The Gaglioppo
Grape
A red grape variety indigenous to the Calabria region of southern Italy, particularly associated with the Ciro wine. Gaglioppo is known for producing wines with a good balance of tannins and acidity, offering flavors of red berries, spice, and earth, often with a subtle floral nuance.
Gaglioppo
Grape History
Gaglioppo is a red wine grape variety that is considered one of the oldest and most important native grapes of Calabria, Italy. This ancient grape is believed to have been cultivated in the region for thousands of years, and its history is deeply intertwined with the local culture and winemaking traditions of Calabria.
Interestingly, the name "Gaglioppo" is thought to be derived from the Greek word "Agyiou Typos," which translates to "sacred vineyard," highlighting the revered status of this grape variety in antiquity. The grape is known for its thick skins, which lend themselves well to producing deeply colored, full-bodied wines with intense flavors and robust tannins.
Gaglioppo is primarily cultivated in the Calabria region of southern Italy, where it thrives in the hot and sunny Mediterranean climate. The grape is especially associated with the Ciro DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) appellation, which is located in the province of Crotone in Calabria. In Ciro, Gaglioppo is often blended with other local grape varieties such as Greco Bianco and Ansonica to produce red wines that are known for their acidity, complexity, and aging potential.
Gaglioppo is commonly used to produce Ciro Rosso, a traditional red wine that showcases the grape's unique characteristics. These wines are often described as having aromas of dark fruits, spices, and earth, with a firm structure and a distinct minerality that reflects the terroir of Calabria.
While Gaglioppo has a long history in Calabria, its future is increasingly bright as producers and wine enthusiasts around the world are rediscovering this indigenous grape variety. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in preserving and promoting Italy's native grape varieties, and Gaglioppo is no exception. With its ability to produce wines of great depth and complexity, Gaglioppo is poised to become a more prominent player in the world of Italian wines.
As global interest in unique and terroir-driven wines continues to rise, Gaglioppo and the wines it produces are expected to gain recognition and appreciation for their distinctive character and sense of place. This ancient grape variety has a story to tell, and as more consumers seek out authentic and lesser-known wines, Gaglioppo has the potential to become a star player in the world of Italian wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel