Sangiovese
While grown throughout central Italy, Tuscany is the spiritual home of this red grape, which produces spectacular, bright and ageworthy wines.
In the vineyard, Sangiovese is purplish-black in hue, though it yields a fiercely cherry-red wine when pressed. It can grow successfully in areas with very little accessible water, however it does not thrive in climates prone to temperature extremes.
Sangiovese is able to adapt to a variety of soil types, yet it performs at its best in limestone-laden regions.
It is a thin-skinned, high-acid grape that is known for its tart cherry and tomato flavors, with earthy undertones that are expressive of a particular terroir.
Sangiovese in Italy
Sangiovese is one of the most planted varieties in Italy, where it’s grown in regions like Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Umbria. However, no region is more synonymous with the variety than Tuscany. It is the dominant grape in the wines of Chianti and Chianti Classico, where it makes up at least 70% of the former and at least 80% of the latter.
Further south, it is the main grape in the savory wines of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the ageworthy, structured reds of Brunello di Montalcino, where it’s locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. The versatile grape is also used in the light-bodied reds of Morellino di Scansano closer to the coast, and is blended with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in many Toscana IGT wines.
Global Production
Sangiovese has a long history in Corsica, which has grown the variety since at least the 14th century. On this island it is known as Nielluccio and is grown throughout the Patrimonio region.
In the United States, California has the most plantings of the variety. The regions of Napa, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and the Sierra Foothills have the most significant plantings. The Pacific Northwest’s Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys, which ride the border between Washington and Oregon, also offer examples of the variety.
There are small plantings of Sangiovese in Argentina, Australia and Chile, which can be bottled as a varietal wine or incorporated into blends.
Synonyms: Brunelletto, Brunello, Brunello di Montalcino, Cacchiano, Calabrese, Chiantino, Corinto Nero, Guarnacciola, Liliano, Morellino, Morellino di Scansano, Negrello, Nerello, Nerello Campotu, Niella, Nielluccio, Primaticcio, Prugnolo Dolce, Prugnolo Gentile, Puttanella, San Gioveto, San Zoveto, Sangiogheto, Sangiovese Grosso, Sangiovese Piccolo, Sangioveto, Tabernello, Toustain, Tuccanese, Vigna del Conte, Vigna Maggio
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Biondi-Santi 2015 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino)
TuscanyNew leather, pressed rose and mature berry aromas slowly appear in the ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$728 -
Robert Renzoni 2018 Tre Amici 1886 Red (Temecula Valley)
South CoastThis blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot shows the ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$44 -
Colombaio di Cencio 2017 Gran Selezione (Chianti Classico)
TuscanyThis focused, fragrant red offers aromas of woodland berry, new leather, wild ...See Full Review$45 -
Lava Cap 2020 Sangiovese (El Dorado)
Sierra FoothillsWell-concentrated and well-built, this full-bodied wine coats good black raspberry and black ...See Full Review$28 -
Colombaio di Cencio 2020 Monticello (Chianti Classico)
TuscanyVinous aromas of just pressed grapes meld with violet, freshly crushed berry ...See Full Review$25 -
Colombaio di Cencio 2018 Massi del Colombaio Riserva (Chianti Classico)
TuscanyThis opens with subdued aromas recalling dark-skinned fruit, underbrush, toasted nut and ...See Full Review$35 -
McKinney 2019 Blood of Jove Sangiovese (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastA lighter hue in the glass, this bottling's aromas of cranberry and ...See Full Review$70 -
Villa Poggio Salvi 2020 Rosso di Montalcino
TuscanyAromas of red-skinned berry, violet and underbrush lead the nose. On the ...See Full Review$22 -
Certosa di Belriguardo 2020 Chianti Classico
TuscanyMade with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this offers aromas of dark-skinned ...See Full Review$25 -
Domaine Terre de Mistral 2021 Pauline Rosé (Mediterranée)
France OtherThis juicy wine is lively with bright fruits and perfumed acidity. Made ...See Full Review$17 -
Noelia Ricci 2020 Predappio Godenza Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyAbsolutely delicious, this 100% Sangiovese opens with enticing scents of forest berry, ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$49 -
SassodiSole 2016 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino)
TuscanyUnderbrush, new leather, blue flower and balsamic whiffs of camphor all mingle ...See Full Review$70 -
Condé 2016 Predappio Vigna Raggio Brusa Riserva Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyClassic Sangiovese aromas of underbrush, blue flower, new leather and camphor lead ...See Full Review$70 -
Tenuta La Viola 2017 Bertinoro P. Honori Riserva Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyFragrant and refined, this opens with aromas of blue flower, sandalwood, new ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$35 -
Ronchi di Castelluccio 2020 Ronco dei Ciliegi Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyTruffle, new leather, violet and tilled earth aromas come to the forefront. ...See Full Review$100 -
Chiara Condello 2018 Le Lucciole Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyFull-bodied and elegant, this opens with enticing, delicate scents of fragrant blue ...See Full Review$60 -
Le Chiuse 2020 Rosso di Montalcino
TuscanyRipe berry, violet and baking spice aromas emerge from the glass along ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$29 -
Trerè 2016 Superiore Violeo Riserva Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyTruffle, mocha and botanical herb aromas mingle on this full-bodied red along ...See Full Review$45 -
Fontodi 2018 Flaccianello della Pieve Sangiovese (Colli della Toscana Centrale)
TuscanyAromas of French oak mingle with ripe plum and balsamic whiffs of ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Fattoria Zerbina 2020 Ceregio Superiore Sangiovese (Romagna)
Central ItalyThis delightful red has pretty scents of wild berries, blue flowers and ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$18
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