1. Enotria: The Cradle of Italian Viticulture

The story of Calabrian wine begins with the ancient Enotrians, indigenous inhabitants who populated the southern region before Greek colonization. The Greeks were so impressed by the abundance and quality of the local vines that they named the territory Enotria (derived from oînos, the Greek word for wine, or énotron, the stake used to support vines).

When Greek colonists founded Magna Graecia in the 8th century BC, they introduced advanced viticultural techniques, pruning methods, and new grape varieties from Greece, making Calabria one of the most prolific wine regions in antiquity.

2. The Wine of Champions: Krimisa & Classical Acclaim

In ancient Magna Graecia, wine was far more than a beverage; it was a sacred offering and a symbol of prestige. The most famous ancient Calabrian wine was Krimisa, produced near present-day Cirò.

Krimisa was officially served to athletes returning victorious from the Olympic Games in Greece. It is considered the oldest recorded wine in Europe and the direct ancestor of today’s Cirò DOC.

3. The Reggio Calabria Coast & Unique Nectars

The province of Reggio Calabria holds a unique position in this historic landscape. From the terraced hills of Palmi facing the Tyrrhenian Sea to the sun-drenched slopes of the Ionian Locride region, ancient microclimates produce distinctive wines:

• Greco di Bianco DOC: A rare, golden dessert wine crafted in Bianco near Reggio Calabria, using grapes partially dried in the sun—a technique unchanged since ancient times.
• Costa Viola IGP: Vineyards cultivated on steep, sea-facing terraces, maintained by hand for thousands of years.
• IGP Arghillà: Produced in the hills overlooking the Strait of Messina, rich in body and historic character.