Nerello Cappuccio is a native red grape of northeastern Sicily, best known as the blending partner of Nerello Mascalese in Etna Rosso. It adds colour, softness and dark fruit to the blend, and a few producers now bottle it on its own.
The name is thought to refer to the way the vine's leaves cover the bunches like a hood (cappuccio); it is also known as Nerello Mantellato ("cloaked"). Less widely planted than Nerello Mascalese, it has traditionally been grown mixed with it in old Etna vineyards.
It ripens earlier than Nerello Mascalese and gives more colour and softer tannins.
In Etna Rosso, Nerello Cappuccio softens the firm tannins of Nerello Mascalese and deepens its pale colour. On its own it gives a juicy, approachable red, enjoyable young and often good with a slight chill.
The best way to taste Nerello Cappuccio is in an Etna Rosso, which almost always includes some of it alongside Nerello Mascalese. Look at the back label or producer notes for the percentages. Producers such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Palmento Costanzo, Tenuta di Fessina and Cantine Nicosia make good Etna reds, and some also bottle a varietal Nerello Cappuccio, a rare chance to taste the grape on its own.
Nerello Cappuccio is the partner of Nerello Mascalese on Etna, where white wines come from Carricante. Read our best Etna wines, the Sicilian wine guide, or browse the grape varieties index.