Lambrusco Salamino is the most widely planted, and admired of the Lambrusco grape varieties (see Lambrusco family). Its name, ‘little salame’, recalls its long but small, cylindrical, sausage-shaped bunch. It is also called Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, having originated from the Santa Croce di Carpi area.
Viticulture: Vigorous. High potential yields. Late ripening. Can handle cool soils and humid conditions. Compact bunch (susceptible to disease). It acts as a pollinator for Lambrusco di Sorbara.
Wines: Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC (Emilia-Romagna). | Reggiano DOC Lambrusco Salamino (Emilia-Romagna). | Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC (Emilia-Romagna).
Wine style: Salamino is said to combine Lambrusco di Sorbara’s elegance and aromatics with Lambrusco Grasparossa’s power and structure. It is fairly tannic but less so that Grasparossa and is therefore suited to semi-secco or dolce styles. Can add flesh and colour to Lambrusco di Sorbara. Flavours of violet, rose, small red and black berries.
Bibliography
Italian Wine Unplugged (Positive Press, 2017), p.51.