Caparra and Siciliani Ciro Classico Superiore

The Caparra and Siciliani families have been farmers and winemakers in Calabaria since the 19th century. In 1963, the families decided to combine their vineyards, knowledge and experience to create the Caparra & Siciliani estate with the shared goal of producing high quality wines from Cirò and Cirò Classico. Today, Giansalvatore Caparra and Giuseppe Siciliani run the estate, which consists of 213 hecatres of vineyards around Cirò Marina, just inland from the Ionian Sea. Traditional farming and vinification methods produce some of the most distinct and delicious Cirò available today.

Caparra & Siciliani Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore is made from 100% Gaglioppo, Calabria's flagship varietal. The vintage label for this wine is a reissue of Caparra e Siciliani's original label from 1963, the estate's inaugural release. This a beautiful Cirò, a fabulous introduction to the wines of Italy's "Deep South". In the glass, the wine shows a brilliant mid-ruby color with brick highlights. Intoxicating aromas of sour cherry, black cherry, baked earth, dried flowers and licorice plume from the glass in a complex bouquet. The palate delivers a generous amount of dusty, mouthcoating  tannins (the calling card of Gaglioppo), but those tannins are skillfully balanced by a lively acidity and fabulous concentration of savory fruit flavors that cascade into a lip-smacking finish full of energy and refreshment. I love Caparra & Siciliani's rustic charm: There is so much character and brio to this stunning Cirò! A fabulous food wine, enjoy with 'Nduja, spicy pasta or rich pork dishes (especially with Calabrian chiles).