Calabrian wine (
Italian: vino calabrese) is
Italian wine from the
Calabria region of southern
Italy. Over 90% of the region's wine production is
red wine, with a large portion made from the
Gaglioppo grape. Calabria has 12 denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) regions, but only 4% of the yearly production is classified as DOC wine. The region is one of Italy's most rural and least industrialized with per capita income less than half of the national average.[1] Following
World War II, many of Calabria's inhabitants
emigrated to
Northern Italy, the
United States,
Australia and
Argentina. Those left behind have been slow to develop a vibrant wine industry with only the red wines of
Cirò garnering much international attention. Today Calabrian wines are mostly produced to high
alcohol levels and sold to
co-operatives who transfer the wines to the northern Italian
wine regions to use as blending component. Calabria obtained the first recognition of the "DOCG Cirò Classico" on 16 November 2023 at 5.00 pm in Cirò Marina at the "Borgo Saverona" hall.
Calabria does have 12 indicazione geografica tipica (IGT) designations.[2]
The region of Calabria was first cultivated by the
Oenotrians, and then by the
ancient Greeks. The Greek athlete
Milo of Croton was from this region and was reported to drink 10 litres (2.6 US gal) of Ciró wine each day. Tradition has that the wine is still made in the same way today as it was in Milo's time.[3] During the 1st century AD,
Pliny the Elder included Calabrian wine in his listings of quality Italian wines.[4]
Climate and geography
Calabria is located at the "toe" of the
Italian Peninsula and is characterized by its
Mediterranean climate. To the north is the
Apennine Mountains forming the border with
Basilicata. The
Ionian Sea forms the eastern and southern borders followed by the
Strait of Messina (separating Calabria from
Sicily) and
Tyrrhenian Sea forming the western border. The winters are mild, with average temperatures around 10°C, rarely dropping below 5°C. The climate near the coast is very hot and dry throughout most of the year. The majority of the region's wine production takes place in the central areas of the eastern and western coastlines.[2]
Regions
Cirò
The Cirò wine region is located in the eastern
foothills of the
La Sila region and extends to the Ionian coast. The region's classico (or
heartland) is centered on the comuni (municipalities) of Cirò and
Cirò Marina in the
province of Crotone. The soil of this area is predominantly
calcareousmarl with some
clay and
sand deposits. The wines of the regions are predominantly red containing at least 95% of the
Gaglioppo grape and up to 5% of the white
Greco bianco and
Trebbiano grapes permitted.
Rosés and white wines from at least 90% Greco bianco and up to 10% Trebbiano are also made in Cirò but in very limited quantities. While a common
synonym of Trebbiano is Greco, the grape is separate and distinct from the Calabrian wine grape Greco bianco. The designation of Cirò classico will only appear on red wines. Red Cirò is typically very
tannic and full
bodied with strong fruit presences. It is often meant to be consumed 3–4 years after
vintage, but can take more time to soften the tannins.[2] It is said that Cirò was offered to winners of the ancient Olympics.[5]
Bianco – the DOC of Greco di Bianco is one of the few predominant white wine regions in Calabria. The area produces most
sweet wine from the Greco bianco grape that have alcohol contents of at least 17%. The wines are typically produced as
straw wines with the grapes being partially dried prior to
pressing and
fermentation. Greco di Bianco is characterized by a deep
amber color and aromas of
citrus and
herbs.[2]
Donnici – the Domnici DOC is located south of
Cosenza on the western slopes of the La Sila
plateau. The production is mainly red wine made from Gaglioppo with some blending of Greco nero and Mantonico nero.[2]
Isola di Capo Rizzuto – the DOC of Sant'Anna di Isola di Capo Rizzuto is located south of commune of Melissa. The region was once an island, but overtime the
marshland around it filled in and connected the region to the mainland. The DOC produces dry red and rosé wines from Gaglioppo, Nocera,
Nerello Mascalese (and the related Nerello Cappuccio), and up to 35% of added Malvasia and Greco bianco.[2]
Lamezia Terme – the DOC of Lamezia-Sambiase is located on the plains and hill side regions around the
Gulf of Sant'Eufemia near the
Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte along the Tyrrhenian Sea. The region is very warm, allowing the grapes to fully ripen and develop body and alcohol levels. The region produces red and rosé wines from Gaglioppo, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Greco nero, Magliocco and
Marsigliana. The white wines from the region are made from Greco bianco, Malvasia bianca and Trebbiano.[2]
Melissa – the Melissa DOC is located south of Cirò and produces wines of similar style, though not with the same international reputation of quality. The red wine grapes of the region are the Gaglioppo and Greco nera with some blending of the white wine grapes Greco bianco, Malvasia bianca and Trebbiano.[2]
Pollino – the Pollino DOC is named for the nearby mountain range that forms part of the Apennines. Located near the border with Basilicata, the region produces pale, cherry red wines that need 2–3 years to develop. The wines are made primarily with Gaglioppo and Greco nero with up to 20% of white grape varieties permitted in the blend.[2]
San Vito di Luzzi – the DOC of San Vito di Luzzi is located in the
hamlet of San Vito near the commune of
Luzzi. The red and rosé wines from this region are produced with Gaglioppo, Malvasia nera, Greco nero and
Sangiovese. The white wines are produced from Malvasia bianca, Greco bianco and up to 40% of other local white wine varieties.[2]
Savuto – the Savuto DOC is located south of the Donnici region in mountainous terrain that stretches to the coast. The vineyards located closer to the interior are cooler than other parts of Calabria, producing wines with lower alcohol levels. The red and rosé wines from this region are produced with Gaglioppo, Greco nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Magliocco, Sangiovese and up to 25% of the white wine grapes Malvasia bianca and
Pecorello.[2]
Scavigna – the Scavigna DOC is located south of Savuto on the western coast of Calabria. The dry red and rosé wines from this region are made with at least 60% Gaglioppo and Nerello Cappuccio with a blend of other local red wine varieties. The white wines are blend of Trebbiano,
Chardonnay, Greco bianco and Malvasia bianca.[2]
Verbicaro – the DOC are of the Verbicaro region are located in the Pollino foothills, west of Pollino DOC region and extends to the Tyrrhenian coast. The dry red and rosé wines from this region are made from Gaglioppo and Greco nero with a small amount of the white wine grapes Greco bianco, Malvasia bianca and
Guarnaccia bianca blended in. Those same white grapes also produces the limited amount of Verbicaro bianco.[2]
IGTs
Throughout Calabria there are 12 distinct IGT zones and one overlapping "Calabria" designation that covers the entire region. In the province of Catanzaro is
Valdamato. The province of Cosenza included
Condoleo,
Esaro and
Valle del Crati, but these have merged into Terre Di Cosenza DOC in 2011 including also the old Donnici, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, and Verbicaro DOCs.[6] In the province of Crotone is
Lipuda and
Val di Neto. The province of Reggio Calabria includes the most IGT zones with
Arghillà,
Costa Viola,
Locride,
Palizzi,
Pellaro, and
Scilla.[2]