Sarraiolo Rosso: A Rediscovery of Pascale
Forgive those who have never heard of the Pascale grape – we too had only heard of it in passing until recently. Then Eugenio Bocchino and Cinzia Pelazza decided to add a few hectares of vineyard in Sardinia's Gallura to their Barolo estate, crafting not only an outstanding Vermentino but also a red wine from Pascale.
According to Eugenio, Pascale "thrives particularly well on granite and limestone, which are fortunately abundant in Gallura. Even in the warm conditions of northern Sardinia, it produces surprisingly fresh and elegant wines with a pleasantly moderate alcohol content." The hand-harvested grapes are spontaneously fermented in neutral small wooden barrels, where the wine is also aged.
Sarraiolo Rosso offers aromas of blossoms and ripe fruit, with a soft, mellow, and balanced character. It flows gently rather than rushing, with delicate herbal notes, well-integrated tannins, and a supporting acidity that never overpowers. Light-footed yet substantial, it remains velvety and elegant well beyond the palate.
Specifications
- Grape Variety: Pascale di Cagliari
- Vineyard: Granite, schist & sand
- Harvest: By hand
- Fermentation: Spontaneous | wild yeasts
- Aging: 1 year in used barriques
- Filtration: No
- SO₂: < 30 mg/l
- Alcohol Content: 13% vol.
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving Temperature: 16-18°C
- Optimal Drinking Window: From now – 2030
- Content and Price per Liter: 0.75 l/(€46.12/l)
Philosophy: All winemakers listed with Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations in their vineyards, avoiding the use of herbicides, pesticides, and artificial fertilizers.
