Audarya, Sardinia

Vermentino 2022

Crafted by a brother and sister team, wines from this family estate are known both for their freshness as well as their cheeky labels. Their pure, gently-pressed Vermentino feels rich in minerals and bright and comes from vines sown beside the Tenuta Su Stani winery which borders the gently flowing Riu Bonarba.

Nuragas 2020

Crafted from the Nuragas grape, which is named in honour of Sardinia’s many nuraghe, being curious, beehive-like, Bronze Age stone ruins. With Phoenician origins, expect a particularly aromatic, herb-scented, brightly fresh wine from this grape, here planted in the picturesque Acquasassa vineyard close to the teeming Stagno di Stani Saliu wetlands near Cagliari.

Monica 2022

When handled with care, Monica can evoke a cross between a Barbera and Barbaresco, and this again native expression of Sardinia’s bounty of grapes, evokes juicy red berries, with a grippy, earthy undertone.

Cannonau 2020

Cannonau is the local name for Grenache, which may well have originated on the island, and is one of the land’s most revered and popular red grapes, with one bottle in every five of Sardinian wine being made from it. From the Crabilis estate in sleepy Ussana comes a raspberry, strawberry and white pepped scented pour, apparently rich in antioxidants, anthocyanins and polyphenols.

Morgante, Sicily

Bianco Nero d'Avola 2021

Siciliy’s famously inky Nero d’Avola grape is often compared to New World Shiraz given its black pepper and eucalyptus notes. However, this rarity, vinified as white, is enigmatic, being lively and textured, with tangy pink grapefruit, almond and salty notes. It’s crafted close to the hilltop city of Agrigento, famed for the ruins of the Valley of the Temples.

Nero d'Avola 2020

The traditional red incarnation of Nero d'Avola is softened by a judicious sojourn in mild, old oak barriques which fortunately don’t distract from the ripe blackcurrant, cassis, chocolate and signature pepperiness – it culminates in velvety tannins.

1 Bottle Vermentino 2022 Audarya

1 Bottle Nuragas 2020 Audarya

1 Bottle Bianco Nero d'Avola 2021 Morgante

1 Bottle Monica 2022 Audarya

1 Bottle Cannonau 2020 Audarya

1 Bottle Nero d'Avola 2020 Morgante