Monica di Sardegna

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Wind is one of the most important natural components of Sardinia's climate, and the most frequent wind blowing over Sardinia is the Maestrale.
• The average annual rainfall in Sardinia is 775 millimetres, distributed across two rainy periods, one in winter–spring and one in autumn.
• In the inland areas of the centre-north of the island, average annual rainfall reaches 1,000 mm, while in coastal areas it does not exceed 600 mm, dropping to as low as 400 mm in the southern part.
• In the temperate-warm climate zone, which covers the majority of the territory, the mean annual temperature never falls below 15°C; this is the ideal habitat for the vine, which grows vigorously up to 600 m above sea level.
• The island is considered mountainous because its uplands, though not reaching considerable heights, have rugged forms with steep slopes and sharp gradients that influence agricultural suitability, including that for viticulture.
• Sardinian soils include granite formations in Gallura, dolomitic limestones in the Nurra di Alghero, in the mountains of Sarcidano, Oliena, and Monte Albo near Orosei, and Quaternary basaltic lava flows in the central zone.
• Soils derived from granite weathering are sandy, loose, and acid to sub-acid, rich in potassium but poor in phosphorus and nitrogen.

• The Monica vine spread through Sardinia during the Piedmontese administration, thanks to the viticultural policy of the viceroy Marchese di Rivarolo, who from 1736 onwards encouraged viticulture on the island.
• Monica wine obtained its designation of origin in 1972, after Sardinian viticulture had recovered from phylloxera's devastation through the adoption of new rootstocks.

• The wine is ruby red in colour, tending towards amaranth with ageing, and displays an intense, ethereal, and pleasant bouquet.
• On the palate the wine is dry or medium-sweet, not excessively alcoholic, savoury, with a characteristic finish.

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

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1158
• Official trade body site — Laore Sardegna