Ancient and sparkling: the pleasure of Modena Lambrusco DOC.

Lambrusco comes from the "labrusca" vine, which was already known to the Etruscans and Romans, and even earlier to the Gauls of Liguria.
Catone mentioned it in the 2nd century BC in "De Agri Cultura".
In the Modena area there are several types of Lambrusco: that of Modena, the Lambrusco di Sorbara, the Lambrusco Salamino di S.Croce and the Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
With these three variations it is a modern wine with a lively effervescent froth, an intense, persistent fragrance and a rich taste enhanced by good tartness.
Through the skill and diligence of generations of producers, Lambrusco has become one of the symbols of the province of Modena.

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE
The whole province is rich in vineyards that you can visit to learn more about the methods of production, preservation and ageing of this wine.
To book a guided tour you can either make direct contact with the Consorzi di tutela del Lambrusco (Lambrusco Protection Consortium) (www.lambrusco.net) or with the bodies responsable for tourist promotion in the area: Consorzio di Promozione turistica Modenatur (Modenatur Tourist Promotion Consortium) (http://www.modenatur.it)
Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Città, Castelli, Ciliegi (Highway of Wines and Tastes, Cities, Castles and Cherries) (www.cittacastelliciliegi.it)
Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori della Pianura modenese Terre Piane (Highway of Wines and Tastes of the Modenese River Plain, the Flatlands)(www.carpidiem.it)

WHERE TO TASTE IT
As well as the numerous wine shops, wine bars, restaurants and trattorias of the provincial capital, the towns of the province of Modena also offer opportunities to taste and enjoy this sparkling wine.
The month of September is packed with festivals and fetes dedicated to lambrusco.
Roaming the provincial roads from fete to fete, the tourist may create his or her own wine-and-food itinerary.
At the beginning of October the "Festival del Gusto" (Festival of Taste) enlivens the heart of the provincial capital.
The streets and squares of Modena are packed with stalls, opportunities for tasting and original initiatives in which Lambrusco is among the leading products.
Before the appointment in Modena there is no shortage of events in September: at Sorbara (13 Km beyond Modena on state road 12, known as the Canaletto road) in the second and third weeks of the month there is the "Sagra del Lambrusco di Sorbara" (Sorbara Lambrusco Fete) with shows and entertainment followed by tasting.
From there, if you follow S.P. (provincial road) 1 (known as the Sorbarese) you come to Carpi where on 12 September the "Sagra della Lasagna e del Lambrusco" (Lasagna and Lambrusco Fete) is held, with local markets.
You could then turn south, crossing Modena again and continuing to Castelvetro, where in the last two weeks of September the "Sagra dell'uva e dei Lambrusco Grasparossa" (Grapes and Lambrusco Grasparossa Fete) is held, with cultural shows inspired by wine-growing tradition.
Another not-to-be missed event is at Levizzano Rangone, a few kilometres from Castelvetro on provincial road 18 towards Puianello.
Here, in the month of May, the "Palio enogastronomico delle frazioni di Castelvetro" (Wine and Food Contest of the Hamlets around Castelvetro) is held, an initiative to promote the area's top product: Lambrusco Grasparossa.