Scala 'Ciro' Classico DOC 2018

Scala is back... we released this Southern Italian Rosso in July last year and it is still one of the top selling Press wines to date. It smashes it out of the park for $26.50 a bottle, and it has been hard for us to find more compelling European quality for this price point. Now, after several months out of stock, the importer is back with the 2018 vintage and it is a (slight) step up from the 2016 we offered last year. The wine is a little lighter in frame, but loaded with flavour, grit, raw structure and tannin that will see it last a good few years. We drank a bottle over the weekend and couldn't believe the value it delivered for the dollar. 

For a quick refresh, or for those new to Scala, this is a wine from the deep south of Italy, in Calabria, from a vineyard in the DOC (quality region) of Ciro, which is in the upward arch of the foot of the Italian peninsula, overlooking the Ionian Sea. The grape is Gaglioppo (gah-li-oh-po), which is a thick-skinned grape that handles the warmer climate of Southern Italy. Unlike usual warmer climate varieties in Australia, Gaglioppo in Calabria provides a mid weight wine, that is juicy, spicey, herbaceous (dry herbs) with some nice tannin structure in 2018. 

It has a rustic nature that gives more character and depth than just intense fruit. The type of wine you have in Italy and think, “Italian wine in Italy is so good, and such good value, why can’t I buy it at home”. 

It is delicious, drinkable and full of character, with intensity, vibrancy and tannin that out performs its price. On the heels of winter, this will sit with most red meat or slow cooked tomato based dishes. It will also go with cured meats and Italian cheeses. It has a lot of versatiltity.

It is made by the brilliant Scala family, that have owned their property, over multiple generations, for 200 years. The family had previously farmed olive trees, citrus groves and nuts, though turned some of the property over to a vineyard in 1965. They farm their 18 hectares of vineyard organically.

This will satisfy drinkers of Australian Pinot Noir or Shiraz, as it straddles the line in weight and flavour with that of softness and elegance. We hope you give it a go and please get in touch with any questions regarding the wine. 

Cheers,

Tom and Dan