Description
The Alghero PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Passito, Red Liqueur and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Alghero PDO is within part of the territory of the Municipality of Sassari and the entire territory of the municipalities of Alghero, Olmedo, Ossi, Tissi, Usini, Uri, Ittiri in the Province of Sassari, in the Sardinia region.
Description of product typologies
Alghero PDO Bianco is straw-yellow; the nose offers pleasant, delicate fragrances; it is sapid and harmonious on the palate. It can also be a Semi-Sparkling wine. Alghero PDO Rosso is ruby-red, tending towards garnet red with ageing; it is intense on the nose, with a vast array of fragrances; it is full-bodied, dry and slightly tannic on the palate. Riserva may be displayed on the label if the wine has undergone a mandatory ageing period of at least 24 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Alghero PDO Rosé is pink, varying in intensity; it is delicately fruity and harmonious on the nose; on the palate it is dry and mellow. It can also be a Semi-Sparkling wine. Alghero PDO Spumante is straw-yellow, with a fine and persistent foam; the nose displays pleasant and characteristically fruity fragrances; the fruity notes of the nose return on the palate and both the brut and sweet variations of this wine are delightfully aromatic. Alghero PDO Passito is golden-yellow to amber; it is ethereal on the nose, with intense fragrances of ripe fruit and jam; it is full, sweet, honey-like and persistent on the palate. Alghero PDO Rosso Liquoroso is garnet-red, tending towards brick-red with prolonged ageing; the nose displays intense and complex fragrances, slightly pungent depending on the wine’s age; it is harmonious, sweet and full-bodied on the palate. Riserva may be displayed on the label. Alghero PDO Novello is ruby-red, with hues of violet; it is vinous and fruity on the nose, with typical hints of fresh fermentation; it is lively, fragrant and mellow on the palate, with a persistent finish. For the production of Alghero PDO Passito, the fresh grapes must have been dried on the vines or on frames; they may also be partially dried with natural or forced ventilation in special thermo-conditioned areas. Alghero PDO Rosso can be used to make the Liqueur wine if the fresh grapes have been dried; the wine cannot be released for consumption before a ripening and ageing period of at least 3 years, commencing November 1st of the year after harvesting. If the ageing period exceeds 5 years, the wine can be classified as Riserva.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
For Alghero PDO wines, the geographical name “Sardegna” may precede the designation, as provided for by ministerial decree.
Grape variety specifications
The Alghero PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: minimum 85% Sauvignon, Chardonnay (including Spumante), Vermentino (including Semi-Sparkling), Torbato (including Spumante), pure or with the addition of other white grape varieties, maximum 15%. From red grape varieties: minimum 85% Sangiovese, Cabernet (including Riserva), Cagnulari or Cagniulari (including Riserva), Merlot (including Riserva), pure or with the addition of other black grape varieties, maximum 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Alghero PDO wines with Cabernet, Merlot and Cagnulari (or Cagniulari) grape specifications can be classified as Riserva if they have undergone a mandatory minimum period of ageing of at least 24 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced.
