Sardinia Wine Guide: Grapes, Appellations & Producers

Italy’s island white star

Soil: Decomposed granite sands in the windswept north-east of the island.
Style: Saline, citrussy, textured Vermentino — Sardinia’s only DOCG and Italy’s benchmark for the grape.
Top sites: Vermentino di Gallura is the island’s sole DOCG — granite-grown, briny and structured.
Vintages: 2020, 2021, 2022
Producers: SurrauCantina Gallura

Tip · Gallura’s granite gives Vermentino real grip and salinity — far beyond simple seaside white.

Value pick

Surrau Vermentino di Gallura "Branu" · ~$20

Saline, citrussy granite Vermentino — fresh and textured.

Collector pick

Capichera "Vendemmia Tardiva" · ~$70 · 2019

Cult late-harvest Vermentino — rich, complex and ageworthy.

Garnacha by another name

Soil: Granite hills of the rugged Nuoro interior, home to old bush vines.
Style: Perfumed, herbal, medium-bodied Cannonau (Grenache) reds — fresher and more savoury than most Grenache.
Top sites: Cannonau is Grenache; old-vine Mamoiada bottlings are some of the Mediterranean’s most exciting Grenache.
Vintages: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Producers: Giuseppe SedilesuCantina Oliena

Tip · Sardinia’s old-vine Cannonau is a cult source of mineral, perfumed Grenache.

Value pick

Giuseppe Sedilesu Cannonau di Sardegna · ~$25

Old-vine Mamoiada Cannonau — herbal, mineral and savoury.

Collector pick

Tenute Dettori "Tenores" · ~$90 · 2017

Granite old-vine Cannonau of singular intensity and character.