Grape Variety: Gaglioppo

Colour: Red

Gaglioppo is a robust red grape found mostly in the Calabria region of southern Italy. Some aver that the grape has Greek origins and is thought to have been introduced to southern Italy around the same time as the Aglianico vine. Others suggest that it shares genetic resemblance to the Sicilian Frappato grape. The vine performs well in drought conditions but is susceptible to oidium. In The Marche region of central Italy, Gaglioppo is called Lacrima. Gaglioppo is the base of the Ciró DOC wine.

Gaglioppo berry bunches are quite tightly packed, with a medium skin thickness. The vine’s production is fairly prolific, vigorous (lots of foliage), as well as predictable from vintage to vintage. Gaglioppo ripens fairly late (usually in the first week in October), but Calabria’s hot and dry conditions provide plenty enough heat and light to fully ripen the fruit. Currently, there are over 7,000 hecatres of land under the Gaglioppo vine.

In the glass, Gaglioppo is fairly light in hue, often showing the “brick” tones so closely associated with Barolo, especially after a few years of bottle age. But despite the lightish colour of Galioppo’s wines, it is quite strongly structured with formidable levels of both acids and tannins. In terms of flavours and aromas, Gaglioppo reveals notes of licorice, “dust”, dried flowers, mixed berries, and a certain sappy, “vinous” aroma.

Gaglioppo based wines pair very well with grilled chicken, rabbit, and spicy dishes when young. With some aging, Gaglioppo-based wines are good matches with roasted lamb and game.