Description
The Terre di Cosenza PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, White Spumante, Rosé Spumante, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Terre di Cosenza PDO is within the entire territory of the Province of Cosenza, in the Calabria region.
Description of product typologies
Terre di Cosenza PDO Bianco is generally straw-yellow, at times tending towards greenish-yellow; the nose is intensely floral, even if the wine originates from different grape varieties; it is often smooth and fresh on the palate, with ample fruity and floral undertones. Terre di Cosenza PDO Rosso is ruby red, varying in depth; the nose reveals evident fruity notes of mixed berries and red fruit, as well as floral notes of acacia and citrus, also slightly candied; it is sapid and rich on the palate, with a long, persistent finish. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been aged for a period of 24 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Terre di Cosenza PDO Rosato ranges from soft to intense pink; the nose offers fragrances of fresh fruit; the overall sensation on the palate is harmonious, with a good amount of freshness. Terre di Cosenza PDO Spumante Bianco is straw-yellow, often streaked with greenish reflections, and has a pleasantly persistent perlage; the nose reveals a pleasing bouquet with delicate notes of fruit and yeast; the taste stands out for its sapidity and freshness. Terre di Cosenza PDO Spumante Rosé is various shades of pink; the nose is ample and dense with fruit, faint floral notes and bread crust; it is fresh, lively and clean on the palate, with a red fruity finish. Terre di Cosenza PDO Passito Bianco ranges from straw-yellow to intense golden yellow; the nose is sharp, with fragrances of ripe fruit and citrusy notes blending with those of pastries; it is smooth and embracing on the palate. Terre di Cosenza PDO Passito Rosso is bright red, tending towards garnet red over the years; the nose reveals notes of ripe fruit, with traces of dried fig and almond; there are velvety sensations on the palate, with an extremely persistent finish. Terre di Cosenza PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Bianco is intense yellow, often with amber hues; the nose offers fragrances of white fleshy fruit and honey; it is intense, balanced and embracing on the palate. Terre di Cosenza PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Rosso is deep ruby red, often tending towards garnet red; the nose offers intense fragrances of overripe fruit and light spiciness; it is warm and embracing on the palate, with a long, persistent finish. Terre di Cosenza PDO Novello is intense red; the nose is pleasantly vinous and rich with red fruit; it is balanced on the palate, with an tart lift emphasising the freshness. Terre di Cosenza PDO Spumante wines must be obtained exclusively through natural secondary fermentation in the bottle, and must remain on the lees for at least nine months; the entire process must last a minimum of 12 months. Terre di Cosenza PDO Passito wines must be produced with carefully selected grapes that have been dried outdoors or in suitable environments; partial dehydration with the aid of ventilated and/or dehumidified air is permitted. The wines cannot be released for consumption before December 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Grapes used for the production of Terre di Cosenza PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Bianco and Terre di Cosenza PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Rosso must be dried on the vines.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Terre di Cosenza PDO can be accompanied by seven geographical sub-designations: Terre di Cosenza PDO Colline del Crati, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest and Magliocco (incl. Riserva) wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Terre di Cosenza PDO Condoleo, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest, Novello and Greco Nero (incl. Riserva) wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Terre di Cosenza PDO Donnici, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest, Novello and Magliocco (incl. Riserva) wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Terre di Cosenza PDO Esaro, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest and Magliocco (incl. Riserva) wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Terre di Cosenza PDO Pollino, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest, Novello, Magliocco (incl. Riserva) and Moscato Passito wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Terre di Cosenza PDO San Vito di Luzzi, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest, Novello and Magliocco (incl. Riserva) wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Terre di Cosenza PDO Verbicaro, reserved for White, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest, Novello, Magliocco (incl. Riserva) and Moscato Passito wines produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin.
Grape variety specifications
The Terre di Cosenza PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties (incl. Spumante, Passito): min. 85% Greco Bianco, Guarnaccia Bianca, Malvasia Bianca, Montonico Bianco (locally known as Mantonico), Pecorello and Chardonnay, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Aglianico, Calabrese, Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%; min. 85% Magliocco (locally known as Magliocco dolce or Arvino or Mantonico Nero or Lacrima or Guarnaccia nera – incl. Riserva, Rosé Spumante, Passito); a maximum of 15% Greco Nero, Gaglioppo, Aglianico, and Calabrese can also be used, individually or combined. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
Additional specifications
The Terre di Cosenza PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.