Category: Fruits

2019 Vintage: healthy grapes everywhere in Calabria

11.8.2019

In Calabria in 2019 has begun the harvest of some varieties of white grapes

Based on the first data collected, in the entire region, the first photograph of the Vigneto Calabria records healthy grapes everywhere, a good amount even if slightly lower than the 2018 harvest but higher than 2017 and in any case in the disciplinary parameters and with an optimal sugar level.

THE FEAST OF WINE-MAKING

As said, the harvest of white grapes began for the production of sparkling wines and aromatic whites.

In fact, at the request of Coldiretti, the Calabria Region, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Resources with Executive Decree No. 8987 of 25/07/2019 has set forth advanced harvest operations to 25 July 2019 , due to the effects of the climatic trend that led to an early maturation of some varieties of white grapes (Chardonnay, Sauvignon B, Traminer Aromatico and Manzoni Bianco) on the territory of the Calabria Region.

Calabrian Vineyard

Therefore it is already a feast in the vineyards and cellars and the previous slight delay that occurred in the maturation of the grapes, has gradually been canceled.

After suffering the precipitations and the low temperatures of April and May, these days Calabria is dealing with high temperatures – the Coldiretti experts point out – and this obliges the winemakers to keep the situation under control for the black grapes, avoiding the risk of infections during the vegetative phase.

A GROWING SECTOR

Those “beautiful grapes“ are what the winemakers are defending well, demonstrating their professionalism, so that it is concrete the possibility of meeting a wine year more than satisfactory and a record for quality.

From the “Calabrian Vineyard” job opportunities for 13 thousand people are born directly engaged in fields, wineries and commercial distribution, but also in related and service activities, for a turnover that rose in 2018 to about 100 million, thanks to growth in value of exports and quality consumption that Calabrese wine now ensures.

A feast for Calabria

The wine army – points out Coldiretti – ranges from winegrowers to wineries and commercial distribution, but also to related activities that have spread to the most diverse areas: from the glass industry to the cork industry. Further, many sub-sectors are growing: transport, insurance, accessories (such as corkscrews and various gadgets), packaging, research, training to dissemination, wine tourism, cosmetics, wellness market, publishing, advertising, software programs, and bioenergy obtained from residues of pruning and by-products of winemaking (lees, marc and stalks).

Arbutus of Calabria

24.7.2019

The Arbutus tree, which is also called albatross, is a fruit tree belonging to the Ericaceae family. The Latin denomination of “Arbutus unedo” (from unum = one more edo = mangio) is due to Pliny the Elder, who in his Naturalis Historia maintained that the fruit was tasteless and that therefore, after having eaten one, no one wished them any more.

Esotic and quotidian

It is widespread in the western Mediterranean countries and on the southern coasts of Ireland. The fruits are called in Italian “corbezzolo” or sometimes “albatro” (albatross).

The same shrub can simultaneously host flowers and ripe fruits, for its particular maturation cycle.

Magnificent colors

This, together with the fact of being evergreen, makes it particularly ornamental, due to the presence on the tree of three bright colors: the red of the fruits, the white of the flowers and the green of the leaves.

FEATURES

Leaves, fruits, flowers and roots of the strawberry tree all have medicinal properties.

The arbutus is useful as a diuretic, antispasmodic and antidiarrheal. It is useful not only against persistent diarrhea, but also to solve cystitis and to  heal wounds, due to disinfectant, balsamic and antispasmodic action of its shrub.

The leaves in particular have marked antiseptic qualities capable of helping the liver and biliary work. Further, the strawberry tree has a strong disinfectant power on the skin and is also useful in the case of inflammations, especially of the urogenital system. Especially due to its leaves, which are rich in tannins, aromatic resins, phenolic derivatives and essential oils.

Delicious honey of “Corbezzolo”

GASTRONOMY

A special product obtained from the arbutus is “arbutus honey” which has the same balsamic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and diuretic properties of the leaves, fruits and roots.