From: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Varietals: 50% Lambrusco di Sorbara 50% Trebbiano

Taste: On the nose, this wine is bursting with vibrant and fresh aromas of citrus, green apple, and white flowers. There is also a hint of minerality that adds a nice complexity to the aroma profile.

On the palate, Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia is crisp and refreshing with a lively acidity that balances out the fruity and floral notes. The flavors on the palate mirror the aromas, with notes of lemon, lime, green apple, and white flowers. The minerality that was detected on the nose is also present on the palate, providing a subtle earthy undertone.

The wine has a light to medium body with a slight effervescence that adds a playful and refreshing quality to the overall experience. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering citrus note that invites you to take another sip.

This well-balanced and refreshing wine showcases the unique combination of Trebbiano and Lambrusco Sorbara grapes in style. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of dishes, expanded upon below. The crisp acidity and effervescence make it a great wine to enjoy during warm weather (or when you’re craving warm weather) or as an aperitif. It is a must-try for anyone who appreciates refreshing and vibrant wines that showcase the best of Italian winemaking.

Pairing: This amiable wine pairs well with a variety of dishes, from seafood and antipasti to salads and regional specialties. Vegetarian options are also abundant, and this wine's fresh and effervescent quality will provide a nice balance to a wide range of dishes. It is a must-try for anyone who loves Italian wine and is looking for a refreshing and vibrant pairing for their next meal. Check out these pairing suggestions below!

Seafood: The bright acidity and fruitiness of Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia make it an ideal pairing for seafood dishes. Try pairing this wine with a classic Italian seafood pasta dish, such as spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams - we’re sharing Nigella Lawson’s recipe below). The citrus notes in the wine will complement the brininess of the clams, while the acidity will cut through the richness of the pasta.

Vegetarian antipasti: In Emilia-Romagna, a popular antipasti dish is torta fritta, a savory fried dough that is served with a variety of cured meats and cheeses. For a vegetarian option, try pairing Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia with a plate of mixed grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. The freshness and acidity of the wine will balance out the rich, smoky flavors of the grilled vegetables.

Light salads: Another great pairing for Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia is a light and refreshing salad. Try a classic Italian insalata mista (mixed green salad) with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon, and salt. The citrus notes in the wine will complement the acidity of the dressing, while the effervescence will provide a refreshing contrast to the crisp greens.

Regional specialties: If you want to try a dish that is specific to the Emilia-Romagna region, consider pairing Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia with cappelletti in brodo, a traditional pasta dish served in a rich chicken broth. The lightness and effervescence of the wine will balance out the richness of the broth, while the citrus notes will complement the savory flavors of the pasta.

Vegetarian risotto: For a vegetarian option, try pairing Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia with a classic Italian risotto, such as risotto ai funghi (mushroom risotto). The wine's bright acidity and fruity notes will complement the earthy flavors of the mushrooms, while the effervescence will provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy rice.

Spaghetti With Clams
By Nigella Lawson

At a glance:
Historic, benchmark producer in the Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
Known for elegant, focused and nuanced Lambrusco
Family-run since 1926

About. Lambrusco comes in many styles, from the deeper, darker Lambrusco di Grasparossa to the lighter, more elegant Lambrusco di Sorbara. In many cases Lambrusco di Sorbara could also be better described as a rosato than a red wine.  The wines have bright acidity, minerality and floral notes as opposed to the deep grapy quality of many Lambrusco on the market. As such, they work much better as an aperitif, especially in the spring and summer months! But also have enough stuffing to pair up with classic Lambrusco fare, like pizza and salumi. Paltrinieri is considered by many to be the benchmark for Lambrusco di Sorbara.  They were recommended to us by our friend Diego Corradi, who works with Graziano Pra. We asked for a Lambrusco recommendation and he said, “I’m going to introduce you to the number one Lambrusco producer: Paltrinieri.”

Paltrinieri is located in the heart of the Sorbara DOC by the historic Cru of Cristo di Sorbara. Since 1998, the estate has been run by the fourth generation Alberto Paltrinieri and his wife, Barbara, though the estate was founded in 1926 by Alberto’s grandfather, Achille. Historically the winery, as was the tradition, produced Lambruschi that were blends of grapes. Since Alberto Paltrinieri took the reins of the estate they began, more and more, to focus on mono-varietal wines from the Lambrusco di Sorbara grape which was gaining more and more recognition for its elegance and complexity compare do the many other Lambrusco varieties. Currently they produce eight different bottlings – all made from 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara save the Solco which is 100% Salamino, a grape that producers a more fruit-forward style of Lambrusco with a darker color compared to the Sorbara.

The estate is made up of 17 hectares of vineyards. The Sorbara zone lies between the Panaro and Secchia rivers and the soil is mainly sandy and loose though towards the fringes of the zone there is more clay and there the wines tend to be deeper in color. Their Lambrusco di Sorbara bottlings tend to be dry with light color and crisp acidity. Examples include the Leclisse, which is a single cru wine from their oldest vineyards in the Cristo subzone, as well as Radice, which is also from the Cristo zone but is bottle-fermented with indigenous yeast and left undisgorged (hipster alert!).

As the writer Ian d’Agata says of Paltrinieri: “…in my opinion the best producer of Lambrusco di Sorbara today.” (Vinous, Jan 2018).

The winery's dedication to producing high-quality wines even reflected in this humble NV Bianco dell'Emilia, which is a blend of two grape varietals: Trebbiano and Lambrusco Sorbara.

Trebbiano is a white grape variety that is widely grown throughout Italy. It is known for its high acidity and crisp, clean flavors. Trebbiano is often used in the production of white wines and as a blending grape in sparkling wines.

Lambrusco Sorbara is a red grape variety that is unique to Emilia-Romagna. It is known for its floral and fruity aromas, as well as its bright acidity. Lambrusco Sorbara is used primarily in the production of sparkling wines, including Lambrusco.

The combination of these two grape varietals in Paltrinieri NV Bianco dell'Emilia results in a wine that is crisp, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. The wine has a pale straw color and aromas of citrus, green apple, and white flowers. On the palate, the wine is lively and fresh, with flavors of lemon, lime, and a hint of minerality.