Description
The Cannonau di Sardegna PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: Red, Rosé, Passito and Liqueur. The Designation also incorporates numerous geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Cannonau di Sardegna PDO is within the entire territory of the Sardinia region.
Description of product typologies
Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Rosso has a compact ruby-red colour; it displays a range of sensations on the nose, from ripe fruit to jam, pansy, rose and spices; it is robust, smooth and well-structured on the palate, with evident tannins and a complex finish of sweet and mineral notes. It can display Classico on the label. Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Rosso wines cannot be released for consumption before April 1st of the year following that of the harvest; it may display Riserva on the label if it has undergone an ageing period of at least 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced, of which at least 6 months must have been in wooden barrels. Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Rosato is bright pink; it is fruity, floral and characteristic on the nose; it is sapid and dry on the palate. It can be released for consumption from January 1st of the year following that of the Harvest. Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Passito has an intense red colour; it offers fragrances of extremely ripe berries and spices on the nose; it is warm, smooth and embracing on the palate. It must be obtained from grapes that have been dried on vines, matting or trellises, or in suitable environments, and it can be released for consumption from November 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Liquoroso has an intense bright red colour; the nose offers embracing alcoholic notes which are supported by ripe fruit and a range of spices, it is mellow and embracing on the palate, with long persistence. It cannot be released for consumption before November 1st of the year following that of the harvest, and it must have been aged for at least 6 months in wooden barrels.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Cannonau di Sardegna PDO can be accompanied by three geographical sub-areas in the Sardinia region: Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Oliena or Nepente di Oliena, produced in the Province of Nuoro; Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Capo Ferrato, produced in the Province of Cagliari; and Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Jerzu, produced in the Province of Ogliastra. All three geographical sub- designations are only available as Red wines with a minimum of 85% Cannonau, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, maximum 15%. Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Oliena or Nepente di Oliena, Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Capo Ferrato and Cannonau di Sardegna PDO Jerzu can display Classico on the label if the wine is produced with minimum of 90% Cannonau, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, maximum 10%. The three wines with a sub-geographical designation are intense ruby-red; the nose offers fragrances of ripe or jammy fruit, notes of rose and pansy, and spicy hints; it is ample and full-bodied on the palate, with evident tannins and a slightly sweet and mineral finish.
