Sardegna

Question 1

What is Sardo?

Answer 1

Sardegna’s official language.

Close to Latin. Recognized by the Italian government

Question 2

What are Nuraghe/Nuraghi?

Answer 2

Ancient stone buildings built by the Nuragic civilization on Sardegna

Question 3

How did the Spanish influence grape-growing in Sardegna?

Answer 3

Under Spanish rule for 5 centuries (13 - 18th)

Brought over Spanish grape varieties

Makes biologically aged wines - Vernaccia di Oristano and Malvasia Bosa - similiar to Sherry

Question 4

How many varieties are specific to Sardegna?

Answer 4

20 +

Italian varietals play small role < 5%, international tiny < 3%

Question 5

What are the need to know grapes that were brought from Spain?

Answer 5

Cannonau

Carignano (Carginan FR, Mazuleo SP)

Bovale

Question 6

What are synonyms for Cannonau?

Answer 6

Garnacha (FR Grenache)

Alicante (Toscana)
Tocai Rosso (Veneto)
Gamay del Trasimeno, Gamay Perugino (Umbria)

Question 7

What is the topography of Sardegna?

Answer 7

68% Hills
14% Mountains
18% Plains

Ancient mountains (Paleozoic era)

Large portions of uninhabited areas, unspoiled nature

Question 8

What are the 3 largest regions in Italy, by size?

Answer 8

1. Sicily
2. Piedmont
3. Sardegna

Question 9

What are the bodies of water surrounding Sardegna?

Answer 9

North - Bocche di Bonifacio (between Corsica)
East- Tyherranian Sea (between Italy)
South - Tirreno (Mar Tirreno)
West - Mar di Sardegna

Question 10

What is the climate in Sardegna?

Answer 10

Mediterranean. Warmer to the south

Less pronounced sea influence in inland mountainous areas

Very windy - maestrale

Question 11

What are the soils types of Sardegna?

Answer 11

Ancient and varied:
Metamorphic & igneous rocks - north
Calcareous over volcanic - central
Calcareous clay and sandstone - northwest
Alluvial soils on coastal plains

Question 12

What is Sardegna’s portion of DOC/G and IGT?

Answer 12

50% DOC/G (1 DOCG; most DOCs varietal)
25% IGT
Remaining wine w/o origin

Question 13

What are the vine training systems in Sardegna?

Answer 13

Mostly Guyot, Cordone Speronato, small % of alberello

Question 14

What are the most planted red and white grapes of Sardegna?

Answer 14

Red - Cannonau

White - Vermentino

Question 15

What are the regional DOCs of Sardegna?

Answer 15

Cannonau - can be riserva, classico if from Nuoro or Ogliastra
-sub-zones: Nepente di Oliena, Jerzu, Capo Ferrato

Vermentino

Monica

Moscato

Sardegna Semidano

Question 16

What is the 1 DOCG in Sicily? What is the climate and soil like?

Answer 16

Vermentino di Gallura

Mediterranean on coast, more inland influences and elevation

Grey and pinke granite soils. Restricts yields, requires irrigation

Question 17

Alghero DOC allows for unique wines only produced in Sicily. What are they?

Answer 17

Cagnulari
Torbato - white dry and sparkling

International varieties Cab, Merlot, SB, Chard

Question 18

How is Vernaccia di Oristano made?

Answer 18

100% Vernaccia di Oristano
15% ABV
Matured in barrels full to max 80% for at least two years, beginning March after harvest.
Flor forms
Some aged in solera system
NOT fortified

Question 19

Which evaporates faster in an open barrel of wine - water or alcohol?

Answer 19

Water evaporates faster, making longer aged products higher in ABV

Question 20

What is the tiny Sardegnian DOC for white wines that are sometimes purposefully oxidized?

Answer 20

Malvasia di Bosa

Question 21

What is the important IGT for Sardegna?

Answer 21

Isola di Nuraghi

Varietal Cannonau, Cargnano, Bovale, Cagnulari, Vermention, dessert Nasco