Sip of the Day

April 27, 2021

Day #117 of the year.

Agricola Punica Barrua Isola dei Nuraghi IGT

“Story Genius” by Lisa Cron is the perfect book for National Tell a Story Day (today!). It’s intuitive and instructive but not formulaic and can be applied to any plot-driven story. Let this book and a sip of Barrua get your tall tales going. Like all great wines, Barrua has a fascinating story behind it. A Sardinian red sometimes described as a “Super Sardinian,” it uses a grape of Spanish origin in the majority of its blend, Carignano, which founding winemaker Giacomo Tachis intuited would grow beautifully on the sunny Italian island. Even Barrua’s label has a story to tell: it depicts the front of a twelfth century coin found in the vineyards whose inscriptions connect it to “Rex Baresonus,” or Barisone I of Arborea, crowned King of Sardinia in 1146. Finally, its IGT appellation Isola dei Nuraghi refers to the island’s ancient stone structures from the Nuragic civilization…all highly fascinating and mysterious, like the best stories are!

ORIGIN

Sardinia, Italy

Grapes

85% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

Tasting Notes

With a deep violet color, the wine displays clean; on the nose elegant aromas of spices, wild herbs and mature red fruits. On the palate, the wine is soft and elegant, a unique blend of sage, myrtle, rosemary, vanilla flavors and fine tannins. Notes of red fruits, pepper and liquorice add an interesting spiciness before a harmonious and persistent finish.

Food Match

Pair with braised lamb or rich stews.

AUTHOR:

Diana Zahuranec

Diana studied Anthropology at Penn State and Food Culture & Communications at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy. After living la bella vita in Italy for six years, she returned to the U.S. and landed in NYC. She has been working in wine since 2012 and holds WSET 2. Loves Nebbiolo and amaro. Talk to her about Italy.