Provinces: Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Catanzaro, Crotone,
Vibo Valentia
Calabria, the metaphorical toe of the Italian boot, was
noted as a garden of the ancient Greeks, who referred
to southern Italy as Enotria, the land of wine.
Legend
has it that Calabrian athletes returning from an early
Olympiad celebrated with Krimisa, from vineyards along
the coast of the Ionian Sea in the same area where Cirò is
made today. The traditional Cirò was red, produced
from the Gaglioppo grape, which is also the source of
other Calabrian wines, such as Savuto and Pollino. Modern
Cirò also comes in an appealing rosé version
and a crisp, dry white. White Cirò derives from
Greco, a variety introduced by the Greeks that is capable
of making wines that can be bright and dry or rich and
sweet, as exemplified by Greco di Bianco.
Although Calabria
had lagged behind in techniques for years, recent progress
by enterprising producers promises to restore this ruggedly
beautiful region to its historic prominence with wine.
Useful contacts:
Movimento del Turismo del Vino - C/o Azienda Vigne Piccole
- Contrada San Nicola delle Vigne - Aprigliano (CS) -
Tel.: 0039 0984 28 920 - http://www.wineday.org |
