Lini 910 Labrusca

Lini 910 Labrusca

One of my goals starting this blog was to drink outside the box a little. It’s so easy to continue picking up your easy favourites and I’m guilty of it. I shouldn’t say guilty, there’s nothing wrong with it, but isn’t variety the spice of life? So when I learned Lambrusco Day was coming up as one of those social media events, it was the perfect opportunity to grab something we don’t drink often, and that was this Labrusca Lambrusco from Lini 910.

It‘s colour is so intense it looks inky purple in the glass… Or “murdery” as my husband put it. Well chilled, this wine is dark plum purple that stains your teeth just looking at it. The nose is brilliant dark berry, black cherry, red currant, strawberry with sweet violet and a hint of old world minerality. Dry on the palate, the berries move from red to black, with more black cherry, black berry and rhubarb, violet and a pleasant stoniness. The bubbles are small and plentiful.

Why don’t we drink this more?! Did the sweet, fizzy reds from days before ruin the image of Lambrusco? The Northern Italians know what they’re doing… they make Parmeggiano Regiano FFS. And this is the wine to drink with it. We BBQ’s some pizzas specifically designed to pair with this.

Pizza 1- Sausage with caramelized fennel, sweet red peppers, Parmesan and fresh basil.

Pizza 2- Fig preserve with Buffalo mozzarella on the grill, then topped with thinly sliced prosciutto, shaved Parmesan and lightly dressed arugula.

I think pizza 2 was the winner for me but both were fantastic. One night this summer you HAVE to copy this meal.

Cheers!

xo