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Neerello Mascalese

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Three Lesser Known Grapes of Southern Italy: Verdeca, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio

The windshield wipers could hardly keep up with the attack of the pummeling rain, and I could barely see through the glass as I slowly inched my way along the deserted country road at dusk. I finally made out a small arrow-shaped sign on the right side of the road and came to a complete stop in front of it, trying to read it between wiper strokes. I was almost sure that it said “Firriato,” and so I followed the arrow’s direction and turned onto a long narrow road, through an open gate, and eventually climbed a steep natural stone drive up to what looked to be a small village. As if on cue, a young woman ran out to my car and directed me to a parking spot under a tree. …show more content…

Cabernet has a strong personality, open, easily understood and dominating. If Cabernet were a man, he would do his duty every night in the bedroom, but always in the same way. [Nerello Mascalese], on the other hand, would be the brooding, quiet man in the corner, harder to understand but infinitely more complex”.

Nerello Mascalese is the dominant partner - 80 percent of the Etna DOC blend - and is considered superior to the Nerello Cappuccio in quality. The Nerello Mascalese’s fruit character tends toward the darker end of the spectrum. Nerello Cappuccio is more elegant and aromatic. The combination of the two produces both rich and delicate flavors, the hallmark of Etna DOC wines.

Nerello Cappuccio
Some wine makers put the spotlight directly on Nerello Mascalese but many highlight it with the addition of its cousin, the Nerello Cappuccio. Cantina Benanti of ViaGrande is one of the wineries producing straight up Nerello Cappuccio in addition to straight up Nerello Mascalese. There are roughly 20 hectares of Nerello Capuccio in Sicily and Benanti owns the majority of those. Four of these old vines produce just one

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