Medici Ermete Dolce Lambrusco

Medici Ermete Dolce Lambrusco is a sweet, sparkling red wine from Emilia Romagna, Italy, bottled at 8.5% ABV in a 750ml format. A Gold Medal winner at the Mundus Vini competition and a Gold recipient at the 2025 Sakura Awards, this frizzante Lambrusco stands as one of the benchmark expressions of the Reggio Emilia province — fruit-driven, refreshing, and backed by over 130 years of family winemaking.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  Origin: Emilia Romagna, Italy  |  Style: Dolce (Sweet) Frizzante  |  Producer: Medici Ermete

Production & Heritage

Medici Ermete was founded in 1890 in Reggio Emilia and has remained a family-run estate for five generations. The Dolce Lambrusco is produced from a blend of 50% Lambrusco Marani and 50% Lambrusco Salamino grapes sourced from the organically farmed Quercioli vineyard, where restricted yields concentrate flavor intensity. Vinification uses the Charmat (tank) method with natural fermentation, preserving the wine's bright fruit character and gentle effervescence. The estate is certified carbon neutral by Climate Partner and holds sustainable winery certification through the Equalitas standard — a meaningful distinction in the Lambrusco category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sour cherry and wild blueberry lead the nose, followed by delicate floral notes of violet. Hints of elderberry and banana peel add an unexpected aromatic complexity, as noted by James Suckling in an 89-point review.

Taste: The palate opens sweet and vivacious, with dark blackberry, candied plum, and raspberry flavors layering across the mid-palate. Wine Spectator has described the mouthfeel as creamy, with juicy acidity enlivening ripe marbled cherry and crushed boysenberry notes. The interplay between sweetness and freshness keeps the wine balanced rather than cloying.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish carries lingering berry fruit and a soft floral echo. Fine, persistent bubbles add lift and leave the palate clean despite the sweet profile.

How to Drink Dolce Lambrusco

Serve well chilled, between 6–8°C (43–46°F), to let the acidity and effervescence balance the sweetness. This wine is excellent on its own as an aperitivo or alongside food. For a Lambrusco Spritz, combine with soda water and a strip of orange peel for a low-ABV warm-weather drink. It works beautifully in a Red Sangria, where its berry-forward sweetness reduces the need for added sugar. A Lambrusco Float — poured over a scoop of lemon sorbet — turns the wine into a memorable dessert course.

Best For

• Introducing new wine drinkers to sparkling reds without high alcohol
• Summer entertaining and outdoor dining where a chilled, sweet sparkler shines
• Pairing with spicy cuisines like Thai or Mexican where residual sugar tames heat
• Gifting someone who enjoys Moscato d'Asti or Brachetto d'Acqui and wants to explore Italian frizzante

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dolce Lambrusco taste like? Medici Ermete Dolce Lambrusco tastes of ripe dark berries — blackberry, cherry, and plum — balanced by lively acidity and fine bubbles. Floral violet undertones and a creamy texture keep the sweetness fresh rather than heavy.

How does Dolce Lambrusco compare to Riunite Lambrusco? Riunite is the world's best-selling Lambrusco and positions as a widely available, budget-friendly option. Medici Ermete's Dolce Lambrusco draws from organically farmed, yield-restricted vineyards and has earned critical recognition including an 89-point score from James Suckling and a Mundus Vini Gold Medal, placing it a clear step above in quality and complexity.

Is Dolce Lambrusco good for beginners? Yes — its 8.5% ABV, gentle sweetness, and approachable berry fruit profile make it one of the most welcoming sparkling reds available. The soft effervescence and low alcohol are well suited to drinkers who find dry wines or higher-proof sparklers intimidating.

Where is Dolce Lambrusco made? Medici Ermete Dolce Lambrusco is produced in the Reggio Emilia province of Emilia Romagna, northern Italy. The grapes come from the estate's Quercioli vineyard, which is farmed organically under the Equalitas sustainability certification.

What foods pair well with Dolce Lambrusco? Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano, the region's signature cured meat and cheese, are classic matches — the wine's sweetness and acidity cut through the salt and fat. Spicy Asian noodle dishes pair well because residual sugar tempers chili heat. Pizza Margherita complements the wine's berry notes with tomato acidity. Dark chocolate desserts echo the wine's ripe fruit, and fresh strawberries with cream make a simple, elegant pairing.

What sizes does Dolce Lambrusco come in? The standard bottling is 750ml. Medici Ermete also produces a 1.5L magnum format for select markets.

Is Dolce Lambrusco worth the price? Medici Ermete Dolce Lambrusco positions as a premium entry-level Lambrusco — priced above mass-market brands like Riunite but justified by its organic vineyard sourcing, sustainability certifications, and consistent critical recognition. For the quality delivered, it represents strong value in the sweet sparkling wine category.

Why Dolce Lambrusco?

What separates this wine from the crowded Lambrusco shelf is the combination of estate-grown, organically farmed fruit and over a century of family expertise in a single bottle priced accessibly. The Mundus Vini Gold Medal, Sakura Awards Gold in both 2020 and 2025, and an 89-point James Suckling score confirm the wine's consistency across vintages. Medici Ermete's carbon-neutral certification adds a layer of credibility rarely seen at this price tier. For anyone seeking a sweet Italian sparkling red that punches well above its weight class, this remains one of the most dependable choices in Emilia Romagna.