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The most well-known wine that is produced in Sardinia is named Cannonau, a red wine with a full bodied flavour, other wines that have earned a high regard include the Nuragus of Cagliari and Carignano of Sulcis that come from the south west of the island.
Wine is a product of excellence in Sardinia where the cuisine centres around simple flavours which reflect the agricultural heritage. There is hardly a table on the island that does not feature a glass of good wine often produced by the family on their own land, especially in the rural areas.
In 2009, the harvest whist not high in quantity was high in quality. Gambero Rosso, an annual guide of the best Italian wines, has included 11 examples of Sardinian wine amongst its most highly recommended entries. The list includes perennial favourites such as the Cannonau, the white Verentimo from Gallura (north Sardinia) and the Carignano from Sulcis, as well as some lesser known ones such as Perda Pintà of Mamoiada, a town on the inside of the island.
Among the DOC wines (a classification of good quality Italian wine) you can also find some excellent liqueurs, such as Malvasia of Cagliaro, Veraccia of Oristano, in addition to the Monica grape which is produced all over the island.
Many of the small towns across Sardinia are part of the ‘città del vino’ initiative that sees a festival held every August 10th in San Lorenzo called the ‘Goblets of the Stars’. On this night the wine cellars and vineyards open their doors to allow visitors to enjoy a wine tasting and buy wine.
Among the most popular wine regions are Jerzu, just off the east coast and Dorgali Sant’ Antioco Island in the south west. The origins of Sardinian vines are unclear with some believing it is a native plant whilst others argue that these vines were brought by incomers to the island such as the Phonecians who were renowned as expert wine makers.
The vine became the main crop with the arrival of the Punic species around Karalis (modern Cagliari), to Tharros, near Oristano, and Olbia. Its cultivation continued under Roman rule until the medieval period when the famous Judge Eleanor of Arborea ruled in the constitution that vineyards were protected and drew up special rules for their care.
Text by Monia Melis
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