Tre Bicchieri 2026, the best wines of Sardinia awarded by Gambero Rosso

Sardinian winegrowing confirms itself as a land of extraordinary potential, still not fully expressed in its entirety. The 28,000 hectares of vineyards scattered across the island, distributed among mountains, hills and plains, form a mosaic of varied terroirs, shaped by volcanic, clay, granite, limestone and sandy soils and constantly influenced by dominant winds such as the Maestrale or the Tramontana. It is a landscape that gives wines a unique and recognisable character, reinforced by the identity of the indigenous grape varieties, the beating heart of Sardinian oenology.

The indigenous grape varieties of Sardinia

Cannonau, with its double soul, continues to tell the story of tradition while at the same time responding to the demands of contemporary taste. On the one hand, it maintains its vocation to produce imposing wines with strong personality, on the other it opens up to more slender and modern interpretations, as we noted during the tastings for the Vini d’Italia 2026 guide by Gambero Rosso, favouring freshness, drinkability and elegance. No less significant is the role of Vermentino, capable of expressing itself in different ways: those of Sardinia, fresh and sapid, and those of Gallura, which move towards more marine and profound tones, immediately evoking the link with the sea and the light of the north-east of the island. In this scenario, Vernaccia di Oristano continues to guard an ancient knowledge, a small oenological treasure that still surprises today with its complexity and longevity.

The dynamism of the winemakers

Alongside these great protagonists, there are also grape varieties such as Carignano, Monica, Semidano, Bovale, Cagnulari and many others which together contribute to creating a broad and multifaceted tapestry, enriched by the presence of some international varieties that have found in Sardinia fertile ground for experimentation. This dynamism is supported by increasingly aware and courageous winemakers, capable of maintaining the bond with tradition while at the same time innovating, interpreting changes in taste and the challenges of global markets.

The issue of appellations

All this raises the issue of appellations of origin, which in many cases appear too generic and no longer adequate to represent the complex and stratified reality of the island. We therefore reiterate the need for a serious and organic reflection on the necessity of a revision, capable of giving greater precision and authenticity to a heritage that can no longer be told solely through macro-regional labels, but that deserves to highlight with greater care the individual territorial identities.

Tre Bicchieri: between new entries and enduring confirmations

Confirming this vitality are the most recent awards, with no fewer than 17 Tre Bicchieri assigned this year, among which some significant new entries stand out: the Cannonau di Sardegna Perdas Longas by Francesco Cadinu and the Cannonau di Sardegna Nepente di Oliena Hospes Riserva by Iolei are limited and highly selective productions that testify to the constant qualitative growth of small winemakers. Alongside them we also find the Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Kramori by Saraja and the Vermentino di Sardegna Ràfia by Santa Maria La Palma, the latter the child of a large cooperative working at the highest levels. Confirmations, on the other hand, come from wines that have brought prestige to the region since long before it was fashionable. Three above all: Turriga by Argiolas, Marchese di Villamarina by Sella & Mosca and the Vermentino di Sardegna Tuvaoes by Cherchi.

Tre Bicchieri 2026 of Sardinia

Here are the wines that have obtained the highest recognition in the Vini d’Italia 2026 guide by Gambero Rosso.