Cantine Ippolito 1845 "Mare Chiaro" Greco Bianco 2023

Greco Bianco is one of southern Italy’s most ancient white grapes, with roots tracing back to the Greek colonists who settled in Calabria nearly three millennia ago. Despite the similar name, Greco Bianco is not the same as the better-known Greco di Tufo from Campania—though they may be related in the broader grape family. In Calabria, Greco Bianco has truly carved out its own identity, especially around the Ionian coast in Cirò and Melissa DOCs.

This grape thrives in hot, dry conditions but holds its acidity surprisingly well, especially when grown in coastal or hillside vineyards where sea breezes cool things down at night. It’s almost always made as a single varietal wine, allowing its distinct character to shine. While you’ll occasionally see it blended in bulk whites or regional table wines, quality-driven producers like Cantine Ippolito treat it with far more care—harvesting early to preserve freshness and fermenting at cool temperatures to highlight its aromatics.

Greco Bianco typically exhibits aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, and fresh herbs, along with subtle salinity and a faint almond note. On the palate, it leans dry and textural, showing flavors of lemon oil, green melon, underripe stone fruit, and a lightly bitter, savory finish that adds grip and interest. It’s a textured, coastal white that sits somewhere between a lean Falanghina and a zesty Albariño, but with a slight stone fruit and tropical fruit undertone—offering a unique twist that sets it apart. It’s not flashy or overly aromatic, but it’s quietly expressive and built for food.

I first discovered this wine wandering through a wine shop in Chicago—as I’m prone to do—and struck up a conversation with the clerk. I asked for something fun and interesting, and after grilling me on my palate preferences (as any great wine shop clerk should), he recommended this bottle. Its bright blue-green label wasn’t exactly unforgettable, but it came home with me to LA anyway.

When I finally opened it, I was pleasantly surprised. Aromatic and bursting with stone fruit and honeysuckle, yet completely dry on the palate, with just the right touch of minerality (Albariño lovers, this one’s for you!). Sure, it pairs beautifully with food—but honestly, for me, this is an afternoon sipper. Whether by a pool, fountain, beach, or river, it’s like a little slice of heaven in a glass. Or maybe I’m just daydreaming of sipping it on the Ionian coast.

Calabria might not be the first region that comes to mind when you think of Italian wine—but that’s exactly why it’s so exciting. Tucked into the toe of Italy’s boot, Calabria has centuries of winemaking history (we’re talking ancient Greek settlers kind of history), yet it's still flying under the radar. This is a region defined by extremes: rugged mountains, two coastlines, wild herbs in the air, and grapevines clinging to hillsides that overlook the Ionian Sea.

Cirò, located along the eastern coast, is Calabria’s most recognized and historic wine zone—and one of the oldest documented wine regions in all of Italy. It earned DOC status in 1969, thanks to its consistent production of quality wines from local varieties, particularly Gaglioppo for reds and Greco Bianco for whites. The combination of clay-limestone soils, hot days, cool nights, and constant coastal breezes makes it ideal for ripening grapes with great flavor while maintaining acidity and balance.

The terroir in Cirò is what truly sets it apart. Vineyards stretch from low-lying hills to higher elevations that benefit from both altitude and the moderating influence of the nearby Ionian Sea. Soils here are mostly clay and calcareous limestone, offering excellent drainage and encouraging deep root systems—essential for resilience and complexity. The Mediterranean climate brings long, dry summers with intense sunlight, but steady breezes and significant day-to-night temperature swings help preserve freshness in the grapes. For Greco Bianco, this means wines with crisp acidity, elegant minerality, and savory complexity—not unlike the breezy whites of Campania, but with a distinctly southern personality. Combine that with low intervention farming and a commitment to native grapes, and you’ve got a region that’s quietly producing some of Italy’s most characterful wines.