CALABRIA - CIRO' - DONNICI - MELISSA - SAVUTO

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Cirò

Located on the Jonion side of Calabria, the town of Cirò is split in two areas. The part of town that keeps the historic remains that date back to the 17th and 18th century, and the castle of the 15th/16th century is called "Cirò Superiore", the more modern part is "Cirò Marina" placed close to the beach, with it's small "Castle of Carafa", and where the finest vineyards are situated to make the world wide known DOC wine "Cirò".

Both Cirò Marina and Cirò Superiore are the areas of production of the DOC Cirò Classico, 12.5° alcoholic degrees, Cirò Riserva and Cirò Superiore both of 13.5° alcoholic degrees. These reds are made out of "gaglioppo" grapes, a typical Calabrian grape. It has a ruby red colour and a dry and full taste. It goes very well with the Calabrian Salamis as "Soppressata", roasts and ripened cheeses.

The houses also make a Rose that fit for hors d'oeuvres and white meat, and a White good with vegetable hors d'oeuvres, fish dishes and pasta dishes.

Donnici

Vineyards that cultivate the grapes to produce the "Donnici DOC wine" are in two areas of Calabria: Cosenza and Dipignano.

The first town lies above the rivers Busento and Crati, the older part, situated on high grounds is dominated by the Swabian Castle and the Cathedral, an architectonic and urban jewel, whilst the new town, located further in the valley clearly has a 19th century origin.

Dipignano instead was founded in the 9th century, by the Cosentine fugitives escaped from Saracen invasions. Tradition gives the town the title of "motherland of boilermakers" thanks to the highly developed copper manufacturing.

Donnici White derives from montolico, greco, malvasia and pecorello grapes, it has a yellow colour, fresh flavour and dry taste, harmonious and sometimes fruit flavoured. Excellent with hors d'oeuvres and sea risottos. Donnici Rose has a harmonious and fresh taste, good with salamis, soups and white meats. Donnici Red, made from gaglioppo and greco grapes, has a strong and dry taste, appropriate for roast and cheeses.

Melissa

The small medieval town of Melissa has a millenary origin, probably founded by the crews of Mycenae ships that reached Calabria about 3400 years ago.

Melissa DOC wine, is Red and White. The Melissa Rosso is made with grapes of gaglioppo, greco nero and bianco, trebbiano toscano and malvasia bianco. Ideal with grilled food and cheeses.

Melissa Bianco perfectly fits for risottos, pasta dishes and fish dishes and is made with grapes of greco bianco, trebbiano toscano and malvasia bianca.

Savuto

Savuto is not only the name of a town in Calabria, but also the name is a valley and river which lies at the intersection of the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro. The river starts in the Sila mountains and ends into the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia.

The Savuto valley is home to many towns, known collectively as "the towns of the Savuto". The old town centers feel very medieval... Great in summer when many former residents and families visit... close to ocean beaches, orchards, vinyards, and night life in the nearby beach resorts.
Savuto is also the name of a DOC wine produced in the region.

The name originates from the latin Sabatus, and it may also correspond to the Greek Ocinaros ("that flows quickly"), on which there was located the ancient town of Temesa.