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Pallagrello Nero: a piece of Casertano history

Foto tratta da C'era una Vigna storia del Pallagrello

The Territory of Caserta has been home to the Pallagrello vine since the 1600s. In vogue under the reign of the Bourbons, it almost disappeared in the 20th century, only to be recovered recently, thanks to a few stubborn producers.

Much more than just a grape variety, the Pallagrello Nero is a piece of the history and culture of Campania, particularly Caserta. This grape variety, forgotten over the centuries, is experiencing a rebirth thanks to the efforts of local producers who recognize its great potential. With its complexity and versatility, its connection with the Bourbons and the Royal Palace of Caserta, elect it to one of the most authentic expressions of the Caserta area.

Origins and history of Pallagrello Nero

The origin of Pallagrello presumably dates back to ancient Greece. Many accounts place it in the Caiatine hills, in theCaserta area as early as 1600, experiencing its heyday in the second half of the 18th century. The grape variety owes its name to the spherical “ball” shape of the berry, while “grello” is a term referring to the texture of the grape. One of its identifying characteristics is that it stands out among the few varieties. Both black berry and white berry, the latter confused by local farmers for foxtail.

Under the reign of the Bourbons, Pallagrello Nero was enhanced and spread, becoming one of the most prized varieties in Campania. Ferdinand IV of Bourbon reserved a place for it in the historic Vigna del Ventaglio vineyard in San Leucio. An extensive semi-circular vineyard with ten spokes destined for the prestigious grapes of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was present under the name of Piedimonte red e Piedimonte white (the name refers to the town of Piedimonte Matese where the first traces appear) and became the wine of the King, present on the royal table on every important occasion. In the early twentieth century, the variety disappears, making room for more vigorous grape varieties, and it was only thanks to a few stubborn winemakers and entrepreneurs that this native grape variety was revived in the late 1990s.

The Pallagrello Nero habitat

Photo taken from Waxing a Vineyard History of Pallagrello
Its habitat is along the Volturno River and in the restricted territory in the
northeastern area of Caserta and neighboring areas of the municipalities of Alife, Alvignano, Caiazzo, Castel di Sasso and Castel Campagnano, until it reaches the slopes of the volcano of Roccamonfina. Pallagrello Nero grapes grown in this area benefit from a particular microclimate, characterized by optimal soil and climatic conditions and adequate temperature ranges between day and night. These factors contribute to giving the wine a complex aromatic profile and an elegant structure, with wines of great character, which lend themselves to different winemaking techniques, resulting in elegant, streamlined and long-lived still red wines, with excellent results in the rosé version as well.

The rediscovery of Pallagrello Nero

In the past decade, Pallagrello Nero has experienced new life thanks to the dynamic revival of viticulture in Campania. which has led to a renewed interest in traditional varieties. Pallagrello Nero has become a symbol of this rediscovery.

Today, wines made from this grape variety are increasingly present on wine lists and at wine events, helping to enhance Campania’s winemaking heritage and raise awareness of the quality of Italian wines around the world.

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