The Lambrusco Marani grape variety derives, like the other Lambrusco varieties cultivated in Emilia, from wild vitis vinifera vines present throughout ancient Italy. The Latins called “Labrusca vitis” a whole series of wild grape varieties that produced small, tart berries and were generally not used for winemaking. Only around 1825, thanks to Acerbi, did they begin to distinguish between grape varieties derived from wild vines, and it was on this occasion that the name Lambrusco Marani was mentioned for the first time. In Emilia, Lambrusco Marani is generally vinified in blends with other Lambrusco varieties to produce the sparkling wine especially common in the central provinces of the region, Parma, Modena, and Reggio Emilia. It is also sporadically cultivated in other regions, but it finds its best expressions in the Parma area.

Lambrusco Marani features medium to large clusters, pyramid or cylindrical in shape, long and slightly winged, moderately compact. The berries are medium-sized, spherical with very pruinose, thick, and leathery skins, bluish tending toward black. It has excellent vigor and very high and consistent yields. Cultivation finds the best results in alluvial soils, where freshness and deep tillage favor a higher qualitative production than in other types of soils, but it also responds well in the presence of clay, provided the soils have excellent drainage. In the cultivation of Lambrusco Marani, expansive systems and short pruning are used. Lambrusco Marani is mentioned in the regulations of many DOCs, not only in Emilia. In Lombardy, it is found in the Lambrusco Mantovano DOC designation, where it is used between 85% and 100%, and in Reggiano with the same percentages used in Mantua. In the Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC, it is used up to a maximum of 15%. It is also vinified in Emilia IGT and Mantova IGT. The wines produced with high percentages of Lambrusco Marani reflect the general characteristics of Lambrusco, with beautiful bright ruby colors, almost always sparkling and fresh, light-bodied with a fruity olfactory range of young red fruits and sometimes floral touches.