Sardinia is known for some of the most authentic and unique wines, made from ingenious grapes, and delivering a taste that cannot be rivaled or replicated. Among them, the underwater wine in Sardinia stands out as extraordinary, delivering an experience that begins on land but continues and ends in the sea.
What Is Underwater Wine?
As you might have guessed from the name, underwater wine is wine that was aged underwater, instead of on land. Winemakers in Sardinia, and throughout Italy, adopt this aging technique, which involves submerging bottles of wine for months or years and allowing them to mature under the unique conditions of the ocean. After maturation, the wine is brought back to land, bearing a unique and distinct taste that sets it apart from wine that matures on land.
How Does Underwater Wine Work? And Why It’s Special
You might be wondering what’s so special about aging wine underwater if it’s doing just fine on land?
Well, there’s something special about wine that ages underwater, not just in its taste, but also in the unique method behind it.
One of the main reasons to age wine underwater is that the sea provides the perfect environment for maturation. With stable temperature, low oxygen levels, and complete darkness, the wine undergoes slow aging in a controlled environment.
The stable temperature under water is an appealing aspect of the aging process, avoiding fluctuations that can affect the maturation process.
The darkness on the seabed eliminates the risks of light strike, which can cause negative chemical reactions and lead to the formation of weird aromas or flavors. The darkness also preserves the color and flavor of the wine.
The underwater pressure is also a contributing factor. The consistent pressure at a depth of 50 to 60 meters ensures that oxygen doesn’t get into the wine and carbon dioxide doesn’t escape.
The icing on the cake is that all these factors preserve the wine’s aromatic integrity in the most sustainable way possible. It matures faster, and the taste and character of the wine are more profound.
Where to Try Underwater Wine in Sardinia?
Cantina Santa Maria La Palma, a local winery in Alghero, is behind the creation of the iconic underwater cellar of Sardinia, which is one of the first in Italy and the world. It’s home to the Akènta Sub, Sardinia’s celebrated underwater wine, and the 2023 Official Wine of Vinitaly.
During our winery visit, we learned about the evolution of Akènta Sub and Akènta sparkling wine that begins the process.
Akènta sparkling wine is made from Vermentino grapes grown in Alghero and also known for its amazing taste. Selected bottles of Akènta wine are then submerged into the ocean at a depth of 30 to 40 meters. They remain in the ocean for 6-12 months undergoing maturation under the right conditions. After it matures, the result is the tasty and celebrated Akènta Sub.
We tasted both the regular Akènta and the Akènta Sub and discovered that the underwater version has a more distinct taste, stronger aroma, and a darker color than the regular Akènta wine.
During our tour, we also learned about the Akènta Day- the day of Akènta Sub’s emergence from the ocean.
Celebrated in July every year since 2016 to mark the emergence of the Underwater Cellar, Akènta Day draws hundreds of attendees from all around the world to celebrate the uniqueness of this amazing underwater wine.
In 2025, Akènta Day will be held on Saturday, 12 July in Alghero, and is set to feature the great Akènta party, and the emergence of Akènta Sub from the ocean.
Akènta Day is one of the most anticipated summer events in Sardinia, organised by the Santa Maria La Palma winery to not only celebrate the iconic Akènta wine, but also celebrate the island of Sardinia.
The festival goes beyond the wine tasting to celebrate the heritage, culture, and the wonderful people of Sardinia, so you can have a mini tour while you’re there on the island.
No matter what time of year you visit, the wine tasting experience of Sardinia’s underwater wine will always be worthwhile.
The underwater wine tasting experience in Sardinia is one of the most authentic experiences for wine lovers. The experience is more than just tasting a glass of wine. With every glass of wine, you are getting a taste of the combination of modern innovation and Sardinian tradition coming together to create a truly iconic wine.
Visiting Cantina Santa Maria La Palma is an immersive experience that blends science, history, and the agricultural prowess of Sardinia.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, curious about the Sardinian Underwater wine, or you’re simply seeking an adventure, the Akènta Sub experience is a must-have for you.
If you’re planning a trip to Sardinia, make sure to put the underwater wine tasting at the very top of your itinerary.
