At last a little Sardinian wines! This time the selection was really easy: I already had a few tasting ideas in mind, so the choice was all downhill. As a Sardinian, getting to know the wine of my own land better is always a pleasure, especially when you can explore indigenous grape varieties and new interpretations. So after the latest order, the one with Brama di Mesa an order entirely devoted to Sardinia.
Sardinian wines in my order
Here are the bottles I picked for this journey through Sardinian wines:
- Azienda Vinicola Attilio Contini – Maluentu, Nieddera Rosso della Valle del Tirso IGT 2023
- Giovanni Cherchi – Cagnulari, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT Rosso 2023
- Cantina Giuseppe Gabbas – Lillovè, Cannonau di Sardegna DOC 2022
- Argiolas – Iselis Bianco, Nasco di Cagliari 2023
- Azienda Vinicola Attilio Contini – I Giganti, Nieddera della Valle del Tirso IGT 2021
- Cantina Giuseppe Gabbas – Manzanile, Vermentino di Sardegna DOC 2023
All the bottles were chosen out of pure curiosity; there are both grape varieties I have not yet tried and wines I wanted to try again.
Cannonau and Cagnulari: two souls of Sardinia
The Cannonau is the flagship wine of the island, but the Cagnulari is an interesting alternative, less widespread but with a strong territorial identity. This tasting will serve to compare two expressions of Sardinian red, setting structure, tannins and aromas side by side.
Nieddera in two interpretations
- I Giganti – Nieddera della Valle del Tirso IGT 2021
- Maluentu – Nieddera Rosso della Valle del Tirso IGT 2023
The Nieddera is a grape variety that deserves more attention. In this tasting I want to compare two vintages and two different interpretations of the same grape: I Giganti, more evolved and mature, against Maluentu, younger and fresher. A chance to understand how time and winemaking method influence the final result.
Discovering Nasco
The Nasco is one of the most fascinating varieties of Sardinia, with its floral and honeyed notes. This bottle of Argiolas will be a chance to look more closely at this often overlooked white.
Vermentino: a sure thing which deserves an encore!
A classic that needs no introduction. The Vermentino di Sardegna is a sure thing: fresh, savoury, perfect to drink with the dishes of the island or simply on its own. This will be a second taste, to confirm (or perhaps discover new details of) the sensations felt the first time round.
Sardinian wines already tasted
In recent months I have had the chance to taste several Sardinian wines, each with unique characteristics that tell of the area it comes from. Here are some of the Sardinian wines already tasted:
- Barbagia Bianco IGT (2023) – VikeVike
- Vermentino di Sardegna DOC (2023) – Argiolas
- Valle del Tirso Nieddera Rosato (2023) – Contini
- Karmis (2022) – Contini
- Manzanile (2023) – Giuseppe Gabbas
- G’oceano (2019) – Arvisionadu
- Tyrsos (2023) – Contini
Conclusion
This order will let me explore Sardinia through some of its most representative wines, from the classic Cannonau e Vermentino to the lesser-known ones Cagnulari, Nieddera e Nasco. Every bottle is a piece of the island's winemaking history and I can't wait to start these tastings.