WTI Magazine #27 2014 Apr, 25
Author : Vino OK Translation by:
The wine area that involves the production of Verbicaro DOC is located on the western edge of the National Park of Pollino (a national park in Basilicata and Calabria), partly hilly sloping down towards the coast and partly flat.
From the geological point of view, this zone is characterized in particular by the limestone which were eroded, by atmospheric agents, after their formation. Here the topography provides, due to the geology and to its subsequent erosion, a series of sinkholes, caves and canyons typical of karst areas.
The local vineyards have very diverse terrain, with soils of different nature: sometimes calcareous, sometimes clay, sometimes lava and sometimes marl. Thus the results (even sometimes among the same grape) will be different, due to the nature of the territory in the various plots, with different contributions depending on the grapevine being on limestone rather than on clay.
The climatic conditions are typical of Calabrian Apennines, with characteristics from the Mediterranean mountains, with rain and humidity in the winter and dry climate with warm temperatures in the summer. In winter snowfalls are not uncommon.
The white varieties
The white grape varieties grown to produce the Verbicaro DOC are the Greek Bianco, Malvasia Bianca and Guarnaccia. The Greek Calabrian White is the quintessential white grape grown throughout the region and the protagonist of nearly all the wines. This vine is one of the oldest brought by the Greeks during their colonization that gave birth to the Italian Magna Grecia, perhaps from Calabria.
The vine provides aromatic wines with good structure, worthy for the production of sweet wines. The Malvasia is also a very old grape variety, used in many productions for all three main types of wine, with versions still, sparkling and sweet. The Guarnaccia white is rather a rarity in both Italian and international scene. It is rare also in the region, cultivated only in the province of Cosenza.
The DOC white Verbicaro
The designation of origin Verbicaro was established by the Ministerial Decree of October 21, 1995, authorizing the production of white, red and rosé wines in the municipalities of Verbicaro, Grisolia, Orsomarso, San Domenica Talao and Santa Maria del Cedro in the province of Cosenza . It stipulates the use of the Greek White for a minimum of 30%, Malvasia white up to a maximum of 40% and Guarnaccia white for a maximum of 30%.
The yields of the grapes are set to a maximum of 12 tonnes per hectare. Once fermented, the grapes must be able to provide an actual alcoholic strength of at least 10% vol.
The marketing of the wine cannot take place before the month of January. The resulting wine is a beautiful pale, with delicate perfumes and dry tastes, and a solid but soft aroma. It is an excellent wine for fish, crustaceans and particularly delicate risotto. Good with white and not aromatic meats.