Sardinian Wine Guide: Cannonau, Vermentino, Carignano and More

Sardinian wine means Cannonau, the island's Grenache, and Vermentino, its crisp coastal white, plus Carignano del Sulcis and rare flor-aged Vernaccia. Discover its wines and what to try first.

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, closer to Corsica than to the Italian mainland. Its wines reflect a long history of outside rule: several of its main grapes, including Cannonau (Grenache), Carignano (Carignan) and Bovale, are linked to Spain, which ruled the island for about four centuries. A warm, dry, windy climate, granite and sandy soils, and many old bush vines give wines with ripe fruit, Mediterranean herbs and a saline edge. Sardinia is also known for its food, its old shepherd culture and the long lives of the people in its inland villages.

Sardinian Wines at a Glance

Price guide for typical US retail: $ under $20, $$ $20–40, $$$ over $40.

Cannonau

Cannonau is Sardinia's most planted red grape and the same variety as Grenache (Garnacha in Spain). Sardinian Cannonau is usually less jammy than many Grenaches, with red cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, leather and a warm, spicy finish, medium to full body and soft tannins.

• Cannonau di Sardegna DOC: covers the whole island, with red, rosé, Riserva and sweet versions. The subzones Oliena (also called Nepente di Oliena), Jerzu and Capo Ferrato are in the east and southeast.
• The mountains of Nuoro and Ogliastra: villages such as Mamoiada, Oliena, Orgosolo, Dorgali and Jerzu are known for old bush vines and powerful, savoury Cannonau from small growers. Look also for the Cannonau di Mamoiada wines.
• Isola dei Nuraghi IGT: the island-wide IGT, used for many Cannonau-based blends.

Read our best Cannonau wines for more.

Vermentino

Vermentino is Sardinia's main white grape. It gives dry, aromatic wines with citrus, white peach, green herbs, almond and a salty, mineral finish.

• Vermentino di Gallura DOCG: Sardinia's only DOCG, from the granite hills of the Gallura in the northeast. The wines are fuller, more mineral and longer-lived than most Vermentino.
• Vermentino di Sardegna DOC: covers the whole island; fresher, lighter and usually good value.

See our best Vermentino wines.

Carignano del Sulcis

In the Sulcis, in the island's southwest, Carignano del Sulcis DOC is made from Carignano (Carignan). Many vines grow on sand near the sea, where the phylloxera louse cannot survive, so some are ungrafted and very old. The wines are dark and warm, with blackberry, plum, myrtle and spice, and the Superiore, from bush vines, can age for many years.

Other Sardinian Reds

• Monica di Sardegna DOC: a soft, light to medium-bodied red for everyday drinking.
• Bovale: a dark, tannic grape, often blended with Cannonau, especially in the west.
• Cagnulari: a rare red from the northwest, around Usini.
• Red blends: some of Sardinia's best-known reds are blends of Cannonau, Carignano and Bovale, such as Argiolas' Turriga.

Other White and Sweet Wines

• Alghero DOC: the northwest coast, where Sella & Mosca grows Torbato, a rare white of Spanish origin, as well as reds and the sweet red Anghelu Ruju.
• Nuragus di Cagliari DOC: light, crisp whites from the old Nuragus grape.
• Vernaccia di Oristano: a dry white aged for years in barrels under a layer of yeast (flor), like sherry, with almond, hazelnut and salty notes. Contini is the reference producer.
• Malvasia di Bosa DOC: dry or sweet Malvasia from the west coast, sometimes flor-aged.
• Nasco di Cagliari DOC and Moscato di Sardegna DOC: sweet whites from the south and the whole island.

The Main Wine Areas

• Gallura (northeast): granite hills and Vermentino di Gallura.
• Nuoro and Ogliastra (east-centre): mountain villages and old-vine Cannonau.
• Alghero and the Romangia (northwest): Sella & Mosca, Torbato and small natural-wine producers around Sorso and Sennori.
• Oristano and Bosa (west): Vernaccia di Oristano and Malvasia di Bosa.
• Cagliari and the Campidano (south): Monica, Nuragus, Nasco and Moscato.
• Sulcis (southwest): Carignano del Sulcis.

Which Sardinian Wine to Try First

• For everyday drinking: a Cannonau di Sardegna or a Vermentino di Sardegna.
• For a fuller white: a Vermentino di Gallura.
• For a mountain red with character: a Cannonau from Mamoiada, Oliena or Jerzu.
• For a dark, age-worthy red: a Carignano del Sulcis Superiore.
• For something unique: a Vernaccia di Oristano.
• With dessert: a Malvasia di Bosa or Nasco di Cagliari.

Producers worth knowing include Argiolas, Sella & Mosca, Santadi and Mesa for wines across the island; Capichera, Siddùra, Vigne Surrau and Cantina del Vermentino for Vermentino di Gallura; Sedilesu, Berritta and Francesco Cadinu for mountain Cannonau; Dettori in the Romangia; and Contini for Vernaccia di Oristano.

Food Pairing with Sardinian Wines

• Porceddu (spit-roasted suckling pig), lamb and goat: Cannonau or Carignano del Sulcis.
• Culurgiones and malloreddus with sausage ragù: Cannonau or Monica.
• Fregola with clams, bottarga and grilled fish: Vermentino di Gallura or Vermentino di Sardegna.
• Pecorino Sardo and pane carasau: a Cannonau Riserva.
• Seadas (fried cheese pastries with honey) and almond sweets: Malvasia di Bosa, Nasco or Moscato.
• Aperitivo with olives, cured fish and nuts: Vernaccia di Oristano.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sardinian Wine

What wine is Sardinia known for?
Cannonau, its main red, and Vermentino, its main white. Vermentino di Gallura is the island's only DOCG. Carignano del Sulcis and the flor-aged Vernaccia di Oristano are also well known.

Is Cannonau the same as Grenache?
Yes, Cannonau is the Sardinian name for Grenache (Garnacha). In Sardinia it is often fresher and more savoury than in warmer parts of Spain or Australia, especially from the mountain villages.

What is the best Sardinian red wine?
A good Cannonau di Sardegna, especially from the east of the island, and Carignano del Sulcis are the classics. Blends of Cannonau, Carignano and Bovale from top estates are among the island's most famous wines.

What is the best Sardinian white wine?
Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, from the granite hills of the northeast. Vermentino di Sardegna is a lighter, inexpensive alternative.

Is Sardinian wine good value?
Yes. Most Cannonau and Vermentino cost under $20 in the US, and even the top wines are less expensive than famous names from Tuscany or Piedmont.

Explore More

• All Sardinia wines and wineries, with the full list of producers and denominations
• Sardinia wine tour
• Best wines from the Italian islands
• Best Italian red wines
• Best Italian white wines