Audarya Cannonau di Sardegna DOC 2023

Care to go on a trip? Let us travel twenty kilometers or so from Cagliari, in the south of Sardinia, nestled along the Campidano plains, and be kissed by the sea air of the gulf. Here we will find Audarya (“nobility of the soul” in Sardo), an estate that consists of 37 hectares of head-trained bush vines of ancient indigenous varietals planted on clay-limestone soil, just a stone’s throw from the sea. With some of the original vineyards dating back to 1948, three generations have since tended to the vines and we can thank Salvatore and Nicoletta Pala for currently leading the estate after inheriting the grapes and guidance of their father Enrico. Composed solely of cannonau sourced from 25-year-old bush vines, the grapes are hand-harvested in the first week of October and see a long, cold maceration and fermentation of about 30 days at a controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation and settling are completed in stainless steel vats prior to bottling. Never heard of cannonau? Perhaps you know of her by her alias, grenache. Although cannonau has thrived in Sardinia for centuries in isolation, DNA analysis has expressed that the grape is genetically identical to grenache, with most folks agreeing that it arrived on the island in the 14th century, when the Kingdom of Aragon conquered Sardinia. So fresh and so clean, the wine bursts with ripe red fruit and smolders on the finish with a lingering subtle spice. Roasted lamb with sprigs of grilled thyme and rosemary wouldn’t stand a chance. Evolve past your history of Lunchables and juiceboxes to a properly curated charcuterie board and a generous pour of this island delight. Organically grown.