occupies 30% of the planted area of \u200b\u200bthe island, for a total of about 7,500 hectares, concentrated more than 70% and from Nuoro Ogliastra.
Cannonau is included in the list of grape varieties drafted in the decree of March 6, 1995. The vine although genetically similar to Garnacha Grenache English and French appears in history two centuries before. In the past, for a number of quotes wrong, he claimed to Cannonau English origin, but recent research has unearthed documents, in Cagliari, a deed of 1549, where it is mentioned wine Cannonau, while the first mention such as red wine, Garnacha of , Is in a English dictionary of 1734. From this descriptive treats that Cannonau was exported from Sardinia to Spain and not vice versa.
The vine has medium leaf, orbicular, five-lobed, sometimes lobed, serrated margin and with regular, completely hairless, bright green, medium cluster, cylindrical-conical, sometimes close and winged (but may also arise spaced berries when errors in handling is subject to leaking ), berry medium-small, spherical, with black-purple skin, firm and very waxy, medium-late maturing.
E'dotato medium vigor, with branches internodes short, erect vegetation, characteristics that make it suitable for particular types of farming without structure as the traditional " tree." Highly adaptable, it prefers, however, the land of the hill.
The wine has characteristics which vary considerably depending on the type of farming or growing area, however, usually has a typical finesse, good structure and taste sensations that resemble flowers smell or red fruits, fresh, and with the maturity they turn to notes of jam and spice, with a typical almond aftertaste.
E 'in this Cannonau di Sardegna DOC and Mandrolisai and in many different IGT wines of Sardinia. In 'Red Altea is blended with other red grapes like Carignan and other smaller vineyards.