Sangiovese

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Sangiovese is Italy’s premier red wine grape and that’s saying something given just how many great reds the Mediterranean country is home to. This thin-skinned grape has a proven history dating back to the 16th century and literally built the region of Tuscany to which it is indigenous.

Its roster of styles reads like a greatest hits album – Chianti, Brunello Di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and adventurous Super Tuscan blends and more.

around the world

Unlike its French peers, Sangiovese is in its best element at home in Tuscany where the wines are consistently superb. Some new world countries though have planted and nurtured some noteworthy styles. Australia’s Barossa Valley’s sundrenched vineyards make a full bodied Sangiovese that enjoys good local traction.

Argentina rather interestingly makes a very drinkable Sangiovese in Mendoza though the Italian grape isn’t as popular as the immensely successful Malbec that the country is most known for.

Of all countries, who could have guessed that India’s clay soil and tropical weather could produce age-worth Sangiovese, especially from the estate of Fratelli in Akhluj.

Tastes Like

Sangiovese is vinified in a multitude of styles across Tuscany and so a youthful version teems with notes of violets and herbs and a taste reveals a riot of red fruit, spice and earthy notes. Barrel aged Sangiovese combines elegant fruit, secondary notes of leather and tobacco and sheer tannic power that softens with more time in bottle.

On the palate

Sangiovese follows a perfumed nose of flowers and savoury notes with flavours of sour cherries, plum and hints of tomatoes, capped by firm tannins.

Pairing Recommendations

The Italians don’t do food without red wine so when it comes to Italy’s most planted grape, one can only imagine how many dishes Sangiovese can pair with. Tomato based dishes splendidly elevate this expressive red, elevating flavour and acidity. Hearty meat dishes and red sauce pasta are excellent companions.

key styles

Chianti is the most revered of Tuscany’s sub regions and that is simply because the wines are simply stunning, straddling intense fruit and elegant character with great ageing potential.

Brunello Di Montalcino rolls off the tongue almost as stylishly as it charms the palate with a remarkable depth of fruit and tannins. Produced from vineyards near the medieval town of Montalcino, Brunello can age and get better for decades.

Super Tuscans represent the world’s most exciting wine revolution and winemakers ‘legally’ break from tradition blending Sangiovese with noble French grapes to create sublime ferments.