Corte Manzini L'Acino

Grape: Lambrusco Grasparossa
Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Style: Sparkling
ABV: 11%

A dark, juicy sparkling red from Emilia-Romagna made from 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa. Think blackberry, ripe plum and wild strawberry, with violets, savoury herbs and a little spice underneath. The bubbles are lively, the acidity keeps everything fresh, and a gentle tannic grip gives it more structure than you might expect from a sparkling wine.

L’Acino comes from the hills around Castelvetro di Modena, the historic home of Lambrusco Grasparossa. Grasparossa is one of the darker, more structured members of the Lambrusco family, known for producing deeply coloured wines with plenty of fruit and a pleasantly grippy finish.

The bubbles are created using the Charmat method, with a second fermentation taking place in pressurized tanks. This traps the naturally produced carbon dioxide in the wine while keeping all that fresh, vibrant fruit front and centre.

And if your idea of Lambrusco is something sweet and cheap, this is your reminder that it can be so much more. Dark fruit, bubbles and a little tannin. Get it cold and order a pizza.