Grape: Cannonau
Alcohol: 13.5%
Vintage: 2018
Wine: Dolia Cannonau Di Sardegna D.O.C.
Winery: Cantine di Dolianova
Country: Sardegna, Italy
Date: 12/3/22
DOC: Cannonau di Sardegna
Distributor: Total Wine
Original Grape Entry: RT500 #97 (8/12/21)
Original RT500 List Grape: Grenache
What’s this list? Well, the Repeats Lists are literally wines with the same name I reviewed for RT500. The Synonyms List is the same DNA but completely different wines.
The Grape: Cannonau is the name given to Grenache in Sardinia, Italy. This is a late-ripening variety, best suited to hot and dry climate, characterized by medium alcohol level, soft acidity, and generous red fruit flavors. It was once thought this grape came from Spain, but recent research speculates that this grape might be originally from Sardinia and then taken out to the rest of Europe, and from there, it grew.
The Country: Sardinia is that other island next to mainland taly that we rarely talk about and to say it’s rich in history is an oversimplification. It is one of five italian regions with some degree of domestic autonomy and carries the official name of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. They have around 16 different types of varieties that they grow and 20 DOC/G zones, and 15 IGT zones.
The Wine: I’ve had this wine for a while, and I even thought it was an actual grape. But, you read, and you learn. I opened it a few months back in a blind tasting with some friends. Everyone seemed to like it, and honestly, the profile was quite different from the regular grenache I’ve tried. The wine was mid body and acidity with a long finish.
The Difference: Between spanish grenache, which is the one I’ve tried the most, and this cannonau I do see a difference. I’m team terroir is everything, so right off bat, there are differences. Even though it’s not far off from Spain’s grape growing latitude, the land is different, as is the ocean influence. Traditionally, for me, grenaches are fruit forward, but this wine was more mineral and earthy with dark fruit tones.
Island wines, especially mediterranean island wines, are becoming one of my favorite discoveries in this wine journey.
What’s your take on this grape? From where have you tried it?
