Cirò DOC Appellation
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
The current Cirò wine derives from a wine that was formerly called “Krimisa”. The name probably derives from that of a Greek colony, Cremissa, located where Cirò Marina now stands. In Cremissa there was also an important temple dedicated to the god of wine, Bacchus, and Krimisa was the wine offered as a gift to the winning athletes of the Olympics.
In the sixteenth century and throughout the modern era, wine is described as one of the elements that characterize agriculture and an economy typical of a happy, prosperous, fertile Calabria, according to truthful images that are handed down from father to son. To renew the ancient tradition, Cirò was served as the official wine at the Olympics held in Mexico City in 1968. Milone di Crotone, winner of six editions of the Athens games, was a great admirer of this wine.
The Cirò DOC wine obtained the recognition of the Controlled Designation of Origin on April 2, 1969.
Territory
The geographical area dedicated to the production of the Cirò DOC wine is located in the extreme north of the Province of Crotone, on the coast of the Ionian coast and in its hilly hinterland up to the first slopes of the Sila.
The Cirò DOC Wine Production Area is located in the province of Crotone, and for the following types:
– Cirò Rosso, Superiore, Superiore Riserva, Rosato and Bianco , includes the territory of the municipalities of Cirò, Cirò Marina and, in part, the territory of the municipalities of Melissa and Crucoli.
– Cirò Classico, Classico Superiore and Classico Superiore Riserva , includes the territory of the municipalities of Cirò and Cirò Marina.
Vinification and Aging
During the vinification phases, only loyal and constant oenological practices of the area are allowed, suitable to give the wines their particular quality characteristics.
The winemaking practices of the Cirò DOC wines include, among other things, that:
– The maximum yield of grapes into DOC Cirò wine must not exceed 70%; if these parameters are exceeded within the 5% limit, the excess will not be entitled to the DOC. Beyond these limits the right to DOC for the whole product lapses.
– Cirò Rosso Superiore and Classico Superiore wines, subjected to an aging period of at least 24 months, can bear the mention Riserva on the label.
