Medici Ermete Lambrusco Reggiano DOC Dolce La Favorita

This cuvée is born in the province of Reggio Emilia, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, on the lands of the Medici family, settled in Gaida since the late 19th century. The vineyard stretches across the vast alluvial plain that descends from the foothills of the Apennines towards the Po, the historic cradle of Lambrusco. The continental climate, with hot summers and cool, misty winters, gives juicy, expressive grapes, perfect for these sparkling, indulgent wines that have always accompanied the Emilian table.

A blend of Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Marani trained in Cordon de Royat, this wine is made from grapes harvested at full ripeness. Fermentation and the secondary fermentation that creates the bubbles take place in sealed stainless-steel tanks. They are deliberately halted by chilling to retain some of the grape's natural sugars, which gives the wine its characteristic sweetness and low alcohol. With no oak at all, it is bottled young to preserve the freshness of its fruit and the finesse of its mousse.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, plum, blackberry, wild strawberry, raspberry, violet, rose, pomegranate and sweet liquorice. Beneath an intense ruby colour, the mousse is fine and abundant. On the palate, the sweetness is carried by lively freshness and crunchy fruit, for a harmonious, light and indulgent whole that ends on a fruity, persistent finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!