Canada’s Top 3 Lambrusco-Style Wines: The Sparkling Reds Making Waves in 2025
Lambrusco has officially shaken off its ‘80s reputation. No longer just the sweet, fizzy red your parents sipped on special occasions, today's Lambrusco is nuanced, complex, and showing up on wine lists and dinner tables across Canada. Whether you're deep into natural wine, just dipping a toe into Italian reds, or searching for the perfect bottle to pair with anything from pizza to Peking duck—Lambrusco is having a moment.
Here are three bottles leading the charge in 2025.
1. Tomato Wheels Lambrusco
Style: Dry, structured, refreshingly modern
Origin: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Find it at: across Canada in these provinces BC, AB, SK, ON and NS.
Tomato Wheels is redefining what Lambrusco can be. Expect a dry, lifted profile layered with lavender, fig, and cold blueberries, finishing with a hit of crème fraîche and a little rip of tannin. It’s complex but effortless—crafted to complement food, spark conversation, and linger just long enough on your palate. If you think Lambrusco is all sweetness and nostalgia, this one flips the script.
2. Medici Ermete Concerto Lambrusco
Style: Bold, balanced, the OG of the movement
Origin: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Find it at: Market Wines, Liquor Nerds, Sobeys
Concerto has earned its place as one of the most recognized Lambruscos in the world. It's rich, fruit-forward, and smooth without being cloying. Think black cherry, violet, and a touch of fizz that keeps it light on its feet. If you’re new to Lambrusco and want a classic reference point, start here. It’s bold enough for barbecue but elegant enough to bring to a dinner party.
3. Chiarli Vecchia Modena
Style: Very sweet, charming, unapologetically old-school
Origin: Modena, Italy
Find it at: Co-op Wine Spirits Beer, Highlands, Bin 905
For those who want their Lambrusco with a touch of nostalgia (and a generous dose of sweetness), Chiarli’s Vecchia Modena delivers. It's lively and fruit-packed—think ripe strawberries, red currants, and candied violets. Pop it at brunch or with dessert; it’s not trying to be complex, just joyful and effervescent. A true crowd-pleaser for those who lean sweet.
Lambrusco is no longer a one-note wonder. From the dry precision of Tomato Wheels to the balanced classicism of Concerto and the sugar-kissed sparkle of Chiarli, there’s a bottle for every palate—and every playlist. As more Canadian drinkers lean into lower-alcohol, food-friendly wines, expect Lambrusco to keep rising.
Ready to pour? These three are a great place to start.