What is Sangiovese?
Over the years, Sangiovese has been known under a variety of synonyms, many of which have come to be associated with a particular clone of the grape variety.
What does Sangiovese taste like?
While not as aromatic as other red wine varieties such as Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, Sangiovese often has a flavour profile of sour red cherries with earthy aromas and tea leaf notes. Wines made from Sangiovese usually have medium-plus tannins and high acidity.
Is Sangiovese a key Italian grape variety?
Since these grape varieties are spread over different parts of Italy (Apulia, Calabria, Sicily and Tuscany), this confirmed by genetic methods that Sangiovese is a key variety in the pedigree of red Italian grape varieties.
What is the difference between Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon are the two well-known red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely consumed red wine throughout the world, while Sangiovese is the main attraction of Italy. They both have similar levels of alcohol content and tannins.
Is Sangiovese similar to Pinot Noir?
Did you know? Sangiovese is much like Pinot Noir in that it reflects where it is grown exceptionally well. It can be found in styles that range from light and crunchy to dark, bold and tannic.
Is Sangiovese similar to cabernet sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon is fuller and darker, and the Sangiovese has more brilliant tones to it. From an olfactory perspective, the Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of green pepper and like many Super Tuscan wines, has notes of red and dark cherry just as the Sangiovese.
How would you describe Sangiovese?
Sangiovese is a dry, light to medium-bodied red wine that tips towards higher levels of mouth-watering acidity and tighter tannins. The rich flavors range from rustic to fruity, depending on where and how the vines are managed. For fruit, expect cherry, plum, and red currant, as well as smoky and earthy herbaceousness.
Is Sangiovese similar to Zinfandel?
What Wine Is Most Similar To Zinfandel? Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc are all dry red wines that can be substituted for Zinfandel.
Is Sangiovese a Chianti?
The main grape in both appellations is Sangiovese. In Chianti Classico, the wine must be made from at least 80 percent Sangiovese grapes. In Chianti, only 70 percent needs to be Sangiovese. And while Chianti Classico only allows red grapes, Chianti allows up to 10 percent white grape varieties.
Is Sangiovese light or heavy?
Think of that weight as a liquid scale, from water (light body) to heavy cream (full body) in your mouth. Sangiovese ranges between medium and full.
Is Sangiovese similar to Syrah?
Syrah lends its structure and fruit-driven palate to the blend, offering aromas of plum and spice – particularly pepper. Sangiovese tends to be more perfumed, adding dried herbs and cherry to the mix along with a certain rusticity.
What sort of wine is Sangiovese?
red wine varietalSangiovese is a red wine varietal with many expressions from light through to full bodied. This is a red wine revered for it high acidity and firm tannins, making it an excellent savoury food partner.
Is Sangiovese a strong wine?
Sangiovese (pronounced san-joe-vei-zay) is an Italian wine through and through. Though the grape is grown in other wine regions across the globe, it's hard to come by anywhere else but Italy. It is a medium-bodied wine, with medium to high tannins, and it's on the high end of the scale when it comes to alcohol.
What is the smoothest red wine to drink?
With that basic understanding of not being too tannic or acidic, sommeliers can recommend the best wines for anyone looking for a smooth drink. Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grenache, Trousseau, and Poulsard are considered classic examples of smooth wine by Dustin Wilson, master sommelier and owner of Verve Wine.
What's the best red wine for beginners?
Top Red Wines for BeginnersCabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet is many people's entry point to red wine simply because it's the most widely planted red grape. ... Merlot. If you love Cabernet Sauvignon, you should try Merlot next. ... Shiraz. ... Zinfandel. ... Pinot Noir. ... Gamay. ... Garnacha. ... Petite Sirah.More items...•
Is Chianti like a cabernet?
While both are great, Chianti has an advantage in terms of pairing with many different foods. On the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown worldwide, so there are many different styles to enjoy. Chianti is sweeter than Cabernet Sauvignon, but both wines are still considered dry wines.
What is Rosso di Montalcino made of?
A Rosso di Montalcino made from 100% Sangiovese in the Brunello di Montalcino region. Wines made from Sangiovese tend to exhibit the grape's naturally high acidity as well as moderate to high tannin content and light color. Blending can have a pronounced effect on enhancing or tempering the wine's quality.
What is the most widely planted red grape in Italy?
In Italy, Sangiovese is the most widely planted red grape variety. It is an officially recommended variety in 53 provinces and an authorized planting in an additional 13. It accounts for approximately 10% of all vineyard plantings in Italy with more than 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) planted to one of the many clonal variation of the grape. Throughout Italy it is known under a variety of names including Brunello, Morellino, Nielluccio and Prugnolo Gentile. It is the main grape used in the popular red wines of Tuscany, where it is the solitary grape of Brunello di Montalcino and the primary component of the wines of Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and many "Super Tuscans". Outside Tuscany, it is found throughout central Italy where it places an important role in the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wines of Montefalco Sagrantino secco and Torgiano Rosso Riserva in Umbria, Conero in Marche and the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines of Lazio and Rosso Piceno in Marche. Significant Sangiovese plantings can also be found outside central Italy in Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Valpolicella and as far south as Campania and Sicily.
What is the taste of Sangiovese wine?
While not as aromatic as other red wine varieties such as Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, Sangiovese often has a flavour profile of sour red cherries with earthy aromas and tea leaf notes. Wines made from Sangiovese usually have medium-plus tannins and high acidity.
What are some good pairings with Sangiovese wine?
Varietal Sangiovese or those with a smaller proportion of the powerful, full-bodied Cabernet blended in, can accentuate the flavours of relatively bland dishes like meatloaf and roast chicken. Herb seasoning such as basil, thyme and sage play off the herbal notes of the grapes. Sangiovese that has been subject to more aggressive oak treatment pairs well with grilled and smoked food. If Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah plays a dominant role, the food pairing option should treat the Sangiovese blend as one of those fuller- bodied reds and pair with heavier dishes such as steak and thick soups like ribollita and puréed bean soup.
What is the name of the wine grape that is also known as Niella?
For the Corsican wine grape that is also known as Niella, see Nielluccio. "Sangioveto" redirects here. For another Tuscan wine grape that is also known as Sangioveto, see Bonamico (grape). Sangiovese. Grape ( Vitis) Sangiovese grapes.
Where is Ciliegiolo from?
This belief is based on a 2007 study of 38 genetic markers stating that suggested that Ciliegiolo was the product of Sangiovese crossing with an obscure Portuguese wine grape, Muscat Rouge de Madère, that was once grown on the island of Madeira as well as the Douro and Lisboa wine regions of Portugal.
What are Sangiovese's ancestors?
Recent DNA profiling by José Vouillamoz of the Istituto Agrario di San Michele all’Adige suggests that Sangiovese's ancestors are Ciliegiolo and Calabrese Montenuovo. The former is well known as an ancient variety in Tuscany, the latter is an almost-extinct relic from Calabria, the toe of Italy.
Where did Sangiovese wine come from?
Sangiovese is a wine known by many names, but none are quite as fascinating as “The Blood of Jove.” Named in Central Italy thousands of years ago, the name Sangiovese is translated from the Latin Sanguis Jovis, meaning the blood of Jupiter, or the Roman king of the gods.
Is Sangiovese a good wine?
With a medium body, high tannins, and high acidity, Sangiovese can be an intense wine to get on board with. However, due to its savory flavors and ability to adapt to its environment, the Sangiovese grape is slowly making its way across the world, and finding itself in a host of interesting blends. So, if you don’t like the sound of it at first, you may love it blended with other red grapes.
Barbera
No need to go outside of Italy to find a similar wine to enjoy when you can just hop over to the Piedmont region for Barbera. Just like Sangiovese in Tuscany, Barbera is the most planted grape in the Piedmont. And if you like Chianti, specifically, this is a good one to try.
Zweigelt (pronounced Zz-vay-gelt)
This classic Austrian variety is a shoe-in for Sangiovese lovers. Zweigelt is bright, tart, and fruity with (yes, you guessed it) red cherry flavors as well as raspberry. And like some Sangiovese, it can have a little pep in the sip with black pepper spice and notes of licorice.
Tempranillo (pronounced temp-rah-nee-yo)
If you’re a Rosso di Montalcino or Rosso di Montepulciano fan, then Tempranillo might just be your jam. This Spanish grape variety is just the right amount of fierce with flavor. It’s medium to full-bodied, depending on whether it’s oaked or not, and has similar red fruit flavors as Sangiovese.
What does Sangiovese taste like?
The Taste of Sangiovese Wine. Sangiovese is savory. Because of its ability to be a chameleon, Sangiovese wines offer a wide range of tastes from very earthy and rustic –as is the case with many Chianti Classico– to round and fruit-forward. Regardless of where it’s grown, it always exhibits cherry flavors with more subtle notes of tomato.
What is the best wine to serve with roasted meat?
A Sangiovese with high tannins will work perfectly with rich roasted meat, cured sausages and hard cheeses. Vegetarians Delight! When pairing Sangiovese wine with vegetarian fare, be sure to work with lipids like butter and olive oil so that the richness in the fat helps cut through the wines’ tannins.
Is Sangiovese a chameleon?
The Sangiovese grape is a bit of a chameleon; easily altering its genetics to fit the environment. There are many different mutations of the variety all over Italy, which results in very different tasting wines.
Is Sangiovese wine fruit forward?
The most sought after Sangiovese-based wines have a balance between their fruit and earth components. So to say ‘fruit-forward’ is better than ‘rustic’ really doesn’t do it justice. Suffice it to say, if you usually drink American wines, attempt to make your first Italian Sangiovese purchase a fruit-forward style. Heya..
Is Sangiovese wine scarse?
Guide to Sangiovese Wine. February 27, 2013 - Updated on April 3rd, 2020. It might surprise you to know that Sangiovese is actually quite scarse outside of Italy. In terms of world plantings, Sangiovese is less abundant than even little-known Mourvedre. The Sangiovese grape is a bit of a chameleon; easily altering its genetics to fit ...
Taste and Flavor Profile
Grapes and Wine Regions
- Sangiovese is a thin-skinned, finicky grape that tends to linger longer on the vine, taking its sweet time to ripen and mature. While sangiovese plantings run from Emilia-Romagna down to the back of the proverbial boot in Puglia, it is central Italy, specifically the warm Mediterranean region of Tuscany, that remains the agricultural heartbeat of the sangiovese grape. The vines prefer sand…
Food Pairings
- Thanks to sangiovese's innate acidity, savory character, and medium-body, this Italian gem is an extremely versatile pairing partner. A classic for partnering with Italian classics like pizza and pasta bolognese, pair it with anything that involves tomato sauce. Sangiovese is also a top pick for rare grilled steak, roasted chicken with pan sauce, a...
Key Producers, Brands, and Buying Tips
- Sangiovese is frequently available at wine shops and some supermarkets and liquor stores under different Chianti, Super Tuscan, and Brunello di Montalcino labels. These wines tend to be a bit pricey since they have a long, rich history and are often high quality. These wines can also easily be found online or can be ordered through your local wine shop. A few options from American vi…
Overview
Sangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety that derives its name from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jupiter". Though it is the grape of most of central Italy from Romagna down to Lazio (the most widespread grape in Tuscany), Campania and Sicily, outside Italy it is most famous as the only component of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino and the main component of th…
History
Early theories on the origin of Sangiovese dated the grape to the time of Roman winemaking. It was even postulated that the grape was first cultivated in Tuscany by the Etruscans from wild Vitis vinifera vines. The literal translation of the grape's name, the "blood of Jove", refers to the Roman god Jupiter. According to legend, the name was coined by monks from the commune of Santarcangel…
Viticulture
Sangiovese has shown itself to be adaptable to many different types of vineyard soils but seems to thrive in soils with a high concentration of limestone, having the potential to produce elegant wines with forceful aromas. In the Chianti Classico region, Sangiovese thrives on the highly friable shale-clay soil known as galestro. In the Montalcino region, there is a high proportion of limestone-base…
Winemaking
The high acidity and light body characteristics of the Sangiovese grape can present a problem for winemaking. The grape also lacks some of the color-creating phenolic compounds known as acylated anthocyanins. Modern winemakers have devised many techniques trying to find ways to add body and texture to Sangiovese — ranging from using grapes that come from extremely …
Wine regions
While Sangiovese plantings are found worldwide, the grape's homeland is central Italy. From there the grape was taken to North and South America by Italian immigrants. It first achieved some popularity in Argentina where in the Mendoza region it produced wines that had few similarities to its Tuscan counterparts. In California the grape found a sudden surge of popularity in the l…
Wines
Wines made from Sangiovese tend to exhibit the grape's naturally high acidity as well as moderate to high tannin content and light color. Blending can have a pronounced effect on enhancing or tempering the wine's quality. The dominant nature of Cabernet can sometimes have a disproportionate influence on the wine, even overwhelming Sangiovese character with black cherry, black currant, …
With food
Sangiovese's high acidity and moderate alcohol makes it a very food-friendly wine when it comes to food and wine pairings. One of the classic pairings in Italian cuisine is tomato-based pasta and pizza sauces with a Sangiovese-based Chianti. Varietal Sangiovese or those with a smaller proportion of the powerful, full-bodied Cabernet blended in, can accentuate the flavours of relatively bland dishes like meatloaf and roast chicken. Herb seasoning such as basil, thyme and sa…
Synonyms
Over the years, Sangiovese has been known under a variety of synonyms, many of which have come to be associated with a particular clone of the grape variety. Among the synonyms recognized for the grape are: Brunelletto (in the Grosseto region of Tuscany), Brunello, Brunello di Montalcino, Cacchiano (in Tuscany), Calabrese (in Tuscany), Cardisco, Chiantino (in Tuscany), Cordisio, Corinto nero (on the island of Lipari in Sicily), Dolcetto Precoce, Guarnacciola (in the Ben…