Italian sangria: Lambrusco, fruit, sugar, and cheerfulness.

Sangria and Lambrusco: both are products that symbolize friendship, conviviality, good food, and pleasure. Lambrusco is one of the most sold Italian wines in the world and, to this day, it remains the most chosen by Italians in large distribution. Too often we associate Lambrusco with a wine of questionable quality, and indeed, sometimes we cannot deny it. However, today, the production of Lambrusco in the vocated regions, Emilia Romagna and Lombardia, sees the presence of excellent producers and experimenters who offer wines of great charm and innovation. The idea of Bellei to vinify Lambrusco grapes using the classic method has now become a choice made by many other producers as well. The search for a more elegant bubble and a stricter balance between tannin and acidity remains a widespread desire. There are wines of great pleasure with a distinct consistency typical of Lambrusco but, at the same time, of great drinkability.

This is where we at Spaghetti e Mandolino come in: we have chosen a company that produces Lambrusco and does so with an enological perspective that enhances the fruit and the freshness of the final product. It is located in Solignano Vecchio, in the municipality of Castelvetro (Modena): it is the winery Tenuta Pederzana. Besides quality, it is also important to choose to produce without sulfites, in order to guarantee consumers a healthier wine without post-tasting discomforts.

Let's return to our Sangria and, above all, to the desire for freshness and conviviality that this Spanish aperitif evokes every time it is consumed. Perfect, therefore, for a spring outdoor gathering!

Sangria is an alcoholic beverage based on wine, spices, and fruit, which has many variants in the Iberian Peninsula. In Catalonia, for example, it is produced with their typical wines, classic Cava methods, and is called Sangria de Cava. It was a typical drink originating from Portugal that was produced by farmers and was given the name of the color of blood. With our Lambrusco, this color will be even more truthful.

Here’s how to create a Sangria with Lambrusco

How can we obtain a good Sangria to enjoy with friends, creating our own Italian variant? First of all, let’s see the ingredients needed:

1 liter of Lambrusco amabile from certified origins, preferably from Castelvetro
2 oranges
2 lemons
1 banana
1 peach
wild strawberries q.b.
2 cloves
1 stick of cinnamon
1 shot of cointreau
3 tablespoons of brown sugar

The preparation process is very simple and involves first squeezing one orange and one lemon to obtain their juice, then the remaining ones should be cut into slices, as well as the peach and the banana. To this fruit and the juice, add the wild strawberries and the sugar. Mix everything, season with spices, and reinforce with the cointreau. Finally, add the Lambrusco and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. It will be a real surprise!

Bernardo Pasquali