Lambrusco is an Italian wine family associated particularly with Emilia-Romagna, and one of the biggest misconceptions about it is that all Lambrusco is sweet.

It is not.

Official Lambrusco appellation information shows styles ranging from dry to semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet, depending on the denomination and producer. Lambrusco may be red or rosé and commonly combines fresh acidity with lively bubbles. 

What does Lambrusco taste like?

The answer depends on the grape and region.

You may find flavours such as:

Cherry

Raspberry

Blackberry

Violet

Fresh grapes

Flowers

For example, the official consortium describes Lambrusco di Sorbara as lighter and floral with red berries, while Grasparossa can have greater colour, tannin and body.

What food works with Lambrusco?

Its acidity and bubbles make it especially useful beside rich or salty foods.

Try it with:

Pizza

Salumi

Sausage

Burgers

Pasta

Hard cheese

The key is checking the sweetness level first.

A dry Lambrusco works differently at the table from a sweet one.

For a familiar product example, Cask & Cork lists Riunite Lambrusco. 

Shoppers can also explore the wider wine, spirits and beer selection at Cask & Cork. 

Quick answer: Lambrusco is an Italian sparkling or semi-sparkling wine family that can range from dry to sweet. Always check the bottle's style instead of assuming every Lambrusco is sugary. 

In 1985, Americans bought 11.5 million cases of a fizzy, sweet, pink-tinged Italian wine called Riunite. That’s still a record. Nobody’s broken it since. For over three decades, it held the title of best-selling imported wine in the United States. Not just from Italy. From anywhere. “Riunite on ice, that’s nice” was one of the most recognizable jingles in American advertising. An entire…

This Lambrusco Spritz Giadzy is a refreshing take on the classic spritz cocktail. It tastes fruity and a little bitter thanks to the Aperol. It's great for any event.

Ingredients: 3 oz Lambrusco wine. 1 oz Aperol. 1 oz soda water. Orange slice, for garnish.

Instructions: Put ice in a glass. On top of the ice, pour the Lambrusco wine and Aperol. Add soda water on top. Add a slice of orange as a garnish.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes