One of the great pleasures of wine exploration is discovering something new and exciting that you have not tried before. If you are a fan of southern Italian grape varieties, (Nero d'Avola, Primativo or Aglianico) then I have something unique, intriguing and downright delicious for you to try.

Ippolito 1845 Colli del Mancuso Ciro Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva is one of those wines you will fall in love with. And as if the name of the wine is not enough of a mouthful, it is produced from the native Gaglioppo (pronounced "gahl-YO-poh") grape.

OK, I know this one will take a little explaining so here you go. Colli del Mancuso comes to us from the Calabria region of Italy. This little known region forms the toe of the boot of Italy. This long mountainous region is a peninsula bounded by the Basilicata region to the north, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionan Sea to the east. Even though ancient Greeks introduced wine to the region in the sixth century B.C., modern Calabria has only recently been recognized as a serious wine producer.

Widely recognized as one of the best in Calabria, Ippolito 1845 is the oldest and most respected producers in the region. Founded in 1845, today the fifth-generation winemaker Vincenzo Ippolito and his brother Gianluca oversee the family business and are determined to elevate the status of Calabrian wines.

Ciro, (pronounced "cheer-oh") is the DOC within Calabria where the Gaglioppo grapes produce a ripe, generous red with soft tannins.

When you come into our stores looking for a bottle of Colli del Mancuso Ciro Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva DOC it's not necessary to use the full name. Just ask for that wine from Calabria or Ciro or Gaglioppo (it's fun to say), and you'll be on your way to enjoying a great bottle of wine. Ruby red in color with elegant perfumes of wild cherries and plums. The wine has a spicy exotic nose and is full-bodied with silky tannins.

Paul Quaglini, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinepaulq