Calabria (33)

Calabria - short & sweet

Calabria is a traditional wine region located in the very south of Italy. It lies directly across from Sicily. Ninety percent of the cultivation area grows red varieties. Viticulture was brought to Calabria by the Greeks and was further intensified by the Romans. The region is famous for full-bodied red wines like Cirò and white wines like Greco Bianco, which are predominantly made from indigenous grape varieties.

Location, Geography, and Climate of the Calabria Wine Region

Calabria is the southernmost wine region of the Italian mainland. In the image of Italy as a boot, it occupies the position of the toe with a 780-kilometer long coastline. Basilicata borders Calabria to the north as the only direct neighboring region. To the east and south, Calabria is bordered by the Ionian Sea. The narrow Strait of Messina, only three to eight kilometers wide, separates Calabria from Sicily. It also forms the transition from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the western part of the region. 

A large part of the Calabria peninsula is covered by mountain ranges. To the north are the foothills of the Apennines, to the south the Aspromonte mountain range, and in the middle the mountains Sila and Serre, with the highest mountain in the region: Serra Dolcedorme (2267 m). The climate is characterized by warm summers and cold winters, along with distinct differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures. The southeast of the region is hotter and drier than the north and the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, due to winds from the African continent. 

Wine from Calabria with a 2,600-Year History

Even for Italian standards, Calabria is a very old wine region. It was settled by the Greeks as early as the 8th century BC. The Greeks brought the wine varieties that are still grown in Calabria today. For many centuries, Calabria was regarded not only in Italy but throughout Europe as an excellent wine region. However, starting in the 18th century, a relative decline in significance for the international market began in competition with French wine regions. 

At the end of the 19th century, phylloxera dealt a severe blow to the vineyards, from which Calabria did not recover for decades. When competition from the New World emerged in the 20th century, the southern Italian wine region was literally at the bottom. Then, gradually, a successful transformation for the better began. The introduction of modern cultivation methods, more care in pressing, and investments in the wine cellars are now bearing fruit. Today, there is again an increasing international demand for wine from Calabria. 

Calabria Wine from Red Grape Varieties

One of the special characteristics of wine from Calabria is the high proportion of indigenous grape varieties. Although international top performers like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon are also cultivated, they make up a fairly small part of the wine region's mix. The defining variety for red wine from Calabria is mainly Gaglioppo, which plants about a quarter of the total vineyard area. 

Gaglioppo is also among the oldest wine varieties of Calabria. It is distinguished by a high Oechsle degree and is suitable for full-bodied red wines with pronounced tannins. The most well-known example is the Cirò DOC from the east coast of Calabria. It is considered one of the best wines of the region. Other commonly grown red varieties include Greco Nero and Nero d'Avola. 

Calabria Wine from White Grape Varieties

As with red wines, indigenous varieties also dominate white wine from Calabria. Noteworthy is the Greco Bianco, which serves as the basis for multifaceted fresh white wines. Mantonico Bianco and Guardavalle are also among the indigenous varieties. In addition, Trebbiano Toscano, Moscato, and Chardonnay are cultivated in Calabria.

Interesting Facts about the Calabria Wine Region

Which Calabria Wines are classified as IGT?

The quality level IGT or Indicazione Geografica Tipica refers in Italy to wine of defined regional origin. IGT wines are more strictly controlled than simple table wines. The nine IGT areas in Calabria include:

• Calabria IGT
• Costa Viola IGT
• Locride IGT
• Val di Neto IGT

Which Calabria Wines are classified as DOC?

DOC or Denominazione di origine controllata refers in Italy to quality wines from specific growing areas. Only grapes from these growing areas may be used for the wines. The eleven DOC wines from Calabria include:

• Cirò
• Greco di Bianco
• Melissa
• Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto
• Terre di Cosenza

How large is the vineyard area in Calabria?

In Calabria, a total of about 9,000 hectares are designated as winegrowing areas and are actually planted with vines.

Wine from Calabria at VINELLO

From the wines from Calabria in our shop, we can recommend the products from Statti from the Calabria IGT. At the vineyard, which is very large for regional conditions at 500 hectares, wine has been cultivated since the year 1700. Today, Alberto and Antonio Statti are resolutely advancing the modernization of their vineyards to truly make the most of the local growing conditions. For example, try the red Gaglioppo Calabria IGT with its intensely fruity aroma or the white, spicy fresh Greco Bianco Calabria IGT from Statti. 

Order Calabria Wines Online at VINELLO

Are you excited to create your own exploration tour through Calabria? Just browse through our selection - VINELLO has numerous wonderful classics and exciting new discoveries in the program. Discover the diversity of wines and also benefit from our sommelier advice. Secure shopping and guaranteed prompt delivery ensure that your journey of enjoyment can begin quickly and leads you directly to wine pleasure.