Is rosé all day starting to feel a bit blasé? Break free from your rosé rut and pop open a chilled bottle of red, fizzy, and absolutely elegant Medici Ermete Lambrusco. Don't get me wrong - I adore rosé but I still love my reds, no matter the season. Hot and humid summer days may make red wines seem less appealing but a glass of perfectly chilled Lambrusco is an ideal match with the season.
Alberto Medici, 4th generation owner of Medici Ermete. He travels the world sharing the unique beauty of his family's award-winning Lambrusco wines.
Lambrusco is growing in popularity but remains a bit misunderstood. Many years ago, an unfortunate influx of syrupy sweet soda-like Lambrusco wines flooded the market and negatively impacted the wine's reputation. Luckily, Lambrusco has a great ambassador in Alberto Medici, 4th generation owner of Medici Ermete. On a mission to change the perception of Lambrusco, Alberto is adamant that we "treat Lambrusco like any other wine" and recognize that it can be a wine of superior quality. Trust me, a sip of Medici Ermete will erase any bad Lambrusco memories you may have.
image courtesy of Medici Ermete
True icons and trailblazers, Medici Ermete has been producing Lambrusco for more than 120 years and were the first to produce a single-vineyard Lambrusco cru. And although Lambrusco is used to describe the wines in this category, there is no single Lambrusco grape and many of Medici Ermete's wines are blends of distinct varieties, including Salamino Lambrusco and Marani Lambrusco.
Medici Ermete produces wines of impeccable quality and authenticity. And they are absolutely food-friendly. After all, Lambrusco hails from Emilia-Romagna; one of Italy's most celebrated culinary regions and the land of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Balsamic Vinegar, Mortadella, Bolognese, and so much more. But Lambrusco is versatile enough to pair with a wide variety of foods, including summer favorites like BBQ. Alberto says that "Lambrusco is all about acidity" and that key component keeps their wines fresh, lively, and balanced.
Medici Ermete, I Quercioli, Reggiano Lambrusco Secco NV ($14.99)
Fruity but dry and refreshing, the secco expression of I Quercioli is the perfect introduction to Medici Ermete's elegant style. A blend of Salamino Lambrusco and Marani Lambrusco grapes, this ruby red & fizzy beauty has a seductive scent of violets and fresh red fruit flavors.
Medici Ermete, Solo, Reggiano Rosso 2017 ($19.99)
A blend of Ancellotta and Salamino Lambrusco, Solo technically isn't a Lambrusco because there is more than 15% of Ancellotta in the blend. But forget technicalities, Solo is very much a Lambrusco in spirit and style. Grapes for Solo are sourced exclusively from the acclaimed Tenuta I Quercioli vineyards where the yields are limited but of superb quality. Solo is still fresh and fizzy but the red fruit flavors are enhanced by hints of fig and brambly blackberry.
Medici Ermete, Concerto, Reggiano Lambrusco 2017 ($24.99)
The world's first single vineyard vintage Lambrusco, Concerto is 100% Salamino Lambrusco; a variety that Alberto praises for its freshness and acidity. A regal shade of ruby red with fresh red fruit flavors, Concerto has a subtle fizz mid-palate and a deliciously long and dry finish.
Medici Ermete, I Quercioli, Reggiano Lambrusco Dolce NV ($14.99)
I always prefer a sweet drink to a pastry and this dolce expression of I Quercioli is a great way to end a meal. But because it isn't overly sugary and has vibrant acidity, it also works well as a pairing with fruit, dessert, or even pizza! A very balanced and pretty Lambrusco.
See, you can enjoy red wine on a hot summer day. Chill a bottle of Medici Ermete Lambrusco and chill out in a deliciously elegant fashion!
