
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 Suckling19
- Vinous6
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate6
- Wine Spectator4
- Wine Enthusiast3
- Decanter2
- Wilfred Wong of Wine.com1
- Wine & Spirits1
- Jeb Dunnuck1
-
Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
-
Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco 2017Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- V
-
Isole e Olena Cepparello 2017Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- V
- JS
- RP
-
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- V
- RP
- D
-
Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- RP
-
Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017Sangiovese from Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- JD
- RP