Ciao!

Today, for the first time in a long time, we dip our toes into Italian waters. I'm guessing many of you would expect to read a missive, in that case, about Barolo, Brunello, Chianti, Pinot Grigio, or something a little more 'mainstream.' But oh no, instead I'd like to challenge you to remember, as I'm sure it was for many, the first wine you ever tasted--sweet, sparkling, pale red, and disgusting:

Lambrusco.

For certain occasions I recall gallon jugs of the stuff (remember Riunite?) on the picnic table, holiday bar, or ice box. I think Cold Duck was modeled after Lambrusco too. Dan recalls being offered some when he graduated from high school. What a treat!

Regrettably sometimes, memories are long, and that is how we codify certain names, especially with wine.

"Lambrusco?!" some might say. "That stuff is gross!"

Yeah, the mass-produced American versions surely are, but guess what's been happening in Italy, or in fact, has never really changed? There are still farmers making really, really, really good Lambrusco, small batches at a time, and without an ounce of regret. 

Boni Luigi is one of those guys. 

Back in February Dan left Bologna in a light snow to find Pazzano di Serramazzoni, high in the Appenine foothills in the Modena province.

Boni was waiting, and they turned a planned two hours into a wonderful six. With of course, lunch. 

Boni makes a range of Emilia-Romagnan wines--dry reds, sparkling reds, Metodo Classico, and Passitos. On top of that, he also has a vinegar house (separate from the wine of course) filled with 50 years worth of balsamic in various shapes and sizes of pretty wooden barrels. 

Everything Boni makes is delicious but when push came to shove it was his Lambrusco 'Il Ritorno' that really got our juices flowing. Boni made the wine from a neighbor's 1 hectare parcel called Cantina sul Tiepido. He farmed it, produced it, and made just 1200 bottles. (!) Then, he returned 200 of them to the neighbor, and kept 1000 for himself.

There's just nowhere else in the world besides Boni's winery, and through CorksCru, to buy this wine. (He ended up offering us 300 bottles, 30% of the whole load. Mille Grazie Boni!)

Cantina sul Tiepido Lambrusco Grasparossa 2015

Regular $19/Bottle

On Sale at $17/Bottle

$15.00/Bottle on 6-packs

Okay, so yes it is--this is really, truly--sparkling red wine. Dry, black-fruit-filled, aromatic, mouth-watering, sparkling red wine with low alcohol, a savory, refreshing quality, and still manages to have backbone, complexity, and richness. And even better... no poop aromas, no mushroominess, no bacon grease. (all typical to mass-produced Lambrusco)

Unlike that high school Cold Duck--it doesn't suck.

The wine is here and ready to go. You'll love this stuff nice and cold served alongside your favorite antipasti spread--salami, proscuitto, mozzarella, stuffed olives, etc...

To place an order, please simply reply to this email with your request, or click the link or photos above to read more and order online. Consider it open and ready to taste as supplies last starting today and through the weekend.

Cari Saluti!

Jane