The Calabrian red wine produced in the municipalities of Cirò and Cirò Marina obtains protected designation of origin status at the European level. This is Calabria’s 19th wine denomination and brings the total number of wine PDOs and PGIs in Italy to 529.
Cirò Classico obtains official recognition as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from the European Union, specifically becoming a DOCG. The registration appeared in the EU Official Gazette on July 25, 2025. The Calabrian red wine thus becomes the region’s 19th wine denomination and number 529 among Italian Geographical Indications in the wine sector, according to the Qualivita Observatory.
WINE GIs GROWING IN ITALY
With Cirò Classico PDO, Italy reaches 529 Geographical Indications for wine: 410 PDOs and 119 PGIs. Adding the 328 PDO, PGI and TSG agri-food products, the total number rises to 857. To these are added 35 GIs for Spirit Drinks, bringing the total number of Geographical Indications registered in the country to 892.
CALABRIA’S NUMBERS
Calabria now has 40 PDO and PGI denominations: 21 in the agri-food sector and 19 in the wine sector, of which 9 are PDOs and 10 are PGIs. The economic value of the regional PDO economy is estimated at 47 million euros, according to the 2024 Ismea-Qualivita Report.
PRODUCTION AREA AND GRAPE VARIETIES OF CIRÒ CLASSICO PDO
Cirò Classico PDO is reserved exclusively for red wine. Production involves the municipalities of Cirò and Cirò Marina, in the province of Crotone. The area includes the historic territory linked to the Greek colony of Cremissa. The production regulations require the use of the Gaglioppo grape variety for at least 90%, with the possible addition of Magliocco and Greco Nero up to a maximum of 10%.
NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE CONSORZIO VINI DOC CIRÒ E MELISSA
The Consorzio Vini DOC Cirò e Melissa is now led by Carlo Siciliani (Caparra & Siciliani) who succeeds Raffaele Librandi as president. The organization is tasked with promoting a denomination that, with the new recognition, aims to strengthen its identity in the landscape of Italian PDOs.
KDKDK. https://www.consorzioviniciroemelissa.it/. https://caparraesiciliani.com/.
