Not many bottles have me reaching for Jancis’s tome, Wine Grapes.

 On a recent holiday to Sardinia the villa manager very kindly left us a bottle from a friends winery. I was deep in cynicism when I opened this local red from Cantina di Mogoro.

 The grape, Bovale Grande. as I discovered is Mazuelo (Carignan) which probably arrived in Sardinia during the period of Aragonese domination from approximately 1400 to 1700.

 It’s a very vigorous vine with large leaves and compact clusters of small berries,  rich in colour.

 On tasting, I was pleased to find it  full of ripe red fruits, cherries and raspberries, Mediterranean herbs and a savouriness  with balanced acidity and freshness, soft tannins and good length.

 Lovely with the sun setting over the Mediterranean with local chicken gently sizzling on the barbeque.

 I promptly ordered a case which Alessandro delivered, each bottle was as good as the last.

 I would recommend indulging in Sardinian wines. Their Vermentino’s, Cannonau’s (Grenache) and other Carignan’s are well worth discovering.

 

https://www.vinissimo.co.uk/wine/tiernu-bovale-campidano-di-terralba-doc