Calabria IGT is the region-wide IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) title for southern Italy's Calabria region.
Calabria produces very little wine, particularly when compared to its neighbors Sicily or Puglia. Less than 40,000 ha of vineyards are planted here – less than a twentieth of the region's total agricultural land.
For a long time now, just a tiny fraction (less than 2%) of Calabria's wine production has been made and sold under DOC titles. This meant that, prior to the introduction of the IGT category, almost all Calabrian wine was sold in bulk, or as Vino di Tavola – the lowliest quality classification an Italian wine can have. With their relatively relaxed production conditions and fewer stylistic constraints, IGT titles have brought a certain freedom to winemakers all over Italy. In light of this, it was hoped that Calabria's wine producers would capitalize on this new opportunity, and begin focusing on quality over quantity. The arrival of IGT Calabria in 1995, (and twelve other IGT titles since then) gave the Calabrese winemakers freedom to produce varietal wines aimed at the international market. As yet, the uptake has been moderate at best – it is rare to find a Calabrian IGT wine available anywhere outside Italy.
Many Calabria IGT wines are varietal reds made from Magliocco Canino, an ancient red variety grown only here in Calabria. Magliocco Canino (often simply Magliocco) is often confused with Gaglioppo (Calabria's principal red-wine grape), with which it has a great deal in common, both in the vineyard and in the glass. Together, these two varieties are behind almost one half of all Calabria IGT wines produced.
White wines made under this title are dominated by the internationally famous and ever-popular Chardonnay, and local specialty Mantonico Bianco. Also represented in the white varietals is Greco Bianco – the variety behind Greco di Bianco (arguably Calabria's most noteworthy and interesting wine style).
Despite the obvious dominance of a single style (dry red wines), the IGT laws here allow for the production of red, rosé and white wines, both still and sparkling.
