Panevino Axina’e Ixinau

Panevino is the Sardinian winery of Gianfranco Manca, a baker and vintner who applies a deep knowledge of wild fermentation to his wines, working organically and naturally with minimal intervention. Axina'e Ixinau is Cannonau, Sardinia's name for Grenache, grown in the island's warm, sun-drenched and breezy Mediterranean climate that ripens the fruit fully. The grapes ferment with their own native yeasts and the wine then spends six months in large oak fudres. These big barrels have a low surface-to-volume ratio, so the oxygen exchange is slow and gentle, rounding the texture and softening the tannins while adding little or no obvious oak flavour, keeping the fruit clear and bright. Expect a bright, vivid red and a nose of strawberry, red cherry and red berries with garrigue herbs and a peppery, earthy note. The palate is lively and medium-light, with fresh acidity, supple tannins and a clean, savoury finish, ripe at 15 percent but kept fresh and drinkable. Serve lightly chilled at 15 to 16 degrees. Made for rustic, sociable food.