The Wine Reference🍷 SupportSangiovese grape
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Sangiovese is a red grape known for sour cherry, tomato leaf, herbs. Its best-known homes are Chianti, Montalcino.
Origin and history
Central Italy's great red grape, grown in Tuscany for centuries; its name is often linked to 'sanguis Jovis', the blood of Jupiter.
Where it grows
Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Morellino di Scansano in Tuscany, plus Romagna, Umbria and Corsica.
Structure
Medium to full body, high acidity and firm tannins.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: sour cherry, red plum, tomato leaf and dried herbs. With age: leather, tobacco, earth and balsamic notes.
Ageing
Chianti 3–8 years; Brunello needs time and often ages 15–25 years.
Also known as
Brunello (Montalcino), Prugnolo Gentile (Montepulciano), Morellino (Scansano), Nielluccio (Corsica).
Good to know
Super Tuscans such as Tignanello blend it with Cabernet Sauvignon, which began a revolution in the 1970s.
Wine regions for Sangiovese
Sangiovese wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Antinori Tignanello
Tuscany · Toscana IGT · Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
A Super Tuscan: cherry, plum, spice and polished tannins.
Food: Bistecca alla fiorentina, ragù
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany · Brunello di Montalcino · Sangiovese
Classic Brunello: sour cherry, tobacco, leather and high acidity.
Food: Game, aged pecorino
Carpineto Chianti Classico
Tuscany · Chianti Classico · Sangiovese
Classic Chianti: cherry, herbs and fresh acidity.
Food: Pasta al ragù, pizza
Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva
Tuscany · Chianti Classico · Sangiovese, Merlot
Polished Riserva: cherry, spice and fine oak.
Food: Steak, wild boar
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Toscana Rosso
Tuscany · Toscana IGT · Sangiovese
Montalcino estate's easy red.
Food: Pizza, pasta
Il Marroneto Rosso di Montalcino Ignaccio
Tuscany · Rosso di Montalcino · Sangiovese
Fine, fragrant Rosso from a cult Brunello grower.
Food: Pasta, roast chicken
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Tuscany · Brunello di Montalcino · Sangiovese
Only in great years: austere, long-lived Brunello.
Food: Bistecca, game
Tenuta Luce Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany · Brunello di Montalcino · Sangiovese
Ripe, modern Brunello.
Food: Beef, game
Tenuta Luce Luce
Tuscany · Toscana IGT · Sangiovese, Merlot
Sangiovese-Merlot blend: rich, velvety and spicy.
Food: Lamb, steak
Tenuta San Guido Le Difese
Tuscany · Toscana IGT · Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese
Sassicaia's third wine: fresh and approachable.
Food: Steak, pasta
Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco
Tuscany · Toscana IGT · Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese
Biodynamic Panzano Super Tuscan: dark and structured.
Food: Beef, lamb
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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