Tenuta Pederzana Lambrusco Grasparossa Castelvetro Cantolibero Secco 2020

The story starts not with the current owner, Francesco Gibellini, but with his aunt and uncle, Margherita and Franco Simonini. In the 1950s, the couple partnered with the University of Bologna to hunt down the finest Grasparossa clone in the area. They found one – exceptional in quality but stingy in yield. In the lean post-war years, no other growers were willing to trade quantity for quality, so the clone survives in this vineyard alone. Francesco turned the family plot into a proper winery in 1996 and today runs it alongside his uncle Massimo, still built on that same proven top clone, producing some of the finest Lambrusco on the market.

Tenuta Pederzana spans 14 hectares of vineyards, woodlands, and a natural lake – a scene tranquil enough to feel lifted from a fairytale. The vines face southeast and east across the Solignano Vecchio valley, soaking up serious daytime warmth before cool night breezes roll in. That dramatic day-to-night swing, paired with clay soils, pushes the roots deep and the flavors deeper.

Tradition rules at every step, as grapes are hand-picked and macerated on their skins, locking in that bright ruby color flecked with purple, and the foam even pours a faint violet. Expect brambly blackberry, dried cherry, campfire smoke, sage, tarragon, and a streak of chalk dust across the palate. This is no shy, delicate sparkler… No, it's fresh and vivacious, full-bodied, with chalky tannins and real grip. I'll happily sip it on its own – and have – but it truly comes alive next to food. Think salami and aged Parmesan with torn crusty bread, tomato-and-basil bruschetta, wood-fired pizza with charred bubbling edges, seared duck breast with cherry salsa… I could keep going. It's fun, aromatic, clean, and full of personality. For under $25, grab a few before they're gone!