Italian Sangiovese

Grape Description

• One of the primary grapes used in Chianti
• Dark purple skinned berry that can be prone to rot (due to thin skin) if not well tended
• Requires a long growing season as it buds early and is slow to ripen

Juice Description

• Often blended to improve colour, texture and body, with the Bordeaux grape Cabernet Sauvignon being a favourite addition
• Other notable Italian grapes such as Canaiolo and even Trebbiano are used to blend with the Sangiovese to create formidable wines
• Sangiovese is one of the predominant grapes found in “super Tuscans” that have become quite trendy

Wine Description

• Can have high acidy and light colour
• Longer fermentations and oak fermenting as well as malolactic ferments are utilized to soften Sangiovese.
• It is a red that loves oak and is said to soak up the vanilla flavour compound found through oak ageing
• Traditional winemaking styles yield a more bitter, herby, mineral complexity and the Bordeaux style influences create a spicy, vanilla and red cherry wine.