Calabria has its very first DOCG, and Italy now has 78 DOCGs as a result. The Cirò Rosso Riserva DOC was recently upgraded to Cirò Classico DOCG. Classico refers to its historical heart: the hills around Cirò and Cirò Marina, along the Ionian Sea.
Text: Ingrid Larmoyeur (The Wine Institute) | Image: Vinissima
The wine must contain at least 90% of gaglioppo (supplemented by up to 10% of magliocco or greco nero), and can only be released on the market after a minimum of 36 months of aging. It is a ruby red wine, dry, firm, spicy and earthy.
Only the Cirò Rosso Riserva may now carry Italy's highest classification DOCG; the other wines from Cirò remain DOC. For Calabria, this is a historic step, and a recognition for the indigenous grape variety gaglioppo.
The first bottles with the new label are still some time away (because 2025 + >36 months...), but in Calabria a festive toast to this milestone has already been made. And soon Dutch wine lovers will also be able to taste the pride of southern Italy.
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