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Sardinia Native Vines – First Part
Rosa D'Ancona – July 29, 2005

Introduction

Sardinia is an Italian island with a splendid wine production area. In this region, viticulture represent an excellent mixture of cutting edge technology and centuries-old traditions which, we must emphasize, have been greatly influenced by the many invasions which the island underwent for centuries in the past.

In recent years, a wider number of vintners have chosen to focus their work on growing indigenous vines, either natives of the island or, if imported, by ancient invaders. The plants have long developed their own character in symbioses with the island climate and soil. Among the main varieties there are Cannonau, Semidano, Muscat, Monica, Vermentino, Nasco, Nuragus and the Vernaccia from Oristano.

Currently Sardinia produces numerous high quality wines appreciated worldwide for their organoleptic characteristics. They are usually wines with good body, and are fresh and aromatic.

The vineyard area has been greatly reduced in the past 10 years or so, and currently counts on 39,450 hectares (about 97,500 acres). A good amount of the quality and medium quality wines produced on the island, (about 400,000 hectoliters, or over 10 million gallons), is sold outside the region, either on the Italian or the international market. The red wine accounts for 55% of the production and the other 45% is white wine, as the production of rosé wines is unsubstantial. The great majority of wine produced is of good quality and is bottled, while the sale of bulk wine is rapidly fading away.

According to the data released by the Chambers of Commerce of Cagliari, Oristano, Nuoro and Sassari, the production of DOCG wines accounts for the 3.02% of the total, the DOC for the 17.42%, the IGT for the 2.97%, with the remaining 76.59% good quality table wine.

Sardinian IGT Wines

• IGT Barbagia
  • Color: white, rosé and red
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content: 10% Vol.


• Colli del Limbara
  • Color: white, rosé and red
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)


• Isola dei Nuraghi
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)


• Marmilla
  • Color: white, rosé and red
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content: 10.5% Vol.
  • Production area: Cagliari e Oristano


• Nurra o Nurra Algherese
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content: 10% Vol.
  • Production area: Sassari


• Ogliastra
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content 10.5% Vol.
  • Production area: Cagliari e Nuoro


• Parteolla
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content 11% Vol.
  • Production area: Cagliari


• Planargia
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content 11% Vol.
  • Production area: Oristano


• Provincia di Nuoro
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)


• Romangia
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content 10.5% Vol.
  • Production area: Sassari


• Sibiola
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content 10.5% Vol.
  • Production area: Cagliari


• Tharros
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content 10.5% Vol.
  • Production area: Oristano


• Trexenta
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • radazione alcolica minima: 11% Vol.
  • Production area: Cagliari


• Valle del Tirso
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content:11% Vol.
  • Production area: Oristano


• Valli di Porto Pino
  • Color: bianco, rosato, rosso
  • Types: still or sparkling, the red is marketed as novello (vin nouveau)
  • Minimum alcohol content:10.5% Vol.
  • Production area: Cagliari

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