Cannonau, aka Grenache, is Sardinia’s most important red varietal. Since the Cannonau di Sardegna DOC covers the entire island, it’s not very helpful in pinpointing where the highest quality Cannonau originates from. Generally speaking, some of the best wines come from vineyards near the coast which is where Contini’s vineyards are situated in Oristano. Familiar aromatics of blackberry, plum, violets and provençal herbs greet you from the glass. The acidity effortlessly persists on the slightly rich palate with a lovely smooth texture that gently leads to a mildly sweet and herbal tannic finish. Despite its similarities to Spanish Garnacha and Southern Rhône blends, its sharper acid profile and finish speaks Sardinian.