Calabria is a wonderful and complex mosaic of landscapes filled with rugged mountain ranges, dense forests, valleys and gentle hilly expanses, coastal cliffs and historic ancient villages. Among these many landscapes there are delicious wines being grown all with their own distinct flavours and history.
The deep bond established over the centuries between the native vines and the geographic characteristics of the region make the wines an active testimony to the many terroirs that this region offers. This is accompanied by the commitment of farmers, winemakers and producers who, through scientific research on grapes, the territory and wine growing techniques, enhance this amazing heritage. As if that were not enough, even the food traditions of Calabria offers an incomparable basket of products which includes among others extra virgin olive oil, pasta, cheeses and cured meats, all with strong territorial identities.
In Calabria, food and wine specialties are historically linked to the territory from which they are are produced. Therefore, when discovering the food and wine products, people will also learn about the beauty of the territory and of opportunities to visit some of the wineries and producers.
Calabrian Wine
The presence of wine in Calabria dates back to antiquity, prior to the arrival of the Greeks to the region, who were the first to bring organized cultivation facilities and techniques.
Currently, Calabrian wine is complex and varied thanks to changes implemented to the growing and production processes over the centuries. Calabria’s history in wine making is evidenced by its production of Cirò wine, one of the older wines in Italy. There are currently about 10,000 hectares of vineyards within Calabria’s Cirò territory mostly cultivated with Gaglioppo grapes, from which delicious red and rosé Cirò wines are made.
Calabria is also home to the wine appellation of Terre di Cosenza DOP, which has an area of about 4,500 hectares of vineyards, distributed in the 7 sub-areas; Colline del Crati, Condoleo, Donnici, Esaro, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, Verbicaro. Terre di Cosenza wine is made from Magliocco grapes as well as Greco Nero grape
Another important Calabrian wine growing area is in Lametino, which is an area of Calabria along the Gulf of Saint Euphemia on the west coast of the province where the Magliocco Cannino grape is grown. While in the province of Reggio Calabria, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Calabrese grapes are mainly cultivated.
If it is true that Calabria, like the whole of southern Italy, has always been characterized by the production of red wines, it is also true that, in recent years, there has been a surprising production of quality and highly original white wines. This resurgence is thanks to the new presence of the autochthonous vines of Greco bianco, Mantonico bianco, Pecorello, Guarnaccia, Malvasia and Zibibboin in Calabrian vineyards. Calabria is also very strong in their production of sweet wines with the Greco di Bianco and the Moscato di Saracena passito wines which have been present for centuries in the region.