Nocchianello Nero is an ancient indigenous grape variety from southern Tuscany, particularly associated with the Tufo di Pitigliano and Sorano area in the Tuscan Maremma. Its history is rooted in the winemaking tradition of Etruscan origin; cultivated until the end of the 19th century, its cultivation was gradually scaled back following the phylloxera epidemic and the subsequent spread of non-native varieties. Rediscovered through a conservation project launched in the 1970s, it was officially entered in the National Register of Vine Varieties in 2017 and included amongst the authorised varieties in Tuscany from 2018.
The mature leaf is medium to large, pentagonal, generally three- or five-lobed, with a wavy margin and a closed, V-shaped petiole sinus. The bunch is of medium length, narrow, compact, cylindrical-conical and has one or two wings. The berry, spheroidal and uniform, has a blue-black skin that is very pruinose and of medium thickness, colourless flesh and particularly long seeds.
Ripening is late, generally occurring after that of Sangiovese, a characteristic that helps to preserve acidity and aromatic finesse. The wine displays a ruby-red colour developing into garnet, good structure and a fragrant profile of spices, white pepper, nutmeg, cassis and blackberry, sometimes accompanied by wild notes. The tannins are well-balanced, the finish is appreciable, and the high presence of stable anthocyanins suggests a good aptitude for ageing and longevity.
