Lacrima

Lacrima is an aromatic red grape of the Marche in central Italy, particularly associated with Lacrima di Morro d'Alba. Its floral perfume and berry fruit make a strong first impression, offering something different from a restrained, primarily savoury red. Morro d'Alba is the local place name and should not be confused with Alba in Piedmont.

A pronounced aroma can make the wine seem sweet before tasting, but the familiar table-wine expression is dry. Producers can vary extraction and maturation, giving lighter, direct fruit or a more substantial wine. It should also be kept separate from Lacryma Christi, a Campanian wine name rather than a synonym for this grape.

Try a dry Lacrima with salami, roast pork, poultry or a moderately mature cheese, leaving room for the perfume instead of overwhelming it with a very strong sauce. Serve it slightly cool. If aromatic reds are new to you, a straightforward young bottle with modest oak is a clearer introduction than a heavily matured selection.