This excellent value wine is made from 100% Gaglioppo, a variety indigenous to Calabria and not seen much outside. As with this one, good examples have an appealing fragrance and perfume. Fermented in stainless steel the wine is aged in concrete vessels which retains the characteristic aromas and freshness of the fruit. Really good depth of flavour of ripe red and dark fruit along with crisp acidity and nicely intergrated tannins which makes for a really versatile wine.

A medium-sized, thick-skinned grape indigenous to Southern Italy and best known for the production of Ciro DOC. The grapes comes from a vineyard called “Franza”, in Contrada Franza (municipality of Ciro), in the region of Calabria. The ownership of the land goes back to the 17th century. It was previously cultivated with olive trees and citrus groves, and turned into a vineyard in 1965. The soil is clay and sand, with a South/South East exposure and 10 year old vines trained as espaliers. The grapes are de-stemmed, then macerate at 77F until the fermentation is completed. After a soft pressing, the wine is racked and left in cement tanks for a minimum of 10 to 12 months.

This property has been in the Scala family for 200 years. Originally founded in 1949, the winery was rebuilt in 2005. The domaine is currently run by Luigi Scala, who favors quality over quantity and aims to produce distinguished Calabrian wines. From the growing of the grapes to the refinement and aging of the wines, Luigi follows family traditions to best express the terroir. He was joined in 2008 by his son Francesco, who oversees the business side of the winery. The Cirò DOC was created in 1969.

A fresh, fragrant and fruity mouthful. A great allrounder, drink it alone or pizza and pasta.