Mionetto Il Lambrusco

Winery: Mionetto

Varietal: Lambrusco

Lambrusco grapes have been cultivated in the Emilia region of Italy for thousands of years, and are one of the most ancient grape varietals on earth. In more recent decades, they have been grown successfully in both Australia and Argentina, where they are also used to make the recognizable, slightly sweet sparkling wines they are most commonly associated with. Lambrusco has six main varietals - Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Monterrico, Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Sorbara. However, Lambrusco Salamino is by far the most commonly cultivated, as it is a hardy grape which results in high yields of consistent and reliable quality. Lambrusco is quite a versatile grape, and in Italy, is used to make several different wines. Often, winemakers limit the contact the juices have with the skins in order to make both white and rosé wines from this grape, all of which are highly popular around the world.

Region: Veneto

As historically one of the most important regions in the world regarding trade and experimentation, it comes as no surprise to discover that Veneto has always been a well respected and innovative wine region. This area of north-easterly area of Italy benefits greatly from a continental climate tempered by the Alps, and plenty of influence from the Germanic countries it is near to. Veneto is most commonly associated with beautifully elegant white wines, such as those of Soave, and has over ninety thousand hectares under vine. Impressively, within that area, over a third of the vineyards in the Veneto region have been granted official AOC status, and many of the sub-regions and appellations of Veneto have gone on to be world-famous in regards to quality. One such example is Valpolicella, where some of Italy's finest and most complex red wines are produced.

Country: Italy

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.