Pallagrello Nero

Pallagrello Nero is considered a native variety of the Caserta province in Campania, with roots that may reach back to ancient Greece. The Romans knew it as 'Pilleolata,' and by 1775 it had earned royal favor, planted in the Vigna del Ventaglio vineyard for King Ferdinand I of the Bourbon court. It remained a prestige wine of the Bourbon rulers through the late 18th century. The phylloxera epidemic of the mid-19th century devastated plantings, and the subsequent World Wars pushed the variety to the edge of extinction. It survived only in abandoned vineyards and was rediscovered in the 1990s, riding the wave of Campania's broader enological revival.

• Possibly of ancient Greek origin; known to Romans as 'Pilleolata'
• Planted for King Ferdinand I in 1775; prized by the Bourbon royal court
• Near extinction following phylloxera and the World Wars
• Rediscovered in the 1990s during Campania's modern wine renaissance

Cultivation is concentrated almost entirely in Caserta province, particularly around the communes of Alife, Alvignano, Caiazzo, and Castel Campagnano, with the Volturno valley providing a cool microclimate with meaningful day-to-night temperature variation. Total plantings cover around 170 hectares. The soils range from sandy arenaceous to clay-calcareous and siliceous. Minor plantings also exist in Avellino within Campania and in Campobasso in neighboring Molise. All wines are classified under the Terre del Volturno IGT or the broader Campania IGT designation.

• Approximately 170 hectares under vine, almost all in Caserta province
• Cool Volturno valley microclimate with significant diurnal temperature range
• Soils include sandy arenaceous, clay-calcareous, and siliceous types
• Minor plantings in Avellino (Campania) and Campobasso (Molise)

Pallagrello Nero produces full-bodied red wines with a deep ruby color. The aromatic profile centers on black fruit, blackberry jam, tobacco, and subtle spice, with peppery notes a defining characteristic on the palate alongside cherry. Small, thick-skinned berries and high phenolic content, including elevated anthocyanins, contribute to the wine's structure and color intensity. Tannins are notably soft for a variety of this concentration, and the wines carry genuine aging potential. The grape can also be distilled into grappa.

• Deep ruby color with aromas of blackberry jam, tobacco, and spice
• Peppery spice and cherry flavors on the palate; soft tannins
• High anthocyanin content contributes to color depth and structure
• Capable of aging; can also be produced as grappa

The name Pallagrello Nero most likely derives either from 'pagliarello,' a straw mat traditionally used for drying grapes, or from the local dialect term 'U Pallarel,' meaning 'small ball,' a reference to the variety's small, perfectly spherical berry clusters. Despite sharing the Pallagrello name, it is genetically distinct from Pallagrello Bianco and is not a color mutation of that variety. Research points instead to a possible DNA relationship with Casavecchia, another rare Campanian native. Alternate names include Pallagrella Nera, Coda di Volpe Nera, Piedmonte Rosso, and Pilleolata.

• Name likely derived from 'pagliarello' (straw mat) or dialect term for 'small ball'
• Not a color mutation of Pallagrello Bianco; genetically distinct
• Possible DNA link to the Casavecchia variety
• Also known as Pallagrella Nera, Coda di Volpe Nera, and Piedmonte Rosso

The revival of Pallagrello Nero has been driven by a dedicated group of producers based primarily in Caserta province. Peppe Mancini at Terre del Principe and Giovanni Ascione at Nanni Cope are widely credited with leading the modern rediscovery and commercialization of the variety. Other key names include Luigi Moio, Fattoria Alois, Vestini Campagnano, Vigne Chigi, Aia delle Monache, and Il Verro.

• Terre del Principe (Peppe Mancini) and Nanni Cope (Giovanni Ascione) led the modern revival
• Luigi Moio and Fattoria Alois are among the established quality producers
• Vestini Campagnano, Vigne Chigi, Aia delle Monache, and Il Verro round out the key names
• All top producers are based in or around Caserta province