Lambrusco

Lambrusco is a red grape also used to made an Italian wine of the same name. The Lambrusco grapes originate in regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lombary. It has been discovered that the Etruscans cultivated this ancient variety, and it was prized during the Roman Empire. The Lambrusco was appreciated for both its high yield levels, and was said that two acres of the variety could be used to create much wine. At the close of the 20^th century, over 60 varieties of this grape were discovered in Europe. The most planted variety is Lambrusco Salamino, while other varities include Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Montericco, and Lambrusco Sorbara.The wines created from the variety are typically slightly sparkling wines that are meant to be drunk while young. Sweet Lambrusco became extremely popular in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. This wine is created in a variety of sweetness and dryness levels, and is known for its high acidity and berry aromas. The Lambrusco grape is not naturally sweet, but the wine is made sweet due to either a fermentation process or by blending in sweeter grape varieties. When the grape is not fermented or sweetened, the taste is somewhat bitter with a light strawberry flavor.