Costa Viola
Styles
Principal grape varieties
AglianicoAlicante Bouschet (Alicante Henri Bouschet)Ansonica B. - Inzolia (Ansonica)Barbera N. (Barbera Nera)Cabernet-FrancCabernet-SauvignonNero-D’Avola (Calabrese)ChardonnayItalia - Gaglioppo N. (Gaglioppo)Greco Bianco B. — Greco (Greco Bianco Di Tufo)Greco Nero N. — Greco (Greco Nero)GuardavalleGrenache (Garnacha Tinta)Malvasia Bianca (Malvasia Bianca Lunga)Malvasia Nera Di Brindisi N. — Malvasia (Malvasia Nera Di Brindisi)Manzoni Bianco B. — Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13 B. (Manzoni Bianco)MerlotMontepulcianoMontonico Bianco B. — Montonico (Montonico Bianco)Muscat À Petits Grains BlancsNerello Cappuccio N.Nerello Mascalese N. (Nerello Mascalese)Ciliegiolo N. (Ciliegiolo)Pecorino B. - Vissanello (Pecorino)Petit Verdot (Verdot Petit)Pinot BlancCinsautRiesling Italico B. — Riesling (Welschriesling)SauvignonSemillonSyrahGewurztraminer (Gewuerztraminer)Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano)Verdicchio Bianco B. — Verdicchio (Verdicchio Bianco)Muscat D Alexandrie (Muscat Of Alexandria)
Terroir
Natural factors
- The territory encompasses 4 communes on the Calabrian coast just outside the Strait of Messina, between Scilla and Palmi.
- The relief is characterized by abrupt elevations that rapidly bring the altitude above 500 m a.s.l.
- The landscape is marked by rocky cliffs plunging sheer to the sea and by terraces supported by dry-stone walls known as armacìe.
Human factors
- The Costa Viola is home to vineyards on terraces called armacìe—dry-stone walls that carve out space from the sheer rocky cliffs.
- Calabrian viticulture predates 744 BC, when the Greeks named the region Enotria, from the root 'Oinos' (Wine).
Product characteristics
- The red wines display well-balanced chemical and physical characteristics and prevailing aromas typical of their grape varieties.
Terroir / wine link
- The terraced armacìe—dry-stone walls set into sheer rocky cliffs above the sea—are the physical link binding the extreme landscape of the Costa Viola to its wine.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Regional grape register (PDF) — calabria
- eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-IT-A0640
- Official trade body site — Consorzio di Tutela Terre di Reggio Calabria