Cleto Chiarli "Malatesta" Lambrusco di Sorbara

Fresh, floral and unmistakably Emilia-Romagna.
Lambrusco has a reputation for being fun and easy-going, but the finest examples can also be wonderfully elegant. Cleto Chiarli's Malatesta is a beautiful illustration of that lighter side of the style: made from Lambrusco di Sorbara, it combines delicate colour, fine bubbles and lively acidity with an intensely fresh and fragrant character. Dry, savoury and refreshing, it is a world away from the heavy, sweet Lambruscos many people may remember.

The Sorbara grape is naturally pale-skinned and produces wines with an attractive light ruby-pink colour, delicate floral aromas and a particularly vibrant acidity. Malatesta undergoes a short maceration before fermentation, followed by a second fermentation in closed tanks, creating its fine, persistent sparkle while preserving the freshness and aromatic character of the grape.

For wine lovers in Ireland, Malatesta is a brilliantly versatile alternative to more familiar sparkling wines. Serve it well chilled as an aperitif, or put it on the table with food and watch it come into its own. Its combination of freshness, gentle fizz and dry, savoury character makes it particularly well suited to the rich, salty and comforting flavours of Italian cooking.

Why we love it:

Malatesta is exactly why we love Lambrusco: refreshing, characterful and incredibly good with food. The delicate pink-red colour and fine bubbles hint at its lighter style, while the palate delivers plenty of fresh red fruit, floral character and lively acidity. It is dry rather than sweet, wonderfully easy to drink and a fantastic match for everything from Emilia-Romagna's famous cured meats to pizza and pasta.