Nocera

The Historic Treasure of the Messina Area

The history of the Nocera grape dates back to Antiquity. It is widely believed to have been one of the primary grapes used to craft the legendary Mamertinum wine, which historical sources claim was a personal favorite of Julius Caesar.
Today, the finest Nocera vineyards stretch across northeastern Sicily, particularly within the Faro DOC and Mamertino DOC appellations. The grape is highly prized because it refuses to lose its freshness in a hot climate while simultaneously developing firm, age-worthy tannins.

Flavor Profile: Dark Berries and Mediterranean Spices

• Aroma: Exceptionally deep and expressive. Dominated by dark forest fruits—blackberries, black cherries, and plums. These are beautifully framed by striking accents of spices (especially white pepper), leather, tobacco, and Mediterranean scrub (macchia).
• Structure: The wine boasts a full body, a powerful tannic grip, and—most surprisingly for a Sicilian wine—very high, crisp acidity. This combination provides the wine with great longevity and an impeccable sense of balance.

Ideal Food Pairings

Nocera is a powerful, gastronomic wine that demands rich and intensely flavored food.
It is inextricably linked to traditional Sicilian cuisine: it pairs flawlessly with Pasta alla Norma (pasta with eggplant, tomatoes, and salty ricotta), hearty meat stews, and game.
Thanks to its high acidity and robust tannins, this wine is also a fantastic companion for a grilled beef steak, lamb chops, and long-aged, hard cheeses like Pecorino Siciliano.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Nocera used only in blends for so long?

Historically, this grape was used as a "seasoning" in the famous Faro DOC blend alongside Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Its role was to add deeper color, firmer tannins, and an extra backbone of acidity. Only in recent years have modern winemakers started producing 100% single-varietal Nocera wines, finally revealing its true, standalone potential.

Is this wine suitable for cellar aging?

Absolutely. Due to its naturally high acidity and abundant tannins, a high-quality Nocera wine has excellent potential to age in the bottle for 5 to 10 years or even longer. Over time, it develops a softer texture and complex aromas of earth and dried fruits.

What is the ideal serving temperature?

It is recommended to serve this wine at 16–18°C. Because young Nocera wines can be quite powerful and tannic, it is highly advisable to decant them for at least an hour before tasting—this will help its complex aromatic bouquet open up fully.