Calabria IGT Madre Goccia 2023 – Tenuta Iuzzolini

Calabrisella restaurant in Cardiff, owned by a Calabrian family, recommended this wine to us. In fact, Angelo—one of the owners—chose it for his wedding, which clearly attests to its quality! Moreover, the Calabria IGT Madre Goccia offers incredible value for money and ranks among the finest Calabrian wines we have ever tasted. It delivers a complex and smooth profile, is dry yet carries a touch of sweetness, and impresses with both salinity and excellent persistence. Furthermore, Calabria remains a hidden treasure, and its wines deserve the spotlight. Between Puglia and Sicily, a world of flavours awaits discovery!

Tenuta Iuzzolini

Tenuta Iuzzolini stands as a true symbol of Calabrian winemaking and shines because of its unwavering commitment to quality. Its reputation has soared from Cirò Marina to the international stage, thanks to the exceptional wines the estate produces. Located in the historic vineyards of ancient Krimisa, the winery spans an impressive 500 hectares. Specifically, 100 hectares support the Cirò DOC while the remaining vineyards flourish in the Calabria IGT region.

In addition, the estate cultivates indigenous varieties such as Greco Bianco, Gaglioppo, and Magliocco, thereby preserving Calabria’s rich viticultural heritage. The winemakers also grow Pecorello and Chardonnay, which they use to produce some of the most sought-after white wines in the region. Furthermore, the growers carefully tend every vine with experience and dedication, which results in wines of extraordinary depth and character.

Greco Bianco

The Greco Bianco grape variety originates from the Hellenic Peninsula. During their migrations to Italy, Greek settlers brought many vine cuttings and seeds, and these introductions later sparked the development of numerous grape varieties in central and southern Italy—all sharing the “Greco” root. Notably, in the Calabrian version of Greco, “Bianco” does not refer to the wine’s color but rather to the namesake town located on Calabria’s Ionian coast.

Moreover, several municipalities in the provinces of Catanzaro and Reggio Calabria cultivate Greco Bianco. Winemakers use its grapes to produce both single-varietal wines (as seen in the Greco Bianco DOC) and blends with other grape varieties. Consequently, this grape plays a crucial role in the region, especially in the Cirò Bianco DOC appellation, where it must make up at least 90% of the blend.