Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara "Radice" 2023

Of the many Lambrusco grapes, Sorbara stands out for its lightness, fragrance, and naturally pale pink hue. It’s the most delicate and lifted expression in the Lambrusco family — more akin to rosé than red in both colour and feel.

This wine, “Radice” (meaning roots), is the flagship of the Paltrinieri family, who have been growing Sorbara in the Cristo di Sorbara vineyard since 1926. Today, the estate is in the hands of Alberto Paltrinieri, who continues the tradition with a modern energy and deep local knowledge.

Radice is made using the ancestrale method — the same style gaining popularity among pét-nat lovers — where the wine finishes fermentation in bottle, unfiltered, and sealed with a crown cap. This results in gentle, clouded bubbles and a bone-dry profile that’s explosively fresh.

Expect notes of violet, raspberry, redcurrant, and just a whiff of citrus zest. The palate is crisp, zippy, and utterly moreish — a cult favourite for good reason.

Producer:

Paltrinieri

Region:

Sorbara (Emilia Romagna)

Grapes:

Lambrusco di Sorbara 100%

Style:

Sparkling

Soil:

Silt and sand

Farming:

Organic practises