2019 Saetti Rosso dell`Emilia "Rosso Viola"

Region: Emilia Romagna < Italy

Grape: Lambrusco Salamino

Winemaker: Luciano Saetti

Luciano Saetti is part of the new generation of Lambrusco growers
thinking about this much-maligned, mass-produced wine in a more
modern—which is to say more old-fashioned, artisanal—way. His family
planted the vines in 1964 and historically sold off most of their
fruit to a local co-op. But Luciano wanted to do better with their old
vines and their strain of the Lambrusco grape, called Salamino, which
is thick-skinned, tight-bunched, darker-colored and higher in acidity
than some other variations on Lambrusco. He converted the farming to
organic (certified) and started bottling estate wines, all completely
dry.  The vineyard and cellar work are meticulous. No sulfur is used
at any point, not since the 2007 vintage. Everything is done by hand,
including labeling (with gorgeous fabric labels hand stitched using
scraps by a designer friend) and, rare for Lambrusco, the secondary
fermentation takes place in bottle, initiated by the addition of fresh
grape must in the spring following the vintage, and is fermented to
dryness.  Also rare here - no sulfur is added at any stage of the
process.

Luciano only makes two wines, a Lambrusco rosato and this one, Rosso
Viola, which is 100% Lambrusco Salamino -- and it is delicious.  Dark,
heady and woodsy, with exotic spices, tart berries, hints of citrus
and plums, it's a savory and energetic expression of Lambrusco.
Lovely on its own or with any heavy meaty dish. And definitely for
Pizza Night!