Whenever Terralba is mentioned, one cannot help but talk about its history, its territory, and its wine. A town of about 10,000 inhabitants in the province of Oristano, very active and always dedicated to both traditional and modern agricultural activities, small-scale fishing, and the production and preservation of local products. Its Latin name, "Terra Alba" (white), is curious because of the color of the clayey and siliceous soils, mainly white, derived from the mechanical action of erosion caused by the transport of the alluvial deposit of the Rio Mogoro.
The establishment of Terralba dates back to around 1017.
when her people sought refuge there due to continuous pirate raids on the coast, abandoning the village of Osea (also known as Orri) established near the Marceddì lagoon by Hercules of Libya in 364 BC, next to the San Giovanni lagoon.
The town has always had difficult periods to overcome; after the raids of Saracen pirates, it faced malaria and natural disasters due to the periodic floods of the Rio Mogoro and the Rio Mannu, for which the diversion and channeling occurred in the early 1900s, followed by land reclamation. A tested but tenacious population, always ready to react and assert themselves in the fruit and vegetable sector, wine production, fishing, craftsmanship, and in the tertiary sector up to our times.
The story of the “King Bovale of Spain” begins during the rule of the Kingdom of Aragon in Sardinia (which took place from 1324 to 1479). During that period, commercial traffic started between Sardinia and Spain; naturally, the plain of Terralba with the plain of Campidano was an extremely fertile area destined for the cultivation of cereals, vineyards, and orchards.
Among the grape varieties, Il Bovale, in its two variations, different but with similar names; Bovale Sardo or native Bovaleddu, and the Bovale mannu or from Spain (probable origin) due to the Aragonese period (but we cannot affirm it with certainty yet) were very widespread also to increase maritime trade to and from Spain. To protect said traffics, the King of Aragon in 1583, after the establishment of the Royal Administration of the Towers, had the characteristic built
coastal towers for the observation and defense against the pirate raids of Barbarossa
(the Turkish - Ottoman leader Khayr-al Din) of Turgut (Dragutte) and the Moors.
A true witness of the territory from the Aragonese period, the Old Tower built near the lagoon of Marceddì (the locality that took its name from the Roman Commander Claudio Marcellino who defeated the Vandals there in 478 A.D.), In this fishing village, there are excavations of a workshop for the processing of obsidian dating back to the Neolithic (6th millennium B.C.), located in the southwest part of the gulf of Oristano. Marceddì was equipped with a pier for the docking of sailing ships and positioned for logistical and control reasons opposite the New Tower on the cliffs of Capo Frasca.
An important detail is that the vineyards of Bovale di Spagna are still cultivated as bush vines both in the countryside of Catalonia and in Sardinia, and the vines, the shoots, and the same bunches have the same characteristics of conical shape and compactness with closely packed and juicy grapes. Because of this observation, it is often asked: do the clones come from Sardinia, or is it Sardinia that obtained them during Spanish dominion?
As for the "terroir" of Bovale di Terralba after the reclamation of the marshes that took place in 1936, for which the municipality of Terralba ceded about 10 thousand hectares to the municipality of Arborea, the cultivation of Bovale spread in sandy or moderately clayey soils in various locations around the town and in the areas (Carreras) of neighboring towns such as Marrubiu, Uras, San Nicolò Arcidano, Mogoro, subsequently cultivated and used for various blends of excellent wine even abroad and in other parts of Sardinia. Bovale, due to its generous production and quality, therefore found significant development in the Terralbese area, so much so that in 1948 some winemakers established themselves as founding members.
the Social Winery of Terralba with the symbol TOWER and SAILBOAT
(the sailing ship as a means of transport at sea in the gulf and the tower for its protection), these symbols are also represented in the banner of the municipality.
The same winery over the following years became a collection center for local grapes and those from nearby towns, also considering, along with Sardo Bovale and Spanish Bovale, the harvests of other local red grapes such as Monica, Pascale, Gregu Nieddu, Niedda Perda Serra.. etc. and white grapes characterized by Nuragus, Semidano, Vermentino, Arramungiau biancu, moscato, nasco and others.
The product, being so qualitative and original, piqued, as mentioned, the interest of foreign trade, noted the importation of large quantities of bovale wine, due to its high tannin content, by France to cut its own wines to make them fuller-bodied, more colorful, and more alcohol-rich.
Its history was suspended in the 1980s when, following some European directives for regulating production quotas, it was decided to uproot it due to contributions. Fortunately, some winemakers have continued steadfastly on their courageous path to cultivate and enhance it for what it deserves in the best markets and fairs, obtaining recognitions and appreciation. In 1976, it was recognized as DOC wine Bovale del Campidano di Terralba and Terralba DOC and subsequently included in the circuit of the Cities of Wine. In July 2016, the first Conference on Bovale was organized in Terralba with various experts from food and wine associations and with the participation of local wineries.
Regarding its organoleptic characteristics, the Bovale presents in the glass an intense ruby red color. To the nose
scents of red fruits, wild blackberries, mulberry, and spices
Various, while in the tasting exam it is the tannin that personalizes this wine, still harmonic and balanced, sincere, generous, warm, that can stand alone in purity and share experiences with other wines, because it is simply authentic, communal, and identifiable. Therefore, a sunny grape variety, because it enjoys all the summer sun until the dawn of autumn, when it is harvested (from the third Sunday of September onwards).
Its must, already in the early days of its birth, presents itself intense and sweet with a sugar level around 20 degrees and typically reaches 13 and a half degrees, making for a full-bodied and well-structured wine. Unlike other noble and renowned wines, the Bovale has its typical characteristics, perhaps due to the right tannin content in the skins of its grapes, which is sometimes quite pronounced in flavor, but pairs, besides with well-cooked dishes marked by intense flavors based on red meat and game, especially with fish roasts.
In the end, the Terralbese DOC has always been dedicated to pampering its King in its vineyards, in its small or large cellars, to honor him in its convivial gatherings at home or outside the courtyard, because its tradition, at its root, is that of being a great winemaker, cultivator, and expert fisherman in its fishing valley and in its village of Marceddì. Indeed, he has always served it with roasts of eel, mullet, gilt-head bream, and bass, presenting it with pride and dignity as befits a true King.
