
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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon273
- Bordeaux Red Blends198
- Pinot Noir142
- Other Red Blends81
- Merlot78
- Syrah/Shiraz74
- Nebbiolo67
- Tempranillo54
- Sangiovese54
- Zinfandel51
- Rhône Blends18
- Barbera8
- Tuscan Blends8
- Cabernet Franc6
- Petite Sirah6
- Other Red Wine4
- Aglianico3
- Corvina2
- Grenache2
- Pinot Meunier2
- Montepulciano1
- Pinotage1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Grignolino1
- Refosco1
- Sagrantino1
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Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 1996Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Tenimenti Luigi d'Alessandro Migliara 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Reserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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La Famiglia Sangiovese 1996Sangiovese from California
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Straccali Sangiovese 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Ruffino Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva (375ML half-bottle) 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Capezzana Montalbano Chianti D.O.C.G. 1996Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Sterling Sangiovese Collections 1996Sangiovese from Napa Valley, California
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Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Nottola Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Mastrojanni Brunello de Montalcino 1996Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Cantina di Montalcino Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Frescobaldi Sangiovese Di Toscana 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Cecchi Sangiovese di Toscana (1.5L) 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Sangiovese 1996Sangiovese from Central Coast, California
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Terra d'Oro Sangiovese 1996Sangiovese from Sierra Foothills, California
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Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 1996Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Castello di Monsanto Il Poggio Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Castello di Albola Acciaiolo 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Castellare Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 1996Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Castello della Paneretta Chianti Classico Riserva Torre a Destra 1996Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy