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Sagrantino grape

Red grape

Sagrantino is a red grape known for blackberry, plum, spice. Its best-known homes are Umbria.

StyleRed
Body●●●●● (5/5)
FlavoursBlackberry, plum, spice
Key regionsUmbria

Origin and history

Native to Montefalco in Umbria; its origins are obscure, and it was long made mainly as a sweet passito wine for religious festivals.

Where it grows

Almost entirely around Montefalco in Umbria (Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG), with a few trial plantings in Australia and California.

Structure

Full body, deep colour, high acidity and some of the highest tannin levels of any grape in the world.

Aromas, young and aged

Young: blackberry, black plum, cinnamon, clove and earth. With age: dried fruit, leather, tobacco and liquorice.

Ageing

Dry Montefalco Sagrantino needs 8–10 years and can age 20 or more.

Good to know

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG must be aged at least 37 months, including 12 in wood; the sweet Passito style is still made.

Wine regions for Sagrantino

Umbria

Sagrantino wines to try

Real bottles from The Wine Library.

Red · Italy

Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni

Umbria · Montefalco Sagrantino · Sagrantino

Powerful and tannic: blackberry, plum, cocoa and spice; needs time.

Food: Wild boar, game stews, pecorino

Similar red grapes

Cabernet SauvignonSyrah / ShirazPrimitivoAglianicoMourvèdrePetit VerdotTannatPetite Sirah

Explore all grapes in the interactive guide

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