In September, toast to summer with a glass of Cannonau or Vermentino di Gallura. Pair your seaside holiday with a discovery of the island’s rural culture and its flavours.
When we think of Sardinia, beaches and hidden coves, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking landscapes come to mind. But there is another treasure that the island jealously guards: its wines. Cannonau, Carignano, and Vermentino are not just names to remember but true ambassadors of a millennia-old winemaking tradition that has taken deep roots in this land.
September is the best month to pay homage to the island’s rural culture with festivals, fairs, and the unmissable ritual of the grape harvest. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover prestigious wineries and enjoy a good wine, perhaps accompanied by a fine selection of local cheeses and cured meats or typical land and sea specialities.
A history rooted in the past
Viticulture in Sardinia is not a passing trend. It is an ancient story, dating back thousands of years. The Phoenicians, great navigators, sailed the seas for trade, bringing with them the culture of the vine. From then on, the Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and even the Iberians contributed to the evolution of this tradition, introducing new grape varieties that today make Sardinian wine production unique.
One of the secrets that makes these wines so special is the island’s unique climate. Sardinia is blessed with ideal climatic conditions for viticulture: abundant sunshine, sea breezes, and mild temperatures create the perfect environment for cultivating high-quality grapes. But it’s not just the climate that makes the difference. The fertility of the soil, rich and varied, combined with the beneficial influence of the sea, gives Sardinian wines those unique characteristics that make them unmistakable. It is this mix of natural elements that turns every bottle of Sardinian wine into a true masterpiece, capable of telling the very essence of the land from which it comes.
Cannonau: Sardinia’s most famous red wine
Among the many cultivated grape varieties, some have become undisputed symbols of the island. Cannonau di Sardegna DOC, for example, is a red wine with a strong character, intense aromas of red fruits, and notes of Mediterranean scrub. It pairs perfectly with meat dishes, game, and aged cheeses, bringing a piece of Sardinian history to the table. But that’s not all: it has been shown that this particular grape variety contains a quantity of polyphenols, natural antioxidants, between 5 and 10 times higher than its counterparts in other parts of the world. One of the secrets of the so-called Blue Zones, the areas of the world where people live longer than average, which includes Sardinia.
Vermentino: the sun of Gallura in a glass
When it comes to white wines, Vermentino is undoubtedly the unrivalled king of Sardinia. This wine, which shines in the glass with its straw-yellow colour and greenish reflections, has an intense aroma reminiscent of exotic fruits and vegetal notes. Perfect as an aperitif, it is an ideal companion for fish dishes, white meats, and fresh cheeses. Although its origins are still shrouded in mystery, it is in Gallura, with its granite soils and mistral wind, that Vermentino finds its fullest expression. It’s no coincidence that there are two varieties of Vermentino, the DOC produced throughout Sardinia and the Gallura DOCG (the only DOCG in all of Sardinia) produced only in this part of the island.
Delphina Selection: an exclusive food and wine experience
For those who wish to experience a unique wine journey, we are very proud to have included in the Delphina Wine Selection wines bottled exclusively for our guests. Eight fine wines, the result of a rigorous selection, that tell the essence of Sardinia. Among these are three whites, including Vermentino di Gallura, two reds, including a fine Cannonau di Sardegna, and a rosé. And for those who love bubbles, there are also two aperitif wines, Trame Brut Rosé and Abà, a classic method sparkling wine made from meticulously selected Vermentino and Chardonnay grapes. For lovers of sweet flavours, there is Moscato Passito di Sorso Sennori, perfect to enjoy with typical Sardinian desserts or with blue cheeses, and Murruai, a DOC Vernaccia aged for 10 years.
Sardinian wines are not just drinks but true stories in a bottle. Each sip is a journey that takes us through wind-swept hills, along sunny coasts, and through vineyards that for millennia have made Sardinia a unique island in the world. If you haven’t tried them yet, it’s time to let yourself be carried away by these authentic flavours and discover Sardinian nature in a glass.
