Calabria

Overview

Forming the toe of Italy's boot, Calabria is a land of striking contrasts, dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, and ancient villages clinging to hillsides. It is one of Italy's oldest wine regions, with roots stretching back to the ancient Greeks who called it Enotria, meaning "land of wine."

For centuries, Calabria's wines were overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, and much of its production was historically destined for blending or bulk sale. Today, a passionate wave of local producers is reclaiming the region's legacy, focusing on indigenous grapes and traditional methods.

The region's star is Gaglioppo, an ancient red variety that yields structured, earthy wines with wild berry and spice notes. Alongside it, Greco Bianco produces some of southern Italy's most interesting whites, wines with bright acidity, citrus zest, and a distinctive saline edge from the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts.

Key Varietals

• GaglioppoCalabria's signature red, producing tannic, age worthy wines with wild strawberry, earth, and Mediterranean herb notes.
• Greco BiancoA crisp, mineral white with citrus, almond, and saline character, thriving in Calabria's hot coastal climate.
• MaglioccoAn ancient indigenous red with deep color and firm tannins, yielding wines of power and rustic charm.
• Nerello MascaleseThough more famous in Sicily, this elegant red also grows in Calabria, offering bright red fruit and volcanic minerality.