Cannonau
A traditional Sardinian grape variety, it is the bearer of a centuries-old history.
The History
The origin, still mysterious, is linked to knowledge rooted in the heart of the island.
Winemaking is a millenary art and technique. Its history is linked with the one of local people, who erected Nuraghi, stone towers towering over land and sea. So, the Phoenicians didn’t take vine and knowledges for making wine on the island. Perhaps, Spanish may not have transferred Cannonnau to Sardinia, as has sometimes been speculated. Vineyard, which written sources, even if laconic for previous periods, speak clearly and eloquently about the period at the beginning of the Modern Age when the product’s value justified the use of its must as currency and when the name, with unknown origins (perhaps referable to processing techniques used by old winemakers), was attributed to Sardinians wines. Finally, it is not possibile to affirm that this vine is local, but it is possible to affirm that it is, for sure, traditional, because is linked with the long-lived memory of the land.
Characteristics
Cannonau is the most distinctive variety of Sardinians viticulture.
In Sardinia there is the 4% of Cannonau’s Mondial cultivation. This means that for every 25 hectares planted with that vineyard, one is located on the island; here Cannonau represents 27% of approximately 28 thousands hectares under vine and it is the most prevalent variety in the region.
In Argiolas’ companies, dislocated in the south of the island, in Parteolla’s and Trexenta’s areas, the estates, where the vine is cultivated, are three: Sisini, Selegas-Sa Tanca and Serdiana- Sa coa and su monti. The last one is the most representative and important vineyard for the production of Cannonau: here the plants grow in non-irrigated saplings, sink their roots into the marls and white limestones, and thrive on mild winters, hot and droughty summers and wind.
The particular bond with environment and the iteration with human factor distinguishes Sardinian Cannonau’s wines for style, colours, aromas and structures. The south of the island offers wines with personality and different narration, and for this reason these are peculiar and surprising, respect to productions of “classical” areas and “mountain ones” (Mamoiada’s, Orgosolo’s areas and also Oliena and Jerzu), which soils are characterized by granites. Argiolas’ Cannonau are characterised by their soft, balanced and rounded nature. These are appreciated for their notes of cherry and morello cherry, red fruits and jam.
Cannonau’s grapes are used to make Turriga, Costera and the wines celebrating Sardinian centenarians: Senes and The Passito Antonio 100, a tribute to the patriarch.
