A photo of The Best Wine Tasting Tours in Sardinia

Sardinia
wine tasting tours and winery visits

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Why Visit Sardinia?

Sardinia is the second-largest island of the Mediterranean, and one of the most ancient and fascinating - a prime trading port and strategic territory, it has been invaded and governed by numerous civilisations over the centuries from Romans to Byzantines to Catalans. However, grape growing has not traditionally been a significant part of the landscape here, with the majority of existing vines only planted in the 1950s (although ancient bush vines can be spotted here and there). However, this is so much more than a wine destination - Sardinia remains a wonderfully wild, unspoilt region with one of the smallest populations per square kilometre in Europe. It is a beautiful, almost exotic destinations renowned across the world for the beauty of its white sands and clear blue water. 

There are several important areas in Sardinia for wine and olive oil and in each area you can expect pretty traditional villages, wild landscapes, stunning beaches and the inviting sea - the ideal place for a wine holiday in the middle of the Mediterranean. Gallura is a must-visit to enjoy the wonderful, lemony white wines of Vermentino di Gallura DOCG (the first DOCG wine in Sardinia), whilst Bosa specialises in intriguing oxidised white Malvasia and olive oil, and Cagliari and Parteolla are particularly notable for some of the island's very best olive oil. These rural regions are wildly beautiful and excellent for hikers, walkers and cyclists.

The culture here is a truly absorbing one, influenced by countless different visitors and rulers over the centuries. No visit to Sardinia is complete without seeing a nuraghe - missing this fantastic sight would be like going to Egypt and missing the pyramids! Nuraghi are ancient megalithic towers and ancient villages of the Bronze-age, with approximately 10,000 different structures scattered all over the island, dating back as far as 1500 BC. Whilst some are completely ruined, there are plenty which have been restored and opened to visitors for guided tours including those  at Prisgiona, Palmavera, Serbissi, Barumini and Arrubiu-Orroli. 

Meanwhile, bustling medieval towns such as Alghero and colourful Bosa provide a more cosmopolitan vibe after the breathtakingly wild and rugged beauty of the Sardinian countryside and coastline. Majestic buildings and ancient history sit alongside buzzing bars and restaurants - seafood is a huge part of most menus in this island nation, pairing perfectly with the region's more zingy white wines - Bosa Marina is a particularly good place to find the best and freshest fish on the island. Culinary culture here is relaxed and leisurely, with long lunchtimes (the most important meal of the day here) and convivial evenings as standard.

 

Plan Your Visit

Best Known Grapes

Sardinia is best known for high-quality white wines made from Vermentino (known as Rolle in other wine regions such as Provence) Malvasia, and the unusual Torbato; red grapes meanwhile are diverse, such as Cannonau (a form of Garnacha) and Bovale Sardo and Bovale Grande, which share the same DNA as Graciano and Carignan. 
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Best time to visit

The high season can feel a little overwhelming if crowds of tourists isn't your thing, so avoid July and August if you are seeking a peaceful island retreat. The months either side (April-June and September-October) see plenty of balmy, beautiful weather without the busy atmosphere ... and much more reasonable prices! The island hosts several great festivals through the year that it can be worth scheduling into your visit - for example, Porto Cervo Wine Festival in May is the biggest wine tasting in Sardinia and a great way to experience the island's best wines. In autumn, there is a wine and food festival which takes place each weekend from September to December in different villages of the Barbagia region. Visitors in January will also get to experience the carnival, an amazing celebration which begins around the day of Sant' Antonio (usually around the 15th January) and ends with Mardi Gras just before Lent. There are bonfires, parades, music, firework, food and wine in abundance, making this a particularly special time of year to visit the island.
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How long to stay

Sardinia is the perfect destination to visit for a week or even two. There is plenty on the island to keep visitors busy alongside calming, tranquil beachside accommodation to ensure an exciting yet relaxing break.

How to get there

Sardinia has three airports which are well-linked to the rest of Italy and most major European destinations such as London, Brussels and Paris. Ferry connections are also excellent here, and it is possible to take a ferry to the island from numerous Mediterranean destinations including Sicily, mainland Italy and even Barcelona.
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