Lets talk Lambrusco!

Here in Alberta, Lambrusco is showing up nicely on the wine shelves. Some stores have a very good selection, and they seem to sell quite fast.
Pizza party tomorrow so have picked out the Lini 910 Lambrusca. I think it will compliment the food quite nicely.
Are forumites here in a brusco mood?!!

[Jenise]

Bob, I've had one Lambrusco I rather loved but about five that I didn't like at all, so I haven't been tempted to dive into that pool. My complaints range from not dry enough to having rather plastic flavors.

Thats OK. I think one has to do some research before deciding which one to buy. CT has some great notes (and poor) so good idea to check. Guess most stores have the simple version so beware.

[David M. Bueker]

So Bob, what Lambrusco bottlings do you recommend? My history is similar to Jenise’s, so I am not running out to buy some.

[Jenise]

Thats OK. I think one has to do some research before deciding which one to buy. CT has some great notes (and poor) so good idea to check. Guess most stores have the simple version so beware.

The one I loved was one I took to a friend's hot-summer-day garden tasting in Los Angeles. I'd flown in wineless and stopped at K&L to pick up wines to take. The theme was bubbly (and of course, whites were expected) from anywhere and Italian reds. I knew the salesman so when he suggested that I detour into a particularly special Lambrusco, me, who likes quirky choices, bit. And it was just as special as he said and the first bottle drained at the tasting. As far as I know it was my first Lambrusco, and I definitely know it was the last one I liked.

So yeah, Bobby, we need names!

Yes, add me to the "I like Lambrusco when it's good, but that's hard to predict " crowd. I've enjoyed Corte Pagliare and Zucchi, and some Chiarli. Can be a great picnic wine with charcuterie. But can be pretty bad too (and yes somehow the industrial ones taste plasticky).

Yes, add me to the "I like Lambrusco when it's good, but that's hard to predict " crowd... Can be a great picnic wine with charcuterie...

Agreed. I hear the best case is with charcuterie, which is not in my zone.

But I think it's most likely to be good when sitting outside in Italy with someone who knows the right bottle to pick. Otherwise, I have never been tempted to bother!

Ceci Nero Di Lambrusco
Lini 910 Lambrusco Lambrusca
Tomato Wheels Lambrusco
Paltrinieri Lambrusco Solco dell Emilia.

All priced around $27 Cdn