The Magliocco
Grape
A red grape variety indigenous to Calabria, Italy, known for producing robust and tannic wines with flavors of dark berries, cherries, and herbs. Magliocco is often blended with other local grape varieties to create rich and full-bodied wines, showcasing the region's terroir.
Magliocco
Grape History
The Magliocco grape is a lesser-known red grape variety native to the Calabria region in southern Italy. This ancient grape varietal has a long history dating back to Roman times, making it one of the oldest grape varieties in Italy.
Magliocco is believed to be named after the medieval Latin "maliuclus," which means "bad eye," due to the shape of the grape clusters resembling an eye. This grape variety was historically used in Calabria to produce robust and full-bodied red wines that were consumed locally.
Although not widely known outside of Italy, Magliocco is gaining recognition among wine enthusiasts for its potential to produce high-quality wines with unique characteristics. Magliocco is known for its deep red color, high levels of acidity, and complex flavors. It is often described as having notes of dark cherry, plum, and earthy undertones.
Magliocco is primarily grown in the Calabria region, particularly in the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro. The warm and sunny climate of Calabria, along with the hilly terrain and rich soils, provide ideal conditions for the Magliocco grape to thrive.
Magliocco is often used as a blending grape in traditional Calabrian wines, such as the Ciro DOC and the Donnici DOC. It is also increasingly being produced as a varietal wine to showcase its unique characteristics and potential for aging.
The projected future of the Magliocco grape variety is promising, as more winemakers are recognizing its potential and working to elevate its status in the wine world. With its rich history, unique flavors, and growing popularity, Magliocco has the potential to become a sought-after grape variety among wine enthusiasts looking for something new and exciting.
In conclusion, the Magliocco grape is a hidden gem in the world of Italian wine, with a long and storied history that is just beginning to be appreciated by a wider audience. As more attention is drawn to this ancient grape variety, we can expect to see an increase in high-quality Magliocco wines and a renewed interest in the wines of Calabria.
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