Rio degli Sgoccioli Spumante dell’Emilia IGT 2023

Wine description for Rio degli Sgoccioli Spumante dell’Emilia IGT 2023 by Cinque Campi

A Lambrusco spumante that redefines the boundaries of its celebrated grape variety: grandiose intensity meets rustic craftsmanship.

Colour & appearance

Garnet red with a fine haze and lively mousse.

Nose

Exuberant red fruit: cherry, raspberry and redcurrant. Vegetal notes of blackcurrant and blackberry leaf lend structure.

Palate

Firm, grippy tannins meet dark red fruit; the effervescence propels an intense aromatic profile. No casual aperitif, but a structured food wine.

Finish

Dense and expressive, with marked phenolics and none of the softness typical of the vintage.

Terroir & origin

The Nizzoli family’s 200-year history is rooted in parcels at the foot of the Apennines near Reggio Emilia (Pliocene terrace, 200 metres altitude, clay-siliceous soils).

Grape variety & vinification

Almost exclusively the near-extinct Lambrusco Barghi (approximately 3 hectares remaining); high must weights, low yields (1.5 kg/vine). Metodo Classico: spontaneous fermentation, 6 months in stainless steel, 12 months sur lie, minimal sulphur below 10 mg/L; three days’ skin contact.

Food pairing

Hearty regional fare: mortadella, grilled Parmigiano crisps (if pairing is permitted), prosciutto or robustly filled pasta with a Lambrusco jus.

Special features

The vinification of Barghi – a variety that nearly vanished despite its resistance and must quality – whose high must weight against thick skins gives rise to a rare, radical natural style, bottled under a haze in just 1,333 bottles.