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# 77 MARCH 21 , 2016
one of the hidden treasures and red native grapes of Calabria that faced
extinction. Wineries are
working further on bringing this grape back into
existence and are using
it in blends or some are
making wines with 100%
magliocco. One of the
DOC’s where this grape
grows a lot is the Terre di
Cosenza DOC. In other
areas such as Scavigna,
you’ll find it blended with
aglianico and in Lamezia,
you’ll find it blended with
nerello mascalese, greco
nero and nerello cappuccio.
gaglioppo grape, one of
Calabria’s most popular
red grapes. According to
another Italian wine lover
and writer, Do Bianchi,
“magliocco is a tannic grape with a wonderful roundness to it (when vinified
monovarietally),
good
dark red fruit, and healthy
acidity." Wine Searcher
recommends pairing magliocco with spiced pork
chops, braised short ribs
and zucchini stuffed lamb.
Mantonico Bianco grape
A white native grape of
Calabria, mantonico bianco produces dry and pasMagliocco shares very si- sito style wines. As a dry
milar characteristics to the wine it takes well to barrel
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fermentation. You’ll typically find it grown along
the coastlines of Calabria.
DNA results have shown
that this grape may be closely related to garganega,
most commonly found in
the Veneto region in wines such as soave. Described by Ian D’Agata in
his book Native Grapes of
Italy, “Mantonico Bianco
wines are characterized
by strong acid and tannin contents. The sweet
wines are the best, redolent with honeyed tropical
fruit aromas and flavors.
Recommended by Wine
Searcher to pair with mushroom soup, smoked salmon and zabaglione.