red grape · regional staple

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Say it

lam·broos·kohgras·pah·roh·sah

/lamˈbrusko ɡraspaˈrɔssa/Italian

Grasparossa from graspo (bunch stem) + rossa (red), referring to the vine's vivid red petioles and stems in autumn

On the palate

blackberryblack cherryblack plumstrawberryvioletblack pepper

How you spot it blind: darkest and most tannic of the Lambrusco family, opaque purple with firm structure

The story

First written down · 1854, Emilia-Romagna

First catalogued by Luigi Maini in 1854; DNA analysis confirms Cornacchia as one parent, placing it within the ancient Lambrusco complex domesticated in Emilia-Romagna.

Family tree: Cornacchia × unknown

Where it lives

Castelvetro di Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Shows up as

sparkling redfrizzantestill redroséLambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC

If you like this, try

Dolcetto →Barbera →Freisa →

Also answers to Lambrusco Grassparosa.

Shop our Lambrusco Grasparossa bottles