In the land of Cirò CDO wine, Calabria's excellence

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A journey through wineries, ancient traditions and intense flavours to savour

Wine and food

Regione Calabria

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Wine and food

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Calabria's fine wines can be sampled on a tour of the Cirò area, in the province of Crotone, where you can taste the excellence of Cirò wine in its three varieties: Cirò Rosso, Cirò Rosato and Cirò Bianco. Cirò CDO is a prestigious label that has boasted the Controlled Designation of Origin since 1969 (the first wine in the region to obtain it) and represents Calabrian wine par excellence, known and appreciated throughout the world. The history of Cirò wine and its grape variety, Gaglioppo, began in the 8th century BC, when settlers from Greece landed on the coast of Punta Alice and founded Krimisa, a city of legendary origin linked to Philoctetes.

Today, Cirò CDO wine is exported all over the world and loved for its organoleptic qualities, particularly Cirò Rosso, which, with an alcohol content of 13.5%, is awarded the "Riserva" designation.

Are you ready to taste Cirò CDO wine and immerse yourself in the vineyards of the Costa degli Saraceni, between the Ionian Sea and the Sila hills? Let's set off together on a wine tour of the Cirò CDO "Wine Routes" and "Wine Cities", visiting wineries and vineyards, historic wine estates, wine shops and wine bars.

A taste of Melissa CDO

Regione Calabria

In the fertile hills surrounding the village of Melissa, sloping down to the vineyards of the seaside hamlet of Torre Melissa, Cirò wine finds its ideal habitat and a large production area. Known since ancient times for its prized vineyards, Melissa is one of the main "Wine Cities" in Calabria, dedicated to the production of Melissa DOC. Those who wish to taste this delicious wine can book a tour of the vineyards and a series of tastings directly at the wineries in the village, located between the sea and the hills, as well as visit the interesting Wine Museum housed in Palazzo Ferraro, in the heart of the village.

The wine of Apollo

Regione Calabria

A visit to the wineries of Cirò Marina, kissed by the sun of the Costa degli Saraceni, is enough to savour all the authenticity of Cirò CDO wine and its long archaeological tradition: we are at the beginning of the 8th century BC when Greek colonists founded the city of Krimisa and the monumental Shrine of Apollo Aleo, on the Cirò promontory of Punta Alice. From that day onwards, "Krimisa" wine (Cirò wine) became the official wine of the Olympics, spreading throughout the Mediterranean and loved by the Crotonese athlete Milone, who won the competition six times in a row.

A glass of wine in the old town

Cirò - Regione Calabria

Cirò wine triumphs in the municipality of the same name, which offers unforgettable tastings of Cirò CDO wine in the narrow streets and panoramic squares of the village. In the historic centre of Cirò, one of the most important "Wine Cities" in Calabria, you can sip a glass of wine that tastes of antiquity: it was the fertility of these vineyards that inspired the Greeks to give Calabria the name Enotria, "land where vines are grown", a name that was then extended to the whole of Italy.

CDO wine and sardella

Sardella - Regione Calabria

Cirò wine, in its three colour variations, pairs easily with traditional Calabrian dishes, both meat and fish. The last one, in the province of Crotone, are identified with a seafood delicacy called Sardella (or Rosamarina): a typical spread made from blue fish (bianchetto) and peppers. In the municipality of Crucoli, village and marina (Torretta di Crucoli), Cirò CDO wine pairs irresistibly with sardella, to be enjoyed during the eagerly awaited summer festival (second Sunday in August).