Nerello Mascalese
A stunning and rare red grape, grown predominantly in the volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily.
So, what is it?--red
Nerello Mascalese is a floral, lifted medium-bodied red wine with plenty of red fruit, but balanced by savour and spice. If you like Pinot Noir, this is another red likely to slap a smile on your face. But Nerello Mascalese has a little extra minerality to it, likely due to the active volcanoes on the island it thrives best in!
Where did Nerello Mascalese originate?--aromatic
The variety takes its name from the Mascali plain which lies between the coast and Mount Etna, where it is claimed to have originated. In fact, there's a small portion of very old vines found here that predate the 1880s! Grape DNA testing has indicated that Nerello Mascalese is the "child" of Tuscany's famous red grape Sangiovese and the Italian white grape Mantonico Bianco.
Who's most famous for Nerello Mascalese?--racy
The island of Sicily is ground zero for this wonderful grape, with over 80% of all global plantings. Here you'll most often see it labelled Etna Rosso DOC or Faro DOC — these are the highest quality.
In Etna, these grapes are grown in volcanic soils, and at some of the high altitudes in Europe! We're talking a dizzying 1,000 meters above sea level. This altitude allows for the wine to develop with grace and lightness, much different to the weighty styles that often characterizes Sicilian reds from lower altitudes. Vineyards in Faro also reach impressive altitudes, just not quite as jaw-dropping as those of Etna.
Numerous examples also come from under the Sicilia IGT label (where it is usually blended with the bigger, bolder Nero D'Avola grape) as well as some coming from in Calabria, the toe of Italy.
What does Nerello Mascalese taste like?--aromatic
Nerello Mascalese is a deliciously fruity grape that still produces savoury wines — it's a tightrope walker of great precision, offering sweet red berries, cherry and cola, all balanced by dark earthiness, rose and some dried herbs. Tannins and acidity intertwine to extend the flavours. Wonderful drinking. Truly pretty and refined, yet rustic. Elsa Dutton reincarnated.
What are the main styles Nerello Mascalese is known for?--cellar
Generally, Nerello Mascalese is only made in a medium-bodied and fruity manner with the lightest and freshest examples coming from higher altitudes. Some examples however have a little more tannin and appear more powerful. This style is usually from lower, warmer sites and is often blended with the local red grape Nero d'Avola.
What food pairs with Nerello Mascalese?--plum
This is a great food pairing wine! You can really with its fruity character, savoury tones, refined tannins and lighter frame in so many ways. The red fruits of Nerello work similarly to the red fruits of Sangiovese, and pair wonderfully with tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant and the like. Thanks to its high acidity, you can feel confident pairing with tangy flavours and tomato bases sauces too. Its lightness, precision and delicate florals work similarly to Pinot Noir. So lighter pork dishes work well, as does confit duck, and even richer fish dishes, like sardines and mackerel. When it comes to seasoning and spices, you can't go wrong with herbs like oregano, thyme, as well as anise and sage. A real pairing playground!
Fun fact--earth
Mount Etna is no sleeping giant! In fact, 16 February 2021 marked its most recent eruption! Lucky enough, most vineyards are planted on unaffected slopes.