I like to use this photo that I took of the pavilion at Vinitaly for Emilia Romagna because it says it is “un mondo fantastico.” This is the way I feel about Emilia, a region I love and lived in when I went to graduate school in Bologna.

This week’s variety is Lambrusco di Sorbara.  Emotions run deep in Lambrusco land. Sorbara is one of the oldest of the Lambrusco varieties and grows well in loose soils of sand and alluvial fans. When grown on clay soils it tends to lose its’ aromas yet be higher in color. Lambrusco di Sorbara was given the DOC classification in 1970. It is considered the most prestigious of the various Lamrbusco varieties. It comes from the area around Bomporto, near Modena.  To be a Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC wine, you need at least 60% of the wine to come from Lambrusco di Sorbara. The one in the picture from Francesco Vezzelli is lovely, relatively inexpensive at around $16 and available in the USA. Check out wine-searcher here.

I love Lambrusco with many foods or by itself. I think it’s a great wine to pair with all sorts of foods including ones that are part of a big special feast or a Friday night pizza wine.