Description
It was the early 1950s when Silvio Carta founded the eponymous company in Baratili San Pietro, immediately devoting himself to the most traditional of the local wine productions: Vernaccia di Oristano. An amber gold that embodies nobility and generosity, which immediately charms and conquers the palate.
The skilful vinification, the long resting in a barrel and the careful and loving care by the Maison Silvio Carta have made this incredible wine an authentic glory of Sardinian oenology.
Sixty years have passed since then, but Vernaccia still remains a family matter. But now there is more. After more than half a century, Silvio, together with his son Elio – the latter at the head since 1972 – still devote themselves to the production of the greater Vernaccia di Oristano DOC. However, thanks to a careful look towards innovation and the loving care of very deep passions, today the Silvio Carta company is also synonymous with Mirto ‘riserva’, London Dry Gin, Vermouth and other typical spirits distributed all over the world as precious examples of an ancient and luxuriant land: today, the world smells of juniper, myrtle and citrus fruits from Sardinia thanks to the excellence of Silvio Carta.
Tasting Notes
GINIU, our different spirit. International, like the best London dry gins, but with the details that make it pure Sardinian essence. It is the ultimate Gin. Opening its precious bottle, it releases all the characteristic aromas of the Mediterranean maquis. Tasted straight, it is velvety and well balanced thanks to the salty and iodised notes that come directly from the sea. Its mark persists on the palate, like an unforgettable memory.
Excellent expression of savoury flavour, delicateness and softness. The essence of Sardinia is found within it.
Characteristic, with sensational references to the wild herbs of the island. Transparent, crystal-clear.
Beginning in 1946, just after the end of the Second World War, an intense smuggling distillation activity developed in Sardinia. It was taking place outside in courtyards and generally during winter nights. From light to regular wine and from pomaces to citrus fruits. In particular, the distillation involved the most representative products of the area in terms of quality and quantity: Vernaccia grape, Vernaccia wine and juniper cones.
When selling the produce, names were chosen in order to identify the product but in a way that would not allow the law enforcement bodies to associate them with the illegal distillation.
The distilled liqueur of pomaces was called ‘filu ‘e ferru’, the distilled wine ‘abbardenti’, the juniper distilled liqueur ‘GINIU’, taking its name from the juniper plant called ‘giniperu‘ in Sardinian dialect. The ‘sale’ of GINIU lasted until the beginning of the ’60s. It was abandoned after then, as it was much easier and practical to distill wine or pomaces. In 2013, Elio Carta decided to revive the distilled liqueur obtained from the juniper cones, creating a very high quality product.
Born in honour of its ancient tradition, GINIU is considered one of the top 10 Italian Gins today.