
Cleto Chiarli E Figli's Lambrusco is a nice lightly sparkling red with a slight hint of vinegar. Forget super sweet Lambruscos you may have had. This one is a treat without sweet. It smells like candy and tastes like strawberry and maybe some light raspberry. It has a slightly bitter and dry finish. There is minerality lurking just under the surface here as well.
I was told to drink it with spicy Chinese or a pizza with hot peppers. This was solid advice.
The fruit is balanced by tartness and that hint of bitterness. The acidity really makes this wine work. Some folks think acid is a bad thing but it is a component of wine that is essential to a balanced wine. This lambrusco is certainly that.
Lambrusco's are often derided but the fact that many are not particularly good doesn't damn ALL of them. At 11 or 12 percent alcohol this lambrusco is a bit higher alcohol from many I've had (cheaper versions). Of course, wines that are dryer often have higher alcohol content. Lambrusco is the name of the grape and the wine. Often in Europe a wine is named after the place. Lambruscos come from Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy in northern Italy.
$12-14