Paolo Pasini of Villa Picta is one of the most talented young winemakers we've encountered in Italy in the last few years. Pasini works around three or so hectares of vineyards in the open plains of the Po river valley, with a special focus on the native varieties in the Lambrusco family that, in his surrounding Mantova, are largely made into anonymous, industrial wines (you'll see them for 3 euros a bottle at every grocery store in the region). This bottle has nothing to do with off-dry or character-less industrial Lambruscos: Pasini's style communicates all the salinity and minerality of the calcareous and sandy clay soils to which the wide Po gives birth. Add to that a light spritz of bubble and a searing sense of acidity, and you have maybe the most elegant and lively Lambrusco we've ever seen. Pair with minestrone, dishes with porcini or chanterelle mushrooms, or a big piece of Parmigiano Reggiano.
