Itinerary through the vineyards of CDO Terre di Cosenza

Ready to set off on a journey of discovery of Cosenza's renowned wines?

A journey that takes us right in the footsteps of the Terre di Cosenza CDO and the consortium of producers of the same name, to discover the places and grape varieties that make this area a flagship of wine tourism in Calabria.

The Cosenza wine route crosses the northern part of Calabria, from Pollino to the Sila Plateau, passing through the city of Cosenza and its hinterland cultivated with native vines.

Established in 2011 to enhance a phase of rebirth and development of Cosenza wine production, the Terre di Cosenza CDO denomination is now a guarantee of quality for a prized and nationally and internationally awarded sector.

Extended to the entire province of Cosenza, this CDO includes no less than 7 grape varieties under its label, corresponding to as many territories, each of which expresses its own identity vocation in the glass (Condoleo, Donnici, Esaro, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, Colline del Crati and Verbicaro).

This allows Calabrian wine enthusiasts to taste a wide range of wines: from whites to reds and rosés, also produced in sparkling, passito, riserva and late harvest variants.

Each of the Terre di Cosenza wines is made from grapes grown in vineyards that strictly comply with production specifications, both in terms of harvesting times and methods and the percentage of indigenous and national grapes, offering wine connoisseurs a product that will satisfy even the most demanding palates.

To savour the taste of Terre di Cosenza CDO in its entirety, we suggest a wine tourism itinerary to discover the beauty of the area where this DOC originates and a visit to the vineyards and wineries in the area that allow it, subject to prior booking.

The itinerary to discover the Terre di Cosenza has a well-defined circuit, which passes through the natural beauty of the Pollino National Park and the Sila National Park, various valleys, historic villages and towns gravitating around the "Bruzia Capital".

Let us start with the city of Cosenza and its historic centre, Cosenza Vecchia.

A stroll along Corso Telesio is the best way to discover some of the city's historical and artistic gems, as well as Cosenza's best wine bars.

It starts with the beautiful view from Colle Pancrazio, one of the "7 hills", on which stands the monumental Norman-Swabian Castle, and descends towards the historic heart, encountering the "Alfonso Rendano" Theatre and the adjacent Accademia Cosentina, among the places of the philosopher Bernardino Telesio, the precious 14th-century Cathedral, until it reaches the so-called "confluence" between the two rivers that cross the city, Crati and Busento, a place linked to the legendary "Treasure of Alaric".

Don't miss a visit to the National Gallery of Palazzo Arnone, where you can admire important works from the 16th to the 20th century, including paintings by Calabrian artists Pietro Negroni, Mattia Preti and Luca Giordano. Finally, finish off with shopping, nightlife and an aperitif in the newest part of town, along Corso Mazzini and the MAB - Museo all'Aperto "Bilotti", the permanent open-air exhibition of contemporary sculptures.

A typical lunch at an farmhouse, accompanied by Terre di Cosenza CDO wine? In the Cosenza hamlet of Donnici, an integral part of the consortium.

A tour of the Crati Hills takes us to Bisignano, home of the indigenous grape varieties Greco Bianco, Pecorello, Montonico Bianco, Magliocco Canino, Gaglioppo, Calabrese and Aglianico.

There are more than 15 churches in its historical centre: from the Bisignano Co-Cathedral to the Shrine of Sant'Umile (or Convent of the Reform), founded by Blessed Pietro Cathin, sent by St Francis of Assisi.

As the seat of an important diocese, the town boasts the Library commissioned by Bishop Bonaventura Sculco in 1765, with a book heritage of around 2,000 volumes (including ancient parchments in sheep's paper).

Finally, we dedicate one day of the Terre di Cosenza CDO itinerary to the small hillside towns and villages, with an unmissable stop in the historic centre of Verbicaro.

After a stroll through the alleyways, the beautiful granite portals and a visit to the main churches, we end on a high note with a dinner of typical Pollino dishes and, of course, a toast of Verbicaro CDO.