Region: Emilia Romagna
History: Established as a DOC in 1971
Vineyard Area: 1,176/ 2,905 acres (2013, V)
Production: 80,530 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 885,750 cases bottled annually
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Ancellotta, Cabernet Franc, Fogarina, Lambrusco, Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Merlot, Sangiovese
Styles and Wine Composition:
ROSATO WINES
- Lambrusco (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): Minimum 85% Lambrusco (Barghi, di Sorbara, Grasparossa, Maestri, Marani, Montericco, Oliva, Salamino, and/or Viadanese); maximum 15% Ancellotta, Fogarina, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata, Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Perla dei Vivi, Sgavetta, and/or Termarina
- Lambrusco Salamino (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): Minimum 85% Lambrusco Salamino; maximum 15% Ancellotta, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco di Sorbara, and/or Malbo Gentile
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd, RdFr, RdSw, RdFrSw): 30–60% Ancellotta; 40–70% Cabernet Sauvignon, Fogarina, Lambrusco (a Foglia Frastagliata, di Sorbara, Grasparossa, Maestri, Marani, Oliva, Salamino, and/or Viadanese), Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Merlot, and/or Sangiovese
- Lambrusco (Rd, RdFr, RdSw, RdFrSw): Minimum 85% Lambrusco (Barghi, di Sorbara, Grasparossa, Maestri, Marani, Montericco, Oliva, Salamino, and/or Viadanese); maximum 15% Ancellotta, Fogarina, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata, Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Perla dei Vivi, Sgavetta, and/or Termarina
- Lambrusco Salamino (Rd, RdFr, RdSw, RdFrSw): Minimum 85% Lambrusco Salamino; maximum 15% Ancellotta, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco di Sorbara, and/or Malbo Gentile
- Novello (Rosso, Lambrusco)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Any proportions of Lambrusco (di Sorbara, Maestri, Marani, Montericco, and/or Salamino) and/or Malbo Gentile (all vinified as a white wine)
- Lambrusco Spumante (RoSp, RoSpSw, RdSp, RdSpSw): Same as Lambrusco
Significant Production Rules:
- 50% of grapes for Novello must undergo carbonic maceration
- Minimum alcohol level: 5.5% for still versions of Rosso, Lambrusco, and Lambrusco Salamino (10.5% potential); 5.5% for Spumante and Lambrusco Spumante (11.0% potential); 7.0% for frizzante versions of Rosso, Lambrusco, and Lambrusco Salamino (10.5% potential); 11.0% for Novello
- Residual sugar: Spumante and Lambrusco Spumante can be produced at any sweetness level, from brut nature (zero dosage) to dolce
- Aging: No minimums specified
