L'Acino Chora Rosso 2019

Chora Rosso is 100% Magliocco Tondo grown on sandy soils at the foot of Monte Pollino in northern Calabria, near the Basilicata border. The vines were planted in 2007-2008 from massale cuttings taken from older vines on the estate, and because the hillside is so sandy, they could be planted franc de pied — without grafting onto phylloxera-resistant rootstocks. Farming is certified organic and harvest is done by hand.

Grapes are partially destemmed, with whole clusters retained, and fermented in stainless steel tanks with native yeasts. Maceration runs approximately eight days with no temperature control or sulfur additions during fermentation. The wine is aged in tank and bottled unfiltered with only a small amount of sulfur added early the following spring.

The name Chora comes from the Greek word for countryside — a reference chosen by Dino Briglio, who trained as a historian before founding L'Acino in 2006. Magliocco Tondo is a smaller-berried, more drought-resistant sub-variety of Magliocco Dolce, one of Calabria's most ancient indigenous red grapes. At the elevation and northern exposure of the Monte Pollino foothills, the fruit retains freshness and acidity that distinguishes it from riper, lower-altitude Calabrian reds.

The wine is labeled IGP Calabria and is produced in small quantities. This bottling is 100% Magliocco; earlier vintages included some Guarnaccia Nera in the blend.