Chiarli

Chiarli - the name behind Lambrusco

The Chiarli family is one of the oldest and largest wine producers in Emilia-Romagna. The history of the company started in a small osteria in the 1860ies, when Cleto Chiarli produced a Lambrusco in his house, which was very popular among his guests. The business did so well that he gave up gastronomy and turned entirely to wine. In 1900, the estate was praised at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, so that the foundation for the international success was laid.

With the rise of the middle class, Chiarli managed to further expand the business. Cleto's son Anselmo took over the business, and in the 1930s they were already producing over a million bottles a year, an unimaginable amount for that time, considering that bottling was still done by hand and the Lambrusco matured in the bottle. The 2nd World War brought destruction to the hometown Modena  and so also to the production halls, but already in 1946 the reconstruction was finished and the production started again.

The rise of Chiarli

Production rose to 4 million bottles in the 1950s. In 1959 Chiarli was the first wine producer to install tanks for the production of Lambrusco according to the Charmat method, a revolution at that time. This was right in line with the times, as the consumption of Italian sparkling wine was changing from special occasions to an everyday drink, and the fruitier, lighter modern Lambrusci better suited this lifestyle.

Today, Cleto's great-grandchildren, Mauro and Anselmo, run the family business. Their latest achievements include a new production facility built in 2000, as well as success in Wine Spectator's "Top 100 wines of the year" show. The company's portfolio is now large, offering Lambrusco for every occasion, as well as several other specialties.

Chiarli's home - the region around Modena

Chiarli 's vineyards are located around Modena, a city of excellence, be it in culinary, cultural or technological terms. The famous Parmesan cheese comes from this region, as does Balsamico di Modena or various meat specialities. In addition, there are automobile manufacturers such as Maserati and Ferrari. Great voices like Luciano Pavarotti came from Modena. Amidst these big names, Chiarli has also dedicated itself to the high standards of its city to produce wines of the highest caliber.

The grapes behind Chiarli wines

Three grape varieties form the basis of Chiarli's wines :

• Lambrusco di Sorbara - one of the oldest grape varieties in the area
• Lambrusco Gasparossa - a Lambrusco variety from the south of Modena
• Pignoletto - a grape variety "immigrated" from Greece

The Sorbara grape is one of the more difficult varieties to grow, very sensitive and with a low yield. However, with the progress in agriculture and the work of some pioneers in the last decades, it was possible to create the first pure Sorbara wines.

The Gasparossa grape variety comes from the Castelvetro area, south of Modena, and benefited above all from the new Charmat method, which brought its characteristics, such as freshness, harmony and soft aromas, more to the fore.

Pignoletto, on the other hand, is an all-rounder, suitable for both still and sparkling wines. It brings a powerful portion of aroma, but also the tannins that make the great wines so special.