Cirò
Wine · PDO · 4 municipalities
Recognised since 1973, the Cirò DOC is Calabria's signature wine denomination, spanning four specific municipalities including Melissa and Cirò Marina. What distinguishes Cirò red wines from neighboring appellations is their strict reliance on the indigenous Gaglioppo grape, which must comprise at least 80% of the blend. To preserve regional typicity, the disciplinare explicitly restricts the addition of other grapes, capping non-indigenous varieties like Sangiovese and Merlot at a strict 10% maximum. For the robust riserva tier, wines must undergo 24 months of aging from the January following harvest, uniquely requiring a natural cork closure for final packaging.
The facts
- Colour
- ruby red, more or less intense, with violet highlights, tending to garnet in the reserves
- Taste
- dry, full-bodied, warm, harmonious, becoming velvety with aging
The producers 59
+ 53 more — every one from the consortium's official list
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Cirò produced?
- Cirò is produced in 4 municipalities in Calabria, Italy: Cirò, Cirò Marina, Crucoli, Melissa.
- What grape is Cirò made from?
- Cirò is made from Gaglioppo (min 80%), altri vitigni a bacca rossa idonei alla coltivazione in Calabria (esclusi Barbera, Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot oltre il 10%).
- What is the minimum alcohol content of Cirò?
- The minimum alcohol content of Cirò is 12% vol.
- What does DOC mean?
- DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) certifies that a wine is produced in a defined zone following its official disciplinare.