Lambrusco is a sparkling wine that is as misunderstood as it is praised. Although it is probably Italy’s most famous wine, at the same time it is perhaps one of the most internationally despised wine products. It’s important to remember, in the wake of this sparkling wine’s success, counterfeits and imitations have appeared everywhere, which haven’t done its reputation any favours. However, it should be noted that, fortunately, there are wineries that have contributed to keeping the traditional roots of this wine alive and have pleasantly surprised us by showcasing the true value of Lambrusco. This is the story of Camillo Donati, a third-generation winegrower in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, in Felino, 20 km from Parma, who is one of the most genuine and authentic stories of the Emilia wine region.
A champion of ancient agriculture, Donati is an example to follow. His wine, Camillo Donati Il Mio Ribelle, is a semi-sparkling rosé made from Barbera grapes grown on clay, clayey and calcareous soils at an altitude of about 300 metres. The vines are cultivated using organic agriculture, without fertilisers or herbicides, and encouraging biodiversity among the vines. The grapes are harvested early and the winery does not use selected yeasts, but rather Camillo prepares them himself from his own grapes. Following the Ancient Method, the first fermentation is spontaneous in stainless steel tanks and the second fermentation takes place in the bottle.
Originally produced only in magnum for sharing with lots of people, Camillo Donati Il Mio Ribelle has been so successful that it is now also available in regular bottles. Although we can assure you that one bottle will disappear in no time...