Vines need reasonably deep, free-draining soil and plenty of sunlight to ripen properly and will happily grow on any good garden soil and sunny site in southern Britain. They can be trained against walls, on trellis or over arches. Remove all flowers for the first two years after planting. Allow only a few bunches of grapes to grow for the first two years.

Our current variety is a delicious red wine grape is named after the Mascali area in Catania, Sicily. Under the shade of Mount Etna it thrives in the volcanic soil there but can grow well here in the UK. Will need a good sunny spot though.

The nerello mascalese grape is known to be one of the best vines in the world: the ‘Pinot Noir of Sicily’ or the ‘King of Etna’. Light to medium body flavour with thin skins so although ideal for wine they can be eaten as sweeter than some varieties.

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