Sardinia

Sardinia shines with rare native grape varieties.

"All who come across the sea are strangers. And everyone left again" Sarden likes to explain her independence, which manifests itself in many areas. From the idiosyncratic language to the fact that practically no fishing took place here, but sheep were bred. But the "strangers" naturally influenced a lot - and brought a lot with them. So is viticulture. It was probably the Phoenicians long before Christ was born. On the second largest Mediterranean island Sardinia many variants of wine are produced. From fine white Vermentino in the north to powerful Cannonau - red wine in the south to liqueur wine reminiscent of sherry.

Aromatic red from Cannonau and Bovale.

The eventful history under influence of the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Muslims, Pisans and Genoese and above all the Spaniards, led here to an own wine style, which clearly stands out from all others in Italy and the wines "French" to appear. Interesting local varieties such as Cannonau, which reached the island with the Spaniards and is identical to Garnacha Tinto (Grenache), produce very aromatic and aging drops.

After the Second World War, the government in Rome generously promoted viticulture in Sardinia. As a result, the vineyard area expanded to 70,000 hectares in the 1980s. At this time the Sardinian winegrowers pressed mainly cask wine, which was popular as a dark blend partner in other regions. When the European Union cut subsidies to reduce overproduction, the area under vines fell to less than half. As many plantations are now used for table grapes, about 80 million litres of wine are currently produced in Sardinia each year. 68 percent in DOP quality from the DOCG Vermentino di Gallura, as well as the 17 DOC regions spread across the entire island.

Sun, plateaus and lots of wind.

Wine is cultivated in Sardinia mainly in the hilly plain of Campidano between the capital Cagliari and Oristano in the south-west and in the plateaus north of Olbia around Sassari and Alghero. Especially exciting is the wine from the DOC Mandrolisai, in the heart of the island, where the over 1800m high Gennargentu, the highest mountain of Sardinia rises. The climate is characterized by a lot of sun and constant wind. The temperatures on the island are very different. In the cooler north it is therefore ideal for fresh, fruity white wines that grow on barren stony soils and also have a fine acidity.

The warmer and drier south and west sides, with their typical Mediterranean microclimates and sandy to loamy soils, offer favourable growing conditions for red, white and dessert wines, depending on their location. The best wines are expressive, aromatic and powerful. The modernisation of wine technology in Sardinia has had a particular impact on white wines. Vermentino di Sardegna, Malvasia di Bosa (also as Spumante), Vernaccia di Oristano and the regional grape varieties Nasco, Nuragus and Semidano are quite exciting white wines, which are once something completely different. The DOCG Vermentino di Gallura is located in the north of Sardinia. The Vermentino produced in this area is more fragrant and stronger than the Vermentino di Sardegna.

In the south of Sardinia, around Cagliari, various grape varieties such as Malvasia, Monica, Moscato and Nasco can be processed into pure DOC sweet wines. The DOC Nuragus di Cagliari, on the other hand, produces fresh, dry and lemon-flavoured white wine from the ancient Nuragus grape. The most famous Sardinian wine, however, is not a white wine, but the red Cannonau di Sardegna. In addition to Cannonau, red wines rich in substance are also pressed from Bovale Sardo, Carignano and Malvasia Nera. SUPERIORE.DE