The Lambrusco Mantovano DOC is an appellation for lightly sparkling wines in the province of Mantua, in Lombardy. It was born in 1987. It has about 262 hectares, with an output of 10,850 hectolitres. It has two subzones, Oltre Po Mantovano and Viadanese Sabbionetano.
An ancient tradition
The DOC dates from 1987, but the wine tradition around Mantua is much older: vine growing in these lands is already documented by Virgil. Later the Benedictine monks, on the lands of the abbey of Polirone at San Benedetto Po, gave it new impetus and handed it down to the present day. Lambrusco is usually drunk in the cold months, and locally it is poured together with marubini, called Maruben in the Casalasco-Viadanese dialect.
The grapes and the styles
The Rosso and the Rosato come from at least 85% of four varieties of Lambrusco: Maestri, also called Grappello Maestri here, Marani, Salamino and Viadanese, known as Grappello Ruberti. The rest, up to 15%, may come from Ancellotta, Fortana, Lambrusco di Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa. Both are lightly sparkling, and the Rosso may also be semi-sweet. The rules set no minimum ageing, and the minimum alcohol is 10.5%.
