
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 Sauvignon644
- Pinot Noir407
- Merlot401
- Bordeaux Red Blends326
- Syrah/Shiraz313
- Other Red Blends257
- Zinfandel234
- Sangiovese227
- Rhône Blends101
- Nebbiolo87
- Tempranillo79
- Gamay28
- Barbera23
- Petite Sirah21
- Tuscan Blends21
- Malbec20
- Other Red Wine20
- Cabernet Franc19
- Grenache16
- Pinotage8
- Dolcetto6
- Carmenere5
- Montepulciano5
- Mourvedre5
- Aglianico4
- Carignan3
- Negroamaro3
- Gaglioppo3
- Corvina2
- Blaufrankisch2
- Lagrein1
- Nero d'Avola1
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Primitivo1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Baga1
- Mencia1
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Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- W&S
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Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Reserva 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- W&S
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Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Straccali Chianti 1999Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Altesino Rosso di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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La Poderina Brunello 1999Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- WS
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Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Rabbit Ridge Barrel Cuvee Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from California
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Antinori Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- WE
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Tamas Estates Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from Central Coast, California
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Castello di Monastero Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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DeLoach Los Amigos Ranch Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from Sonoma County, California
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Castello di Monastero Chianti Classico 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
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Castello di Monsanto Il Poggio Chianti Classico Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 1999Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
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Gallo of Sonoma Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from Sonoma County, California
- WS
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Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Atlas Peak Reserve Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from Napa Valley, California
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Banfi Poggio all'Oro Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- WE
- W&S
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Badia a Coltibuono Roberto Stucchi Chianti Classico 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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La Famiglia Sangiovese 1999Sangiovese from California