There are places you don’t stumble upon by chance. You have to want them, look for them, sometimes even chase them. Such is the case of Degusteria Magnatum, which moved just a few meters from its historic Bar Sport location, still in Longobardi, without losing its identity — a refuge for those who love Calabria’s finest products and refuse to settle for appearances, now enriched by a terrace with a breathtaking view.

magnatum – terrace

As its name suggests, Degusteria Magnatum is first and foremost a place of tasting. Not a classic restaurant, but a venue with a unique approach. Owner Francesco Saliceti has a style all his own, recognizable both in the kitchen and in the presentation of dishes. The menu changes very little from one visit to the next — and thank goodness for that, because every return confirms a pleasure that never grows old. Think of the frittata, now a true house classic (which is actually a millefeuille of Sila potatoes with oregano and “a thrill of chili pepper,” as Saliceti himself puts it), or the fresa with Belmonte tomato, crushed olives, and Tropea onion: apparent simplicity that captures the full strength of the territory.

Personally, it was here that I first encountered extraordinary products such as Amendola tuna, and from there began a journey that led me to seek them out even beyond these walls.

We are just a few kilometers from the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast — Amantea, for example, in the province of Cosenza. It is this integration — between local cuisine and an unmistakable landscape — that makes the experience special, offering Calabria as one hopes to find it, authentic and unfiltered.

degusteria magnatum 

As for the wines, no surprise that I chose to focus on Calabrian rosés, a category currently enjoying international recognition in which the region is truly standing out: in just six editions of the 100 Best Italian Rosé competition, Calabria has taken the top spot twice. Among the glasses I tasted, two impressed me in particular: “Due Stelle” by Sposato Vineyards, made from Magliocco Dolce, and Cotidie by Spiriti Ebbri, a rich blend of local varieties such as Magliocco Canino alongside international and other black grapes. Two different interpretations, both able to express that genuine personality that resists fleeting trends while remaining approachable — the very essence of Calabrian rosé.

In this phase of growth for Calabria’s wine scene, it is worth taking note of safe names and addresses like these, so as not to go wrong.