Sardegna

Since being introduced by the Spaniards, Bovale has split into 2 clones: Bovale Grande and Bovale Sardo. Synonym for the 1st is Bovale di Spagna, while the 2nd Muristellu, Muristeddu, Bovaleddu and apparently resemembles Mourvedre. Good levels of colour and extract.

Campidano di Terralba, Mandrolisai (major blend component). Isola dei Nuraghi (Kore Argiolas)

Of Spanish origin which has since evolved resembling Monastrell. Aka Bastardo Nero.

Alghero

Sardegna's most planted black grape (20%) seemingly introduced by the Spanish during their domination around 300 years ago. Ampelographers are convinced it is the same as Grenache. Of medium vigour and potentially very productive and hence needing poor soils. There is a notable difference in quality between the alberello grape grown on hills producing wines of good structure and pepperiness and the higher production training systems on the flatlands which produce more supercial fruitier styles. The vast majority is grown in the south of the island.

Canonau di Sardegna

Of Western Mediterranean origin (Carinena/ Manzuela in Spain and Carignan in France), almost certainly imported by the Spanish under their domination although some maintain it arrived first in Sardegna from the phonecians, then onto North Africa and subsequently Spain. Thrives on heat on the sandy flatlands where previously were alberello vines. Wines have deep colour and extract with low tannins, some can be too chewy. The main growing area is Sulcis in the south.

Carignano di Sulcis

Giro' of Spanish origin makes sweet reds traditionally fortified, from low lying plains around Cagliari.

Giro di Cagliari

Sardegna's second most diffuse black grape. Ancient variety and sometimes known as Mora, Monaca. Wines are correct but not as exciting as some other Sardian grapes.

Monica di saredna, Monica di Cagliari

White grape of ancient origin once grown all over the island now confined to the southern half, making all styles of wine from dry to liquoroso.

Nasco di Cagliari

See Piedmont

See Piedmont

Nieddu means black in Sardinian dialect. Aka Nieddumannu. Nieddera is grown varietally for the IGT Valle del Tirso. Jammy but vegetal fruit. Similar to Sicily's Perricone?

Valle del Tirso

Very productive, disease resistant white variety and hence very popular amoung growers.

Nuragus di Cagliari

Said to be of Tuscan origin aka Barberone. Widely planted but usually in blended and used for homemade plonk..

Nuragus di Cagliari

See Tuscany

See Tuscany

A fairly recent arrival to Sardinia, firstly arriving to Corsica through the Spanish in the 14th Century and then onto Liguria and finally arriving in Sardinia a little over 100 years ago.

Vermentino di Gallura, Vermentino di Sardegna

Grown all over Sardinia but has the following subzones: Capo Ferrato, Jerzu, Nepente di Oliena. Cannonau has undoubted relations with Grenache and Garnacha, although it is distinctly Sardinian. The tradition alberello training system which gives low yields of intense, sweet, alcoholic wines is being gradually repaced by wire trained system and more drinkable styles.

Cannonau

Produced in the province of Nuoro in the northwest of Sardinia, around the town of Bosa on the coast. The style of this white dessert wine is more oxidative than its Italian cousins of Recioto di Soave or Greco di Bianco for instance.

Malvasia di Sardegna

Various styles are produced from fortified (liquoroso) to dry and naturally sweet, whose origins (as with the myriad of other Malvasie) are probably Greek, produced in the southern most part of Sardinia. Produced extensively in the southern half of the Island.

Malvasia di Sardegna

Native to Sardinia, and extensively grown in the southern half of the Island, producing Sardinia's native red. Probably brought to the Sardinia by the Spanish

Permitted Grapes

Similar to Monica di Sardegna but is usually a wine of a lesser structure. It is produced all over the Island

Monica with some Pascale di Cagliari and Carignano

Grown in the southern half of the island usually, alberello trained on the hot plains. Late harvested and dried – giving a sweet nectar.

Moscato Bianco

Grown all over the island and usually made in the sweet spumante version.

Moscato Bianco

Grown extensively on the Mediterranean coast from Spain to Ligura and the Islands and of Spanish. First planted, fairly recently, in the Gallura part of Northern Sardinia where it expresses itself best. Here the mistral winds influence the growing season and the soils are dry and harsh. The wines minerality also due to granitic substrata. The superior white wine of Sardegna. Produces wines of peachy texture.

Vermentino

The usual deniomination for the inferior Vermentino grown outside the Gallura area where lower yields and granitic soils cultivate a far superior grape. Here the wine simply lacks personality and the texture one searched for in the superior version.

Vermentino

This is a small appellation around the town of Oristano in the west of the island. Nothing to do with the other Vernaccias of Tuscany and Alto Adge.. Vernaccia simply means local (Vernacular) and hence we assume it to be a native Sardian variety. Makes dry whites as well as sweet and liquoroso.

Vernaccia di Oristano

Cabernet, Chardonnay, Cagniulari, Sangiovese, Sauvignon, Torbato, Trebbiano, Vermentino

Sangiovese, Trebbiano

Bovale di Spagna, Bovale Sardo

Carignano del Sulcis DOC

Girò

Bovale Sardo, Monica, Cannonau

Moscato Bianco

Nasco di Cagliari DOC

Nuragus

Semidano