Nerello

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Nerello Mascalese wine Nerello mascalese wine.jpg
Nerello Mascalese wine

Nerello is a name given to two varieties of red wine grapes that are grown primarily in Sicily and Sardinia: [1]

An Italian study published in 2008 using DNA typing showed a close genetic relationship between Sangiovese on the one hand and ten other Italian grape varieties on the other hand, including Nerello. It is therefore likely that Nerello is a crossing of Sangiovese and another, so far unidentified, grape variety. [3]

The organoleptic characteristics of the monovarietal Nerello Mascalese generally are a ruby red color, with subtle grenade tones; a strong fruity scent of red berry fruits, with slight floral shades, a spicy hint, and a delicate effusion of vanilla and tobacco, with a persistent trace of licorice; and a dry, tannic, persistent and harmonic taste, with a strong body. At sight, the wine seems surely more mature than it appears when smelled or tasted. Treating this vine variety in a traditional way, it can produce a wine presenting the above-described characteristics. [4]

Wine styles

Around the city of Messina in northeast Sicily, both Nerellos are sometimes blended with the local red grape Acitana in wines made outside the regulations of the Faro DOC. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 J. Robinson Vines, Grapes & Wines pg 213 Mitchell Beazley 1986. ISBN   1-85732-999-6.
  2. 1 2 J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours pgs 5, 593-594 Allen Lane 2012. ISBN   978-1-846-14446-2.
  3. ‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Garganega’ are two key varieties of the Italian grapevine assortment evolution Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine , M. Crespan, A. Calò, S. Giannetto, A. Sparacio, P. Storchi and A. Costacurta, Vitis 47 (2), 97–104 (2008)
  4. "Nerello Mascalese, the prince of native red grape varieties of Mount Etna". SantaMariaLaNave.