Monica di Sardegna

Recognised since 1973, the Monica di Sardegna DOC spans 377 municipalities across Sardinia, from Abbasanta to the island's far reaches. This red wine must contain at least 85 percent Monica grapes, producing a dry or medium-sweet profile with a minimum alcohol content of 11.0 percent. What distinguishes this denomination from its regional peers is the total absence of a riserva category. Instead of mandated barrel-ageing months, the production code uses earliest release dates to regulate quality tiers: the base wine cannot be sold before March 31st following the harvest, whereas the Superiore designation requires cellaring until at least September 1st of the subsequent year.