L'Acino, Tocco Magliocco

The Magliocco grape is a varietal indigenous in Calabria and is mostly planted in the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro. It is believed to have  Greek origins and its presence has also been reported, albeit in small plantings,  in other Southern Italian regions.  Its destiny has been similar to that of many other lesser known grapes. Over the years, most growers planted more popular or international grape varietals and the Magliocco had almost disappeared from those lands where it had been growing for centuries. It has been used mostly as a blending
varietal, but there are now a handful of producers making wines using exclusively Magliocco grapes. 
This Magliocco vineyard is located on a wind swept hillside oriented toward the Pollino mountains which peak at 7,000 feet above sea level. The gulf of Sibari and the Ionian sea are about 10 miles away.  At these elevations, the vineyard experiences major temperature variations which contributes to growing good quality grapes. The Pollino National Park is located between Calabria and Basilicata and it is the largest national park in Europe.

Region: Calabria
Production Area San Marco Argentano (Cosenza)
Appellation: IGT Calabria
Vintage: 2007
Varietal Blend: 100% Magliocco
Vineyard:1800 feet a.s.l on a Southern exposure
Planting System: Spurred cordon
Soil:
Vineyard Density: 5.000 plants per hectare
Harvest: End of September 2007
Yield:
Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine Making: In stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature with a 20-day maceration
Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels plus 3 months in the bottle
Total Production:

Tasting Notes: A brick-colored red shows elegant red Mediterranean aromas on the nose soft tannins.
Food Pairings: Pasta with meat sauces. Veal, rabbit dishes.