The 3,000-Year-Old Wine Mystery Hiding on an Italian Island

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2020 Link to Purchase Wine: https://www.spectrumwine.com/retail/wines/2035058 What if the story we've been told about Grenache's origins isn't quite right? For generations, the prevailing belief was that Spain introduced Garnacha to Sardinia during Aragonese rule, where it became known as Cannonau. But archaeological discoveries of ancient grape seeds on the island have raised fascinating questions about just how far back Sardinia's relationship with this variety might go. Today, Cannonau remains one of the island's signature red grapes, and Sella & Mosca's 2020 Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva offers a delicious introduction to its distinctive Mediterranean personality. Grown in the northwestern part of Sardinia near Alghero, where sandy and clay-rich soils meet cooling coastal breezes and fragrant Mediterranean scrub, this is Grenache with a decidedly different accent. It has the juicy, fleshy fruit we love about the variety, but with a firmer structural backbone and a slightly rugged, savory character that separates it from many of its Spanish and French counterparts. The Riserva designation brings additional aging, including time in large oak barrels followed by bottle maturation before release, and the 2020 is drinking beautifully. With 94 points from James Suckling, six years of vintage age and an original retail price around $22, this would already be a compelling everyday Italian red. But thanks to an unusual buying opportunity, we're offering it for an almost unbelievable $10.98 per bottle. That's half its usual price for a mature, beautifully balanced Sardinian red with genuine history, character and a fascinating story behind it. If you love Grenache, Southern Rhône reds or discovering terrific Italian wines that don't cost a fortune, this is one you shouldn't miss.