Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 96

Exploring Sardinian Wine with
​Nikki Dickerson (Part 1)

Air Date: Wednesday, March 19th, 2025

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When you think of islands in Italy, you probably think of Sicily, but what about the lesser known island of Sardinia?

Today, Nikki and I are diving into the geography of Sardinia which lends itself to a diverse tapestry of wine styles. We’ll introduce you to a variety of grape varietals, including Cannonau, Vermentino, Malvasia and Cagnulari.

From being home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, to challenges like navigating Italy’s complex regulations and unpredictable weather that killed 1/3 of her vines, you’ll learn what sets the island's lifestyle apart. 

Nikki is an international wine marketer turned vigneron, writer, and (if all goes well) soon-to-be wine importer, living between the U.S. and Sardinia, Italy. After a life-changing trip to France in 2018, she left the corporate PR world for wine country, chasing harvests across California, Australia, Burgundy, and beyond. Along the way, she met her husband, an Italian winemaker, and together they planted their first vineyards in Sardinia—laying the foundation for their dream winery.

Now, through Sip with Nik, she shares her wine-soaked adventures, from discovering hidden-gem bottles to navigating the wild world of winemaking and wine imports. Whether you're looking for your next favorite wine, dreaming of vineyard life, or just here for a great story, she’s got a glass for you.

So, if you are ready to learn about the complexity and richness of Sardinia’s wine culture, dive into the lesser known indigenous grape varieties, and hear Nikki’s first hand insights and passion for Sardinia, then this episode is for you!

This is part 1 of my conversation with Nikki and you can catch part 2 in episode 97!

Resources and Connect with Nikki:
 30% off annual Sip with Nik Substack subscription plans - https://sipwithnik.substack.com/corkandfizz 
Sip with Nik Substack: https://sipwithnik.substack.com/
Sip with Nik Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipwithnik/ 
Vernaccia di Oristano – Sardinia’s Most Fascinating Wine - https://sipwithnik.substack.com/p/vernaccia-di-oristano-sardinias-most?r=43xhvk&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true 

Episode Highlights:

• Nikki Dickerson’s journey into wine
• Importance of Sardinia’s regions and wine grape varieties
• Challenges of starting a winery in Sardinia
• What is the blue zone in Sardinia
• An overview of Sardinia’s geography and subregions
• Sardinian soil types and their impact on wine
• Main grapes varietals in Sardinia
• Nikki’s plans for her winery

Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide

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