Opale (2023) - Mesa
Opale is the youngest and most carefree of Mesa's Vermentino wines, designed to bring out the light and freshness of the Sulcis area. The name recalls the precious stone with its shifting reflections, like those of the Sardinian sea at sunset.
Opale (2023) - Mesa
Type: Vino Bianco
Appellation: Carignano del Sulcis DOC
Grape variety: Vermentino
Vintage: 2023
Winery: Mesa
Alcohol: 13%
The appellation: Carignano del Sulcis DOC
The Carignano del Sulcis DOC is one of the most representative appellations of south-western Sardinia, established in 1977, and devoted to the Carignano variety, grown here in unique conditions: sandy soils, bush vines that are often pre-phylloxera, and a warm, well-ventilated climate. This DOC takes its name from the historic region of Sulcis, which takes in the coastal and inland municipalities around Carbonia, Sant’Antioco and Calasetta, and produces red wines of great softness, warmth and intensity, sometimes also riserva, passito and rosé versions.
Find out more about Carignano del Sulcis DOCWhat to eat with Opale
Who makes it: Mesa
Mesa was born in 2004 at the initiative of the advertising man Gavino Sanna, with the dream of creating a winery capable of telling the story of the truest, most poetic Sardinia.The name "Mesa" in Sardinian means "table", a symbol of conviviality, generosity and culture. The philosophy of Mesa rests on: Elegant simplicity, in the wines and in the design A deep bond with Sulcis, a land of sea, wind and sun Environmental sustainability, from vineyard to bottle Accessibility: quality wines meant to be enjoyed every day
Find out more about MesaThe vine of Opale
Vermentino
Vermentino is a highly prized white grape variety, found mainly in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Its origin is debated, but it is thought to come from the Iberian peninsula or from Liguria, from where it would then have spread to Sardinia, Tuscany and Corsica. Today it is also grown in some areas of southern France.
Find out moreOpale: the Sulcis area
Sulcis
The Sulcis is a historic winegrowing area in south-western Sardinia, taking in the territory of the old mining region now divided between the Sulcis-Iglesiente and part of the Medio Campidano.This harsh, sun-baked land, stretching between sandy coasts, limestone ridges and the islands of Sant'Antioco and San Pietro, is the heart of the production of Carignano del Sulcis, one of the great reds of the Mediterranean. The dry, windy, maritime climate, combined with sandy and pebbly soils, makes it possible to grow vines on their own roots, preserving ancient indigenous varieties and guaranteeing intense, elegant and very long-lived wines.
Find out more about SulcisClimate: Mediterranean
Altitude: Low Altitude (0-200 m above sea level)
Soil: Limestone / chalk
Geographical setting: Hilly
Profile of Opale
Primary aromas: Citrus, White flowers, Green apple, Peach
Secondary aromas: Mediterranean scrub, almonds
Tertiary aromas: Honey, Flint
Tasting notes: A bright straw yellow colour with greenish highlights. The nose is fine and direct, with floral and citrus scents of great purity. The palate is fresh, savoury and harmonious, with lively acidity and a minerality that recalls the sea. The finish is long, clean and persistent, with pleasing returning citrus and saline notes.
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Fresh |
| Acidity | Medium |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Medium / Long |
| Colour | Straw yellow with pale green highlights |
| Clarity | Clear |
Winemaking methods used for Opale
Hand harvesting
Hand harvesting is a traditional, painstaking approach to picking, where bunches are selected and cut by hand straight from the vine. Compared with machine harvesting it allows far closer attention to quality, since only the best bunches are chosen and the fruit is not damaged.
Find out moreMalolactic fermentation
Malolactic fermentation is a fundamental process in winemaking, particularly used for quality white, red and sparkling wines. This method plays a key role in determining the flavour and aromatic profile of many wines, helping to make them softer, more complex and suited to long ageing.
Find out moreSoft pressing
Soft pressing is a gentle winemaking technique, used to extract the must from the grapes with the least possible pressure. This method makes it possible to obtain a high-quality must, free of excessive phenolic or tannic substances, ideal for producing elegant white, rosé and red wines.
Find out moreTemperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel
Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel is a technique that makes it possible to produce fresh, fruity, clean wines, preserving the varietal aromas of the grapes at their best.
Find out moreStatic settling
Static settling is a natural clarification technique used mainly in the making of white and rosé wines, but sometimes for red wines too, to separate the solid particles suspended in the must or wine without the use of chemical agents or mechanical filtration.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Opale
In stainless steel (1–6 months)
Ageing in stainless steel for 1 to 6 months is a winemaking practice widely used for young, fresh, varietal wines, aimed at preserving the aromatic fragrance and gustatory integrity of the wine immediately after fermentation. This choice allows the wine to be stabilised, to settle naturally and to be ready for drinking within a few months, retaining vitality, tension and precision.
Find out moreIn bottle (1–6 months)
Ageing in bottle for 1 to 6 months is a final but fundamental stage in the development of a wine. During this period, the wine – already stabilised and bottled – continues to mature away from oxygen, developing greater harmony between its components. It is a very widespread practice for wines that have completed their ageing in stainless steel or wood and that need a minimum settling time to reach the right balance before going on sale.
Find out moreTime on the lees for Opale
- Short (1–6 months)