Discover Calabria and Torre Aragonese: Italian Wine Flight at Back Alley Wine Bar (Monday, August 4)

Are you ready for a Mediterranean adventure in a glass? Join us Monday, August 4, at Back Alley Wine Bar for a special tasting event featuring three stunning wines from Torre Aragonese—a standout producer in the heart of Calabria, Italy’s hidden gem of a wine region.

Calabria: Ancient Land, Timeless Wines

Calabria forms the “toe” of Italy’s boot, cuddled between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. Its vineyards stretch across sun-drenched hills, mountain slopes, and wild coastal landscapes—a region shaped by thousands of years of history and tradition.

Historical Roots

Wine in Calabria isn’t just a craft—it’s a legacy:

• Greek Influence: As early as the 8th century BCE, Greeks brought grapevines to these shores, establishing colonies that turned Calabria into the powerhouse of Magna Graecia. The wines were so renowned that, legend has it, victors in the ancient Olympic Games sipped Calabrian Cirò for strength.
• Roman & Beyond: Roman rule expanded Calabria’s vineyard footprint, further refining its wines. Through Byzantine, Norman, and medieval ages, viticulture thrived, even earning mention by Pliny the Elder. By the 16th and 17th centuries, Calabrian wines were famous in courts across Europe—but shifting tastes and disease outbreaks took a toll in later centuries.

Today’s Winemaking

Despite its under-the-radar reputation, Calabria enjoys a wine renaissance. Producers now blend tradition with innovation, focusing on indigenous varieties like Gaglioppo and Greco Bianco. These wines reflect their rugged origins: bold reds and aromatic whites made for food and conviviality.

Torre Aragonese: Guardians of the Ionian Shore

Right in the heart of Cirò—Calabria’s most storied wine district—sits Torre Aragonese, a winery that fuses the ancient and the modern. Its name hails from the imposing 16th-century Aragonese Tower, built to protect the coast from invaders and now watching over the vines and olive groves of Melissa and Cirò.

• A Sense of Place: Torre Aragonese celebrates native Calabrian grapes like Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, and Magliocco, as well as select international varieties, all cultivated on vineyards shaped by Mediterranean breezes.
• Heritage & Craft: Tradition guides everything—from hand-harvesting ripe bunches to careful oak aging for their most serious reds. The results are age-worthy, characterful wines that evoke the flavors and scents of Calabria’s ancient hills.

Wine Flight Preview: Torre Aragonese Tasting Event

Cirò Bianco 2022

• Blend: 100% Greco Bianco
• Tasting Notes: Delicate floral aromas with yellow fruit and subtle almond undertones. The palate is soft, fresh, and distinctly citrus-infused, reflecting the sun-drenched landscapes of southern Italy. The wine shows a straw yellow color with green hues and is described as vibrant, crisp, and pleasantly aromatic.

Calabria Rosso 2021

• Blend: Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Magliocco.
• Tasting Notes: The wine opens with vibrant black currant aromas, along with Mediterranean herbs and wild berries. The palate is soft and enveloping, with elegant, well-integrated tannins for balance. It is nuanced, with good depth, and designed for flexibility in food pairings—especially with roasted meats and strong cheeses.

Cirò Riserva 2018

• Blend: 100% Gaglioppo
• Tasting Notes: Offers a powerful nose with notes of coffee, liquorice, and chocolate. The palate is described as soft, full-bodied, rounded, and marked by velvety tannins that create a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel. It demonstrates depth, elegance, and the result of careful hand-harvesting and winemaking attention.

Pairing the Wine with Food

Cirò Bianco 2022

• Seafood: Grilled fish, shrimp, calamari, and shellfish dishes make excellent matches due to the wine’s freshness and citrus notes.
• Light Pastas: Pasta with olive oil, herbs, or light tomato-based sauces.
• White Meats: Chicken or turkey breast, particularly when prepared with Mediterranean herbs.
• Cheeses: Soft or semi-soft cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, or burrata.
• Vegetable Dishes: Grilled vegetables, salads, or vegetable-based risottos work well with its aromatic profile.

Calabria Rosso 2021

• Red Meats: Roasted lamb, beef, or pork—especially preparations featuring Mediterranean spices or herbs.
• Barbecue: Grilled sausages or barbecue dishes that demand a red with structure and fruitiness.
• Aged Cheeses: Hard cheeses like pecorino or aged parmigiano.
• Pasta: Rich pasta dishes such as those with ragù, meatballs, or baked pasta casseroles.
• Game: Dishes involving wild boar or venison also work well due to the wine’s depth and tannins.

Cirò Riserva 2018

• Braised/Stewed Meats: Osso buco, beef stew, or slow-cooked lamb, as this full-bodied wine stands up to hearty, flavorful dishes.
• Aged Cheeses: Robust, aged cheeses like pecorino stagionato or gorgonzola.
• Game Meats: Roast duck, venison, or wild boar—meats with stronger flavors complement the structure and complexity of the Riserva.
• Mushroom Dishes: Dishes with porcini mushrooms or truffle-based sauces.
• Rich Pasta: Pasta al forno (baked pasta), tagliatelle with meat sauce, or pasta with wild mushrooms.

Event Details

Location: Back Alley Wine Bar, Prescott, AZ
Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 2pm-7pm
Format: Guided flight tasting + food pairing suggestions
Atmosphere: Cozy, lively, and perfect for Mediterranean daydreaming

Why Attend?

• Taste the Unfamiliar: Calabria’s wines are rare in the US—don’t miss this one-night opportunity!
• Travel by Glass: Each pour reveals the story of a region shaped by Greeks, Romans, and centuries of culinary tradition.
• Pair Like a Pro: Discover unexpected food matches, from seafood and herby pastas to aged cheeses and rich red meats.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine explorer or just curious about Italy’s lesser-known treasures, this wine flight will transport you straight to Calabria—no passport required. Space is limited, so plan to arrive early and toast Calabria’s vibrant past, present, and future with every glass!

Raise your glass, and join us for an unforgettable taste of Southern Italy at Back Alley Wine Bar!