Nerello Mascalese

Towering at some of the highest vineyard altitudes in all of Europe—up to 3,300 feet—Nerello Mascalese is one of Sicily’s noble red varieties. It makes a beautifully aromatic, firm, cellar-worthy but pale-hued red, often comparable to a fine Burgundy or Barbaresco. Nerello Mascalese, traditionally trained as bush-vines, makes its home on the extensively variable volcanic soils of the slopes of Mt. Etna.

Tasting Notes for Nerello Mascalese

Nerello Mascalese is a dry, red wine with a medium body, sleek tannins and a lively acidity. This wine is full of pleasing aromas, such as wild berry, balsamic, sweet tobacco, nutmeg, violet, rose and flint. On the palate it brings a fascinating array of flavors: red plum, orange peel, strawberry, spice and mint or camphor.

Perfect Food Pairings for Nerello Mascalese

This wine makes a perfect companion to Pasta alla Norma, Spaghetti Carbonara, roasted quail, seared tuna and caponata.

Sommelier Secrets for Nerello Mascalese

Nerello Mascalese takes its name from the black color of its grapes, nerello, and the Mascali plain between Mt. Etna and the coast where it is believed to have originated.