The Corinto Nero is a native black grape variety of Sicily and, as the name suggests, it originates from Greece, but is now widespread in many European regions. Its name indicates its origin from the city of Corinth, and it is found in abundance in its homeland and nearby Turkey, although it is also cultivated in other European areas. In Greece, it is known as Patras Currant or Kourenti, while in France it is called Marine noir. Pliny the Elder referred to Corinto Nero as “Uva Marina nera”. Corinto Nero is characteristic of the Lipari Islands, where it was introduced during the Hellenic colonization of the 7th century BC. Corinto Nero is sometimes associated with Corinto Bianco and Corinto Rosa, but they are similar yet distinct varieties.

Corinto Nero has medium-small, loose clusters, conical in shape and long, rarely winged. The berries are very small, spherical, and heavily covered with bloom. The skins are very thin and delicate, red tending to purple in color. One distinguishing feature of this grape variety is its fruiting without seed development. Corinto Nero has early ripening and is low in vigor, with low yields, but offers good adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions and has good disease resistance. Corinto Nero is vinified both in purity and in blends. In purity, it produces a wine with a light color and a delicately aromatic nose, with deep aromas, while on the palate it is spicy and slightly structured. It is used in blends under the denomination of origin Malvasia delle Lipari DOC, while in purity it is undergoing interesting experiments. Corinto Nero wine is suitable for pairing with elaborately prepared red meats.