Sardinian Wine

Today grape and wine production is a flourishing business thanks to the island's geographic location, its fertile soil and fine climate - especially on the hills that are protected from the winds.
Grapes with high sugar content yield wines, especially whites that attain high alcohol content with respect to those from the mainland. This also provides the basis for production of fine sweet wines as well as sparkling varieties.

The main grapes, in addition to Nuragus that was presumably brought over by the Phoenicians, include Cannonau, Giro and Torbato, imported by the Spanish, Barbera, Sangiovese and Trebbiano introduced by the Piemontesi. Other red (Bovale, Carignano, Giro Monica and Nasco) and white (Malvasia di Sardegna, Moscato Bianco, Vermentino and Vernaccia d'Oristano) grapes complete the rich ampelographic panorama.

Among the DOC red and rose wines are the famous Cannonau, produced throughout the islands from the grapes of the same name (13.5% alcohol by volume), In the province of Cagliari they make the mild Carignano del Sul-cis (11 5%), Giro (14.5%), Monica (that reaches 14 5% while Monica di Sardegna "stops" at 12-13%) are all made from varietal grapes and are usually also made in liquoroso - high alcohol grade and usually fortified - versions (17 5% that can become 18% or more in the Cannonau).

The area between Cagliari and Oristano is the home of Campidano di Terralba (11.5%) made from Sardinian and Spanish Bovale grapes. Arborea (11%) comes from near Ori¬stano and is made from Sangiovese and local grapes, Mandrolisai (11.5%) is produced with Bovale, Cannonau and Monica grapes near Oristano and Nuoro. Alghero is a newer wine and is made in both white and red.
The outstanding white wines include the DOCG Vermentino di Gallura, made in the province of Sassari from the grape with the same name (12%) Vermentino di Sardegna, a very pleasant white (10.5%) is made throughout the island.

The triangle between Cagliari, Oristano and Nuoro produces Nuragus di Cagliari (11%), the province of Cagliari is the home of the robust Nasco (14,5%) while Arborea Trebbiano (10.5%) comes from near Oristano and they are all made with the grapes of the same name.