Calabria, the rugged southern tip of Italy’s boot, is a region where ancient history and modern revival intertwine in compelling ways. Though long overshadowed by more famous Italian wine regions, Calabria possesses one of the most storied viticultural lineages on the peninsula. Over millennia, Calabria’s fortunes have risen and fallen, yet today a new generation of producers is bringing this historic region back into the spotlight, crafting wines that express both their deep roots and their contemporary aspirations.

Summary:  Calabria is one of the most undiscovered wine regions in Italy, although its wine history and heritage goes back to very ancient times. The ancient Greeks called it “Oenotria”, land of wine, when they first reached the Ionic coast of Calabria, discovering a wonderful land with perfect conditions of climate and soil to grow grapes and produce wine. A wine that was even offered to the winners of the Olympic games as

Compared to more famous Italian wine regions, such as Toscana and Piemonte, Calabria is relatively overlooked on the international stage. But in 2025, it received some much-deserved recognition: Cirò Classico was finally promoted to Calabria’s first DOCG. There are several factors that make this appellation so special, including its history, its terroir and the distinctive style of wine it produces thanks to the characterful Gaglioppo grape. Comparisons with Barolo abound; are they well-founded or just wishful thinking?