Lifestyle and People in Calabria

March 10, 2010
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Lifestyle and People in Calabria

Being of one the least industrialized provinces in Italy, the lifestyle and people in Calabria are characterized by a slow-developing warm friendly nature that preserves its very typical and charming Italian life. The absence of mass tourism in the area made it possible for the Italians to preserve their culture, as well as their nature.

So here are some of the things that very much define the lifestyle and people in Calabria. The people love the food and history. Its people usually offer authentic cuisines that range from smoked sea foods to Italian’s signature pastas and wines. Traditional foods which are very much recommended are also in most restaurants. Some cities in Calabria offer the joys of urban lifestyle, normally with close proximity to the beaches for which Calabria is well known. Castrovillari for example is a city that is full of interest. It boasts a lively but culturally-inclined ambience with shopping places, a theater, a castle and a convents. Cultural centers such as Crotone and Cosenza provide a background on the rich history of the region. Art galleries and museums are also located in many of the towns in this region.

The typical lifestyle and people in Calabria can be describe as very laidback, fun but traditional. The people are living beautifully in contrast. Surrounded by the beaches and mountains, people, especially the younger generations, are found crowding the swimming areas during weekends. This describes how fun, lively and free spirited the way of their living is. This is so much an improvement compares to the older people who live traditionally which can be seen through the way of following customs, religions and even healing practices.

For further information go to Calabria Property

Calabria Fresh Produce

March 9, 2010
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CALABRIAN FRESH PRODUCE

The red Tropea onion and aubergine are two of the most famous Calabrian fresh vegetables.  The red Tropea onion was first grown in the little town called Tropea where its name was derived.  However, it is now growing in other provinces including Cosenza, Vibo, and Catanzaro.  Since Calabria is a protected region, the cultivation of the red Tropea onion is just as protected.  The onion is harvested at 3 phases including sweet and tender baby onion, fresh onion, and mature onion.  The first process in its cycle displays whitish pink color and usually used as a salad ingredient.  The second phase is as sweet as the first but displays a reddish-purple color and usually used in lamb or pork dishes as well as partnered to pecorino cheese.  The final phase is also sweet but not as tender as the first 2 phases.  It is dry, crunchy, and usually used in making onion pate or jam spread on toasted bread.

As a different specialty, the aubergine is considered the queen of vegetables in Italy.  It grows in the dry, sandy soil of Calabria, which helps in giving its pulp a distinct flavor.  The famous Alla Parmigiana in Calabria is always accompanied with pecorino cheese and aubergines.  The Italians, specifically the Calabrians cook aubergine in various ways.  It can be spicy, roasted, sweet, stuffed, and sour when mixed in pasta sauces.  It is also great when fried and partnered to egg and tomato.  With the many ways of using aubergine in Italian cuisine, it is often unrecognized as a vegetable but a unique ingredient.

Calabria wines

March 8, 2010
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Calabria Wines

There are many good wines that are produced by the region of Calabria in the south of Italy. Calabria being situated in the “toe” of Italy means that due to its location and having the typical Mediterranean climate it possible to produce many different varieties of wines. However becaue of the terrain not whole of Calabria province produces wine but is manily concentrated in the eastern and western coastlines.

It is believed that Milo, a Greek athlete who came from Calabria is said to have drunk ten liters of wine a day to keep him hydrated! The way of producing wines during his time is said to be practice up to the present, many of the traditional methods have not changed, with some of the vineyards dating back to their Greek colonization.

However, the region is slow to develop a strong wine industry, however the red wines from Ciro stand out internationally as many Calabrian Wines get consumed at home.

Ciro wines are the most famous of all Calabrian wines. They are produced in the province of Crotone and is centered on Ciro and Ciro Marina municipalities. Wines produced are predominantly red due to the use of 95% of Gaglioppo grapes. Other grape classes such as Trebbiano and Greco bianco, which produce white-colored wines, are only limited in production. Ciro red wines have strong fruit taste and is said to be given to the winners of the ancient Olympics.

Aside from Ciro, there are eleven DOC or Denominazione di origine controllata region that produces Calabrian wines. Donnici produces some famous wines too. Bianco produces the sweetest wine from Greco bianco. Biyongi is one of the newest DOC. Lamezia Terme has a very fertile soil that produces good grapes and that are possible to have strong alcoholic content.

Meanwhile Savuto has cool lands that produce grapes with lower alcohol levels.

The remaining six DOC areas include Melissa, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Pollino, San Vito di Luzzi, Scavigna and Verbicaro.

Mortgages in Calabria

March 7, 2010
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Mortgages in Calabria (Italy) are secured against property and are full status just as in any other region in Italy.  Approximately 80% of the purchase price is the maximum available mortgage rate.  Lenders in Italy usually take into consideration the ability of buyers to pay monthly as well as their repayments on new mortgages, which should not go beyond 35% of a buyer’s gross monthly income.

Mortgages are available for new and old properties as long as a property is registered at the land registry and deemed habitable.  Local authorities set the criteria of a property being habitable.  As such, without the certification of the authorities, approval of mortgages is refused.  Mortgages are available in several types.  These include interest-only and repayment mortgages, which are either on a fixed rate or variable basis or a combination of both.  Terms for mortgages can be from 5 to 40 years and must be repaid upon reaching the age of 85.

After the initial process, the length of the mortgage process usually takes five working days giving an agreement in principle.  However it may take a longer period to process mortgages amounting to over €750,000.

Although life assurance is not compulsory, the lender will definitely insist that the buyer have insurance with their recommended provider.  This is because it usually covers the lender should anything happen; thus, a buyer should look into the specifics of the coverage of the insurance.

In addition, a buyer should have open an Italian bank account where the mortgage repayments are debited.

For futher details on mortgages in calabria please go to Calabrian Property

Calabrian Vineyards

March 6, 2010
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In ancient times, Calabria was known as Enotria or the land of wine.  In Ancient Greek, it was referred to as Οἰνωτρία –Oenotria.  Based on the tradition of Ancient Greek, the name Oenotria was derived from the youngest son of Lycaon, Οἴνωτρος (Oenotrus).  Thus, some Calabrian vineyards have been in existence dating back to the Ancient Greek period.

Some of the best Calabrian vineyards are found in the Province of Crotone and Cosenza.  Crotone produces the best wines like Cirò while Cosenza produces Cosenza.  Other significant grape varieties produced from these Calabrian areas include white Greco and red Gaglioppo.  At least 3% of total annual production of wines can be qualified as DOC.  Many producers come from local and ancient grape varieties that have been around dating back to 3000 years.

Cirò is home to one of the most famous Calabrian vineyards, which is located in the hills between Sibari and Crotone.  Local legend says that the athletes of Calabria drink Cirò wine in order to celebrate their success in early Olympic Games.  Nowadays, the wine of Cirò is referred to as one of the most “Greek-Italian” wines of the world.

Vineyards in Calabria cover 31,600 hectares where 3,400 hectares register as DOC plots.  The annual wine production of 1,100,000 hectoliters includes 90% red wine of the 40,000 hectoliters or 3.6 % DOC plots.  Gaglioppo in red wines and Greco in whites are two Greek grape varieties famous in Calabria.  The types of wine these varieties produce can vary depending on the region producing it.