Over 800 wines tasted — proof of the increasingly strong participation and the clear trust Sardinian producers place in us. Among these, 385 samples earned a review, achieving a score above 90/100, confirming the truly impressive average quality level reached by the region’s wine production.
All of it organized into 38 subsections, allowing a detailed exploration — and the proper recognition — of every territorial and stylistic expression of the Island.
So here we have not “the” Cannonau but “the many” Cannonau; not “the” Vermentino but “the many” Vermentino, and the same for every other indigenous grape variety and major wine style from this “small continent” in a bottle, whose reputation grows with every harvest. This edition delivered more than 118 wines (almost one‑third of those reviewed) that surpassed 98 points, earning the “Standing Ovation” — the highest recognition — with 8 wines achieving a perfect 100/100.
These are some of the most significant numbers behind the 7th edition of Vinodabere.it’s Guide to the Wines of Sardinia, now finally available online in its entirety after the previews dedicated to the partial rankings. The guide is curated by journalists Maurizio Valeriani and Antonio Paolini, with contributions from Salvatore Del Vasto, Paolo Frugoni, Maurizio Gabriele, Emanuele Giannone, Luca Matarazzo, Daniele Moroni, Gianmarco Nulli Gennari, Pino Perrone, Emanuela Pistoni, Stefano Puhalovich, Franco Santini, Gianni Travaglini, and Paolo Valentini.
To these figures we must add the number of views — also growing rapidly — confirming that for consumers and enthusiasts, the credibility of this thorough and conscientious work (all tastings are blind and conducted in panels, with final scores based on the arithmetic average of all tasters’ evaluations) is no less than that recognized by participating producers.
It seems increasingly clear and appreciated, then, the philosophy behind the Guide: shedding light on more and more wine producers — with special attention to those less known — from Sardinia’s “small continent.” And discoveries are plentiful. Alongside long‑established top players, an increasing number of lesser‑known wineries are now standing out and hitting the mark.
Newly emerging subzones are also proposing wines of absolute excellence. This was demonstrated “live” at the two annual showcase events organized by Vinodabere.it in Rome every January, dedicated to Sardinian wines and attended with great interest by members of the press and communication world, as well as many industry professionals (restaurateurs, wine shop owners, agents, distributors).
The Guide and the Roman showcases (with a third edition already planned, featuring new vintages and newly reviewed bottles) have jointly helped dispel and overcome stereotypes that have not applied to Sardinian wine for more than a decade, yet still linger in the collective imagination.
The clearest example is Cannonau, the flagship grape — now far removed from the old stereotype of the heavy, overly alcoholic wine. Today it is expressed through a wide range of highly diverse (and extremely compelling) interpretations depending on the growing zone: from the mountain viticulture of Mamoiada (with almost 40 winemakers bottling their own labels), to historically important areas such as Oliena (with its Nepente), Orgosolo, Dorgali (with the splendid Valle di Oddoene, now an official designation), Ogliastra, Romangia, and even Gallura, which is showing remarkable skill with red grape varieties, too.
Among the pleasant surprises is Mandrolisai — a territory with a great winemaking tradition, though until now not fully rewarded with fame. Its DOC, the most territorial in Sardinia and based on a blended trio (Bovale, Cannonau, Monica), now includes more than 20 producers making wines of strong character, personality, and high rank (including 9 Standing Ovations, 3 of which earned 100/100). The Cagnulari grape continues to impress (7 Standing Ovations), and on the island of Sant’Antioco, the Carignano a Piede Franco Community has been established (this grape also earned 9 Standing Ovations), showing a rising desire to unite for the good of the territory.
The time seems ripe for a true breakthrough for the region — which we aim to anticipate and highlight through the reviews and evaluations featured in this edition of the Guide. With the hope, as always, of sparking more curiosity, encouraging tastings, and — even better — inspiring readers to visit in person this unique treasure chest of beauty and great wines.
Accompanying us on this journey, as sponsor, is the Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Pecorino Romano — headquartered in Sardinia and a master of cheesemaking across the central Tyrrhenian area — whose bold profile we will pair with the awarded wines.
Below are the 8 wines that achieved 100/100, followed by all wines awarded the “Standing Ovation” (scores above 98/100) in the downloadable PDF.
The 8 wines that achieved 100/100:
• Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Antonella Collection 2020 – Pedres
• Ruinas del Fondatore 2021 – Depperu
• Vermentino di Sardegna Boese Vigna Truvaoese 2023 – Binza ’e su Re
• Rosso Kantharu 2020 – Fulghesu Le Vigne
• Mandrolisai Azzàra Domos de Pedra 2022 – Fradiles
• Mandrolisai S’Òmine Creccherie 2022 – Cantina Pisu Luigi
• Cannonau di Sardegna Ghirada Palagorrai 2021 – Mussennore
• Cannonau di Sardegna Ghirada Elisi Sa ’e Antoni 2022 – Francesco Cadinu
Here you can find the full list of Standing Ovation wines divided by type and category (PDF).
