Wine Grape: Vernaccia Nera
Vernaccia Nera is a red wine grape, best known in Italy's Marche region, where it's the main ingredient in the frothy Vernaccia di Serrapetron DOCG.
Other than sharing the name 'Vernaccia', it is completely different from Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Tuscany), Vernaccia di Oristano or Vernaccia di Cagliari (both Sardinia). The name 'Vernaccia' comes from the Latin for 'vernacular' or 'indigenous', and was applied to local grapes of such different regions.
The first writings about Vernaccia Nera come in the 1800s, when it was often cited as being one of the best red wine grapes in the area around Ancona, in Italy's Marche region.
Recent testing has shown that Vernaccia Nera is in the Grenache family, making it a relative to Tocai Rosso, Alicante, and Cannonau.
Synonyms
Also known as Cerretana, Morone, Vernaccia di Cerreto, Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, Vernaccia di Teramo
Where
Italy: Marche, Umbria
Principal Wines
Italy: Marche: Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG, Colli Meceratesi DOC, I Terreni di Sanseverino DOC, Serrapetrona DOC
Characteristics
Color: Deep ruby red
Nose: Vinous, Fruity (cherry, raspberry), Floral (violet), Spicy (clove)
Palate: Medium body, alcohol, and acidity. Faintly bitter finish
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