Nerello mascalese, also known as Negrello (Niuriddu mascalisi in Sicilian) is a vine that grows mainly on Etna, in the province of Catania, and, in the area of Torre Faro in the province of Messina. It accounts for 80-100% of the production of Etna DOC wine; 45-60% for the production of Faro DOC wine. Autochthonous vine of the slopes of Etna, its birth is lost in the mists of time. It is traditionally grown between 350 and 1000 s.l.m. in the alberello form, but today also with spurred cordon. Its name is due to the fact that for centuries it has been cultivated in the area of the County of Mascali on land consisting, for the most part, of volcanic sands. Another area of cultivation, also rich in structures that produce our own wine is that of Passopisciaro, Trecastagni, Biancavilla, Viagrande and others. Its grapes have a characteristic oblong and light red color. It matures very late and its harvest is carried out between the second and third week of October. Wines produced with this vine are of high alcohol content (13-14 °) and very often, but not always, destined for long aging. The wines produced from the vinification of this vine have great variability depending on the area of cultivation. The nerello mascalese, in fact, like other noble vines (nebbiolo, pinot nero), has a remarkable sensitivity to the vintage and to the territory of origin.
