2021 Award
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The story of Lambrusco is closely intertwined with the Chiarli family of Modena, arguably the most important producers of red sparkling wine in the world. The tale begins with Cleto Chiarli, the proprietor of the Modena restaurant Osteria dell’Artigliere in the mid-1800s. As was common for restaurateurs and innkeepers in those days, Chiarli made his own wine to sell at the osteria. Naturally, the wine was made from Lambrusco, the area’s primary grape variety, and it was well received by customers—so much so that in 1860 Chiarli was emboldened to found Emilia Romagna’s first wine-producing company, the Cantina Cleto Chiarli. The company thrived, and eventually, under the Chiarli 1860 name, it became the largest privately-owned producer of Lambrusco.
The Chiarli family was also instrumental in taking Lambrusco from being just one among innumerable Italian local wines to its status as a popular international phenomenon and one of the country’s primary exports. A century after the winery’s founding, the Chiarli family pioneered the use of the Charmat or tank method of sparkling wine production for Lambrusco. Whereas the customary “ancestral” method always resulted in dry, fizzy, cloudy wines because it continued to ferment inside the bottle after it was sealed, Charmat-method Lambrusco introduced several advantages. It allowed filtration to make the wine clear, offered the opportunity to increase the bottle pressure to the fully sparkling level, and made it possible to bottle a wine that would retain residual sugar. The new Lambrusco—sweet, red, clear, and effervescent—became a sensation, and for a couple of decades, it was the most-imported wine category in the United States.
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LOCATIONWINERY: Tenuta Cialdini, Castelvetro (Modena province), Emilia Romagna VINEYARD: Modena province, Emilia Romagna VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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![]() SEPTEMBER 2020
Cleto Chiarli “Lambrusco del Fondatore” Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC 2019
![]() 2021 Award ![]() SEPTEMBER 2021
Cleto Chiarli “Vecchia Modena Premium” Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC Brut Frizzante 2020
![]() 90
DECEMBER 2021
Cleto Chiarli “Lambrusco del Fondatore” Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC 2020
![]() This Lambrusco di Sorbara shows the light red, ruby-tinged hue and lip-smacking acidity of the variety, with the lively mousse carrying a pretty range of crushed raspberry, blood orange granita, dried thyme and iron. Clean-cut, refreshing and lightly chalky on the finish. Enjoy this with some cheese and salumi. Drink now. 3,500 cases made, 600 cases imported. 92
AUGUST 2022
Cleto Chiarli “Vigneto Cialdini” Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC Brut 2020
![]() EDITOR'S CHOICE This delicious, deeply colored sparkler has alluring aromas of violet and blackberry. On the dry, foaming palate, crisp acidity and refined tannins accompany ripe Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry and orange zest before a fennel finish. 93
JANUARY 2021
Cleto Chiarli “Lambrusco del Fondatore” Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC 2020
![]() Morello cherry and violet aromas take center stage on this savory sparkler. The dry, refined palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, blood orange, fennel seed and white pepper alongside a refined perlage and bright acidity. 91
AUGUST 2022
Cleto Chiarli Organic Lambrusco di Modena DOC NV
![]() Medium-intense purple with a lively mousse; aromas of black plum, cassis and black orchid. Medium-full, with a rich mid-palate, there is bright, ripe fruit, good persistence and a very dry finish with notes of dark chocolate and plum. Very well made, with lovely varietal character, and notable harmony. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years. 93
APRIL 2022
Cleto Chiarli “Lambrusco del Fondatore” Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC 2020
![]() Morello cherry and violet aromas take center stage on this savory sparkler. The dry, refined palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, blood orange, fennel seed and white pepper alongside a refined perlage and bright acidity. 92
AUGUST 2022
Cleto Chiarli “Vigneto Cialdini” Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC Brut 2021
![]() Medium-intense purple; aromas of black plum, black raspberry and hints of clove and purple iris. Medium-full with impressive concentration, excellent persistence and noteworthy harmony and typicity. This is rich enough for roast chicken, Cornish hen and duck breast. Enjoy over the next 2-4 years. |