Ippolito 1845 Liber Pater Cirò 2022

This wine is made from 100% Gaglioppo, a native southern Italian grape variety, which is medium-to-late ripening and produces soft, red wines from DOC Cirò in Calabria. The variety’s origins are unclear, but recent DNA testing suggests it may be descendent from Sangiovese. The Ippolito 1845’s Gaglioppo grapes come from the flat vineyards of the ‘Feudo’ estate, which is planted at 10 metres' elevation, and the hilly vineyards of the ‘Mancuso’ estate, which is situated at 60 metres above sea level. The vines are between 15 to 20 years old and are trained on the traditional espalier system, using a horizontal spurred cordon pruning method. The vines are planted at a density of 5,600 plants per hectare. The soil composition is clay limestone, which imparts freshness to the wines and encourages fine tannins. The vines are cultivated organically with copper, sulphur and bacillus, rather than chemical sprays and mechanical weeding takes place to prevent soil erosion and to protect the biodiversity of the vineyard.

The grapes were carefully selected, followed by an eight to 10 day maceration on the skins. This took place at controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks to extract the pure fruit flavours, aromas and fine tannins which impart the wine with structure. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts, followed by gentle pressing and the young wine was then aged: 50% was matured in used French oak barrels, while the remainder was aged in stainless steel.