A s in so many of Italy’s regions, wine is an integral part of Sardinia’s history and economy and, not least, its varied gastronomy. Archaeological discoveries bear witness to a winemaking heritage dating back to Roman times and most likely the earlier pre-Roman Phoenician era. Sardinia was blanketed by a sea of vines with nearly 80,000ha of vineyards in the 19th century, however today’s vineyard area covers just 27,000ha – areflection of a growth in quality wines from specific geographical areas at the expense of ‘rotgut rosso’.
Sardinia is Italy’s Cannonau stronghold, and it is – along with its counterpart white variety Vermentino – the grape for which Sardinia is best known in Italy and overseas. Of the 41 grape varieties planted in Sardinia, the Cannonau di Sardegna DOC represents the largest vineyard area, at a little more than a quarter of all plantings.
Known as Grenache in France and Garnacha in Spain, this Mediterranean red grape variety is largely grown in the eastern province of Nuoro and the
