Grape Variety
Gaglioppo
“Calabria's Ancient Heart”
Red grape
Gaglioppo is a red wine grape grown in Cirò, Calabria, Southern Italy — known as “Calabria's Greek Heritage Red”.
Gaglioppo at a glance
| Color | Red |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Gaglioppo di Cirò |
| Signature flavors | Sour Cherry, Herbs, Orange Peel, Spice, Leather, Earth |
| Classic pairings | Nduja, Calabrian chili dishes, Grilled swordfish, Aged Pecorino |
| Where it grows | Cirò, Calabria, Southern Italy |
The Story
Gaglioppo is Calabria's signature grape—the variety behind Cirò, one of Italy's oldest DOCs.
Insider Story
Cirò claims to be the world's oldest DOC—wine was awarded to Olympic victors.
Calabrian Gaglioppo was nearly forgotten. Modern producers are proving its potential.
Technical Deep Dive
Medium-bodied reds with moderate tannins and cherry-spice character.
Flavor profile: sour cherry, dried herbs, orange peel, Mediterranean spices.
Industry Secrets
Quality Cirò is emerging. Librandi leads the revolution.
The grape needs low yields for complexity.
Collector’s Corner
Investment grade C- Auction records
- No auction market
- Blue-chip producers
- ["Librandi","'A Vita"]
- Value picks
- Quality Cirò ($15-30)
- Price trend
- Rising slowly.
- Collector’s tip
- Buy for value.
Updated March 2026
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