
Sangiovese
Learn about Sangiovese — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
The perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness, Sangiovese is among Italy's elite red grape varieties and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino wines.
Elsewhere throughout Italy, Sangiovese plays an important role in many easy-drinking, value-driven red blends and on the French island of Corsica, under the name, Nielluccio, it produces excellent bright and refreshing red and rosé wines with a personality of their own. Sangiovese has also enjoyed success growing in California and Washington.
Tasting Notes for Sangiovese
Sangiovese is a dry, red wine with a medium body and qualities of tart cherry, plum, sun dried tomato, fresh tobacco and herbs. High-quality, well-aged examples can take on tertiary notes of smoke, leather, game, potpourri and dried fruit. Corsican Nielluccio is distinguished by a subtle perfume of dried flowers.
Perfect Food Pairings for Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the ultimate pizza and pasta red—its high acidity, moderate alcohol, and fine-grained tannins create a perfect symbiosis with tomato-based dishes, braised vegetables, roasted and cured meat, hard cheese and anything off the barbecue.
Sommelier Secrets for Sangiovese
Although it is the star variety of Tuscany, cult-classic “Super-Tuscan” wines may actually contain no Sangiovese at all! Since the 1970s, local winemakers have been producing big, bold wines as a blend of one or more of several international varieties—usually Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Syrah—with or without Sangiovese.
- James Suckling26
- Wine Spectator22
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate22
- Wine Enthusiast18
- Decanter8
- Vinous6
- Wine & Spirits4
- Wilfred Wong of Wine.com1
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Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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La Magia Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino Pertimali 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Dei Bossona Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2015Sangiovese from Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
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Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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