Each territory has its own wine
The mild climate, plenty of sunlight, calcareous soil, salty air and the mistral wind make Sardinia an ideal destination for pleasant and fragrant, as well as strong and noble wines. Among the most famous is the red Cannonau and the white Vermentino, but the island also offers other excellent varieties. Tasting wine in different localities can be a unique opportunity to experience genius loci of this thousand year old land and the knowledge passed down through the generations. Sardinian vines are grown in various forms, both original, autochthonous varieties preserving the extraordinary wealth of the land and its ancestors, and imported ones that have been harmonized to perfection with the local environment for centuries. Wine tastings can become attractive experiences. From walks through the vineyard to visits of the winery, during which you will come into contact with the entire production process and learn closely about the identity and quality of the wines. Do not miss the traditional events related to wine such as Open cellars in various cities in the south of Sardinia, Goblets under the stars in Jerzu in Ogliastra or the New wine Festival in Millis, Oristano. Right there you can learn about the Sardinian wines in their most authentic form.
The most characteristic vine of Sardinia is the red Cannonau whose production has been documented since the late Middle Ages. Its original teritorries are Ogliastra and Barbagia. Currantly it is also cultivated in the rugged hills of Trexenta and Gerrei, in gentle hills of Marmilla and in the undulating areas of central Campidano. Today, the areas of Sarrabus, Castiadas and Muravera, as well as the more northerly Cardedu, Jerzu and Ulassai in Ogliastra, the “land of centenarians”, are returning to the “red” wine map of Sardinia with this typical variety. Further nord, in the Barbagia of Ollolai and Nuoro – in Dorgali, Orgosolo, Mamoiada and Oliena, we recommend not to miss the original “robust” Nepente variety, which the poet D´Annunzio writes about in his work. In the westernmost part of Barbagia, in Atzara and Sorgono, another red variety, Mandrolisai, is cultivated and it gave its name to the entire historical wine region par excellence. Another famous vine, again typical of the east of the island, is Bovale, once rather derogatorily called nieddu mandroni (“black chairs”) by the old winemakers, today it ranks among the star red varieties of international level.
White Vermentino is, along with Cannonau, the second most representative island vine. 80 % of the italian land cultivated by Vermentino is located in Sardinia. Most of this variety is grown in the north from Olbia to Alghero, in the Gallura region and in the areas of Monte Acuto, Logudoro, Anglona, Romangia and Nurra. Non only in the two main Sardinian cities you will find cellars of this typical white wine with the DOC and DOCG classification, there are also others in Arzachena, Berchidda, Luogosanto, Monti, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Sorso, Sennori, Usini and Olmedo.
Other delicious wines of northern Sardinia, especially from the Sassari and Nurra regions, are red Cagnulari and white Torbato and Moscato. From central-western Sardnia comes the white Malvasia variety, a delicate and exquisite wine, that you can taste in several versions: from natural dry or sweet to the rarest liquer, again dry or sweet. You can taste it in almost all the villages of Montiferru and Planargia regions, from Cuglieri to Scano Montiferro, from Flussio to Modolo, from Sennariolo to Suni, from Tinnura to Tresnuraghes to Bosa, one of the most beautiful cities in Sardinia, whose colorful houses climb up the hill above the sea and the river Temo, dominated by the medieval castle of Serravalle. A little further south, you will discover another unique Sardinian production, the white variety Vernaccia, which is the original vine cultivated on the island since the Nuragic age. The most important wineries that produce this excellent wine are in Oristano, Cabras, Solarussa, Milis and Baratili San Pietro. When in the Oristano region it is also worth visiting the cellars of another famous wine center, Arborea.
To prove that Sardinia is not only Cannonau and Vermentino are other thousand-year-old vineyeards, which today are reviving their production at a high level. The Monica vine is the most common red variety of southern Sardinia. The DOCS classification divides it according to the controlled origin and distinguishes Monica from Sardinia and from Cagliari, whose vineyeards starts right outside the capital and spread further through the countryside of the entire Campidano. The Nuragus variety, a DOC white wine, also comes from an ancient vine, possibly native and domesticated or imported by Phoenicans. The vine is grown mainly in the Marmilla, Sarcidano, Parteolla, Trexenta and Gerrei regions. In addition to these two wines you can also taste white dessert wines, Nasco and Moscato, in the cellars of Dolianova, Serdiana, Soleminis, Ussana, Senorbi, Settimo San Pietro and Monserrato. The Sulcis region then became synonymous with Carignano red wine. Originally imported from Piedmont during the Savoy era, the vine found its ideal terroir in the calcareous and sandy soils of the south-western tip of the island and perfectly attuned to the enviroment. Some of the most famous wineries are located on the island of Sant Antioco, others continue towards Giba, through Narcao, Perdaxius and above all to Santadi.
