Lambrusco Grasparossa

The Bold Soul of Emilia-Romagna

"Dark, vibrant and gastronomic—Lambrusco Grasparossa is the grape that's redefining everything people thought they knew about Lambrusco."

Forget Everything You Think You Know About Lambrusco

For decades, Lambrusco suffered from a poor reputation.

Cheap, overly sweet wines flooded international markets during the 1970s and 80s, leaving many people with the impression that Lambrusco was a simple, sugary sparkling red wine.

The reality is very different.

Lambrusco is not one single wine. It is a family of indigenous grape varieties, each producing wines with their own personality, structure, and style.

Among them, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro is widely regarded as the most powerful, structured, and gastronomic expression.

At Porcalorca, this is the Lambrusco we have chosen to represent.

What is Lambrusco Grasparossa?

Lambrusco Grasparossa is an ancient red grape variety native to the hills around Castelvetro di Modena in Emilia-Romagna.

Its name comes from the appearance of the vine.

"Grasparossa" literally means "red stem", referring to the vine shoots that turn bright red as the grapes ripen.

Unlike many sparkling red wines, Grasparossa naturally combines:

  • deep colour

  • vibrant acidity

  • firm but soft tannins

  • fresh fruit

  • remarkable food friendliness

It produces wines with far more structure than most people expect from sparkling wine.

Where Does It Grow?

The finest Lambrusco Grasparossa comes from the hills surrounding Castelvetro di Modena, south of Modena in Emilia-Romagna.

Unlike the flat plains where much industrial Lambrusco is produced, these elevated vineyards offer:

  • cooler nights

  • better drainage

  • slower ripening

  • greater concentration

  • more elegance

These conditions create wines with greater complexity, freshness, and ageing potential.

A Grape Unlike Any Other

Colour

Deep ruby to almost opaque purple.

Aromas

  • blackberry

  • black cherry

  • wild strawberry

  • violet

  • rose petals

  • black pepper

  • Mediterranean herbs

Palate

Expect:

  • lively bubbles

  • fresh acidity

  • noticeable tannins

  • juicy dark fruit

  • dry, savoury finish

Unlike many sparkling wines, Lambrusco Grasparossa has enough structure to accompany an entire meal.

Lambrusco Grasparossa stands apart because it naturally combines characteristics rarely found together.

Sweet or Dry?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that all Lambrusco is sweet.

In reality, Lambrusco can be made in several styles.

At Porcalorca, our selection demonstrates the full spectrum—from bone-dry Pet Nat to elegant Brut and expressive Extra Dry styles.

Why Porcalorca Chose Lambrusco Grasparossa

At Porcalorca, we don't believe great wine should be famous.

We believe it should be authentic.

Our partnership with La Piana Winery reflects this philosophy.

For more than 20 years, the Gianaroli family has cultivated organically farmed vineyards in the hills of Castelvetro, producing Lambrusco that respects tradition while showing the true potential of this remarkable grape.

Each bottle tells a different story, but together they prove one simple point:

Lambrusco was never the problem. Poor Lambrusco was.

FAQs

  • Not necessarily. It can range from bone dry (Extra Brut) to gently sweet (Demi-Sec). Most of Porcalorca's Lambrusco wines are dry or off-dry.

  • Lambrusco refers to a family of grape varieties. Lambrusco Grasparossa is one of the most prestigious members of that family.

  • Traditionally, Lambrusco undergoes a second fermentation that creates its natural bubbles. Depending on the producer, this may be done using the Charmat method, the ancestral (Pet Nat) method, or the Traditional Method.

  • Most Lambrusco is enjoyed young, but high-quality examples - especially Traditional Method wines like Intuizione - can develop beautifully over several years.