The Monica
Grape
A red grape variety primarily found in Sardinia, Italy, Monica produces soft, aromatic wines with flavors of red fruits and herbs, often with a light to medium body and moderate acidity. It is typically consumed young to enjoy its fruitiness.
Monica
Grape History
Monica is a lesser-known wine grape variety that has been cultivating its own niche in the world of winemaking. Originating from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, Italy, Monica is believed to have been brought to the island by the Phoenicians during ancient times. This ancient grape variety has been vinified for centuries by the local winemakers, showcasing its unique characteristics and flavors in traditional Sardinian wines.
Monica is a red grape variety that thrives in the hot and dry climate of Sardinia, where it is primarily grown today. The vineyard plantings of Monica are mainly found around the region of Cagliari in the south of Sardinia. The grape prefers rocky soils with good drainage, which helps to concentrate its flavors and develop its unique profile.
Monica is known for producing medium-bodied wines with a vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. These wines often display aromas of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, with hints of spice and floral notes. Monica is commonly used as a blending grape in Sardinian wines, where it imparts its distinctive character and complexity.
Some notable wines that feature Monica as a primary or blending grape include Monica di Sardegna DOC, a red wine that must contain at least 85% Monica grapes, and Cannonau di Sardegna DOC, where Monica is often blended with Cannonau (Grenache) to produce rich and aromatic red wines.
Despite its long history and unique characteristics, Monica remains relatively unknown outside of Sardinia. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in indigenous grape varieties and traditional winemaking practices, which could potentially raise the profile of Monica and introduce it to a broader audience of wine enthusiasts.
As the global wine industry continues to explore and embrace diversity in grape varieties and wine styles, Monica could experience a revival and gain recognition for its contribution to the world of wine. With its intriguing flavors, local charm, and potential for producing high-quality wines, Monica has the opportunity to carve out a special place in the ever-evolving landscape of grape varieties and winemaking traditions.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel