Calabria

Wines from Calabria

In sun-drenched Italy, at the very tip of the Italian boot to be precise, we find the Calabria wine region. Many small winemakers have settled in this historic region and produce fine wines. Although the region has a winemaking history dating back over 2,500 years, it is not what it once was. However, the region works hard to rebrand its wines, and year after year, beautiful wines are produced according to traditional methods .

Wine growing in Calabria

It was the Greeks who first set foot in Calabria and began producing wine. Around the 1960s and 1970s, many inhabitants moved north again, and with them, much of the winegrowing industry disappeared. Moreover, Calabria isn't the easiest region to produce good wine. The landscape is very mountainous, and the various climates vary considerably. Furthermore, the entire region is surrounded by the sea, which creates significant temperature variations. The hilly landscape therefore strongly influences the quality, making some wines stand out more than others. The most famous and highest-quality wine from Calabria is Ciro.

Ciro wines made from Gaglioppo

Ciro wines, the flagship of Calabrian wines, are produced in the eastern part of the region. These wines are primarily made from the key grape, Gaglioppo, which produces deep purple-red wines. In Ciro wines, this grape is often complemented with a little Greco Bianco or Trebbiano Toscano. This might seem like a surprising combination at first glance. However, in other countries, deep red wines are sometimes made with a small percentage of white grapes. This gives these robust wines a more supple character. A good example is the Duca San Felice Ciro Riserva from the Librandi winery. One of the finest wines produced in this region, it boasts full and warm aromas of blackberries, spices, cinnamon, and cloves. The flavor is robust and powerful with good length.

Refreshing white wines

But white wines also hold their own against the quality of Ciro wines. The foundation for many wines is Greco Bianco. In addition, the Mantonico Bianco, Guardavalle, Trebbiano Toscano, Moscato, and Chardonnay grape varieties are also widely planted. A somewhat unknown wine, but certainly a Calabrian specialty, is the delicious dessert wine made from Greco from the small town of Bianco. It's unfortunately not readily available in the Netherlands, but if you're near Calabria, it's definitely worth a try. The Statti winery prefers to use white grape varieties and has released a beautiful blend with their I Gelsi Bianco Galabria. The Chardonnay and Greco complement each other perfectly in this crisp, refreshing wine.