Vernaccia di Oristano DOC

DOC area for white wines in the Italian region of Sardinia. The zone includes the municipalities of Baratili San Pietro, Cabras (with the Solanas sub-area), Milis, Narbolia, Nurachi, Ollastra Simaxis (with the San Vero Congius sub-area), Oristano (with the Donigala sub-areas, Fenugheddu, Massama, Nuraxinieddu and Sili), Palmas Arborea, Riola Sardo, Santa Giusta, San Vero Milis, Siamaggiore, Solarussa, Tramatza, Zeddiani and Zerfaliu in the province of Oristano. According to a rather unlikely legend, the wine or grape variety was brought to the island by the Phoenicians in ancient times. In any case, it was already known in Europe in the 16th century. The vines are grown flat over the ground so that the grapes absorb the heat reflected by the sandy limestone soil. The wine matures in small barrels that are not completely full. This creates a layer of pile yeast with typical sherry clay. The wine is made from Vernaccia di Oristano grapes. There are also the longer matured variants Superiore and Superiore Riserva as well as a strong liquoroso.