Italy

Cirò

Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian coast between Crotone and the hills of the Marchesato.

Hot and dry with strong maritime influence; sea breezes keep acidity honest on the coast.

Cirò, in Calabria, is the oldest authenticated wine zone in Italy - among the very first places vines were planted in Magna Graecia.

The region's defining grape, Gaglioppo, yields deep, savoury reds and delicate rosatos.

For the buyer, Cirò is an affordable taste of ancient southern Italy, ripe with character but short on fame.

Terroir & Soil

Clay-rich calcareous soils on coastal marl; the warm hills of Cirò suit the vigorous Gaglioppo vine.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · Gaglioppo is Calabria's great native red - deep-coloured, rustic, savoury and often gently tannic.
  • · Cirò Rosso from the best slopes is one of southern Italy's most underrated reds.
  • · Cirò Rosato is delicate and refreshing.

Remarkable Bottles from Cirò

All wines →
red

Librandi Cirò Rosso

Cirò · 2024 (representative vintage)

Librandi Cirò Rosso is an red wine from Italy, in the Cirò region (Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian coast between Crotone and the hills of the Marchesato.), made principally from Gaglioppo. Calabria's ancestral red — the Gaglioppo grape with distinct savoury bite from the Ionian coast.

$14–$24 est. retail

red

Cirò Gaglioppo

Cirò · 2024 (representative vintage)

Cirò Gaglioppo is an red wine from Italy, in the Cirò region (Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian coast between Crotone and the hills of the Marchesato.), made principally from Gaglioppo. a house-style Cirò gaglioppo that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

white

Cirò Trebbiano

Cirò · 2024 (representative vintage)

Cirò Trebbiano is an white wine from Italy, in the Cirò region (Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian coast between Crotone and the hills of the Marchesato.), made principally from Trebbiano. a house-style Cirò trebbiano that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

red

Cirò Gaglioppo Riserva

Cirò · 2024 (representative vintage)

Cirò Gaglioppo Riserva is an red wine from Italy, in the Cirò region (Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian coast between Crotone and the hills of the Marchesato.), made principally from Gaglioppo. a reserve-tier Cirò gaglioppo that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$45–$90 est. retail

red

Cirò Rosso Riserva Gaglioppo Riserva

Cirò · 2024 (representative vintage)

Cirò Rosso Riserva Gaglioppo Riserva is an red wine from Italy, in the Cirò region (Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian coast between Crotone and the hills of the Marchesato.), made principally from Gaglioppo. a reserve-tier Cirò Rosso Riserva gaglioppo that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$63–$125 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Cirò Rosso with grilled lamb, mature pecorino and local Calabrian chili.
  • · Cirò Rosato with seafood and charcuterie.
  • · The red's savoury character suits Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

Buying from Cirò

  • › Top producer Librandi makes the definitive Cirò; look also for Cirò Riserva bottlings.
  • › Prefer estates on the coastal hills - the modern, carefully-made Cirò is far better than its historical reputation.
  • › Cirò Rosato is excellent in warm weather; the Rosso ages well too.