Calabria's best known wine region is Cirò, extending from the Ionian coast to the eastern foothills of La Sila with the classico zone centred around Cirò and Cirò Marina in the province of Crotone. Here, Gaglioppo is king. One of Italy's oldest varieties, recent DNA studies have found that Gaglioppo is a natural crossing of Sangiovese and Mantonico. 100% Gaglioppo from 'Vigneto Franza' that has belonged to the Scala family since the 17th century. Planted in 1965 on clay and sandy soils, the climate is hot and dry but the Ionian has a moderating influence, bringing cooler temperatures at night. Gaglioppo might be light in colour but it is big in tannins so at Scala they age the wine for fifteen months in large underground cement tanks. Reddish with a brick tinge, the nose is a little wild with berry fruit and floral notes plus spice, meat, leather and liquorice. The palate is medium bodied with a sweet core of fruit and dusty tannins.
