3)
Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Grasparossa, and Lambrusco di Sorbara
Lambrusco Salamino:
Most widely planted sub-varietal. LS Produces fragrant, deep colored, full-bodied wines with high acidity & is typically blended with other Lambrusco varieties.
Lambrusco Grasparossa:
Best grown on clay & silt. LG produces deep colored, full bodied wine with medium (+) tannins.
Lambrusco di Sorbara:
This variety makes pale, lighter bodied wines with high acidity.
All Lambrusco DOC’s permits VERY high yields, what is the standard hL/ha production volume?
126 hL/ha
Wine Making for Lambrusco 1:
Short maceration (1-2 days). Lambrusco varietals tend to have high anthocyanin content. This also helps to restrict the amount of tannin extracted. For fuller bodied wines, Lambrusco Grasparossa is typically used, and the musts are kept on the skins for 3-4 days. MLF IS TYPICALLY BLOCKED FOR LAMBRUSCO (extremely rate for red wines)!
Wine Making for Lambrusco 2:
The majority of wines are made by the tank method. Second fermentation typically takes two weeks for Frizzante wines, and one month for Spumante (54-59F to retain primary fruit character). There is no further maturation on the lees to preserve primary fruit character as opposed to autolytic notes. Drier styles require no dosage (Brute Nature-Brute). Sweeter styles either have fermentation arrested early to keep some residual sugar in the wine, or are sweetened with RCGM. This production styles enables large volumes of wine to be made and released relatively quickly.
Besides the tank method, what are other approved way to make Lambrusco sparkling?
The Traditional Method & The Ancestral Method.
What are the require minimum alcohol levels for Frizzante sparkling wine?
10.5%
What are the required minimum alcohol levels for Spumante wine?
11.5%
Spumante wines are labelled according to the EU standard categories, how are frizzante wines labelled?
With their own labeling system: secco, abboccato, amabile
What is the average size of vineyard holdings in the Lambrusco region?
Small, less then 3ha.
How do most small Lambrusco growers make wines in Emilia-Romagna?
Through Co-operatives
What percent of Lambrusco is sold domestically? What percent is exported?
1/3rd sold domestically. 2/3rds are sold internationally.
Lambrusco has long suffered with its international image. What is the main contributing factor that is holding Lambrusco back on the world stage?
‘Lambrusco’ on its own is not a protected name. As a result, it is still possible to produce and sell inexpensive, low alcohol, wine-related drinks as Lambrusco, which has made it difficult to promote Lambrusco as a high-quality wine.
What wine company in Italy is both the leading producer of Prosecco wines AND Lambrusco wines?
Cantine Riunite (1950). Their sales are almost evenly split. 50% domestic sales, 50% export sales.
