Cannonau di Sardegna

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The production zone of Cannonau di Sardegna, covering the whole of Sardinia, extends over 24,090 square kilometres, with a maximum distance from the sea of 53 kilometres at its most inland point.
• The most frequent wind on the island is the Maestrale, a significant climatic factor alongside the considerable windiness present in all seasons.
• In the warm-temperate climate that covers most of the territory, the mean annual temperature never falls below 15°C and average rainfall does not exceed 800 mm; this climate represents the optimum habitat for the vine up to 600 metres above sea level.
• The mean annual rainfall across the island is 775 millimetres, distributed unevenly between the inland areas of the centre-north, which receive up to 1,000 mm, and the southernmost part of the island, which receives as little as 400 mm.
• The soils derive from varied geological formations: granitic in Gallura, calcareous-dolomitic in the Nurra di Alghero and the mountains of the Sarcidano, trachytic and basaltic in various zones, with Sardinian soils generally poor in phosphorus and nitrogen.

• The Cannonau grape variety is mentioned in 1612 by a visitor of King Martín Carrillo and in 1677 by the Franciscan friar Giorgio Aleo, both of whom refer to wines called Cañonates of particular distinction produced throughout the island.
• Cannonau is traditionally trained in the low, free-standing bush-vine form (alberello latino), though newer plantings increasingly feature more expansive trellis-supported training systems.
• The wine Cannonau di Sardegna was granted recognition as a controlled designation of origin (denominazione d'origine controllata) as early as 1972.

• Cannonau di Sardegna rosso displays a ruby-red colour, a ripe fruity nose of small red and black fruits with a spiced background of pepper and herbal notes from aromatic herbs and Mediterranean scrub, and a flavoursome, lightly tannic palate.
• Cannonau di Sardegna riserva develops a ruby-red colour tending toward garnet with ageing, a floral and spiced nose with notes of clove, cinnamon and vanilla, and a full, very warm, soft palate with a lightly tannic, slightly bitter finish.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sottozone

• Cannonau di Sardegna Capo Ferrato DOC (PDO)
• Cannonau di Sardegna Jerzu DOC (PDO)
• Cannonau di Sardegna Oliena o Nepente di Oliena DOC (PDO)

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1099
• Official trade body site — Laore Sardegna