Discovering Sardinian Wines: A Journey Through Flavor and Tradition

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

It takes a stony disposition not to be captivated by Sardinia. Even if you cannot surrender to the pristine beaches, hilltop villages, and benign climate, the incredible landscape will take your breath away. It’s an irresistible proposition: miles and miles of unspoiled scenery, expansive bays, azure-blue ocean, lush vegetation, and Instagram shots to die for. Sardinia sells itself, which probably explains why the tourist board has never invested significant euros to lure discerning visitors abroad.

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However, Sardinia’s charms are not merely skin deep. The second-largest island in the Mediterranean (known in Italian as Sardegna) is located at a crossroads; Sardinia was a magnet for colonists and invaders from half the civilized world. Each (temporary) occupier left an indelible mark on the island’s culture, including Greek, Arab, and Aragonese conquerors. This evolved over the centuries into a vibrant and colorful mix of customs and culture, not least in the gastronomic department. Sardinians are not generally arrogant, but they would never accept that rival Sicily has the edge in culinary terms.

Like all self-respecting Mediterranean islands, Sardinia is most definitely in the wine business. Such a complex and fascinating cultural heritage translates into a wine culture very much Sardinia’s own—very distinct from mainland Italy. The grapes and soils, the winemaking practices and attitudes, and Sardinian viticulture are very worthy of exploration if only to provide an interesting point of difference to increasingly homogenous and globalized winemaking.

Terroir

Of course, it all starts with the terroir. Sardinian growers work over 9000 square miles of landmass, so there’s plenty of opportunity for site variation and climatic differences – particularly considering the varied topography. Sardinia’s growing conditions and soils run the whole gamut, from the rocky, arid northeast of Sardinia to the cooler terroirs of the Costa Smeralda. Winegrowers utilize an eclectic mix of granite, limestone, and clay soils, and the southwest of the island boasts its windswept, sandy vineyards. Here, bush vines dominate, and the yields are naturally very low. Excessive vigor is rarely a problem in such conditions.

Sardinia’s Wine Evolution

Yet Sardinia’s viticultural heritage is not without its historical low points and unfortunate precedents. In the mid-20th century, a push emerged to encourage growers to plant red grape varieties specifically for selling to the mainland, mirroring the modern bulk wine industry. Winemakers fermented these reds to retain residual sugar, resulting in alcoholic, overcropped, and intensely strong wines. Thankfully, modern-day Sardinians are more fixated on quality than quantity; however, the island still lags behind Sicily in the wine department. Sardinia has incredible and diverse terroir but has undoubtedly been slower in joining the international map of quality-led wine regions.

But things change. During the 1980s, the subsidies to plant vines became bribes to pull them out, and the island’s total vineyard shrank by over a half. The saturation of the cheap wine market, along with a consumer shift towards “less but better” wines, has benefitted Sardinia. The curious oenophile will discover a mosaic of varieties unlike any other part of Italy.

Credit for this diversity should be given to the Aragonese. For centuries, the island was controlled by the Spanish kingdom of Aragon; the conquerors transplanted many of their traditions and customs, including Spanish grape varieties. Have you heard of Bovale Sardo and Bovale Grande? Neither had we: they are thought to be cousins of Spain’s Bobal grape. Both varieties tend to make full-bodied, robust red wines, while the origins of the Monica and Giro grapes are uncertain. So, too, are the genetic legacies of the white grapes Nuragus and Nasco clouded in mystery.

Vermentino di Sardegna

Although the island lacks a long-established precedent for quality winemaking, Sardinian wine has boasted legal status since the mid-1700s. The island boasts several appellations, with Vermentino di Sardegna standing out as the most important. Sardinia takes Vermentino, a grape common across the Mediterranean, and elevates it to new heights. In its purest form, Vermentino is a quaffable material; light and refreshing, its lemony bouquet suits holidaymakers perfectly. But don’t be fooled: Vermentino is no one-trick pony. The best versions are structured and refined if the terroir and winemaking are up to scratch.

Vermentino’s ‘premier cru’ is found in the rocky, arid northeast of Sardinia in a sub-zone called Gallura. A unique combination of soil, heat, and marine winds makes Vermentino a gloriously honeyed yet racy wine. The authorities recognized this by creating the island’s inaugural DOCG – Vermentino di Gallura. Drink it with friends, preferably in the company of Sardinian seafood and a spectacular view. Long-lasting memories are guaranteed.

And what about the Reds?

Sardinia’s reds, though, are less internationally well-known. In the DOC of Carignano del Sulcis, one finds a real curiosity. The terroir is located in the southwest of the island – a sea of bush vines covers the beautiful landscape. Legendary wine consultant Giacomo Tachis brought this long-ignored corner of Sardinia into the spotlight. He saw the potential to grow Carignan to perfection and quickly invested heavily in the region. His wine joins a small but exciting firmament of perfect reds, such as Terre Brune and Rocco Rubia. These wines are velvety, intensely flavored, and structured examples, with Carignan usually playing a dominant role in the blends.

Exploring Sardinia’s Wine Icons

Meanwhile, visitors to the island should venture north of the capital, Cagliari. You’ll discover what Sardinia’s leading contender for an icon wine is. Argiolas is a family-run winery that refuses to work with international varieties. Their top cuvee, Turriga, a powerfully concentrated blend of Cannonau and Carignano, has benefited from Tachis’s expertise. This Sardinian wine is one of the most profound and exciting discoveries from Italy in a long time. It deserves to be much better known.

Other appellations are also going from strength to strength. These include Malvasia di Bosa, Alghero, Cannonau di Sardegna, and Cagliari’s extensive DOC. Like Vermentino, Malvasia produces a delightfully varied wine in Sardinia’s terroir – from racy to weighty and everything in between.

Sweet reds also remain part of the landscape despite the moribund state of the dessert wine market. The Vernaccia di Oristano appellation arguably produces some of Sardinia’s most exceptional wines: rare and rich sweet Moscatos and Malvasias capable of aging indefinitely. Their limited export makes them a delightful secret for adventurous wine lovers who visit Sardinia.

The future of Sardinia’s bourgeoning, if artisan, wine industry is unclear today despite the great leaps in quality. The island is rich in raw ingredients, while its emphasis on local varieties provides a welcome point of difference in a crowded marketplace. Yet the island’s wines remain under-exported and under-appreciated. With its wealth of ancient bush vines and unique grapes, Sardinia possesses the potential to become a truly groundbreaking wine region – hopefully within our lifetime. Sardinia’s authentic and local flavors are poised to charm a world of international wine buyers increasingly seeking such qualities. All Sardinia needs to do is reach out and extend its hand.