Exploring Sardinia: Key Wine Regions and Grapes for Sommeliers
If you’re a certified sommelier aiming for the Advanced Sommelier or Master Sommelier exams, deep knowledge of wine regions, including Italy, is crucial. The Court of Master Sommeliers syllabus highlights the importance of understanding Southern Italy’s wine regions, their local grapes, and specific DOC and DOCG classifications.
In this blog, I’ll concisely overview Sardinia’s local grapes, DOCG, and notable DOCs. As I prepare for my Master Sommelier exam, I hope this guide aids your journey, whether advancing your studies or just starting out.
Key Study Points for Sardinia
Capital and Major DOCs
Cagliari: Knowing the capital of Sardinia is crucial. It helps me remember:
Cagliari DOC
Nuragus di Cagliari DOC
To remember these, I think of the capital as the heart of the island's wine culture.
Nuragus: A local white grape variety. I connect it to Nuragus di Cagliari DOC. It’s easier to remember because it’s unique to the island.
DOCG
Vermentino di Gallura DOCG: The only DOCG on the island. It's located in the northeast region of Gallura. Vermentino is the grape here, which makes it straightforward: Gallura and Vermentino go hand in hand. I visualize the northeast part of Sardinia to remember this.
Malvasia DOCs
Malvasia: This grape is significant here. I focus on:
Malvasia di Bosa DOC: This DOC offers dry, passito, and spumante styles. To remember this, I picture the diversity of Malvasia in different styles, making it memorable.
Important Red Wine Grapes and DOCs
Cannonau (Grenache): The principal red grape of Sardinia. I focus on:
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC: This is the largest DOC and is divided into three sub-regions:
Oliena
Jerzu
Capo Ferrato
I remember these by visualizing a map and noting the three key areas within the larger DOC.
Bovale: Another important red grape. It has two distinct varieties:
Bovale Grande
Bovale Sardo
To remember Bovale, I think of it as having a grand and a local (Sardo) version, making it easier to recall both types.
Other Reds: Cagnulari, Carignano, Giro
Conclusion
Sardinia’s wine regions, DOCs, DOCG, and local grape varieties are essential topics for us sommeliers. There’s so much more to learn, and I invite you to join my membership for a deeper dive into Sardinia and other regions. Together, we can enhance our wine knowledge and expertise.
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For more information, visit Italian Wine Central on Sardinia.
Happy studying, and let’s continue this journey together!
