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Overview Calabria, the southern most Italian region, is an irregularly shaped peninsula that separates the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. On the north it borders with the Region of Basilicata and Sicily to the south. It is composed of the provinces of Catanzaro, Cosenza, Reggio Calabria, Crotone and Vibo Valentia. The region is characterized by beautiful shores and, inland, by high and rough mountains. The land rises so steeply from the coast to the mountains that there is little level space for the |
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In the dry foothills and in the plains, vines are cultivated as well as olives. Wine production in Calabria is of ancient tradition, in fact it was introduced by the Greeks. The yearly production is approximately one million hectoliters and 4% of it comes from DOC areas.
The
main grape varieties grown in Calabria are:
White fruit: Greco Bianco*, Guarnaccia, Trebbiano Toscano.
Red fruit: Castiglione, Gaglioppo*, Greco Nero, Magliocco Canino,
Nocera, Nerello Cappuccio, Prunesta.
*Gaglioppo and Greco vines are of Greek origin.
History
Calabria was the focus of Greek colonization, and most of its cities
are ancient Greek colonies: Crotona, Sybaris, Rhegium (Reggio Calabria).
It was later subjugated by the Romans and the Byzantines, who named
it Calabria. Until then it was known as Enotria, which means "land
where the vine is cultivated above the earth."
The finding of the tablets of Eraclea, dated 4th century BC, gives us evidence that Calabrian wines were highly regarded. According to the data inscribed, a field covered with vineyards was worth six times a plot of the same size cultivated with cereals. With the Roman conquest, however, vine growing was totally abandoned and substituted with farming. It was only during the Middle Ages that wine production increased again and Calabria became one of the major wine exporters to other European Nations, on the same level as Spain and France.
Wines
of Calabria
Bivongi (DOC)
Bivongi wines are produced in the province of Reggio Calabria in the
communes of Bivongi, a flourishing agricultural center, concentrated
on olives, grapes, and citrus fruit production.
Bivongi rosso has a ruby red color with garnet streaks, a broad and enticing aroma and a dry, full, savory, harmonious taste with quite distinct fruity notes. It has an alcohol content of 12% and it can be produced in "novello" and "riserva" versions. Serve with local warm appetizers, such as cabbage or zucchini flowers fritters or baked stuffed tomatoes.
Bivongi rosé is pink of varying intensity with a pungent, characteristic scent of fruit and a dry, pleasantly fruity taste. It has an alcohol content of 11.5% It is made with Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Nocera, Calabrese, and other red and white grapes. Pairs well with roast turkey with pomegranates or medallions of turkey breast.
Bivongi bianco is made with Ansonica, Malvasia Bianca, Greco Bianco, Guardavalle and Montonico grapes. It is straw yellow, it offers a pleasing, vinous fragrance and a fresh, mouth filling, fruity taste. It has an alcohol content of 11% and can be served with dried salt cod with peppers or with potatoes.
Ciró
(DOC)
Ciró is Calabria's most famous wine, and grows in a small growing
region situated in the hills above the Ionian coast, from Punta Alice
to Capo Rizzuto. The town Ciró Marina is located on the site
of the ancient Greek colony of Cremissa, where there was an important
temple dedicated to Dionysus. This is the most popular wine from Calabria,
and can be considered the oldest alcoholic drink in the world. It seems
that with the same grapes, back in Ancient Greek society, they used
to make the famous wine Cremissa, that was offered as a prize to the
winners of the Olympic Games. Lately Ciró has been subject to
some changes that have made it rounder, fuller in fruit, and fresher
in bouquet.
The
inland vineyards of Cantina Librandi
Ciró rosso is the classic, most popular version. It is made with Gaglioppo, Trebbiano Toscano, and Greco grapes. It has a ruby hue tinged with garnet, a full, intense, vinous, and enduring bouquet and on the palate it is warm, soft and tannic, with good structure and a stylish fruity taste. It has an alcohol content of 12.5% and it should be served at room temperature after having rested a few hours once uncorked. Pairs perfectly with pasta dishes with meat sauces, stews, roasts, and very ripe cheeses. Try it with stuffed veal roast or pecorino cheese and pear compote.
Ciró rosé is made by leaving the crushed grapes to cold soak for a short time and controlling the temperature of fermentation. It has a warm rose tint, a fruity nose of medium intensity and persistence, and a dry, fresh, lively, well-balanced flavor. It has an alcohol content of 12.5% and it is suitable for the entire meal. We suggest to try it with pumpkin gnocchi or swordfish with honey.
Ciró bianco is made with Greco and Trebbiano Toscano grapes. It has a straw yellow color with golden highlights, a pleasant, winy, flowery bouquet and a refreshing, dry, harmonious, palate. It has an alcohol content of 11% and it pairs perfectly with vegetable soups and seafood platters.
The
seaside vineyards of Cantina Librandi
Donnici
(DOC)
The area of production of Donnici wines extends from the western slopes
of the Sila mountains to the shores of the Tyrrhenian sea. These wines
have been popular for centuries, Andrea Bacci, in the sixteenth century,
praised their quality frequently.
Donnici rosso ranges in color from ruby to cherry red and is made with Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Malvasia Bianca and Pecorello grapes. On the nose it is pleasantly vinous and pungent while on the palate it is full and well-balanced. It has an alcohol proof of 12%. Serve it with pasta frittata.
Greco
di Bianco (DOC)
Greco di Bianco is produced in a tiny region that surrounds the commune
of Bianco. It is made with Greco grapes, one the oldest Italian vines
that was originally imported by the Greeks between the fifth and sixth
centuries. This wine is dark yellow, almost gold, with amber streaks.
It has a high, ethereal nose and a soft, warm, harmonious palate with
a unique aftertaste. It has an alcohol content of 17%. It is perfect
as an aperitif or with dessert. Try it with almond cake or ricotta cream
puffs.
Lamezia
(DOC)
Lamezia wines are produced in the province of Catanzaro, a dynamic commercial
center, and are named after the town of Lamezia Terme.
Lamezia bianco is straw yellow of varying intensity, with a pleasantly pungent bouquet and a dry, velvety, full flavor. It has an alcohol content of 11%. It is made with Malvasia bianca, Trebbiano Toscano, and Greco Bianco. Serve with vitello tonnato, veal in tuna sauce.
Lamezia rosso has a purplish tint that gets darker as the wine ages. Its nose has a distinctive, vinous aroma and a dry, well-balanced, velvety, at times soft, palate. It has an alcohol content of 12%. Serve with stuffed flank steak. There is also a "Riserva" version.
Lamezia rosé has warm pink tone that invites you to experience its delicate, characteristic nose and brisk palate. This wine is made with Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Magliocco and Marsiliana Nera grapes. It has an alcohol content of 11.5%. Drink it while enjoying a flavorful Calabrese focaccia.
Melissa
(DOC)
Melissa wines are produced in the area that faces the Ionian Sea, from
Punta Alice to Capo Rizzuto. The soil is very fruitful and homogenous,
rich of historical finds and traditions.
Melissa bianco is made with Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianco and or Trebbiano Toscano grapes. This wine is straw yellow with bright yellow streaks, a faint, elegant scent, a dry, delicate, well-balanced body. Its alcohol content is of 11.5%. Pair with the typical regional cold appetizer ovotarica, sundried and salted tuna eggs (bottarga), and peppers in olive oil.
Melissa rosso is ruby red with orange nuances, with an intense, lasting bouquet and a structured, dry, sapid palate. Serve with fettuccine with orange duck ragú.
Calabria's
limited wine production enables producers to still harvest crops manually
ensuring a optimum quality at the onset
Pollino
(DOC)
Pollino wine is named after Mount Pollino, a very prolific area since
the arrival of the Byzantines. This wine has an elegant ruby red tint
that leads into a luscious, full, powerful nose and palate. It has an
alcohol content of 12%. It goes well with eggplant parmigiana or sautéed
eggplant.
Sant'Anna
di Isola di Capo Rizzuto (DOC)
Sant' Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto is made in the comune of Crotone, Greek
colony founded in 710 BC This wine can be both red and rosé of
varying intensity. Except for the different colors, their characteristics
are the same. Their aroma is very pronounced and vinous while their
taste is dry, harmonious and round. The alcohol content is of 12%. Serve
with the local specialty, pork loin in honey and blueberry sauce.
San
Vito di Luzzi (DOC)
San Vito di Luzzi bianco is straw yellow, with a pleasant, vinous aroma
and a delicate, dry flavor. It has an alcohol content of 10.5%.
San Vito di Luzzi rosso is ruby red, with a powerful, characteristic nose and palate. It is made with Gaglioppo, Greco Nero and Malvasia grapes. It has an alcohol content of 11.5%.
Savuto
(DOC)
Savuto wine is named after the Latin name of the river Sanutum, nowadays
called Savuto. This wine was never lacking on the rich tables of Ancient
Rome, together with Ciro' and Greco. Savuto is ruby red with a full,
dry flavor and a characteristic perfume. It has an alcohol content of
12%. Serve with potato soufflé.
Scavigna (DOC) The main centers of production of Scavigna wines are the communes of Nocera Tirinese and Falerna, in the Catanzaro province.
Scavigna bianco is white with yellow and green nuances, a fresh, wine scent and a dry, full, harmonious, fruity flavor. It has an alcohol content of 10.5 % and it pairs well with stir-fried chicken with peppers.
Scavigna rosso has an intense ruby color, a strong, powerful aroma and a dry, robust, vigorous taste. Its alcohol content is also of 10.5%. Serve with sausage crostini. Scavigna rosé has a pink shade of varying intensity, a delicate, characteristic nose and a dry, elegant palate.
Verbicaro
(DOC)
Verbicaro is the name of a commune located in the Cosenza province.
Verbicaro rosso is ruby red, with a powerful aroma and a pleasant, dry, velvety, at times aromatic, flavor. It has an alcohol content of 12 % and it pairs well with radicchio and spinach roll.
Verbicaro bianco has an inferior alcoholic content, a straw yellow color, and a delicate, refined, soft flavor. It is made with Greco bianco, Malvasia bianca, and Guarnaccia bianca grapes. Serve with salmon stuffed tomatoes.
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