ICCO Canada’s Guide to the Wines of Calabria

Calabria doesn’t often come to mind as one of Italy’s most recognized wine regions, but did you know it’s one of the oldest? In fact, nine regions in Calabria make DOC wines. Calabrian wine has a long and rich history of exceptional winemaking practices dating back to ancient times. Keep reading our guide to the wines of Calabria to learn more about why we’re setting our sites (and glasses!) on Vino Calabrese.

THE TERROIR

Calabria is located at the toe of the country’s peninsula, surrounded by the Apennine mountains and Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. The cool alpines and warm seas combine to create the ideal grape-growing Mediterranean climate.

In Calabria, winters are mild. The temperatures reach 10°, rarely dipping below 5°. Year-round, weather is hot and dry near the coast. The Tyrrhenian sea borders the southwest coastline of Calabria and the Ionian Sea borders the east. As such, most wine is grown in the central areas of these two coasts. 

Cirò is the most recognized Calabrian wine region. It is located on the eastern portion of the La Sila region. Soil in Cirò consists of clay and sand deposits. The majority of the wines made in this region are red, made with 95 per cent Gaglioppo grapes and up to 5 per cent white Greco di Bianco or Trebbiano grapes. This combination of grapes and terroir gives red Cirò wine a tannic, but full-bodied taste with notes of fruits.

Calabrian wine is made from both red and white grapes, but red wines are preferred in this southern region. Over 90 per cent of Calabria’s wines are red, usually made from the Gaglioppo grape variety. For white wines, the Greco di Bianco grape is commonly used. Among these two popular varieties are also a number of other preferred grapes, including Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Greco Nero and the Guarnaccia grape.

ICCO CANADA AND CALABRIAN WINE

ICCO Canada is proud to support wineries across Italy. That’s why we have launched a virtual room where agents, wineries and restaurateurs come together and get acquainted with these delicious wines. Our virtual room showcases the wineries we have partnered with, and can be used for meetings.

For the wine agents reading our guide to the wines of Calabria, get in touch! We recommend Dell’Aera Vini, Tenute Pacelli, Farneto del Principe, Azienda Agricola Baccellieri and CAFFO. if you’re interested in adding Calabrian wine to your portfolio. These wineries are currently looking to expand into Ontario.