The Pallagrello Nero grape is one of the native varieties leading the enological revival of Campania. Originating from the Caserta area, it has a white-berried counterpart, the Pallagrello Bianco. The small clusters and perfectly spherical berries gave rise to its name, Pallagrello, meaning “small ball” in the local dialect “U Pallarel.” Another possible origin of the name is Pagliarello, the straw rack where the grapes were traditionally dried. The grape was likely introduced to Campania by Greek colonists, later followed by the Romans, who referred to it as “Pilleolata.” The Pallagrello Nero has also been rightly called Coda di Volpe Nera due to the shape of its clusters and can be linked to the Vitis Alopecis of Greek origin described by Pliny the Elder.
In the past, Pallagrello Nero was cultivated not only along the Volturno River but also throughout much of Campania, near Venafro (in nearby Molise) and, more rarely, in Calabria. Today, its cultivation is mainly confined to the area northeast of Caserta, particularly in the municipalities of Alife, Alvignano, Caiazzo, and Castel Campagnano. The clusters of Pallagrello Nero are small, without wings, and relatively loose. The berries are small, spherical, with thick, blue-black skins. Traditionally trained in a radial system, modern vineyards now favor more rational trellising systems. The grapes typically reach full ripeness between the second and third week of October.
