Cagliari Wine Region

Cagliari DOC is a new wine zone that replaced the three former DOCs, Malvasia di Cagliari, Moscato di Cagliari, and Monica di Cagliari. Since 2011, DOC Cagliari has been in operation. Cagliari is also the largest city on the Italian island of Sardinia. It is the capital of the autonomous territory of Sardinia, as well as the administrative center of the Cagliari province. Although having a population of only 150 thousand people, Cagliari attracts millions of tourists from all over the world each year, enticing them not only with a rich recreation program and gorgeous beaches but also with outstanding wines.

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Where is Cagliari Wine Appellation?

The Cagliari wine zone is located in the south of Sardinia, in the Mediterranean Sea to the west of the Apennine Peninsula. The wine zone's limits extend considerably beyond the provincial ones. DOC Cagliari encompasses the entire island's southern and southwestern regions. It is divided into four administrative provinces: Cagliari, Carbonia Iglesias, Medio Campidano, and Oristano.

History of Cagliari DOC

The epithet "ancient" is not an exaggeration with respect to Cagliari – the first community here formed about three thousand years ago. The first wine was created on Sardinia island in general long before the arrival of the Romans, Greeks, and even the Phoenicians. Scientists believe that the Nuraghe culture, who inhabited the island during the Bronze Age, mastered the skill of grape fermentation.

The subsequent history of winemaking on the island is linked to the influence of many invaders. The Spaniards, who governed in Sardinia from the XIV century, left a significant imprint on the island's culture. Many Sardinian cultivars, including Carignano and Torbato, are derived from the Iberian Peninsula.

The island's modern winemaking industry is only about 50 years old. As on the mainland, the industry's evolution toward high-quality winemaking began only in the 1970s.

Wine appellation Cagliari has appeared in 2011uniting three former DOCs, Malvasia di Cagliari, Moscato di Cagliari, and Monica di Cagliari.

Unique Terroir of Cagliari DOC

The nature of the Cagliari wine zone reveals a lot about the exceptional terroir. This area, like the rest of Sardinia, is geologically old, dating back to the Paleozoic era, when a granite block was formed. The block then broke away from the European platform and eventually moved to its current location in the Mediterranean Sea as marine sediments accumulated on it. Faults, volcanic activity, and magma discharge resulted from its movement, and hills and mountains arose. Cagliari soil is made up of ancient volcanic basalt and sea sands. The existing landscapes were produced after the age of glacier formation in the big plain of Campidano and the minor plains, lagoons, and coastal dunes were taking shape. Glacial rocks and sand in their soil.

The climate of the Cagliari wine appellation is typical of the Mediterranean. From May to October, the weather is mild and dry. The cold season is very short, and the majority of precipitation falls throughout the winter. As a result, the soil and climate conditions produce an optimal environment for grape ripening.

Wine Characteristics of Cagliari DOC

The DOC Cagliari wines include the following ones, they are all varietal.

• White Malvasia wine is based on the Malvasia di Sardegna variety, with a share of 85%. It can be from dry to sweet.
• Malvasia can also be used to produce sparkling wines Malvasia Spumante, from dry brut to sweet dolce.
• White Moscato contains at least 85%, Moscato Bianco. It's always a sweet wine.
• White Vermentino includes 85% Vermentino. According to the sugar content, it can be from dry to sweet
• Cagliari Monica – red wines from the Monica variety (at least 85%), also in the riserva version, for which the minimum aging is 12 months. The wine is ruby red with a garnet tint. This has a unique fruity bouquet, a dry taste, and a low acidity.

The Cagliari wine region grapes included in DOC regulations have a different pastime. Malvasia di Sardegna, recorded in the National Register of Grape Varieties separately from other Malvasia, is one of the oldest white varieties in Sardinia. According to the generally accepted version, Malvasia di Sardegna came to the island thanks to the Greeks during the Byzantine influence on the island, i.e. around the 5th century AD. Its golden era came in the second half of the XIX century. The wines were presented at the Vienna World's Fair in 1873 as typical Sardinian wines. Now vineyards are scattered throughout the territory of  DOC Cagliari, but the total area of plantings is small. The most significant vineyards are the Tregenta hills (north of Cagliari), the plains of Oristano, Cagliari, and Lower Sulcis (southwest of the island).

Moscato Bianco has been cultivated in Italy since Ancient Rome. In Sardinia, it was first documented in the XVI century as Moscadeddu. As detailed in the review of DOC Moscato di Sardegna, the wide distribution of the variety on the island began in the XVIII century. In 1845, Moscato wines, together with wines from Malvasia, Monica, Cannonau, and others, were presented as the best examples of Sardinian winemaking at the VI National Scientific Congress in Milan. Now the planting of the variety in the south of Sardinia is insignificant.

Vermentino is the current white star of Sardinia. The origin of the variety remains a cause for scientific debate, which is described in detail here. It is known for sure that the first focus of its cultivation was Gallura in the north of Sardinia, and then the variety spread throughout the island. Now large plantings in DOC Cagliari are reserved for Vermentino.

The only red variety in DOC Cagliari is Monica. Historically, sweet wines were produced from it, including fortified ones, which were taken to drink at the end of the meal. Since the middle of the XX century, cooperative and private companies have started producing two new types of dry wine. One was called vino da arrosto (wine to roast), it was structured and had the ageing potential. The other, vino da pasto (table wine) was lighter, and for everyday drinking. It found demand among local consumers and was also exported. Now the Monica variety is cultivated on ancient alluvial and sandy soils.

Food to Pair with Cagliari Wine

Cagliari And Its Incredible Local Food

It's hard to discuss island winemaking without mentioning the local food. Agro-tourism is extensively developed on the island, and friendly hosts are always happy to offer their tourists the best wines and delectable delights. Exquisite delicacies, unusual cuisines and wines, fragrant fruits, flowers, and herbs entice you to dine at chic restaurants.

Wine from Cagliari is perfect for such classic Sardinian sheep cheeses as “Fiore Sardo”, ”Pecorino Romano” or aged cottage cheese “ricotta” (which are usually served at the end of lunch), as well as almond sweets.

Sabonada

Sabonada is a closed pie, made of flour (from durum wheat), stuffed with potatoes, dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, lamb, or fish (and not any, but fat eel!). The dish is especially good for a serious gourmet, who adore hearty meal. So anyone who got a chance to eat a piece of such a ”flatbread” can forget about hunger for the whole day.

Bottarga

Bottarga is an Italian delicacy made of dense, salt-cured tuna, mullet, or swordfish roe that resembles a petrified sausage after being hardened and coated with beeswax. It has a salty taste and a smooth texture. It is commonly grated over pasta or egg dishes, but it can also be chopped into smaller pieces and served as an appetizer drizzled with lemon juice.

Places to Visit in Cagliari

Cagliari: On The Seven Hills

This is exactly how this city is located on seven hills, according to the epic. A walk here is a real journey through time: a Roman amphitheatre – and nearby a Capuchin monastery, a palazzo of the XIX century – and shabby medieval houses that seem to support each other with the last of their strength. Definitely worth paying a visit!

Nuraghe, Mysterious Art in Cagliari

Nuraghe is cone-shaped structures made of huge basalt blocks. Their age is about 3-4 thousand years. No one knows what these are – temples, dwellings or defensive structures. The inhabitants of the island still treat the nuraghe with reverence. The most interesting is located in the north, in Barumini.

Noru, Town With a Touch of Antiquity

Noruis an ancient Phoenician city in the vicinity of Cagliari. Between the remains of the foundations of the houses, there are amazingly beautiful mosaic floors with bizarre patterns – they are more than twenty-five centuries old.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cagliari