Sardinia

The Cantina Santadi in Sulcis is considered one of the best co-operatives in Italy – and this Vermentino shows why. The grapes (85% Vermentino, 15% Nuragus) come from five municipalities in south-west Sardinia, where sandy clay soils and a Mediterranean climate create ideal conditions. Manual harvesting, gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and short storage on the lees preserve freshness and flavour.

A rosato with an island identity – clear, fresh and imbued with Mediterranean vigour. Tre Torri is made from 100% Carignano grapes, cultivated in the limestone and clay-rich vineyards of the lower Sulcis. The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo extraction with a few hours of maceration at low temperature before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. This reduced vinification preserves freshness and terroir without distraction.

Typical Sardinian white wine, unagitated, independent and precisely for this reason so charming: S'elegas is a fresh voice of the island, eloquent and yet light-footed. Made from 100% Nuragus, one of the oldest indigenous grape varieties, it shows how tradition can grow into a modern favourite. The grapes grow on limestone and marl soils in the south of Sardinia, at Tenuta Sa Tanca near Selegas. After cool fermentation in stainless steel, the wine is given time: several weeks on the fine lees refine the texture and harmony.

A rosé that tingles on the tongue like summer air, light, fragrant and full of vibrancy. Serra Lori is an unadulterated reflection of Sardinia: a cuvée made from four typical island grape varieties – cannonau, Monica, Carignano and Bovale Sardo. After just a few hours of maceration on the skins, it is a delicate pink colour, soft but not pale. It is matured purely in stainless steel, modern and clear.

A white wine that breathes Sardinia, created from 100% Nuragus, the island's ancient indigenous grape variety. The grapes come from the oldest vineyards in the lower Sulcis, grown on sandy-clay soil, blown by the Mediterranean wind and characterised by warm, dry summers. Manual harvesting takes place late, often in autumn, in order to achieve maximum aromatic ripeness. The processing follows a clear line: gentle pressing, controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks and several months of maturation in cement tanks on the fine lees.

Nieddera – an almost forgotten grape variety that has only survived in Sardinia. Attilio Contini has been preserving this heritage for decades and, with his Rosato, impressively demonstrates how much charm this old variety harbours. The wine is produced in the Valle del Tirso, not far from Oristano, where the warm climate and proximity to the sea ensure fragrant freshness. Brilliant salmon pink with copper-coloured reflections in the glass. The bouquet is lively and typically Mediterranean: ripe raspberry, pink grapefruit, rosehip and a hint of wild fennel. The palate is juicy, slightly herbal and delicately flavoured. The fine acidity provides freshness, the body remains round and balanced.

Named after an iron-rich cave in the region, this wine symbolises what characterises the Sulcis in southern Sardinia: rough, warm, mineral and yet full of charm – and yet full of charm. The Carignano grapes come from old vines rooted in the calcareous, clayey-sandy soils around Santadi. The Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights promotes ripeness and freshness in equal measure. After temperature-controlled fermentation and completed malolactic fermentation, the wine matures traditionally in cement tanks.

A wine that communicates its authenticity with unaffected elegance: Antigua is a harmonious liaison of 85% Monica and 15% Carignano – grapes that ripen on limestone and clay-rich soils in the lowlands of Sulcis. The warm, dry climate gives them depth and aromatic substance, while the cool sea breeze adds finesse and freshness. After the harvest, a traditional maceration with pump-ups takes place and the wine then matures in cement tanks to preserve its originality.

Tonaghe carries the soul of Sardinia in its glass: a Cannonau that comes from three differently characterised regions – spoilt by the sun in the hills of Oliena, spiced by the sea breeze in the rugged Sinis and characterised by the hauntingterroir of the coastal region of Ogliastra. The grape variety releases a natural temperament. Fermentation and ageing take place in stainless steel and wood – a composition that harmonises freshness and structure.

Perdera means "quarry" in Sardinian and is an elegant expression of the indigenous Monica grape variety, supported by small amounts of Carignano and Bovale Sardo. The grapes grow on calcareous and marly soils near Cagliari, where they develop early ripeness and precise fruit. Fermentation is controlled in stainless steel, but the real depth comes from the ageing: around six to eight months in neutral French barriques and around four months in cement tanks create an elegant balance between freshness and harmony.

Cannonau is part of Sardinia's DNA – and Sartiglia is Contini's accessible expression of this traditional grape variety. The grapes come from vineyards in the province of Oristano, near the west coast, where sea breezes and sandy soils create a warm but balanced microclimate. The wine is aged partly in stainless steel and partly for six months in used barriques – this allows the fruit to remain in the foreground, supported by subtle ripeness and depth.

A Vermentino with lightness and voice that epitomises the granite landscape of Gallura as well as the fresh sea breeze. The name Limizzani is reminiscent of ancient Mediterranean places of worship and lends the wine a mystical flavour – a northern Sardinian reminiscence that resonates in every sip. The grapes come from our own vineyards near Arzachena. Hills with sandy-granitic subsoil, close to the coast and aerated. The limestone-rich soils provide minerality, while the Atlantic wind adds freshness – the result is a refreshing base note with aromatic clarity. The style in the vineyard and cellar follows a purist path: Hand-picking, gentle pressing, static temperature fermentation in stainless steel and around six months on the fine lees, no wood notes, but maximum varietal purity.

A wine that tells of its origins and is also an invitation – naracu is an expression of Sardinian culture turned to stone, named after the mighty nuraghi that dominate the landscape. In the glass, Naracu is a medium-deep ruby colour with a delicate violet hue. The nose is precise and inviting: red berries and redcurrants, a hint of Mediterranean herbs and subtle mineral notes that give a sense of the Nordic wind. Clear and fresh on the palate – lean structure, juicy fruit and lively acidity. The finish is elegant, energetic and characterised by salty, mineral notes – a light pressure that lingers for a long time. Naracu is a Gallura-Cannonau that combines origin and vibrancy – it cools, refreshes but remains present. A purist red wine for modern palates: respectful, always harmonious and charmingly captivating. SUPERIORE.DE

Costamolino brings Sardinia's characterful clarity to the glass – a typical and very popular Vermentino that promises freshness and depth in equal measure. The grapes ripen on limestone and clay-rich hillsides around Selegas, where the sea breeze and sun create perfect ripening conditions. After gentle pressing and temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, the wine rests for several weeks on the fine lees – for elegance without weight and finesse without edge.

Sardinia's great red wine grape in an elegant interpretation: as a rosato, Cannonau shows a surprisingly delicate side, which the renowned Argiolas winery masterfully stages. The hand-picked grapes from the sun-drenched vineyards around Serdiana grow on clay and limestone soils, which give the wine its characteristic minerality. A short maceration period extracts just enough colour and structure for a delicate salmon pink with silver reflections. The nose combines juicy red berries – strawberry, raspberry – with floral notes and a hint of Mediterranean scrub. The palate is surprisingly full-bodied, with lively acidity and a subtly spicy finish typical of Cannonau. Perfect with grilled seafood, pasta with light sauces or Sardinian cream cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

Merì – symbolising the evening sky in the Sardinian dialect – is a Vermentino that unfolds pure, Mediterranean elegance in the glass. The grapes come from the calcareous hills around Selegas, which are blown by the wind from the Gulf of Palmas. After being harvested by hand, the grapes are cooled in the vineyard to preserve the typical varietal flavour. The wine is fermented and matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks, with precision, clarity and a focus on freshness.

With 100% Carignano in the glass, Cardanera is a true wine of character – pure, honest and with Sardinian soul. The grapes ripen in the stony, sandy soils of south-west Sardinia under the warm sun and salty sea breeze. After careful hand-picking, the wine is fermented spontaneously and matures for a few months in cement tanks – a combination that preserves depth of flavour and freshness at the same time.

The name sounds familiar, but Araja opens a new chapter in Sardinian red wine culture: a fruity, focussed expression of Sulcis. The cuvée consists of 85% Carignano and 15% Sangiovese (!) and is produced on the red, sandy soils around the coastal area of Porto Pino. Here, the salty sea air characterises the grapes, while the chalky terraces provide structure. After careful fermentation, the wine matures in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve its expressiveness.

A Cannonau that harmonises origin and structure – that's how Costera feels in the glass. The grapes come from the old sand and limestone hills of the south-east facing vineyard of the same name, where the intense sun and cool sea breeze combine to ensure aromatic ripeness and multi-faceted minerality. After controlled fermentation, the wine matures for around five months in barriques and cement tanks. The colour in the glass is a deep ruby red with a fine garnet hue. The bouquet unfolds with intense but not overpowering aromas: ripe strawberry, black cherry, herbal spice, cedar wood and subtle spicy notes. In the mouth, Costera shows deep fruit, warm and yet without heaviness; juicy, clearly contoured, with elegant tannins and mineral freshness that brings clarity. The finish is harmoniously long, savoury, slightly salty and persistently seductive. SUPERIORE.DE

A wine like a little declaration of love to Sardinia: Maluentu is made from the rare Nieddera grape variety, which is only cultivated around Oristano in the west of the island. The vines grow on sandy alluvial soil near the coast, ventilated by the steady mistral. The ageing process is deliberately purist: exclusively in stainless steel and then a few months in the bottle – in favour of freshness and authenticity.

A Vermentino with a name that sounds like the sea – and that is precisely its promise: Cala Silente comes from selected vineyards blown by the mistral near the south-west coast of Sardinia. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and matured at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aromatic clarity. Pale straw yellow in colour. The aroma is distinctive but subtle: white peach, lime and salty minerality, with a hint of Mediterranean herbs and wet stone. Lively and taut on the palate, with fresh acidity, a delicate melt and a long, cool finish – close to the coast and full of character. Cala Silente is an authentic representative of the Sardinian art of white wine: straightforward, aromatically precise and with a salty undertone that is inevitably reminiscent of the sea. If the glass sounds like a fresh breeze over the maquis, then it is probably Cala Silente ... SUPERIORE.DE

Mamaioa (Sardinian for "ladybird") is not just a label for Contini, but a symbol of biodiversity and a sensitive understanding of wine. This Vermentino shows how modern and close to nature Sardinia's white wine culture can be, while remaining clear, fresh and convincing. Mamaioa comes from organically cultivated vineyards around Cabras – not far from the salty breeze of the Tyrrhenian Sea and on sandy soils with ancient marine sediment. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and varietal profile.