2018 Argiolas Korem Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Italy, Sardinia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This beautiful red is from Sardinia, Italy.  It is a blend of Bovale Sardo, Carignano, and Cannonau.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight plums, sea air, and floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is interesting as well as tasty.  On the palate, cherries with some herbal notes and a bit of smoke.  Complex.  This is drinking well now and probably has another five to seven more years at peak.  It is very food friendly and would be great with fowl but also a nice plate of Gnocchi with roasted veggies.  

2021 Cantina Mesa Vermentino di Sardegna Opâle, Italy, Sardinia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a Vermentino from the island of Sardinia in Italy.  14.5% Abv.  Pale silvery green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is enticing with Honeydew melons, slight peach and nice minerality.  With air a bit of salinity comes out.  A really interesting texture, slightly oily but almost creamy.  Good acidity to cut through.  On the palate, lemons, slight quince, minerals a hint of bitter almonds.  Long finish.  There is some seriousness here which is nice.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with veggies and seafoods.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva, Italy, Sardinia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is Grenache, called Cannonau in Sardinia. The Riserva designation indicates two years ageing before release including at least six months in barrel.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherries with slight herbal notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a slightly bitter note on the attack.  Lots of cherry fruit.  Medium tannins.  Slightly thin on the finish.  This drinks nicely on its own but works better with food.  A classic pizza wine.  

2017 Vigneti Zanatta Vermentino di Sardegna Orion, Italy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is an inexpensive easy white from Sardinia.  Light gold/green in color.  The nose is more about minerals and smoke but there is some lime.  On the palate, this has a nice, slightly oily texture.  Nice mineral drive lime with good acidity.  Nice finish.  This makes easy drinking on its own but also works well with light foods.  A nice party wine.  

2017 Vigneti Zanatta Vermentino di Sardegna Orion, Italy, Sardinia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Light green gold in color.  The nose has minerals and limes.  On the palate, a wet rock quality.  Good acidity.  Oily texture.  Very food friendly for lighter/medium weight foods.  Nice finish.  This retails for around $17 and is a very nice value.  While it might drink well for a few years though, the freshness will probably disappear by next summer, so I would drink soon.  This would be great for fall clambakes!

Top Vermentinos: Sardinia Delivers Excellent White Wines for Summer

As the weather starts to warm up, I find myself looking to shed those heavy red wines and foods of winter. In particular, white wines that are both refreshing and interesting are on my mind. Italy has many great white wines, some of which have been discussed here before . Vermentino is made around the Mediterranean from Spain to Italy. It is even made in California. But for me, the top Vermentinos in the world come from Sardinia. Off the Western coast of Italy, in the Mediterranean, lays the island of Sardegna (what we call Sardinia). The island has an ancient history, being controlled by the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Catalans.