Exploring the Wine Regions and Styles of Calabria

Calabria is a magnificent region located in the southern portion of Italy that provides a wealth of natural beauty, a rich history, and a growing wine industry. Even though Calabria isn’t as well-known as other wine-growing regions, it has been making wine for hundreds of years and has a rich history that is deeply rooted in local culture. In this article, we will look at the many wine regions and subregions of Calabria, as well as the diverse wine styles produced in this region.

Climate and Soils

Calabria has a unique environment with a wide range of soils and climates that are perfect for growing different kinds of grapes. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This makes it a great place to grow different kinds of grapes. The soils are diverse, ranging from rich, fertile alluvial soils to well-drained, stony, volcanic soils. This variety of soils and climates makes it possible to grow many different kinds of grapes.

Wine Regions and Subregions

Ionian Calabria and Tyrrhenian Calabria are the two primary wine regions in Calabria. Ionian Calabria is on the eastern coast of Calabria. It has a milder, drier climate and alluvial soils that are rich in nutrients. The area of Tyrrhenian Calabria is on the western coast of Calabria. It has a cooler, more humid climate and volcanic soils that drain well.

Each of these wine areas is separated into subregions, each with its own unique characteristics and wine styles. In the Ionian Calabria area, the subregions include Catanzaro, Crotone, and Reggio Calabria. Cosenza, Vibo Valentia, and Catanzaro are subregions of the Tyrrhenian Calabria region.

Wine Varieties

Calabria is known for making different kinds of wine, like red, white, and rosé. Calabria’s most popular grape varietals are Gaglioppo, Magliocco, Greco Nero, Nerello Calabrese, and Mantonico Bianco.

Gaglioppo is the most widely planted type of grape in Calabria. It is used to make strong, full-bodied red wines with a lot of tannins and a strong, intense flavor. Magliocco is a grape type grown in Calabria that produces medium-bodied red wines with a little lighter, fruitier flavor character.

Greco Nero is another popular grape in Calabria. It makes red wines with a medium body and a light, fresh flavor. Nerello Calabrese is a new grape type in Calabria that produces light-bodied red wines with a crisp, fruity flavor profile. The white grape variety Mantonico Bianco is used to make crisp, refreshing white wines that are perfect for a hot summer day.

Appellations & Crus

Calabria has several recognized “crus,” or distinct vineyard locations, known for producing high-quality wines. The most notable of these crus is the Cirò DOC, which is located in the Crotone subregion. The Cirò DOC is noted for producing powerful, full-bodied red wines that are rich in tannins and have a strong, intense flavor profile.

In the inland areas, the production of the DOC Pollino deserves a remark, based on Gaglioppo and black Greco, while near the extreme tip of the province, from the white Greco we acquire the Greco di Bianco DOC, a passito wine as good as it is unusual.

History

Calabria was originally inhabited by the Bruzi but was eventually taken over by the Greeks, who named it Betia. It was afterwards changed into Bruttium by the Romans. The Calabro people, on the other hand, lived in Puglia, namely on the Salento peninsula, known as Calabria. There was an odd name shift in the following centuries. Calabria was the name given to the ancient region of Bruzio by Charlemagne.

In the Crimisa district, the red and rosé Cir wines, made from the black vine Gaglioppo, and the white Cir wines, made from Greco Bianco, are made. These are two of Calabria’s eight DOC wines. Greco di Bianco, a raisin wine, emerges from the boot’s toe. In the Catanzaro area, native vines like Nocera, Calabrese, Pecorino, and Magliocco are grown to make wines that are fruity and fragrant.

DOC

DOC Bivongi

This is a minor DOC found near Reggio Calabria. Bivongi is well-known for its light-bodied red and white wines with a crisp, fresh flavor profile. Gaglioppo and Mantonico Bianco are the most often produced grape types in Bivongi.

DOC Cirò

Cirò is one of the most notable DOC in Calabria and is located near Crotone, in the Ionian Calabria region. This DOC is noted for producing powerful, full-bodied red wines that are rich in tannins and have a strong, intense flavor profile. The most often produced grape varietals in Cirò are Gaglioppo and Magliocco.

Greco di Bianco DOC

This DOC is located in the subregion of Catanzaro, in the Ionian Calabria region. Greco di Bianco is noted for producing crisp, refreshing white wines that are great for enjoying on a sunny summer day. Mantonico Bianco is the most often planted grape varietal in Greco di Bianco.

DOC Lamezia

Lamezia is a minor DOC located in the Catanzaro area. This DOC is well-known for producing light-bodied red and white wines with a crisp, refreshing flavor profile. Gaglioppo and Mantonico Bianco are the most widely planted grape types in Lamezia.

DOC Melissa

Melissa is a minor DOC not far from Crotone. This DOC is well-known for producing light-bodied red and white wines with a crisp, refreshing flavor profile. Melissa’s most frequent grape kinds are Gaglioppo and Mantonico Bianco.

DOC S. Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto

This DOC is located in the Crotone area. S. Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto produces light-bodied red and white wines with a crisp, fresh flavor profile. Gaglioppo and Mantonico Bianco are the most often planted grape types in S. Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto.

DOC Savuto

This DOC is located in Cosenza. Savuto is recognized for producing medium-bodied red wines with a fruitier flavor character. Magliocco is the most often planted grape varietal in Savuto.

DOC Scavigna

This DOC is located in the Tyrrhenian Calabria subregion of Cosenza. Scavigna produces medium-bodied red wines with a bright, crisp flavor profile. Greco Nero is the most often planted grape variety.

DOC Terre di Cosenza

This DOC is located in the Tyrrhenian Calabria, next to Cosenza. Terre di Cosenza is noted for producing powerful, full-bodied red wines with a strong, intense flavor profile. Gaglioppo and Magliocco are the most widely planted grape types in Terre di Cosenza.

Each DOC in Calabria has its own style of wine that shows off the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. The grapes in each DOC are especially suited to the soil and climate of that area. This makes wines that are true to their place of origin. Calabria has something for every type of wine fan, whether you favor light-bodied white wines or strong, full-bodied red wines.