Caricagiola

The grape Caricagiola is widespread in Sardinia, the island of its assumed origin, in particular in the area of Gallura. Its resemblance to the black Vermentino nero could as well suggest a Ligurian origin. Another hypothesis is that it comes from Mourvèdre Nero or Bonvendro from southern Portugal, once a particular biotype of Mourvèdre grown in southern France and in Spain. The name refers to the abundance of its production, in fact, “Carcaghjolu nero” means “the black one that gives a lot of grapes.” It is present in almost all of the island’s IGT, but does not appear in any DOP. The berry is black, medium, sub-oval with thick, firm, black-purple, very waxy skin. The bunch is medium, semi-dense, conical or cylindrical-conical, sometimes winged with a medium-large, pentagonal, five-lobed leaf. The Caricagiola vine has good vigor and abundant and constant production. The Caricagiola grape gives a wine of purplish red, full of tannins, not particularly fine and harmonious and therefore it is almost exclusively used in blends.