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Discovering
the Island
Main Attractions Edition
The first scratch map of Sardinia, you will discover 40 attractions of the Island. Each of them will make you know more local elements.
23 - CANNONAU
Cannonau is the most widespread grape variety in Sardinia.
Until a few decades ago it was believed that this type of grape, like Vermentino, also came from the Iberian peninsula and that it arrived in Sardinia only during the period of Aragonese domination.
Some recent findings and archaeological studies seem instead to show that Cannonau is an autochthonous grape variety. In particular, since 2002, finds have been found in various areas of the island. Some fossilized grape seeds near the nuraghe Arrubiu of Orroli. Vine seeds, dating back to 1,200 B.C., have been recovered near Dues Nuraghes, in Borore. Near Cabras, in the nuragic site of Sa Osa, Bronze Age, other grape seeds were found in some wells dug for 5-6 meters in the rock, which allowed to analyze almost intact organic materials. Or the askoid jugs, wine containers in typical Sardinian culture forms, found near the nuragic complex of Bau Nuraxi in the municipality of Triei, Ogliastra.
All these findings show that Cannonau is an endemic vine and prove that it is the oldest wine in the Mediterranean.
The vine has a good adaptability and for this reason its cultivation is widespread on almost the whole island. Today Cannonau represents 30% of the entire vineyard area of Sardinia, about 7,500 hectares.
About 70% of the Cannonau of Sardinia is produced in wineries and cellars scattered between Nuorese and Ogliastra.
From an ampelographic point of view, Cannonau is a black berry vine with kidney-shaped leaves, coloured a very bright green. The berries are spherical, medium-small and of a black-purplish colour.
The wine is ruby red, more or less intense, and has a dry and sapid taste. It has a minimum alcohol content of 12.5%.
It goes perfectly with red meat dishes.
