Region: Sardinia / Sardegna
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Carignano del Sulcia
Primary Grape Varieties: Carignano - aka Carignan
Carignano - Carignan Italy & France –
Carignano is a black Italian and French grape that is also growing in interest in new world locations such as California.
In Sardegna, Carignano is grown in the very hot and dry South West Corner of the island with low rain, high summer heat and drying winds. The winds create an environment of low disease pressure in the Main PDO of Carignano del Solcis.
Carignano is Heat and Drought resistant. In the vineyard, the vines are bush trained to resist wind by being low to the ground. Bush vine training is actually required by Superiore versions of Carignano PDO wines.
Bush vines also restrict the vigor of this grape, providing more focus on fruit development leading to more concentrated flavors. The growing season receives little rain so limited irrigation is allowed during vegetative growth for vine health but is restricted after Veraison. Yields range from 77 hl/ha for DOC wines but are further reduced to 52.5 hl/ha for superior wines.
Carignano is produced in both inexpensive & higher quality versions.
Inexpensive examples are fermented at warm temperatures and macerated for 7-10 days and are then aged 3- 4 months in large, neutral concrete or oak casks before release.
Mid to higher quality wines are macerated longer – up to 15 days of maceration at warm temperatures s for maximum extraction of color, flavor and tannins.
The higher quality wines are Oak barrique aged for 12-18 months. Superiore and Reserva labeled wines require 2 years of aging.
Key producers are AGRICOLA PUNICA & SANTADI
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Carignano del Sulcia
Primary Grape Varieties: Carignano - aka Carignan
Carignano - Carignan Italy & France –
Carignano is a black Italian and French grape that is also growing in interest in new world locations such as California.
In Sardegna, Carignano is grown in the very hot and dry South West Corner of the island with low rain, high summer heat and drying winds. The winds create an environment of low disease pressure in the Main PDO of Carignano del Solcis.
Carignano is Heat and Drought resistant. In the vineyard, the vines are bush trained to resist wind by being low to the ground. Bush vine training is actually required by Superiore versions of Carignano PDO wines.
Bush vines also restrict the vigor of this grape, providing more focus on fruit development leading to more concentrated flavors. The growing season receives little rain so limited irrigation is allowed during vegetative growth for vine health but is restricted after Veraison. Yields range from 77 hl/ha for DOC wines but are further reduced to 52.5 hl/ha for superior wines.
Carignano is produced in both inexpensive & higher quality versions.
Inexpensive examples are fermented at warm temperatures and macerated for 7-10 days and are then aged 3- 4 months in large, neutral concrete or oak casks before release.
Mid to higher quality wines are macerated longer – up to 15 days of maceration at warm temperatures s for maximum extraction of color, flavor and tannins.
The higher quality wines are Oak barrique aged for 12-18 months. Superiore and Reserva labeled wines require 2 years of aging.
Key producers are AGRICOLA PUNICA & SANTADI
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