Nerello Cappuccio

The native Sicilian grape Nerello Cappuccio is a variety with a long and storied history. Grown mainly on the slopes of Mount Etna, it acts as a blending partner to its cousin Nerello Mascalese.

Nerello Cappuccio is a medium-bodied grape with a deep ruby red colour. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe red berries, cherries, and spices, alongside delicate floral notes. On the palate, it has an intense and savory flavour, with a hint of acidity and tannins.

Nerello Cappuccio is mainly grown in the Mount Etna and Faro DOC of Sicily. It is permitted in some DOCs in Calabria. Nerello Cappuccio is a difficult grape to grow and requires careful viticulture practices. The vines are trained in the alberello(bush vine) style and are pruned to keep yields low. It grows usually alongside with Nerello Mascalese, and co-ferment with it to produce a more complex wine. Nerello Cappuccio is rarely used to make varietal wine, due to its lack of tannins. However, it compliments Nerello Mascalese in the blend, adding aromas and colors and softening the harshness of Nerello Mascalese. The wine features red fruit flavors such as sour cherry, wild berry, and complex notes of earth, minerals, herbs and spice, a reminiscient of the country's greatest wines like Barolo. Nerello Cappuccio wine is a versatile food-pairing wine. Its intense aromas and flavors make it a great match for rich dishes like grilled meats, pasta with tomato-based sauces, and aged cheeses.

The name "Nerello Cappuccio" comes from the Italian words "nerello" (little black) and "cappuccio" (hood).

This refers to the shape of the leafs, which covers the clusters like a hood.