Monica "Monica di Sardegna Praja" Cardedu, Sardinia, IT, 2022

The local Monica grape is fermented with native yeasts in cavernous cement tanks under the house. A zingy light bodied red wine: think spicy-underbrush, herbal notes, and just a touch of fruit. Toasted fregola pasta with small clams, canned sardines, meaty olives. Good with a slight chill, good with a luver.

Winemaker, Sergio Loi is a 4th generation traditional producer from Sardinia. His family's winery has always practiced minimum intervention in the cellar and no chemical farming since the early 900's. The vineyards are located on the southeast side of the island where soils are crumbling granite beside the coast.