Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco di Sorbara Vecchia Modena 2025

Cleto Chiarli traces its history to 1860, when Cleto Chiarli began commercially producing the Lambrusco he had been serving at his restaurant in Modena. Five generations later, the family remains closely associated with the development of serious, dry Lambrusco. Vecchia Modena itself dates to 1980, when the family deliberately moved against the prevailing sweet Lambrusco style and created a dry, vineyard focused Sorbara. The modern Cleto Chiarli winery was established in the early 2000s by Mauro and Anselmo Chiarli, continuing the family’s focus on the traditional varieties and terroirs around Modena.

The fruit comes from the family’s Sozzigalli estate near Soliera, north of Modena and close to the Secchia River. The flat vineyard sits at only about 20 meters elevation on deep alluvial loam and silty clay soils particularly well suited to lambrusco di sorbara. The vines are trained on the Geneva Double Curtain system and farmed using integrated pest management rather than certified organic viticulture. Yields are kept relatively low for the region, an important factor in giving Sorbara greater concentration while retaining its naturally high acidity and delicate color.

The 2025 Vecchia Modena is 100% lambrusco di sorbara. After a four to five day cold maceration, only the free run juice is used. Unusually for sparkling wine, it is produced through a single fermentation rather than a separate primary and secondary fermentation: fermentation takes place at low temperature in pressurized stainless steel, capturing the naturally produced carbon dioxide. Malolactic fermentation is blocked, and the wine remains approximately two months in pressurized stainless steel before a short period in bottle. The result is a dry, lightly sparkling frizzante with no oak influence and exceptionally direct fruit and freshness.

The 2025 is pale ruby to pink in color, with rose petal, wild strawberry, tart cherry and cranberry alongside subtle violet and citrus notes. The palate is light, crisp and energetic, with fine bubbles, bracing acidity and a gently savory quality. It finishes dry and refreshing, with lingering red fruit and a slightly saline, mouthwatering edge.