h e u l t i v a r
The Native Calabrian Grapevine with a Rebellious and Refined Soul
h e N o c e a
Within the rich and varied viticultural panorama of Calabria, a land boasting ancient roots and a myriad of native grape varieties, Nocera emerges as a true rediscovered gem. This red grape variety, originally from the Messina area but widespread and valued mainly in the Reggio territory and particularly along the Tyrrhenian coast, embodies the most authentic and wild essence of Calabrian viticulture.
M i l l e n i a L o n g H i s t o r y
The origins of Nocera are lost in the mists of time, deeply intertwined with the history of Magna Graecia.
Long considered a complementary variety, it was predominantly used in blending to bring acidity and freshness to other wines.
Cantina Zagarella has developed a rosé vinification protocol for this surprising Calabrian fruit, which enhances its aromas and their persistence both in the glass and on the palate.
Today, Nocera is experiencing a well-deserved rebirth as the absolute protagonist of monovarietal wines of great character, and Cantina Zagarella is an absolute supporter of this.
n i q u e a d i s t i n c t i v e C a t e r i s t i c s
Nocera is a grape variety that does not fear challenges: it thrives on sunny soils where it develops a remarkable resistance to diseases and harsh weather. Its ripening is late and irregular, requiring patience and mastery from the winemakers of Cantina Zagarella.
What makes Nocera unmistakable is its aromatic and flavor profile:
- Colour: Nocera wine presents an intense ruby red colour, sometimes with violet reflections in its youth.
- Aromas: On the nose, it releases a complex and fascinating bouquet. Notes of fresh red fruit (cherry, currant) intertwine with floral hints of violet, before evolving into floral nuances.
- Taste: In the mouth is where Nocera expresses its full personality. It is characterised by a lively and refreshing acidity (which grants it great longevity) and an elegant yet firm tannic texture.
h e R e b i t h a n d t h e F u t u
Thanks to the commitment shown by Cantina Zagarella and other forward-thinking players, Nocera has been rediscovered and valued in its purity, often with the help of modern vinification techniques that enhance its elegance without distorting its rustic character. The goal is to elevate its peculiarities to introduce this grape variety on a national and international level, as it has everything it takes to compete with the most acclaimed Italian varieties.
Nocera is not just a wine, but a sensory experience that tells the story of passion, hard work, and the unspoiled beauty of Calabria. It is the symbol of a land that knows how to treasure its past, looking to the future with authentic, identity-driven, and top-quality wines. For those seeking a sip of originality and tradition, Nocera represents an unmissable discovery.
The Liquid Gold of Calabrian Viticulture
h e G r e c B a n c o
Among the native grape varieties that shape the viticultural landscape of Calabria, Greco Bianco shines with a special light. This white grape cultivar, considered by many ampelographers to be one of the oldest in Italy, carries the heritage of the Magna Graecia civilization, representing a true symbol of Southern Italian oenology.
i s t o r i c l o o t s a n d T e r o i a l I d e n t i t y
The history of Greco Bianco is rooted in a millenary past, presumably imported to Calabria by Greek colonists around the 8th century BC. Its presence is historically documented in several areas of the region, finding its ideal habitat particularly in the southern area of the region.
V e r s a t l e a n d E l e g a n t s r y P r o f i l e
Greco Bianco is a generous grape variety, capable of adapting to different soils, from hillside slopes to terraces close to the sea, benefiting from the intense sun and sea breeze that define its character.
Wines made from Greco Bianco are immediately recognisable by their unique characteristics:
- Visual Appearance: They present a bright straw yellow colour, which turns towards intense golden hues in the more mature or passito versions.
- Aromatic Profile: On the nose, the grape variety offers a rich and complex bouquet. Floral notes of orange blossom and jasmine stand out, followed by hints of yellow-fleshed fruit (peach, apricot) and citrus fruits, particularly lemon and bergamot (another local excellence).
- Taste: On the palate, what strikes most is the balance. The marked freshness and excellent sapidity, inherited from the proximity to the sea, perfectly balance the structure.
h e R e b i t h a n d M o d e r n V r s a t i o n
Greco Bianco is experiencing a new youth. Cantina Zagarella is investing heavily in research and technology to enhance the potential of this grape variety, proving that Calabria is not only a land of great reds, but also of excellent whites, capable of competing on international markets.
Greco Bianco is more than just a wine: it is a piece of liquid history, a sip of sun and sea that encapsulates the deep soul of a region proud of its origins and ready to amaze the world with its authenticity.
The Mysterious Charm of the South
h e M a l v s i N e r a
In the winemaking panorama of Calabria, a land of ancient grape varieties and millenary traditions, Malvasia Nera represents a fascinating chapter that is still partly to be discovered. Less famous than Greco Bianco or Nocera, this red grape variety is gaining the attention of winemakers and enthusiasts thanks to its unique aromatic profile and versatility.
G r a p e a r e t y w i t h U n c a n a n d M u l t i p l e O r i g i n s
The name “Malvasia” evokes a large family of grape varieties spread throughout Italy and the Mediterranean, with origins dating back to ancient Greece (from Monemvasia, in the Peloponnese). The Calabrian “Nera” version stands out from other varieties, such as those from Puglia or Piedmont, due to its unique characteristics, tightly linked to the region’s terroir.
Although its presence in Calabria has been established for centuries, the cultivar has often been used in small percentages to enrich the blends of other local red wines. Cantina Zagarella, going completely against the trend over time, with great consistency and patience from its winemakers, has created a cultivation and vinification protocol that has allowed this fruit to express itself at its best in its purity, thus revealing a potential that had remained unexpressed until now.
n I n t r i u i g S e n s o r y P r l
The Calabrian Malvasia Nera is a grape variety that yields wines of great personality, capable of combining elegance and structure. Its sensory profile is a journey through intense aromas and a balanced taste:
- Colour: Wines obtained from Malvasia Nera present an intense and bright ruby red colour.
- Aromas: On the nose, the grape variety offers an enveloping and complex aromatic bouquet. Spicy hints of pink pepper, black cherry, and plum immediately stand out, followed by fruity notes. Hints of tobacco emerge which, with aging, increase in intensity, giving the wine a structure of great maturity that fears no comparison with other acclaimed national and international cultivars.
- Taste: In the mouth, Malvasia Nera surprises with its lively freshness and a well-present yet velvety tannic texture. The balance between alcohol, acidity, and sapidity is remarkable, making the sip pleasant, round, and persistent, with an aftertaste that often recalls the spicy and fruity notes perceived on the nose.
e r s a t i l t y a n d P a i r i n g s
The red wine from Malvasia Nera produced by Cantina Zagarella pairs beautifully with dishes from the Calabrian cuisine, such as typical cured meats, aged cheeses, grilled meats, and aubergine-based dishes. When very young in vintage, it reveals great charm when sipped as an aperitif or accompanying structured fish dishes and ethnic cuisines.
Malvasia Nera is yet another demonstration of Calabria’s ampelographic richness. A grape variety that, thanks to the passion of the master winemakers of Cantina Zagarella, is emerging from the shadows to carve out an absolute leading role in the oenological scene, offering an authentic and memorable tasting experience.
Owner
r u n o R o s i
From an early age, Bruno had strong ambitions of becoming a winemaker, but his father had other ideas. Rossi’s parents immigrated to Italy in the late 1920s and following in the tradition of Croatian households, where the eldest son takes up a profession and the second a trade, he completed an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery.
With vision and determination, he has steered the company to a position where it has become Italy’s leading wine award winner.
Director
i l l i p e u r t t i
senior winemaker
g a t h a R s s
I’ve always been a wine drinker, but I’d never thought that I’ll ever be a wine maker. It all started with helping Bruno harvest the winery’s first vintage. I immediately fell in love with the process and decided to start working here full time. Never looked back ever since!
My knowledge of wine began in a small
Italian restaurant. The all-Italian staff painted a vivid
picture of what wine meant to them: family, memories, and traditions.
Viticulture Manager
l l a C a m o
Rotating seasonal jobs took me as far north as Alaska, where I guided outdoor adventure trips and fished for salmon, and to the Southern Hemisphere where I worked in vineyards. I made vineyard management my career and I’ve never considered anything else.
