Cannonau is the signature red grape of Sardinia and the island's name for the variety known in Spain as Garnacha and in France as Grenache. It makes warm, generous reds with ripe red fruit, Mediterranean herbs and spice, and it covers a large share of the island's vineyards.
Whether the grape arrived in Sardinia from Spain, during the centuries of Aragonese and Spanish rule, or whether it was already there earlier, is still debated, and Sardinian researchers have argued for a local origin. Either way, Cannonau has been grown on the island for centuries and is deeply tied to its culture, especially in the mountainous interior around Nuoro.
Cannonau is grown all over Sardinia, but its best wines come from the east and the interior:
Many vineyards are old bush vines (alberello), with low yields and concentrated grapes. The grape likes heat and drought, and ripens to high sugar levels.
Modern Cannonau ranges from fresh, fruity wines made to drink young to concentrated, age-worthy wines from old mountain vines. Rosé versions are bright and fruity, and a few producers still make traditional fortified Cannonau.
Start with a Cannonau di Sardegna DOC from a well-known producer such as Argiolas, Sella & Mosca or the Dorgali cooperative. For more depth, look for wines from the mountain villages, such as Mamoiada, Oliena or Jerzu, from producers like Francesco Cadinu, Sedilesu or Dettori, and for Riserva bottlings. Serve it slightly cool in summer.
Cannonau is the same grape as Grenache, so try it alongside a Côtes du Rhône or a Spanish Garnacha. In Sardinia it shares the vineyards with Vermentino and Carignano. Read our best Cannonau wines, the best Sardinia wines, or browse the grape varieties index.