Giro'

The Girò grape is a traditional red variety widely grown in southern Sardinia, particularly in the province of Cagliari. Its origins are thought to trace back to the Spanish domination of the island, with its greatest expansion occurring in the 18th century under the Piedmontese rule.

Girò’s fortunes declined in the late 19th century when phylloxera devastated Sardinian vineyards. Many growers replaced it with more productive, less disease-prone varieties, leaving Girò at risk of disappearing. However, with the creation of the Girò di Cagliari DOC in 1979, the variety regained attention, especially for its ability to produce full-bodied, aromatic liqueur wines.

Girò grapes are medium-sized, round, and have thick skins in shades of black to deep purple. The flesh is sweet, firm, and of neutral flavour. Leaves are medium-sized, kidney-shaped, and typically five-lobed, though sometimes three-lobed. Bunches range from medium to large, cylindrical-conical, often winged or pyramidal, and generally semi-loose in structure.

This variety thrives in limestone-clay soils that are deep and cool, but not overly humid. It prefers a hot, dry climate in spring and summer and is typically grown using compact training systems with careful pruning. While Girò can offer high yields, its production is not always consistent.

Girò is most famous for its liqueur-style wines, often displaying a rich, concentrated flavour with warm, rounded notes. The wines can range from medium-bodied reds to intense dessert wines, each reflecting the sunny character of Sardinia.