Pala (Sardinia)
AUGUST 2024
Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily), is home to Azienda Agricola Pala, a family-owned and run winery located in the south of the island, about half an hour north of Cagliari. The island is rugged, with mountains and forests, scruffy grasslands, and high bluffs that look out over stunning beaches with clear, blue, ocean waters.
People here live from banking and other commerce related industries including tourism. Agriculture only makes up about 3% of the island's GDP, but they cultivate quite a selection of lesser-known grapes including: Monica (a light-bodied red featured as the third bottle in your wine club) and white grapes Nuragus, Torbato and more.
The two most important grapes from Sardinia are Cannonau (Grenache/Garnacha) & Vermentino which are the other two wines in your club. I was blown away by the deliciousness of these wines. Hope you are, too.
Azienda Agricola Pala
Founded by Salvatore Pala in 1950, the estate is still in family hands – third & fourth generations, Mario Pala (pictured above - bottom right) together with his wife, Rita, and their children: Massimiliano, Elisabetta and Mariantonietta.
Like so many family run wineries in Italy, it wasn't until the children took over the running of the estate that they considered other than local markets, with their first attendance at VinItaly in 2000 and their first exports to Germany, UK and Brazil that same year.
It takes 2.5 hours to drive the entire length of the island. The furthest you can get from the ocean is 60 miles. In between, the winery says: "you can find a concentration of stunning landscapes and a nature of its own. Snowy mountains. The longest canyon in Europe to the only desert of the continent, fertile plains and limestone hills overlooking the sea."
The family has 8 vineyards on the island with some located in the limestone soils of Serdiana (pictured above & where the cellar is) and neighboring Ussana and Senorbi as well further away in the sandy vineyards on the west coast of the island near Uras, Terralba & San Nicolo d'Arcidano (pictured above).
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Pala 2022 Soprasole Vermentino
Sardinia, Italy • Reg $22.99 | Wine Club $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
Vermentino is the most common grape grown in Sardinia, and it has been growing happily in vineyards all around the island for the last 400 years.
100% Vermentino from their "Is Crabilis” vineyards with clayey, calcareous soils (pictured above). Crunchy apricot & nectarine, wet stone on the nose. Add in citrus, pear, apple on the palate. Medium-bodied. Minerally finish. Just dynamite! Great with all seafood, roasted chicken, pork loin slow-cooked in milk... and much more. Drink now to 2 years.
Pala 2021 Cannonau Reserva
Sardinia, Italy • Reg $39.99 | Mixed Case $31.99
Cannonau lays claim to having the oldest vines on the island, dating back to 1200 B.C. The grape flourishes in Sardinia, producing a little bit softer Grenache with more fruit and softer tannins/acidity.
This 100% Cannonau (from 45 year old vines) is also from the estate's "Is Crabilis" vineyards (around Ussana). The wine ages 1 year in 3000 liter French oak barrels, then 3 months in stainless steel tanks, then 4 months in bottles before release.
Ripe red berry fruit with herbal notes on the nose. Medium-bodied, somewhat juicy with flavors of wild strawberries, red plums, cherries, dark chocolate, licorice, with a note of orange peel (acidity) & fresh loamy earth. Smooth tannins on the long finish.
Pairs well with grilled or braised red meats. Also pairs with richer mushroom or eggplant dishes. Drink now up to 5 years. Crazy to find this quality of a red wine at this price. Delighted to have it in wine club.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Pala 2021 Oltreluna Monica
Sardinia, Italy • Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
Brought to Sardinia and planted in 1400 by the Camaldolese monks around their monasteries, Monica is a little-known red grape made for smooth, fresh, easy-drinking. Perfect summer red.
100% Monica from 30-year old vines grown in Serdiana around their estate. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged for 6 months in underground cement tanks and then in bottle for 2-3 months before release.
Red berries, red plums, soft fresh earth. Silky smooth. Add in black cherries on the finish. Complex. Elegant. Harmonious. Smooth. Wonderful, easy-drinking wine. The winery says to pair this wine with lean appetizers, soups, grilled meats and sheep & goat cheeses.
We hope to see you at your wine club pickup tasting (always the 2nd Saturday of the month) to taste and learn about your club wines. These wines are amazing!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop