2022 'A Vita Il Rosso

Your’s truly at Cittavino & Co. drew the label!

The Greeks called Calabria, “Enotria” which means “land of wine”. Many southern Italian grapes are of Greek origin and in fact, the white grape Greco literally means “Greek.” The wine of Cirò was once called, “Krimisa”, a Greek name derived from the Greek colony of Cremissa, which was once located in what is now the comune of Cirò Marina. “Krimisa” was the wine offered to the winning athletes of the Olympics. The Greeks called Calabria, “Enotria” which means “land of wine”. Many southern Italian grapes are of Greek origin and in fact, the white grape Greco literally means “Greek.” The wine of Cirò was once called, “Krimisa”, a Greek name derived from the Greek colony of Cremissa, which was once located in what is now the comune of Cirò Marina. “Krimisa” was the wine offered to the winning athletes of the Olympics. 

An intentionally declassified Ciro' Rosso, the wine is 92% Gaglioppo (from the hillside vineyards of Sant'Anastasia and Muzzunetto, at 100m asl) and 8% Magliocco (from the seaside vineyard Fego, at 0m).  Both sites have typical clay-limestone marls. The grapes are co-fermented spontaneously, with a brief maceration of 36 hours.  The addition of a little Magliocco has historic precedent in the area, as it softens Gaglioppo's notorious tannin and adds a little color Aging is in stainless steel for 24 months, no fining. The wine is light and bright, and we're sure it's like no Calabrian wine you've ever tasted before! Drink with antipasti cheeses and meats, pizza, or a light red sauce pasta.

Calabria and the work of Francesco de Franco of  ‘A Vita were fundamental to the founding of Cittavino, as I worked a pandemic harvest with them in 2020 and subsequently returned in 2022 and 2023. Their work is the epitome of natural wines: organic in the vineyards and clean in the cellars. Incredibly clean. Constant washing and cleaning in addition to Francesco’s ever observant eye prove time and time again to produce such pure wines, full of the energy invested into them. For them, it’s just how it’s done. It’s ‘A Vita (Cirotani dialect for the vine)