Italiano
Fresh white Sardinian wines
We chose three white wines from three different areas of Sardinia: Serdiana, in the hinterland of Cagliari, with Nuragus; Gergei, in the heart of the province of South Sardinia, and Sorso, north of Sassari, with Vermentino.
When talking about Sardinian white wines, the mind immediately runs to vermentino, forgetting there is another grape which gives excellent results: nuragus. Its name refers to the Sardinia of nuraghi, on the border between history and prehistory. Present on the island since thousands of years, it was spread everywhere in the region, with a higher concentration in the central-southern part. The white wine made from it was the most common in Sardinia, now supplanted by Vermentino and at risk of extinction.
We chose the one proposed by Audarya winery, truly excellent. However we cannot betray our expectations and therefore we also recommend two Vermentini: the one from Olianas and the one from Nuraghe Crabioni.
Serdiana is the area with the most vineyards on the island and is home to the great and historic Sardinian estates. Salvatore and Nicoletta Pala are very young leading figures in this new and ambitious estate that was set up in 2014. The vineyards are cultivated with maniacal care and a technical staff of the highest level is obtaining results that from the first wine they put on the market would seem surprising except to those who are unfamiliar with the overwhelming passion driving this young couple. Production is purposely and exclusively concentrated on the typical grapes of the zone.
An estate founded in 2000 by three friends-partners: Artemio Olianas, Stefano Casadei and Simone Mugnaini. They all came from different backgrounds but shared a common passion for Sardinia and winemaking. The estate also cultivates almonds, olives and figs and is located in the heart of Sarcidano, on a plain that sits at an altitude of 400m above sea level and is rich in Mediterranean underbrush.
Wine production is centered in the island’s typical varietals cultivated with a style called Biointegral with its ethical approach to nature. The style of the wines is modern and experimental at the same time and involves using barrels but also amphorae.
Nuraghe Crabioni was founded in 2003 in the area of Sorso-Sennori, in the northwest part of the island, by local Augusto Seghene, who had returned there after living for years in Friuli and wanted to invest in his homeland. The estate is family-run with his children Augusto Maurizio and Alessandra handling administration and sales, while nephew Antonello Spanu works in the cellar.
The only person involved who is not family, although he had been “adopted”, is the director of production, the talented and young enologist Mauro Murgia. The wines are precise and have character and fully express the local varietals.
Nuragus di Cagliari 2019 Audarya
96/100 - € 11,00
100% Nuragus grapes. Cement vats for 8 months. Bright straw yellow color. Clear aromas of Mediterranean scrub and smoky hints. Rich taste, juicy and agile, impressive dynamic progression. Very savory finish with notes of iodine.
Vermentino di Sardegna 2019 Olianas
94/100 - € 12,00
100% Vermentino grapes. 20% Matures in amphorae and 70% in stainless steel, the resti 7 months in tonneaux. Bright straw yellow color. Clear aromas of rosemary, sage and white pepper. Agile, dynamic and very tonic structure. Pleasant drinkability and very fresh with a savory and tense finish.
Vermentino di Sardegna Crabioni 2019 Nuraghe Crabioni
91/100 - € 12,00
100% Vermentino grapes. Stainless steel for 4 months. Bright straw yellow color. Clear aromas of white fruits and aromatic herbs. Agile, fresh and juicy taste with a very pleasant and briny finish.
