Local Drinks

1. cafè

   Coffee

   Usage

   The word for coffee. In a bar it usually comes as a small, strong cup. If you want a bigger cup or milk, say so

   Grammar Note

   Masculine noun; with the article it is "su cafè". The final syllable carries the accent. "Cafei" also occurs

2. late

   Milk

   Usage

   The word for milk. Use it to ask for milk in coffee or as a drink. On a sheep-cheese island it can also mean sheep's milk

   Grammar Note

   Masculine noun; with the article it is "su late". It ends in -e with a single t (Italian "latte")

3. birra

   Beer

   Usage

   The word for beer. Use it when ordering in a bar or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Feminine noun; with the article it is "sa birra". "A beer, please" is "Una birra, pro praghere"

4. Cannonau

   Cannonau — the island's signature red wine grape and its wine

   Usage

   The red wine made from the island's native grape; grape and wine share the name. Use it to point at a wine list when ordering

   Grammar Note

   Masculine noun; with the article it is "su Cannonau". Written with a capital as a proper name, it names both the grape variety and its wine

5. Vernaccia de Aristanis

   Vernaccia of Oristano — a white wine from the Oristano area

   Usage

   A white wine from the Oristano area in the island's centre-west. Use it to point at a wine list when ordering

   Grammar Note

   Feminine noun; with the article it is "sa Vernaccia de Aristanis". "Aristanis" is the Sardinian form of the town name Oristano. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. licore de murta

   Myrtle liqueur — "Mirto di Sardegna"

   Usage

   A liqueur made by steeping myrtle berries or leaves in alcohol: a red one from the berries and a white one from the leaves. Served chilled in a small glass after a meal, and a classic island souvenir

   Grammar Note

   Masculine noun; with the article it is "su licore de murta". The official product name is the Italian "Mirto di Sardegna". Sardinian "murta" also names the myrtle plant itself

7. filu 'e ferru

   Filu 'e ferru — Sardinian grape spirit (aquavit)

   Usage

   A strong spirit distilled from grapes, often around 40% alcohol. The name means "iron wire", from the wire once used to mark where illicit stills were buried. Drunk in a small glass after a meal

   Grammar Note

   Masculine noun; with the article it is "su filu 'e ferru". The 'e is a contraction of "de". The same spirit is also called "abbardente" (feminine, "s'abbardente")

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