# Scala Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore (2024)

- **Producer:** Società Agricola Scala
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Gaglioppo
- **Region:** Calabria, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €13
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, strawberry, plum, orange, violet, herbaceous

## About this wine

Società Agricola Scala, located in the historic Cirò region of Calabria, has a rich agricultural heritage dating back to the 17th century. Formally established as a winery in 1949 by Antonio Scala, the estate underwent a significant modernization in 2005. Today, it is run by the third generation of the family, Francesco and Luigi Scala, who are dedicated to low-intervention organic farming. The estate's vineyards are located in the historic Cirò Classico zone, benefiting from a Mediterranean climate with cooling night breezes from the nearby Ionian Sea, which helps preserve the grapes' natural acidity and expressive character.

## Interesting facts

- Gaglioppo is often called the 'Barolo of the South' due to its pale ruby-orange color, high acidity, and robust, muscular tannins.
- The Scala family avoids oak aging entirely for this wine, opting instead for historic 1950s underground concrete tanks.
- The grapes are sourced from the historic 'Franza' vineyard, which has been in the Scala family's possession since the 17th century.

## Food pairing

This wine requires rich, savory, or moderately spiced dishes to balance its high acidity and robust tannic structure. The rustic tannins cut through fats beautifully, while the bright acidity complements tomato-based sauces and rich meats.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for this red wine focuses on preserving the pure, rustic character of the Gaglioppo grape. The hand-harvested grapes are 100% de-stemmed and undergo a 15-day skin maceration and alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures of 22°C to 25°C in stainless steel tanks. To maintain varietal purity and avoid masking the grape's natural characteristics with oak, the wine is aged for 12 to 18 months in the winery's historic underground concrete tanks. This is followed by an additional six months of bottle refinement before release.