The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Calabria

DOCGStill huntingModerate

Cirò Classico DOCG

IL PROGETTODOCGCIRÒ CLASSICOAAIT09156396Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

No strip issued. I'm still hunting a bottle.

Calabria's first DOCG, carved out of the Classico heartland of Cirò for the Superiore and Riserva reds. Gaglioppo from clay-limestone hills near the sea makes a pale, high-acid, high-tannin red that resembles Nebbiolo more than any other southern grape: dried cherry, orange peel, dried rose, thyme and a saline, bitter-almond finish. The best old-vine bottlings are among the most distinctive reds in southern Italy and age well past ten years. Note that most bottles on US shelves still carry the older DOC Classico Superiore Riserva wording.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Cirò Classico, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

  • Librandi

    Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva 'Duca Sanfelice'

    The benchmark and the best value: dried cherry, leather, sun-dried herbs and firm, dusty tannin, imported by Winebow.

    $20 to $26Wine-Searcher

  • 'A Vita

    Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva

    Francesco De Franco's minimal-intervention estate, imported by Louis/Dressner; pale, taut, floral Gaglioppo with sour cherry and a chalky grip.

    $35 to $45Wine-Searcher

  • Ippolito 1845

    Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva 'Ripe del Falco'

    Released after years in large cask and bottle; a mature, savory style with dried fig, tobacco and orange peel from Calabria's oldest winery.

    $45 to $60Wine-Searcher