Cannonau

Grape variety	Cannonau
Synonyms	Garnacha, Alicante, Cannonaddu, Cannonau Selvaggio, Tocai Rosso, Tai Rosso, Guarnaccia, Turriga, Cannonau di Sardegna, Grenache noir.
Grape colour	Red grape
History	Cannonau is a wine grape believed to originate from Sardinia, Italy, with a long history dating back as far as 1200 BC. Recent archaeological finds in Sardinia suggest that the Cannonau grape was cultivated by the island's ancient civilization, challenging the previous belief that the grape was brought from Spain. These discoveries have provided a fresh perspective on the history of winemaking in the Mediterranean, suggesting that Cannonau could have been one of the first grape varieties to be cultivated in the region. Today, Cannonau is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Sardinia, producing wines with a distinctive character that reflects the island's unique terroir.
Ampelographic features	The Cannonau grape vine exhibits medium-sized, orbicular or renniform leaves that are typically three-lobed. The upper surface of the leaves is shiny and dark green, while the underside is lighter in color, with prominent veins. The bunches are medium to large, with a conical shape, and contain medium-sized, round or slightly oval grapes. The grapes have a thin, consistent skin with a black-violet color, and a pulp that yields a juice lightly tinted pink.
Characteristics of the wine	Wines produced from the Cannonau grape are typically ruby red in color, which can develop a garnet hue with aging. The bouquet is primarily fruity, with subtle floral notes that can evolve into spicy and ethereal aromas over time. On the palate, Cannonau wines display a good structure and a significant alcohol content, balanced by medium tannins and a hint of freshness. The finish is long, warm, and aromatic.