In Sicily the name Nerello Cappuccio or "Mantiddatu niuru" or "Niureddu Ammatiddatu", is given to different vines having the mantle shape bearing of leaves.

The origin of this vine is unknown.

Around the '50s, it was cultivated mainly in the province of Messina, where it occupied 5% of the vine-cultivated areas.

The surveys conducted on Mascalese and Cappuccio have pointed out the considerable poliphenolic and aromatic differences of these two vines making them complementary, thus justifying their traditional cut for the production of Etna red DOC wines.

Nerello Cappuccio, 15-20%, together with Nerello Mascalese, 85-80%, cultivated on Etna, give red wines with typically marked characteristics particularly suited to ageing.