Sangiovese - A Fine Italian Wine

The name Sangiovese comes from an ItalianSangiovese and have come up with an extensive
phrase meaning "the blood of Jove." This red winelist of different types of wine. The list continues
is best known as the blend used in Chianti winesto grow, especially in Australia, where there are
from Tuscany. As a young wine, it has veryover 200 varieties alone. There is always
fruity tastes of strawberries and spices, but whensomething different to discover about making
left to age in oak barrels, it takes on the flavor ofwine from these grapes.
oak. There are actually 14 different clones of thisPairing food with this wine is also easy to do. It
wine, the best known of which is Brunello.works well with any Italian or Mediterranean
Although these grapes originated in Tuscany, theycuisine, especially pastas. It is the perfect choice
have since spread to all the winemaking regions ofof wine to serve at a barbeque or even with
Italy. In addition to being one of the maindifferent types of cheese. They do not work well
components of Chianti, Tignanello and Vino Nobilewhen paired with fish dishes because they
di Montepulciano, there are several versions ofoverpower the taste of the fish.
this wine on its own. These include Brunello diYou will notice the difference between Sangiovese
Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino and Sangiovese diwines and other red wines as soon as you take
Romagna. In fact it is the only other winethe first sip. These are medium bodied wines with
permitted in Brunello di Montalcino.a fruity taste and scent along with a moderate to
Sangiovese ( grapes are also grown outside ofhigh level of acidity. The finish is usually bitter,
Italy and the wine has become very popular insimilar to a Mourvedre ( especially if it is a young
Australia. It is also used to make rose wines andwine. The taste improves with age. Some of the
a dessert style wine called Dolce Nero. One ofunique flavors you will experience in these wines
these wines produced in Australia by the Chalk Hillinclude:
Winery has an alcohol content of 16%, the• blueberry
highest of any wine. In the United States, Italian• orange peel
immigrants brought the seeds of this grape with• plum
them in the 1800's, but it wasn't until the wine• strawberry
became successful as one of the Super Tuscans• smoke
that it was grown in any amount for wine• tar
production.• toast
Even though the vines of the Sangiovese grape• vanilla
are quite hardy and are resistant to most of the• sweetwood
diseases that affect grape vines, the berries rot• cinnamon
very easily. They are small in size and blue black in• cloves
color and need hot dry climates in order to grow• thyme
well. They ripen slowly, but the vines do produce• violets
a high yield of grapes. This is a difficult grape toIf you do not like bitter tasting wines, then you
grow because it is very sensitive to the soilprobably won't like the taste of Sangiovese.
conditions. Due to the slow ripening process, it isHowever, it is a wine that will grow on you, so
very tannic and does not have a lot of depth.you shouldn't dismiss it too quickly!
Winemakers are always experimenting with