Nerello Cappuccio

Also known as Nerello Mantellato.

Nerello Cappuccio, also called Nerello Mantellato, is a dark-skinned grape of Mount Etna in north-eastern Sicily, traditionally grown alongside Nerello Mascalese and used to soften and colour Etna Rosso. Its name refers to the cape-like ('cappuccio'/'mantello') canopy the vine forms.

It gives deeper colour and a rounder, softer, more immediately fruity character than Nerello Mascalese, with lower acidity and gentler tannins, though it is generally considered the junior partner and is less often bottled alone. Typical flavours are dark berries and a soft, plummy roundness.