Region: Sardegna
History: Established as a DOC in 1972
Principal White Grape Varieties: Malvasia
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (WhSw): Minimum 95% Malvasia di Sardegna + OAWG
- Riserva (Bianco—can be dry as well as sweet)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSpSw): Minimum 95% Malvasia + OAWG
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Passito (WhSw): Minimum 95% Malvasia + OAWG
Significant Production Rules:
- Grapes for Passito must be dried on or off the vine to achieve a minimum sugar level of 272 g/l (27.2%)
- Minimum alcohol level: 9.5% for Spumante (12.0% potential); 13.0% for Bianco (15.0% potential); 13.0% for Riserva (15.5% potential); 14.0% for Passito (16.0% potential)
- Residual sugar: Spumante can range from demisec to dolce
- Aging: For Spumante, minimum approx. 1–2 months (ERD = November 1, V); for Bianco, minimum approx. 3–4 months (ERD = March 1, V+1); for Passito, minimum approx. 2–4 months (ERD = April 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 2 years, including 1 year in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2)
