Tasting Notes: Monica is an indigenous grape variety from Sardegna (possibly with Spanish origins). ‘Praja’ is the Sardinian word for the Italian ‘spiaggia’, or ‘beach’, which is one of the many places you can enjoy this wine. It’s the kind of light red wine that takes well to a slight chilling down; it’s dry, moderate alcohol, and earthy, with just a touch of fruit.
Estate History: The vineyards of Cardedu (car-DAY-do) are in the area of Ogliastra, the most mountainous and least populous province on the island; a land of turquoise shimmer and ragged-dry cliffs. Here on the southeast coast of Sardegna the Loi family grows and makes wines from the native varieties Vermentino, Cannonau, and Monica. Cardedu is one of the islands better known (in Sardegna, at least) traditional producers. The Loi family doesn’t think of itself as a natural wine producer; they are not in that hipster 'giro'/circle. Yet, all wines are fermented with native yeasts in temperature controlled tanks (if needed), and there’s dry farming without use of herbicides or pesticides.
