Comparison
Montepulciano vs Nerello Mascalese
How Montepulciano and Nerello Mascalese differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
Montepulciano and Nerello Mascalese come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Nerello Mascalese has more earthy character; Nerello Mascalese has more acidity; Nerello Mascalese has more floral character.
Choose
Nerello Mascalese
Choose Nerello Mascalese if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more floral.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Nerello Mascalese is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Nerello Mascalese is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Nerello Mascalese is more floral: medium against low.
Perceived freshness
Clear differenceThe overall impression of liveliness — a composite of acidity, alcohol balance, fruit character and the absence of tiredness. Distinct from raw acidity: a wine can be high in acid yet taste heavy.
Nerello Mascalese is fresher: high against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Nerello Mascalese is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Montepulciano is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both low-medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Montepulciano | Nerello Mascalese |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 14–16°C |
| Typical flavours | black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, liquorice, cocoa | red cherry, dried orange peel, ash, wild herbs, smoke |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Montepulciano
An Adriatic Italian variety producing soft, deeply coloured, affordable reds — and nothing to do with the Tuscan town of the same name.
Grape
Nerello Mascalese
Mount Etna’s principal red variety: pale, high-acid, ashy and increasingly compared to Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.
Comparison
Nerello Mascalese vs Pinot Noir
Etna Rosso is compared to Burgundy so often that the comparison needs testing rather than repeating.