Calabrian wine is Italian wine from the Calabria region of southern Italy. Italian wine is Wine produced in Italy, a Country which is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world Calabria ( Latin: Brutium) is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Over 90% of the region's wine production is red wine, with a large portion made from the Gaglioppo grape. Gaglioppo is a red Wine Grape that is grown in southern Italy, primarily around Calabria. Calabria has 12 Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) regions but only 4% of the yearly production is classified as DOC wine. Denominazione di origine controllata is an Italian quality assurance label for food products and especially wines (an Appellation) The region is one of Italy's most rural and least industrialized with per capita income less than half of the national average. Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' [1] Following World War II, many of Calabria's inhabitants immigrated to the United States and Argentina. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Those left behind have been slow to developed a vibrant wine industry with only the red wines of Cirò garnering much international attention. Cirò is a Comune and Town with a population of 3614 people in the Province of Crotone, in Calabria, Italy. Today Calabrian wines are mostly produced to high alcohol levels and sold to co-operatives who transfer the wines to the northern Italian wine regions to use as blending component. Alcohol by volume (abbreviated as abv or ABV) is a standard measure of how much alcohol ( Ethanol) is contained in an Alcoholic beverage This list of wine-producing regions catalogues significant Growing regions where Vineyards are planted There are no Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) regions but 12 Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) designations. A list of the 36 Italian DOCG ( Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines in alphabetical order by region Indicazione geografica tipica is the second of four classifications of Wine recognized by the government of Italy. [2]
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History
The region of Calabria was first cultivated by the ancient Greeks. The influence of Ancient Greece on Wine is significant not only to the Greek wine industry but to the development of almost all European The Greek athlete Milo of Croton was from this region and was reported to drink 10 liters (2. Milo or Milon of Croton (late 6th century BC was a famous ancient Greek athlete The litre or liter (see spelling differences) is a unit of Volume. 6 gallons) of Ciró wine each day. A gallon is a measure of Volume. It is in current use in the United States and still has limited use in many other English-speaking countries Tradition has that the wine is still made in the same way today as it was in Milo's time. [3] During the 1st century AD, Pliny the Elder included Calabrian wine in his listings of quality Italian wines. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author [4]
Climate and geography
Calabria is located at the "toe" of the Italian Italian peninsula and is characterized by its Mediterranean climate. Th Italian Peninsula or Apennine Peninsula (Penisola italiana or Penisola appenninica) is one of the three Peninsulas of Southern Europe A Mediterranean climate is one that resembles the Climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, which includes over half of the area with this climate type world-wide To the north is the Apennine Mountains forming the border with Basilicata. Basilicata is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west Apulia ( Puglia) to the east Calabria to The Ionian Sea forms the eastern and southern borders followed by the Strait of Messina (separating Calabria from Sicily) and Tyrrhenian Sea forming the western border. The Ionian Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. The Strait of Messina ( Strittu di Missina in Sicilian) is the narrow section of water between the eastern tip of Sicily and the southern Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. The Tyrrhenian Sea (Mar Tirreno is part of the Mediterranean Sea off of the western coast of Italy. The winter time conditions in the interior are cold and harsh, with the climate near the coast being very hot and dry throughout most of the year. The majority of the region's wine production takes place in the central areas of the eastern and western coastlines. [2]
Cirò
The Cirò wine region is located in the eastern foothills of the La Sila region and extends to the Ionian coast. Foothills are geographically defined as gradual increases in hilly areas at the base of a Mountain range. The Sila (or Italian La Sila) is the name of the mountainous Plateau and historic region located in Calabria, southern Italy The region's classico (or heartland) is centered on the comuni of Cirò and Cirò Marina in the province of Crotone. Heartland is used in geography to refer to the central areas of a country In Italy, the comune, (plural comuni) is the basic Administrative division of both provinces and regions and may be properly approximated in Cirò Marina is a Comune and Town with a population of 24000 people in the Province of Crotone, in Calabria, Italy. The Province of Crotone (Provincia di Crotone is a province in the Calabria region of Italy. The soil of this area is predominantly calcareous marl with some clay and sand deposits. Calcareous refers to a Sediment, Sedimentary rock, or Soil type which is formed from or contains a high proportion of Calcium carbonate in the Marl or Marlstone is a Calcium carbonate or lime -rich mud or Mudstone which contains variable amounts of Clays and Aragonite Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained Minerals which show plasticity through a variable range of Water content, and Sand is a naturally occurring Granular material composed of finely divided rock and Mineral particles The wines of the regions are predominantly red containing at least 95% of the Gaglioppo grape and up to 5% of the white Greco bianco and Trebbiano grapes permitted. Gaglioppo is a red Wine Grape that is grown in southern Italy, primarily around Calabria. Trebbiano is a Grape variety that probably makes more white wine in the world than any other Rosés and white wines from at least 90% Greco bianco and up to 10% Trebbiano are also made in Cirò but in very limited quantities. A rosé (From French rosé ‘pinkish’ Wine has some of the color typical of a red wine but only enough to turn it pink While a common synonym of Trebbiano is Greco, the grape is separate and distinct from the Calabrian wine grape Greco bianco. This article deals with the general meaning of the term "synonym" The designation of Cirò classico will only appear on red wines. Red Cirò is typically very tannic and full bodied with strong fruit presences. Tannins are Astringent, bitter plant Polyphenols that either bind and Precipitate or shrink Proteins The astringency from the tannins is what The use of Wine tasting descriptors allow the taster an opportunity to put into words the Aromas and Flavors that they experience and can be used in assessing It is often meant to be consumed 3-4 years after vintage but can take more time to soften the tannins. Vintage, in Wine -making is the process of picking Grapes and creating the finished product [2] It is said that Cirò was offered to winners of the ancient Olympics [5].
Other wine regions
Of the remaining 11 DOC regions, Melissa and Isola di Capo Rizzuto are located near Cirò along the Ionian coast. Melissa (pronunciation meh-LEE-ssah bee in Greek) is a commune in the Province of Crotone, in Calabria. Isola di Capo Rizzuto is a town in the Province of Crotone, Calabria, Italy. In the far southern province of Reggio Calabria are the Bianco and Bivongi regions. The Province of Reggio Calabria (Provincia di Reggio Calabria is a province in the Calabria region of Italy. Bianco is a town and commune in the Province of Reggio Calabria, in southern Italy. Bivongi is a Comune (municipality in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 50 km southwest The western wine regions are located in the provinces of Catanzaro and Cosenza. The Province of Catanzaro (Provincia di Catanzaro is a province of the Calabria region in Italy. The Province of Cosenza (Provincia di Cosenza is a province in the Calabria region of Italy. They include the DOCs of Donnici, Lamezia Terme, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, Savuto, Scavigna and Verbicaro. Cosenza is a city in Italy, located at the confluence of the rivers Busento and Crathis. Lamezia Terme is a city and a commune in the Province of Catanzaro ( Calabria) in Italy. The Pollino (Italian Massiccio del Pollino) is a massif in the southern Apennines, on the border between Calabria and Basilicata, southern The Savuto is a River and Valley in Calabria, Italy which lies at the intersection of the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro Verbicaro is town and Comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. [2]
- Bianco- The DOC of Greco di Bianco is one of the few predominant white wine regions in Calabria. The area produces most sweet wine from the Greco Bianco grape that have alcohol contents of at least 17%. The sweetness of a Wine is defined by the level of residual sugar (or RS in the fermentation proces The wines are typically produced as straw wines with the grapes being partially dried prior to pressing and fermentation. Straw Wine, or raisin wine, is a Wine made from grapes that have been dried to concentrate their juice A wine press is a device used to extract Juice from crushed Grapes during Wine making. The process of fermentation in Wine is the Catalyst function that turns Grape juice into an Alcoholic beverage. Greco di Bianco is characterized by a deep amber color and aromas of citrus and herbs. Amber is Fossil tree Resin, which is appreciated for its color and beauty Citrus is a common term and Genus of Flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, originating in tropical and subtropical southeast regions of A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like [2]
- Bivongi-The DOC of Bivongi is one of Calabria's newest DOCs and produces red and rosé wines from blends of Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Nocera, Castiglione and Calabrese. Nero d'Avola is "the most important red wine Grape in Sicily " and is one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties The few white wines made in this region are dry wines made from a blend of Greco Bianco, Guardavalle, Mantonico Bianco, Malvasia Bianca and Ansonica as well as up to 30% of other available white grape varieties. Malvasia (also known as Malvazia) is a group of wine Grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region and the island of Madeira This is a list of varieties of cultivated Grapes whether used for Wine, or eating as a Table grape, fresh or dried ( Raisin, currant, sultana [2]
- Donnici- The Domnici DOC is located south of Cosenza on the wester slopes of the the La Sila plateau. Cosenza is a city in Italy, located at the confluence of the rivers Busento and Crathis. In Geology and Earth science, a plateau, also called a high plateau or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting The production is mainly red wine made from Gaglioppo with some blending of Greco Nero and Mantonico Nero. [2]
- Isola di Capo Rizzuto- The DOC of Sant'Anna di Isola di Capo Rizzuto is located south of commune of Melissa. The region was once an island but overtime the marshland around it filled in and connected the region to the mainland. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant In Geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of Wetland which is subject The DOC produces dry red and rosé wines from Gaglioppo, Nocera, Nerello Mascalese (and the related Nerello Cappuccio), and up to 35% of added Malvasia and Greco Bianco. Nerello is a name given to two varieties of red Wine Grapes that are grown primarily in Sicily and Sardinia. [2]
- Lamezia Terme- The DOC of Lamezia is located on the plains and hill side regions around the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia near the Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte is a Comune (municipality in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about The region is very warm, allowing the grapes to fully ripen and develop body and alcohol levels. The region produces red and rosé wines from Gaglioppo, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Greco Nero, Magliocco and Marsigliana. The white wines from the region are made from Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianca and Trebbiano. [2]
- Melissa-The Melissa DOC is located south of Cirò and produces wines of similar style, though not with the same international reputation of quality. The red wine grapes of the region are the Gaglioppo and Greco Nera with some blending of the white wine grapes Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianca and Trebbiano. [2]
- Pollino- The Pollino DOC is named for the nearby mountain range that forms part of the Apennines. Located near the border with Basilicata, the region produces pale, cherry red wines that need 2-3 years to develop. The wines are made primarily with Gaglioppo and Greco Nero with up to 20% of white grape varieties permitted in the blend. [2]
- San Vito di Luzzi- The DOC of San Vito di Luzzi is located in the hamlet of San Vito near the commune of Luzzi. A hamlet is (usually&mdashsee below a Rural community — that is a small settlement — which is too small to be considered a Village. Luzzi is a town and Comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The red and rosé wines from this region are produced with Gaglioppo, Malvasia Nera, Greco Nero and Sangiovese. Sangiovese is a Red wine Grape variety originating in Italy whose name derives from sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove " The white wines are produced from Malvasia Bianca, Greco Bianco and up to 40% of other local white wine varieties. [2]
- Savuto- The Savuto DOC is located south of the Donnici region in mountainous terrain that stretches to the coast. The vineyards located closer to the interior are cooler than other parts of Calabria, producing wines with lower alcohol levels. The red and rosé wines from this region are produced with Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Magliocco, Sangiovese and up to 25% of the white wine grapes Malvasia Bianca and Pecorello. [2]
- Scavigna- The Scavigna DOC is located south of Savuto on the western coast of Calabria. The dry red and rosé wines from this region are made with at least 60% Gaglioppo and Nerello Cappuccio with a blend of other local red wine varieties. The white wines are blend of Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Greco Bianco and Malvasia Bianca. Chardonnay is a green-skinned Grape variety used to make white Wine. [2]
- Verbicaro- The DOC are of the Verbicaro region are located in the Pollino foothills, west of Pollino DOC region and extends to the Tyrrhenian coast. The dry dry red and rosé wines from this region are made from Gaglioppo and Greco Nero with a small amount of the white wine grapes Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianca and Guarnaccia Bianca blended in. Those same white grapes also produces the limited amount of Verbicaro Bianco. [2]
IGTs
Throughout Calabria there are 12 distinct IGT zones and one overlapping "Calabria" designation that covers the entire region. In the province of Catanzaro is Valdamato. The provence of Cosenza includes Condoleo, Esaro and Valle del Crati. In the province of Crotone is Lipuda and Val di Neto. Rocca di Neto is a Town and date=March 2008}}{{Reflist}}{{Calabria-geo-stub}}{{Province of Crotone}}[[CategoryCities and towns in Calabria]][[eoRocca di Neto]][[frRocca The province of Reggio Calabria includes the most IGT zones with Arghillà, Costa Viola, Locride, Palizzi, Pellaro, and Scilla. Locride is an area of Calabria ( Italy) around the town of Locri in the Province of Reggio Calabria. Palizzi is a Comune (municipality in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 120 km southwest Pellaro is a Frazione of the commune of Reggio Calabria in Italy Scilla (Skylla is a town in Calabria, Italy, administratively part of the Province of Reggio Calabria. [2]
References
- ^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 122-123 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p M. Ewing-Mulligan & E. McCarthy Italian Wines for Dummies pg 226-231 Hungry Minds 2001 ISBN 0764553550
- ^ M. Toussaint-Samat "A History of Food" pg 263 Wiley-Blackwell 1994 ISBN 0631194975
- ^ H. Johnson Vintage: The Story of Wine pg 64 Simon and Schuster 1989 ISBN 0671687026
- ^ Milioni, Stefano. Cirò.
External links
- Italian Made Calabria wine region
- Made in Italy Calabria overview
- Italian wine country Wine region Map
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