Italy - Calabria

Question 1

Calabria General info

Answer 1

Calabria is the toe of the Italian boot; like its neighbors it is covered in mountains, dividing the region climatically between the hot Mediterranean coast and the more continental, higher-altitude interior.

Famous throughout antiquity and the Middle Ages, most Calabrian wine today exists at the same high alcohol but low quality level that characterizes much southern Italian wine, although a few conscientious growers buck the trend of indifferent wine.

Calabria’s production is nearly double that of neighboring Basilicata.

Question 2

Important DOC of Calabria?

Answer 2

• *Ciro DOC**
• • great Gaglioppo based reds*
• *Melissa DOC**
• • great Greco based whites*
• *Greco di Bianco DOC**
• • Passito bianco only!*

Other DOC of Calabria:

Lameza DOC

Bivongi DOC

Savuto DOC

S. Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto

• *Terre de Consenzia DOC**
• • 7 sub-zones; super complicated DOC*

Question 3

Main Red grape of Calabria?

Answer 3

Gaglioppo

NOTE:

• Was thought to be genetically linked to to Morellino clone of Sangiovese, but it is was proven to be identical to Morellino Pizzuto which is a different grape.
• aka: Arvino (in the Savuto DOC of Calabria)

Question 4

Main White grape of Calabria?

Answer 4

Greco

NOTE:

• White grapes account for less than 10% of Calabrian wine.
• the best examples may be found in the Melissa DOC.
• Greco di Bianco DOC principally produces sweet wines from the Greco grape, which is often partially dried prior to fermentation.