Sardinian Wine Stories

NSC 2021 from Quartomoro is a striking expression of Nasco, one of Sardinia’s native grape varieties currently undergoing a renaissance. As mentioned in my earlier tasting note for another Nasco wine (the Bessìu from Audarya), Nasco was traditionally used to produce sweet white wines, but it is now proving its exceptional character in dry expressions—and Quartomoro’s interpretation stands out as a fine example.

This wine is part of the Memorie di Vite (“vine memories”) project, dedicated to showcasing Sardinia’s indigenous grape varieties in their most typical terroirs. Each wine in the series aims to highlight the unique traits of these historic cultivars, and the entire line is well worth exploring.

Vineyard and Winemaking

NSC comes from old bush-trained vines planted in 1958 on calcareous soils in the Cagliari area, with yields kept under 70 quintals per hectare. The grapes are hand-harvested.

In the winery, the must is left in contact with the skins for a few hours to enhance the wine’s aromatic complexity. After a gentle pressing, it undergoes static decantation and alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 19°C—a bit higher than average for a white wine. Once fermentation is complete, the wine matures in stainless steel for six months before bottling.

Tasting Profile

• Appearance: Pale lemon with delicate green-lemon reflections.

• Nose: Intense and intriguing. Floral notes (scotch broom), almond paste, musk (typical of Nasco), peach, pineapple, ripe grapefruit, white pepper, and herbal hints (eucalyptus, rosemary). Secondary and tertiary aromas include yeast, yogurt, soft cheese (brie!), candied pineapple, and ginger.

• Palate: Dry, though there appears to be a touch of residual sugar, which is not unpleasant. The medium acidity provides freshness and finesse, although the wine leans more towards a round, full-bodied style with an almost oily texture. The wine displays structure and complexity, with a finish that reveals a delicate bitterness and fine astringency. These sensations balance the ripe fruit, almond paste, and musk notes beautifully, and prolong the finish.

Final Thoughts

Compared to Bessìu, this is a slightly softer expression of the Nasco grape, arguably reflecting the variety’s core identity more faithfully. Its ripe aromas of yellow and exotic fruit, along with musk and almond paste, make it a compelling match for blue cheese—despite being basically dry—as well as for fruit-based dishes. The acidity balances the roundness, while the bittersweet and slightly tannic finish adds tension and personality. This is a wine that can pair well with food, but also shines beautifully on its own.