Bovale

Sardinia’s traditional grape – Bovale Sardo – is also known as Bovaleddu. Rich in both tannins and acid, it produces wines with rich and juicy flavours of blackberry, black cherry and prune.

In Sardinia’s mountainous heartland, Bovale is known as Muristeddu. Here vines are planted as high as 700 metres above sea level, using the old-school Alberello method where the plants grow like bushes. This mountain wine has delightful richness, an attractive tannic grip and deep colour.

Because of the Spanish influence, Carignano is grown in Sardinia as Bovale Grande or Bovale di Spagna. Despite the similar-sounding name, it is not related to the authentic Bovale.

Read our Guide to Bovale wine below or shop other Sardinian wines.

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Essential guide to Bovale

Bovale in the Official Registry

Official name: Bovale N.
Number: 038
Official synonyms: Bovaleddu
Unofficial synonyms: Bualeddu, Bovaleddo, Muristellu (in Sassari), Muristeddu (in Alghero).

Where Bovale wine is made

Bovale is a very traditional Sardinian grape that’s rich in tannins, colour and acid. Because of that, it is used to produces red wines that stand on their own, or to add complexity to red blends.

Both Bovale Sardo (also known as Bovaleddu or Muristeddu) and Bovale Grande (Carignano) are only grown on Sardinia. Furthermore, only two denominations with the designation of origin are permitted to produce Bovale wine on the island. They both emphasise the highest level of quality, which means that production is very small. With only 56 hectares planted, just 170 thousand bottles of DOC-level Bovale wine is made each year.

Most Sardinia's Bovale wine is produced under the more relaxed IGT rules, made from Bovale Sardo and Bovale Grande planted on 500 hectares across Sardinia.

Campidano di Terralba DOC

Campidano di Terralba DOC (or Terralba DOC) is located on Sardinia’s west coast. This denomination is dedicated exclusively to Bovale wines. At least 85% of the liquid in the bottle must be made from Bovale, with the rest coming from Sardinia’s other red grapes. Both Bovale Sardo and Bovale Grande are permitted.

Terralba DOC only allows the best sites to grow its Bovale grapes. Any parcels with rocks, salty soils, or where the terrain was affected by flooding are not permitted. Plus, the disciplinare demands that grapes are planted no higher than 400 metres.

The wine rules require that farmers don’t grow more than 11 tonnes of grapes per hectare. In addition, at harvest they must select only 80% of the very best grapes. The remaining 20% cannot be classified as Terralba DOC, but can be de-classified as IGT wine.

Terralba wine can be released as Terralba Bovale and Terralba Bovale Superiore without mandatory ageing. To qualify for Terralba Bovale Riserva, the wine must rest in oak and bottle for two years.

Mandrolisai DOC

Located in the mountainous heart of Sardinia, Mandrolisai DOC is responsible for some of the island’s most charismatic red wines. For example, the Merano Wine Festival named I Garagisti di Sorgono “Uras” as one of Italy’s top-100 wines.

The denomination lies on Sardinia’s central mountain massif, around the towns of Sorgono (in the Nuoro province) and Samugheo (Oristano). Because of the highland landscape, the character of Mandrolisai’s wines is different to those from Terralba. These high-altitude wines have higher acidity, and offer lively freshness in the glass.

This appellation is truly exclusive, covering only 26 hectares. Its production is tiny, and the wines are hard to get.

Mandrolisai DOC is a red blend dominated by Bovale. Only Sardinia’s traditional Bovale Sardo is permitted, whereas Bovale di Spagna is not.

Bovale must make up no less than 35% of the blend. Monica and Cannonau (Sardinia’s most popular red grape) can each contribute from 20 to 35%. Vineyards can be planted as high as 750 metres above sea level.

In order to attain the higher quality, growers are only allowed to harvest the best 80% of the grapes for their Mandrolisai wine.

Mandrolisai can be released as standard “Rosso”, “Superiore” (with a slightly a higher alcohol content) or “Rosato” (rosé).

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