Description
The Alghero PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Passito, Red Liqueur and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Alghero PDO is within part of the territory of the municipality of Sassari and the entire territory of the municipalities of Alghero, Olmedo, Ossi, Tissi, Usini, Uri, Ittiri in the Province of Sassari, in the Sardinia region.
Blends
White (including Semi-Sparkling), Spumante, Passito: from grapes originating from vineyard compounds, in the designation area, from one or more grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Sardinia region, with the exclusion of aromatic varieties. Red (including Riserva), Novello, Liqueur, Rosé (including Semi-Sparkling): from grapes originating from vineyard compounds, in the designation area, from one or more grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Sardinia region, with the exclusion of aromatic varieties.
Description of product typologies
Alghero PDO Bianco is straw-yellow in colour; it offers delicate and pleasing fragrances to the nose; it is sapid and harmonious on the palate. It can also be a Semi-Sparkling wine. Alghero PDO Rosso is ruby-red in colour, tending towards garnet with aging; it is intense on the nose, with a vast array of fragrances; it is full-bodied, dry and slightly tannic on the palate. Riserva may be displayed on the label if the wine has undergone an obligatory aging period of at least 24 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Alghero PDO Rosé is pink in colour, it is delicately fruity and harmonious on the nose; on the palate it is dry and mellow. It can also be a Semi-Sparkling wine. Alghero PDO Spumante is straw-yellow in colour, with a fine and persistent foam; the nose displays pleasing and characteristically fruity fragrances; the fruity notes of the nose return on the palate and both the brut and sweet variations of this wine are delightfully aromatic. Alghero PDO Passito is golden-yellow, tending towards amber in colour; it is ethereal on the nose, with intense fragrances of ripe fruit and jam; it is full, sweet and persistent on the palate, with a honeyish character. Alghero PDO Rosso Liquoroso is garnet-red in colour, tending towards brick-red with prolonged aging; the nose displays intense and complex fragrances, slightly pungent depending on the wine’s period of aging; it is harmonious, sweet and full-bodied on the palate. Riserva may be displayed on the label. Alghero PDO Novello is ruby-red in colour, with hues of violet; it is vinous and fruity on the nose, with typical scents of fresh fermentation; it is lively, fragrant and mellow on the palate, with a persistent finish. For the production of Alghero PDO Passito, the fresh grapes must have been dried on the vines or on frames; they may also be partially dried with natural or forced ventilation in special thermo-conditioned areas. Alghero PDO Rosso can be processed into the Liqueur typology if the fresh grapes have been dried; the wine cannot be made available for consumption before a ripening and drying period of at least 3 years, commencing November 1st of the year after harvesting. If the aging period exceeds 5 years, the wine can be classified as Riserva.
Grape variety specifications
The Alghero PDO may display the specifications of the following grape varieties. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Sauvignon, Chardonnay (including Spumante), Vermentino (including Semi-Sparkling), Torbato (including Spumante), pure or with the addition of other white grape berries, max. 15%. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Sangiovese, Cabernet (including Riserva), Cagnulari or Cagniulari (including Reserve), Merlot (including Riserva), pure or with the addition of other black grape berries, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, scents and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Alghero PDO wines with Cabernet, Merlot and Cagnulari (or Cagniulari) grape specifications, can be classified as Riserva if they have undergone an obligatory minimum period of aging of at least 24 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced.
Additional specifications
For Alghero PDO wines, the geographical name “Sardegna” (Sardinia) may precede the designation, as provided for by ministerial decree.
