A few weeks ago Michele and I were in Florence for the day and met with Elisa Bosco. We have know Elisa, who is an export communications consultant for wineries for a number of years. Elisa wanted to tell us about a winery she represents in Sardinia and leave us some samples. It’s always a pleasure to see her, catch up and try some of the wines she represents.
The Winery
Fattorie Isola was founded in 2018 by Luigi Cuccaru with the help of the oenologist Renzo Panetto. It is based in Sardinia in the province of Sassari, municipality of Sorso, locality of Tres Montes, an area well suited for the cultivation of organic grapes. There are 8.5 hectares of vineyards.
All the wines are certified organic and they use as little SO2 as possible to ensure the stability and longevity of the wine. The alcoholic fermentation and all the oenological practices to obtain the wines respect the protocols provided for in EU Regulation 203/2012 for organic wines.
The Wines
Sardegna Semidano Superiore 2023 DOP made from 100% Semidano. There is a short cold maceration of the must before fermentation. This a fragrant fruity white wine with hints of peach, apricot, floral notes and fresh acidity. It is a native white grape from central Sardegna (Campidano). Semidano almost disappeared during the 80’s, but then, especially thanks to the work of Fattorie Isola’s oenologist, it was preserved. However it is a very limited production and today there are just a few hectares in the whole island (less than 14), and only a few producers who make wines from this grape. I have to thank Elisa for introducing me to this wine. $15
Vermentino DI Sardegna 2023 DOP made from 100% Vermentino grapes left on the vine until the end of September so the grapes are very ripe. The soil is sandy, clayey and loamy and the average age of the vines is 25 years. There are 4,000 vines per hectare. Training system is guyot. Hand harvest with sorting of the grapes in the field into boxes and the grapes are cooled to +5° C for 48 hours before vinification, with a further 12 hours of cold maceration of the skins after pressing. Fermentation is in 100 HL stainless steel tanks with selected yeast. Malolactic fermentation does not take place. Aging is in steel tanks. $24
Cannonau DI Sardegna. 2022 DOP made from 100% Cannonau grapes harvested well ripeened at the end of summer. Vineyards are at 150 meters and the soil is granite. The harvest is manual in boxes and the grapes are cooled to +10/12°C before vinification to slow down the start of fermentation. The vinification takes place in thermo-conditioned containers with maceration of the skins for 14/15 days. The wine has hints of cherries, raisins, myrtle and a hint of liquorice. $15
Cannonau Di Sardegna 2021 DOP Riserva made from 100% Cannonau. These grapes are grown organically in the LUIGI CUCCARU vineyard in Tres Montes in the municipality of Sorso (SS) IT. One year after vinification, the wine is aged in oak tonneaus for approximately 6/8 months before being bottled. The wine has hints of morello cherries, raisins, myrtle and a touch of vanilla. $20
They also make a Rosato DOP from Cannonau di Sardegna grapes and a Spumante Brut “Kessa” DOP from Vermentino di Sardegna grapes.
For more information on the winery and the wines contact:
ElisaBosco.Wine
Export & Communication Consulting
eb@elisabosco.wine
ITA +39 334 1588164
USA +1 646 593 8886