Calabria

Here, in the toe of the boot of Italy, is where the heady red wines of the region and the liberal use of chillies combine to create a deliciously stupefying effect on the dinner table. Here is where Italy points her toe towards Sicily to push her out into the Mediterranean, separated at the narrowest point by the narrow Straits of Messina.

Known as Bruttium in antiquity, this region is made up of the provinces of Catanzaro, which is also the regional capital, and Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Crotone and Vibo Valentia. The region has a fine coastline, with many splendid resorts such as Pizzo and Tropea; mountains like the Aspromonte and the Sila; and plenty of fertile plains of reclaimed marshland, used for the cultivation of the famous red onion of Tropea and many other crops, including strawberries, liquorice, luscious bell peppers and the intensely perfumed bergamot.