Nuragus is a white Italian wine grape variety that is grown in Sardinia. It is the principle variety between the '' Denominazione di origine controllata'' wine ''Nuragus di Cagliari''. The grape has a long history on the island with ampelographers believing that the variety was likely introduced to the area by the Phoenicians.Oz Clarke ''Encyclopedia of Grapes'' pg 164 Harcourt Books 2001 While the grape is still widely planted in Sardinia its numbers began to dwindle in the late 20th century, falling by 50% during the 1980s alone to a total of 8,700 hectare (21,500 acres) in 1990.J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Guide to Wine Grapes'' pg 129 Oxford University Press 1996 Today it is mostly found in the southern part of the island between

Cagliari Cagliari (, also , , ; sc, Casteddu ; lat, Caralis) is an Italian municipality and the capital of the island of Sardinia, an autonomous region of Italy. Cagliari's Sardinian name ''Casteddu'' means ''castle''. It has about 155,000 inhabitant ...

and Oristano on the hot Campidano plain.Joseph Batianich & David Lynch Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy" pg 375-379 Clarkson Potter Publishers

DOC wines

Under Italian

wine laws Wine laws are legislation regulating various aspects of production and sales of wine. The purpose of wine laws includes combating wine fraud, by means of regulated protected designations of origin, labelling practices and classification of wine, a ...

Nuragus grown in southern Sardinia are permitted to be labeled under the ''Nuragus di Cagliari'' DOC provided the grape makes up at least 85% of the blend with other local white grape varieties permitted to make up the remaining portion of the wine. The DOC has the highest permitted

harvest Harvesting is the process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper. On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labor-i ...

yield or any Italian wine at a maximum of 20 tonnes/hectare. The finished wine must attain a minimum alcohol level of at least 10.5% and a semi- sparkling ''frizzante'' style is also allowed under the DOC.P. Saunders ''Wine Label Language'' pp. 187 Firefly Books 2004

Wine styles

According to wine expert Oz Clarke, Nuragus tends to make light-bodied neutral flavored wines. Joe Bastianich and

David Lynch David Keith Lynch (born January 20, 1946) is an American filmmaker, visual artist and actor. A recipient of an Academy Honorary Award in 2019, Lynch has received three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, and the César Award for Be ...

describe well made examples of Nuragus in favorable vintages as having aromas similar to Vermentino with almonds and sour apple flavor notes. The high potential acidity of the grape, even grown in the very warm Mediterranean climate of southern Sardinia allow the grapes to have notable acid notes that Bastianich and Lynch describe as reminiscent of Portugal's Vinho Verde and Spanish Albarino wines.

Synonyms

Over the years Nuragus has been known under a variety of synonyms including Abbondosa, Abboudossa, Abbsudosa, Abundans, Aksina de Marjian, Aksina de Popurus, Axina de Margiai, Axina de Popurus, Axina Scacciadeppidus, Bruscu biancu, Burdu, Garna Chchija, Garnaccia, Granazza, Lacconargiu, Malvasia di Luras, Meragus, Nugarus, Nuragus blanc de Sardaigne, Nuragus Moscadeddu, Nuragus Moscatello and Nuragus Trebbiana. Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC)
Nuragus
'' Accessed: October 7th, 2012

References

{{reflist White wine grape varieties Wine of Sardinia Wine grapes of Italy