Chiarli

Cleto Chiarli is Emilia-Romagna's oldest wine producer, founded in 1860 by Cleto himself after serving homemade Lambrusco at his Modena restaurant. Today, his great-grandsons Mauro and Anselmo run the business from a modern winery built under the founder's name. What sets Chiarli apart? A 165-year commitment to Lambrusco as an art form, rooted in two carefully managed estates across Modena province, each planted to different soil types that shape the character of three distinct Lambrusco styles.

About Chiarli

The Chiarli estate spans over 100 hectares of vineyard across two locations. Tenuta Cialdini sits at the foot of the hills in Castelvetro, on silty soils over gravel that produce deeply coloured Grasparossa grapes with intense fruit character. This is where the Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro grows, alongside seven hectares of Pignoletto whites. Tenuta Sozzigalli lies north of Modena near the Secchia River, on clayey-silt soils perfectly suited to Sorbara grapes—an ancient variety prized for its light red colour and mineral edge.

Winemaking at Chiarli respects each grape's nature. Vecchia Modena Lambrusco Sorbara undergoes light maceration followed by slow fermentation in sealed stainless-steel tanks with selected yeasts, then ages on its lees for three months at low temperature, developing a deep rosé colour with strawberry and brushwood notes. The Lambrusco del Fondatore follows traditional natural in-bottle fermentation, aged six months to build wild berry aromatics and powerful acidity. For white wine lovers, the Moden Blanc Brut uses soft pressing of whole and de-stemmed bunches, fermented cool in stainless steel to preserve delicate fruit and freshness. The Rosé de Noir Brut uses 100% Grasparossa, similarly handled to retain its vibrant berry-cream character.

Chiarli Wines in Our Collection

The 2025 Vecchia Modena Lambrusco Sorbara (87 pts) offers the house signature: light rosé sparkle with strawberry and mineral complexity, perfect for aperitivo or light seafood. The NV Moden Blanc Pignoletto Modena Brut (89 pts, James Suckling 90) is a crisp white sparkling wine made from Pignoletto—the estate's seven-hectare white wine speciality—delivering fresh stone fruit and floral notes on a delicate palate. The NV Rosé de Noir Brut (88 pts, multiple scores to 92) showcases 100% Grasparossa as a serious food-friendly sparkler with berry depth. For red Lambrusco, the 2025 Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro (87 pts) from Tenuta Cialdini delivers the full-bodied, intensely coloured style the terroir is known for.

Food Pairing

Chiarli's Lambruscos are built for the table. Sorbara styles—light and mineral—pair beautifully with shellfish, fresh pasta with tomato sauce, or cured meats. Grasparossa, deeper and more structured, suits richer fare: lasagne, roasted chicken, soft cheeses. The Moden Blanc Brut complements seafood risotto, while Rosé de Noir works across both light and moderately rich dishes, making it the versatile choice for mixed menus.

Why does Chiarli make different styles of Lambrusco?

Each estate's soil produces distinct grapes. Tenuta Sozzigalli's clay-silt suits light Sorbara. Tenuta Cialdini's gravel-silt creates deeply coloured Grasparossa. Winemaking methods—maceration time, fermentation length—further shape the final character.

What's the difference between Vecchia Modena and Lambrusco del Fondatore?

Vecchia Modena uses light maceration and sealed-tank fermentation, aged three months on lees—lighter, fresher, rosé-coloured. Lambrusco del Fondatore uses traditional in-bottle fermentation and six months' ageing—deeper red, more powerful, longer finish.

Is Pignoletto a Chiarli specialty?

Yes. The Tenuta Cialdini has seven dedicated hectares of Pignoletto on prime gravel-silt soils. The Moden Blanc Brut and Pignoletto Sparkling Brut Modena showcase this white grape's delicate, fruity character.

Who makes Chiarli wines?

Cleto Chiarli, founded in 1860 by Cleto himself in Modena, is now run by his great-grandsons Mauro and Anselmo. The winery operates two estates across Modena province in Emilia-Romagna.

What style of wine does Chiarli make?

Chiarli specialises in Lambrusco sparkling wines in three distinct styles—Sorbara (light, mineral), Grasparossa (full-bodied), and blended—plus white Pignoletto sparkling. Their Moden Blanc Pignoletto scores 89 points and delivers fresh stone fruit.

How much does Chiarli wine cost?

Chiarli wines range between £14.20 and £18.35. Most bottles sit around £16–£18, offering good value for estate-produced sparkling wines from Modena.