Calabria - Grape Varieties and Appellations

Question 1

What is the difference between Greco Bianco and Greco di Bianco?

Answer 1

Greco Bianco is the grape;

Greco di Bianco is the name of the DOC that refers to the grape variety and the village of Bianco.

Question 2

What is the percentage of red grape varieties in Calabria’s area under vine?

Answer 2

Almost 90%

Question 3

What are the minimum percentage of Greco Bianco for Greco di Bianco DOC(!) wine?

Answer 3

At least 95% Greco Bianco

Question 4

This DOC is a small but well known appellation for the production of sweet passito based on the Greco Bianco variety.

The wine produced is considered one of the most distinctive wines of Calabria and it is highly appreciated locally.

Answer 4

Greco di Bianco DOC (!)

Question 5

What is the percentage of DOC wine production in Calabria?

What is the percentage for IGT?

Answer 5

30% DOC

10% IGT

Remaining is bulk wine without origin

Question 6

What is the minimum final alcohol content of Greco di Bianco DOC wine?

Answer 6

At least 14%

The grapes are air-dried, the final sweetness levels range from medium sweet to sweet.

Question 7

What is the most important white grape in Calabria?

Answer 7

Greco Bianco

Question 8

Which municipal areas are entitled to use Classico designation for Ciro DOC appellation?

Answer 8

Municipal territories of Ciro and Ciro Marina

Question 9

What is Calabria’s oldest (1969) and largest DOC, volumetrically speaking?

Answer 9

Ciro DOC(!)

Question 10

As opposed to Calabrian Greco Bianco, what name is used to referred to the true Greco Bianco grape to distinguish from other so-named Greco Bianco grapes?

Answer 10

Greco Bianco di Gerace

Question 11

It is said that Calabria has one of the most confusing listings of grape varieties of all of Italy.

Why?

Answer 11

They use the same name for different grapes and different names for the same grape throughout the region.

Question 12

What is the minimum grape requirement of Ciro Bianco?

Answer 12

80% Greco Bianco

Question 13

This red grape name translates as “beautiful foot” and is one of the most ancient red grapes in all of Italy as it was first mentioned in 13th century.

It is considered native to Calabria.

Answer 13

Gaglioppo(!)

Question 14

What is Calabria’s signature red grape and planted in more than half of the red grape plantings as well as featuring in most of the DOC reds of the region?

Answer 14

Gaglioppo

Question 15

What are two distinct Magliocco red grape varieties?

Answer 15

• Magliocco Canino
• Magliocco Dolce (or simply Magliocco)

Magliocco Dolce is not yet officially listed in the National Registry of Grapes.

Question 16

What does an ideal style of wine for Calabrian Greco Bianco make?

Answer 16

Sweet dessert wines in passito style from air-dried grapes.

Question 17

In Calabria’s total area under vine, what percentage do red grape varieties occupy?

Answer 17

More than 80%

Question 18

This grape name is used to reference several different varieties in Calabria but recent DNA study indicates it is genetically identical to Malvasia di Lipari (and therefore identical to Malvasia di Sardegna).

Answer 18

Greco Bianco (in Calabria)

Question 19

Out of the three main wines produced in Ciro DOC(!), what style is the most important?

What doe the wine require to be comprised of?

Answer 19

Rosso

Minimum of 80% Gaglioppo

(up to 10% of Barbera, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot)

Question 20

What two other wines can be produced for Ciro Rosso?

Answer 20

Superiore

Superiore Riserva (min aged 2 years)

Question 21

What two IGTs bottled most IGT wines in Calabria?

Answer 21

• Calabria IGT
• Val di Nero IGT

Question 22

What are attributes (4) of Gaglioppo wine?

Answer 22

• Medium intensity
• Ruby colored
• Noticeable acidity
• High tannins