W3 Wine School

Cannonau (Italy)

Cannonau is the main grape in the island of Sardinia, Italy.

Cannonau Flavors

Black and Blue Fruit, Wild Berries, and Plum (or Jam) are typical Turriga flavors.

Hints of Violets or Roses, and Herbs (Anise).

Blackberry
Blackberry
Black Currant
Black Currant
Black Cherry
Black
Cherry
Plum
Plum
Herbs
Herbs
Violet
Violet
Spices
Spices
Licorice
Licorice

Tertiary Flavors from Aging

Oak
Oak
Vanilla
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Tobacco
Tobacco

Cannonau Profile

BODY:Medium - Full
TANNINS:Medium - High
FRUIT:Medium - Plus
ACIDITY:Medium
ALcohol:14% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
17-18°C (63-64°F)

Cannonau Food Pairing

Cannonau is very food friendly. It has good fruit and smooth tannins.

It pairs perfectly with rich Stews, Cassoulets and Marinated Asian.

Cannonau also loves Barbecue and Grilled Meat (Beef. Veal. Pork. Chicken. Game).

Antipasti
Tapas
Salami
Salami
Ham
Ham
Pizza
Pizza
Soups
Cassoulets
Chicken
Chicken
Duck
Duck
Rabbit
Rabbit
Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb
Veal
Veal
Deer
Game

Excellent Pairings

Tapas. Cured Meat. Pizza.
Stews. Cassoulets. Goulash.
Asian Marinated Dishes.
Indian Chicken Tikka Masala.
Poultry. Roasted Duck with Plum.
Pork. Rabbit. Game.
Lamb. Lamb Shanks.
Braises. Roast. BBQ.
Game with Cherry Sauce.

The Ideal Glass for Cannonau

The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.

The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance.

The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste.

Grenache in France

In France, Grenache is the key ingredient in:
Châteauneuf-du-Pape and GSM blends.
It is also the most planted grape variety in Languedoc-Roussillon.

Best known areas/regions:

Côte du Rhône AOC (Rôhne)
Côte du Rhône Villages AOC (Rôhne Villages)
Côte du Rhône Cru (Rôhne Crus)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC (Biggest Rôhne Cru)
Luberon AOC (South East Rôhne)
Minervos AOC (Languedoc-Roussillon)


Cannonau in Italy

In Sardinia Grenache is named Cannonau.

"Cannonau di Sardegna DOC" contains at least 90% local Cannonau.


Grenache in Australia

Best known areas/regions:

Barossa Valley
McLaren Vale


Garnacha Rosé

Garnatcha's high sugar content and red fruit flavors make it an excellent choice for rosé wines.

Navarra Rosado DO, made from 100% Garnacha grapes, is regarded as one of the best rosé wines in the world.

Garnacha in Spain

Garnacha is the third most planted red grape in Spain (after Tempranillo and Bobal). It is known for producing a range of wine styles from light and fruity to rich and complex. Its ability to thrive in hot and dry climates, makes it a key player in Spanish viticulture.

Garnacha wines are food-friendly, suitable for various pairings, and some have excellent aging potential.

Garnacha adapts well to various soil types, including rocky, sandy, and clay-limestone soils. In regions like Priorat, the slate soils contribute to the grape's unique mineral character.

While many Garnacha wines are enjoyed young to appreciate their fresh and fruity qualities, those from regions like Priorat or old vine Garnacha can benefit from aging, developing greater complexity and depth over time.

The most significant producing area is DO Campo de Borja, DO Sormontano and DO Calatayud, where you find the vast majority of old-vine Garnacha planted in Spain.

Influenced by the mountain chain of the Pyrenees, Aragon is a land of extremes with differents terroirs, elevations (from 400 to 800 m) and climates resulting in different expressions of Garnacha.

Best known areas/regions:

Aragón DO (Somontano)
Catalonia DO (Priorat)
Navarra DO
Rioja DO

Cannonau in Italy

In Italy, Grenache is most commonly found in Sardinia under the name Cannonau.

The DOC wine "Cannonau di Sardegna Classico" must contain at least 90% Cannonau.

Best Quality: Cannonau di Sardegna DOC. Subzones Nepente di Oliena, Jerzu, and Capo Ferrato.

Cannonau is also grown elsewhere in Italy under the names: Alicante, Tocai Rosso, Granaccia, and Vernaccia Nera.

Wine Region Sardegna

Aosta

Climate

Sardinia's geography is diverse, with mountains, hills, and coastal plains.

The island has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters.

The proximity to the sea influences the climate and provides a perfect cooling for the vines.

Black Grapes

White Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

30% Cannonau
  9% Carignano
  7% Monica
10% Bovale

Sauvignon

18% Vermentino


Red Wines

White Wines

Red Wine

Bovale
Cannonau
Carignano
Muristellu
Turriga

White Wine

Moscato Bianco
Vermentino di Gallura
Vermentino di Sardegna


Denominations

The island has 1 DOCG and 17 DOCs:

Vermentino di Gallura DOCG

Alghero DOC
Arborea DOC
Cagliari DOC
Campidano di Terralba DOC
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
Carignano del Sulcis DOC
Girò di Cagliari DOC
Malvasia di Bosa DOC
Mandrolisai DOC
Monica di Sardegna DOC
Moscato di Sardegna DOC
Moscato di Sorso-Sennori DOC
Nasco di Cagliari DOC
Nuragus di Cagliari DOC
Sardegna Semidano DOC
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
Vernaccia di Oristano DOC
Sardegna

Sardinia

Picture Credits: Vineyards.com

Sardinia

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