You’ve got to have some respect for a winery who’s website opens with the statement: Our history began in 1918, when Francesco Argiolas started from scratch and planted the first vineyard with the assistance of some prisoners of war. That’s just not something we brag about here in the United States!

The real reason that I love Argiolas is, of course, is that the wines are great. Over the years, Antonio Argiolas, along with his sons Guiseppe and Franco have grown Argiolas to encompass five estates on the southern end of the Italian island of Sardegna, each with a specatacular vineyard, and some of its own facilities. In addition to purchasing great vineyards (and olive groves, because olive oil is an important part of the family’s business as well), they hired Giacomo Tachis, one of Italy’s greatest eonologists to work alongside their own winemaker Mariano Murro to ensure that they were getting the most out of the vineyards.

The Island of Sardinia has been populated for at least 150,000 years, and it’s recent history is one of war and conquest with various mainland neighbors, most recently the Romans, many of who’s languages and customs stuck, then the Spanish, who likely brought with them the Garnacha (Grenache) grape, which is transformed, in name only, to Cannonau in Sardinia. After the Spanish, the island was conquered by the Sicilians, who retained control until the Italian unification.

This wine is made from 92% Cannonau (Garnacha), with the balance made up of Carignano (Carignan) and Bovale Sardo. The wine is aged in large wooden tanks. Try it with hearty fish stews, grilled pork, and olives. Drink now – 2011.