Product: Le Grotte Lambrusco Reggiano: An Excellent Soft Red Wine that Can Be Served Before, During and After Meals Producer: Cantine Mederfil Approximate Retail Value: $12.99 for 750ml Category: Wine Country of Origin: Italy Reviewer: Jon Costantino The F Words: Flavor – Super fruity and dry. Feel – Sweet and dry. Finish – No harshness from bubbles and refreshing.

Rating:

Normally, there are three words that are not associated with red wine: chilled, bubbly, and sweet. But the Le Grotte Lambrusco Reggiano will make you forget there are such things as dessert wines, and dare I say it, some brands of champagne. 

When you first pour the Le Grotte, you will notice that the carbonation is very light but still noticeable enough to know you’re trying something different. The bubbles tend to dissipate after a few minutes, which gives you a chance to let the wine settle before you taste it. Definitely take the time to get a good whiff of the wine’s aroma. As you swirl the glass, you’ll get hints of blue and blackberries, which are delightful. I also recommend you serve this wine incredibly cold, because the crispness of the flavors really come through the colder it is.

When you taste this wine for the first time, you’ll experience something you’ll probably not be used to. Most of the time with red wines, you can enjoy its taste and flavor, but you don’t end up feeling refreshed by it. With the Le Grotte, you will feel your thirst being quenched. And as for the finish, the dryness has a truly unique flavor that doesn’t make drinking this wine a chore.

Mostly, a wine like this is served with dessert. It is complemented well with fresh fruits, or with light flavors of gelato. But after drinking Le Grotte on a hot August night, I think it makes for an excellent cocktail/happy hour drink as well. It has all the properties of a good champagne or prosecco, with the added bonus of a fruity red wine. You may be tempted to drink this with dinner, but I would hold off on opening this bottle until you are ready to retire and the coffee’s on.

I have only been drinking Lambruscos for a few years now, but the Le Grotte is one of my favorites. And while your dinner guests may be surprised by the bubbles coming out of your red wine glass, don’t worry; just give them a sip and you’ll have another convert.