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Nerello Mascalese grape
Nerello Mascalese is a red grape known for red cherry, herbs, smoke. Its best-known homes are Etna, Sicily.
Origin and history
A Sicilian variety named after the Mascali plain below Mount Etna; DNA shows it is a natural cross of Sangiovese and Mantonico Bianco.
Where it grows
Mount Etna (Etna Rosso DOC) and the Messina area (Faro DOC), often blended with Nerello Cappuccio.
Structure
Pale colour, medium body, high acidity and fine but firm tannins: often likened to Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: red cherry, raspberry, wild herbs, orange peel and volcanic smoke or ash. With age: dried cherry, tea leaf, earth and spice.
Ageing
Most best within 3–8 years; top single-contrada Etna wines can age 15–20.
Also known as
Nerello, Niureddu Mascalese.
Good to know
Many Etna vines are ungrafted, pre-phylloxera bush vines up to 100 years old, grown at 400–1,000 metres on volcanic soils, with wines labelled by 'contrada'.
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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