The Wine and Grape Harvest Roads in Calabria

Autumn is harvest time and the season for wine tourism itineraries. Calabria, land of fine wine, awaits you to raise a glass together on a tour of Calabrian "Wine Cities", wineries and vineyards.

The Wine Roads itinerary in Calabria crosses the region from north to south and from east to west. The "Land of Wine", the ancient Enotria of the Greeks (from ôinos, wine) releases in the glass all the identity and authenticity of a territory historically devoted to viticulture.

There are many CDO and TGI Calabrian wine labels that have won awards and are appreciated all over the world, the result of the protection and revitalisation of ancient native Calabrian vines: Gaglioppo, Magliocco, Nerello, Greco and Montonico and their white and black grape varieties, processed using the latest technology and with attention to the environment.

The itinerary along the "Wine Routes" in Calabria starts from the city of Cosenza and the territory covered by the "Terre di Cosenza" CDO, an organisation created to promote a wide range of local wines throughout the province. There are seven sub-areas of fine wine production: Condoleo, Donnici, Esaro, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, Colline del Crati and Verbicaro. Along this route, we also recommend visiting the three "Wine Cities" of Cosenza:

• Belmonte Calabro
• Frascineto
• Saracena, home of the delicious Moscato di Saracena, a Slow Food Presidium.

Moving to the Ionian coast, in the province of Crotone, we travel along one of Calabria's most internationally renowned "Wine Routes": the road that leads to the fine Cirò and Melissa DOC wines. The main stops on this wine tourism itinerary are the two municipalities of the same name and their consortium area, where the most famous Calabrian wines are grown in white, red and rosé varieties. Along the Costa dei Saraceni, you can also taste the excellent Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto CDO, Lipuda and Val di Neto TGI wines.

The Calabrian "Wine Routes" continue their journey of discovery through the Lametino and Catanzaro areas, home to Savuto, Scavigna, Lamezia CDO and Valdamato TGI wines. Catanzaro and its province enjoy a unique microclimate and the different exposures of two seas: the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian, between which important river valleys flow. The main stop on the wine tourism itinerary is the "Wine City" of Lamezia Terme, together with Motta Santa Lucia, with a CDO that includes all types (white, red, rosé, sparkling, passito and novello) and is the result of native vines.

Travelling south along the Tyrrhenian coast, we reach Reggio Calabria and its province, where the Costa Viola vineyards overlooking Mount Etna produce Arghillà and Pellaro TGI, warmed by long sunsets and protected by typical terraces with dry stone walls. Other "Wine Cities" in the Reggio Calabria area include:

• Cittanova
• Scilla, with its eponymous Scilla TGI wine
• Bianco, to toast with a Greco di Bianco CDO
• Bivongi, with its Bivongi CDO
• Palizzi, with all the variations of Palizzi TGI
• Locri, with its eponymous Locride TGI wine

There is no better occasion than to visit an area through the sensory journey that its wine offers. There are many wineries and cellars in Calabria that offer wine tourism hospitality, vineyard tours and tastings along the "Wine Roads" in Calabria. Suggested stops include a visit to the historic centre of Cosenza and the two national parks that fall wholly or partly within its province: the Pollino National Park and the Sila National Park, crossed by river valleys such as the Savuto, where Savuto CDO wine is produced.

Don't miss a visit to the historical centre of Cirò, that of Melissa and that of Crucoli. Not to be missed is Isola Capo Rizzuto, with the sea fortress of Le Castella in the Protected Marine Area. On the Tyrrhenian Sea, the "Wine City" of Lamezia Terme offers the beauty of the historic centre of Nicastro, with its Cathedral, Diocesan Museum, the Monumental Complex of San Domenico and the remains of the Norman-Swabian Castle.

A not-to-be-missed stop along the Costa Viola is the fishing village of Chianalea di Scilla, otherwise known as the "Venice of the South"; then Reggio Calabria, with its Art Nouveau charm, its Seafront and the National Archaeological Museum. Finally, Locri and its National Archaeological Park, toasting to Calabria with an excellent glass of Locride TGI wine.