Grasparossa is planted mainly in the area south of Modena and, has a DOC, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro named after it. Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC is a ruby red wine, with purple hints, and tends to produce the darkest colored Lambrusco wines. The flavor varies from dry to sweetish and sweet. The semi-sweet type is mainly produced for export. This fragrant, ruby red wine is always Frizzante. The dry type may be enjoyed throughout the meal, while the sweet types are best served with dessert or as aperitif.
Lambrusco, perhaps best known for its gently sparkling pink and red wines, is actually composed of 5 separate DOC; Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Reggiano and Lambrusco di Modena. All are based in the province of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. The first DOCs were created in 1970. The wines range from bone dry to sweet and thus are a staple match with a wide range of local cuisine. There are a number of grapes allowed in the various DOC, including Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Malbo Gentile, Ancellotta and Brugnola (also known locally as Fortana or Uva d’Oro). Reggiano, the largest subregion tends to produce wines with noticeable sweetness. Grasparossa tends to produce the darkest and most tannic wines. Sorbara is regarded as the best of the various specified Lambrusco clones. It produces wines which are highly fragrant and floral, and the lightest in color of the five DOC wines. Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce wines are known for their deep ruby color, purple-edged froth and exceptional fragrance combined with relatively lighter body.
Sparkling wine is a wine with high levels of carbon dioxide in it making it bubble. The carbon dioxide is a result of natural fermentation, either in a bottle or a specially designed tank, or as a result of carbon dioxide injection.Sparkling wine is usually white or rosé but there are many examples of red sparkling wines. The sweetness of sparkling wine can range from very dry "brut" styles to sweeter "doux" varieties.When one thinks of sparkling wine they usually think of Champagne, but this wine is exclusively produced in the Champagne region of France and many sparkling wines are produced in other countries and regions. Most countries reserve the word Champagne for a specific type from the Champagne region of France. The French terms "Mousseux" or "Crémant" are used to refer to sparkling wine not made in the Champagne region. German and Austrian sparkling wines are called Sekt. The United States is a significant producer of sparkling wine with producers in numerous states. Recently the United Kingdom, which produced some of the earliest examples of sparkling wine, has started producing sparkling wines again.
