Nerello Mascalese

Nerello Mascalese is the leading red grape of Mount Etna in Sicily and one of Italy’s most exciting indigenous varieties. It is known for pale colour, vibrant acidity, firm but fine tannins and a strong sense of volcanic place.

Typical aromas include red cherry, wild strawberry, dried herbs, flowers, smoke, spice and mineral notes. The best wines combine Mediterranean warmth with surprising freshness and elegance.

What does Nerello Mascalese taste like?

Nerello Mascalese often tastes of sour cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, dried flowers, herbs, pepper and smoky volcanic earth. The colour is usually lighter than the structure suggests.

Acidity is high, tannins can be firm and the body is generally medium rather than heavy. With age, the wines can develop savoury, earthy and balsamic complexity.

Where does Nerello Mascalese come from?

Nerello Mascalese is most closely linked to north-eastern Sicily, especially the slopes of Mount Etna near the historic area around Mascali. It is also found in Faro and a few other Sicilian zones.

Etna is the grape’s clearest modern identity, with high-altitude vineyards, volcanic soils and strong temperature shifts shaping wines of lift and tension.

Which Nerello Mascalese styles are there?

The classic style is a dry red wine, often labelled as Etna Rosso when grown within the appellation. These wines range from fragrant and medium-bodied to deeply structured single-site bottlings.

Nerello Mascalese can also make rosé and sparkling rosé in small quantities, but elegant volcanic red wine remains its defining style. It is sometimes blended with Nerello Cappuccio for colour and softness.


What does Nerello Mascalese pair with?

Nerello Mascalese is excellent with grilled tuna, swordfish, lamb, pork, mushroom dishes, caponata, tomato pasta, aubergine, hard cheeses and herb-roasted poultry.

Its acidity and tannin make it versatile with Mediterranean cooking. The wine’s smoky, mineral edge is especially attractive with grilled vegetables, charred meat and savoury dishes with herbs.

Buy Nerello Mascalese online

Nerello Mascalese is a superb choice for Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo lovers who want elegance, structure and volcanic Sicilian character. It is aromatic, fresh and quietly intense.

Explore our Nerello Mascalese wines for refined reds with red fruit, spice, mineral tension and a distinctive sense of Etna.




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