Sardinia

The island of Sardinia is a Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC, or controlled designation of origin) wine region off the west coast of Italy. Sardinia's mild climate and soils of limestone and fragmented granite earned it the name of insula vini wine island during the 16th century. Today the island's wineries produce some stunning red wines from local varieties such as Cannonau (Grenache), Carignano, and Giro, and slinky, energetic white wines from Vermentino and Vernaccia di Oristano. Vermentino di Gallura from the island is one of the only four Italian white wine DOCGs. Sardinia has 15 DOC wines, including the delicious Cannonau di Sardegna DOC and the heady Moscato di Sardegna DOC.

• Key Varieties: Cannonau (Grenache), Carignano, Giro, Moscato, and Vermentino
• Climate: Cool Mediterranean
• Soil: Varies, from granite, limestone and sandstone, to mineral-rich clays and free-draining sands and gravels.
• Did You Know: Sardinians are renowned for their longevity; the islanders have a statistically higher probability of living to a hundred years of age. Is it the wine?