Wine and Harvest Routes in Calabria

Wine Routes and Wine Towns in Cosenza

The itinerary along the ‘Wine Routes’ in Calabria begins in the city of Cosenza and the area covered by the ‘Terre di Cosenza’ DOC, a designation created to promote a wide range of local wines throughout the province. There are seven sub-areas of high-quality production: Condoleo, Donnici, Esaro, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, Colline del Crati and Verbicaro. Along this route, we also recommend visiting the three 'Cities of Wine' in the Cosenza area:

• Belmonte Calabro
• Frascineto
• Saracena, home of the delicious Moscato di Saracena, a Slow Food Presidium.

Wine Routes and the Wine City of Crotone

Moving to the Ionian side, in the province of Crotone, we follow one of Calabria's most internationally renowned 'Wine Routes': the route that leads to the fine Cirò and Melissa DOC wines. The main stops on this wine tourism itinerary are the two municipalities of the same name and the area covered by their consortium, where Calabria's most famous white, red and rosé wines are produced. Along the Costa dei Saraceni, you can also sample the excellent Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto DOC, Lipuda and Val di Neto IGT wines.

Wine Routes and the Wine City of Catanzaro

Calabria's "Wine Routes" continue, taking us to discover the Lamezia and Catanzaro areas, home to the Savuto, Scavigna, Lamezia DOC and Valdamato IGT wines. Catanzaro and its province benefit from a unique microclimate and from the differing exposure to two seas – the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian – between which flow important river valleys. The main stop on this wine tourism itinerary is Lamezia Terme, the "City of Wine", together with Motta Santa Lucia, which has a DOC designation covering all wine types (white, red, rosé, sparkling, passito and novello) and is produced from indigenous grape varieties.

Wine Routes and Wine Cities in Reggio Calabria

Travelling south along the Tyrrhenian coast, we reach Reggio Calabria and its province, where the Costa Viola brand's vineyards, overlooking Mount Etna, produce Arghillà and Pellaro IGT, warmed by long sunsets and protected by the characteristic terraced vineyards with dry stone walls. Other 'Cities of Wine' in the Reggio Calabria area include:

• Cittanova
• Scilla, with the eponymous Scilla IGT wine
• Bianco, where you can raise a glass of Greco di Bianco DOC
• Bivongi, with its red Bivongi DOC
• Palizzi, with all the different varieties of Palizzi IGT
• Locri, with the eponymous Locride IGT wine

There is no better way to explore a region than through the sensory journey offered by its wine. Along Calabria's 'Wine Routes', numerous Calabrian wineries and cellars offer wine tourism accommodation, vineyard tours and tastings. Among the recommended stops, we suggest visiting the historic centre of Cosenza and the two national parks that lie wholly or partly within its province: Pollino National Park and Sila National Park, which are criss-crossed by river valleys such as the Savuto Valley, where Savuto DOC wine is produced.

Don't miss a visit to the historic centres of Cirò, Melissa and Crucoli. Another must-see is Isola Capo Rizzuto, with the seaside fortress of Le Castella, located within the Marine Protected Area. On the Tyrrhenian coast, Lamezia Terme, the 'City of Wine', offers the beauty of the historic centre of Nicastro, with its Cathedral, Diocesan Museum, Monumental Complex of San Domenico and the remains of the Norman-Swabian Castle.

A must-see stop along the Costa Viola is the fishing village of Chianalea di Scilla, also known as the 'Venice of the South'; then Reggio Calabria, with its Art Nouveau charm, its waterfront and its National Archaeological Museum. Finally, there is Locri and its National Archaeological Park, where you can raise a toast to Calabria with an excellent glass of IGT Locride wine.