2015 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
Historical records show that Cannonau has been cultivated in Sardinia for centuries; planted extensively, it is a major element of the island’s viticultural DNA. Some archaeological studies even suggest that Grenache may actually originate from Sardinia, not Spain. This example from Alghero, the ancient Catalan bastion on Sardinia’s northwest coast, is by far the most aromatic Grenache we import, with a sweet fragrance of flowers, ripe strawberry, and Mediterranean herbs. The warm, balmy flavors and silky touch make it a great match for an herb-crusted roast or the most delectable vestige of Catalan occupation: paella Algherese.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cannonau |
Appellation: | Cannonau di Sardegna |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sardinia |
Producer: | Vigne Rada |
Winemaker: | Gino Bardino and family |
Vineyard: | 7 years average |
Soil: | Clay, limestone, chalk |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Vigne Rada Italy | Sardinia | Alghero
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Isola dei Nuraghi
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Vermentino di Gallura
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Isola dei Nuraghi
Our first foray into Sardegna is very recent, and it only took one trip to fall in love with the island, its culture, and its wines. Similar to its northerly neighbor, Corsica, there is a strong regional identity here that goes far beyond its official status as one of Italy’s twenty regions. Its people are proud, strong-willed, and deeply attached to their traditions—a distinctive character often seen with island people and accentuated by its long history of invasions and outside rule.
This tumultuous past has resulted in diverse influences—Greek, Roman, Aragonese, Catalan, and Ligurian, just to name a few—that have shaped the island’s culture, language, cuisine, and wines over many centuries. While Vermentino and Cannonau (aka Grenache) reign, Sardegna also boasts a number of indigenous grapes that are capable of expressing something unique in its abundant variety of terroirs.
The Mediterranean plays a major role, providing cooling, salty breezes to coastal areas, while the rugged, mountainous interior is home to high-altitude sites where wines retain freshness in spite of the southerly latitude. The granitic highlands of Gallura and Barbagia come to mind as some of its most qualitative zones, but a range of soils, elevations, and varying distance to the sea mean that the island is capable of producing wines in all styles, from crisp whites to powerful reds and exquisite vini dolci.
The three growers we represent bring something new to the table, something fascinating that is not found elsewhere in Italy or even in nearby Corsica. Their wines evoke the rustic beauty of this fascinating island civilization, and of course, pair perfectly with the local cuisine, be it seafood-based or the hearty, earthy specialties of its interior.
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Isola dei Nuraghi
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Vermentino di Gallura
Vigne Rada Italy | Sardinia | Alghero
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Isola dei Nuraghi
Giuseppe Quintarelli Italy | Veneto | Veneto IGT
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
Manni Nössing Italy | Alto Adige | Alto Adige – Valle Isarco
Vignai da Duline Italy | Friuli | Friuli Colli Orientali
Gregoletto Italy | Veneto | Colli Trevigiani Verdiso
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch
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