Buy Sangiovese wine directly from the winemaker
Sangiovese is the most important red grape in Italy and the soul of Tuscany. This single grape gives wines as different as a juicy Romagna Sangiovese, a classic Chianti and a deep Brunello di Montalcino. At ONWINE you buy Sangiovese directly from the winemaker, from Tuscany, Romagna, Umbria and Le Marche.
At ONWINE you buy Sangiovese directly from the winemaker, with no importer in between. You put together a case of six bottles per winemaker and pay €8 shipping per case.
What is Sangiovese?
The name probably comes from sanguis Jovis, the blood of Jupiter. Sangiovese is an old Italian grape with thin skins that ripens late. It needs warm days to ripen but cool nights to keep its freshness. That is why the best Sangiovese grows on hillsides, often between 250 and 600 metres above sea level.
The grape is very sensitive to soil and climate. That explains why it tastes different in every region and has picked up local names. In Montalcino it is called Brunello, in Montepulciano Prugnolo Gentile and in the Maremma Morellino. It is always the same grape, with a different expression.
What does Sangiovese taste like?
Sangiovese is dry, with lively acidity and firm tannins. Typical aromas are sour cherry, red plum, violets, tomato leaf and dried herbs such as oregano and thyme. The colour is often lighter than you expect: ruby red and slightly translucent. After ageing in barrel and bottle, notes of leather, tobacco, tea and dried fig appear.
Young Sangiovese is juicy and inviting. A Riserva or Brunello is more powerful, but always keeps the fresh acidity that keeps the wine lively. That combination of fruit, acidity and tannin is exactly what makes Sangiovese so good with food.
Sangiovese in Tuscany: Chianti, Brunello and Vino Nobile
Chianti and Chianti Classico
Chianti is the best known Sangiovese in the world, from the hills between Florence and Siena. Chianti DOCG requires at least 70% Sangiovese, Chianti Classico at least 80%. Podere Ciona makes Chianti Classico in the heart of the region, and Fattoria Lavacchio a taut, fresh Chianti Rufina east of Florence. View all Chianti →
Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino
Around the hill town of Montalcino, winemakers make Brunello from 100% Sangiovese. The wine may only be released five years after harvest, with at least two years in wood. A Riserva ages one year longer. Rosso di Montalcino is the younger, more approachable sibling from the same vineyards. Piombaia makes both in Montalcino. View all wines from Montalcino →
Vino Nobile, Montecucco and Morellino
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano comes from the town of the same name in southern Tuscany and is at least 70% Sangiovese. Further southwest lie Montecucco and Morellino di Scansano, where the sea makes the wines rounder and sunnier. Note: Vino Nobile has nothing to do with the Montepulciano grape.
Sangiovese beyond Tuscany
Romagna
Across the Apennines, in Romagna, Sangiovese is the main grape. Romagna Sangiovese is almost always pure Sangiovese, juicy and friendly, with the best wines from the hills around Faenza, Predappio and Bertinoro. Fattoria Zerbina shows how serious Romagna can be.
Umbria and Montefalco
In Umbria Sangiovese is often blended. In Montefalco it forms the base of Montefalco Rosso, completed with a share of Sagrantino, the powerful local grape. That gives a wine with more structure and dark fruit. Perticaia makes its Montefalco Rosso here.
Le Marche
In Le Marche Sangiovese is blended with Montepulciano into Rosso Piceno: fresh from the Sangiovese, round and dark from the Montepulciano.
Rosato and lighter styles
Sangiovese also makes excellent rosé. Thanks to its fresh acidity and red fruit, a Sangiovese rosato is juicy, dry and surprisingly serious, with strawberry, raspberry and a lightly spicy finish. Lovely as an aperitif or with antipasti, grilled fish and summer salads. For more fresh wines, browse all rosé wines.
Price and quality: reading the label
Why one Sangiovese costs more than another depends on origin, yield and ageing. Wines from high, poor slopes give fewer grapes per vine but more concentration. A Riserva ages longer in the cellar, and a Brunello is only released after five years. That costs time, barrels and patience.
On the label you see the appellation (DOC or DOCG), sometimes a subzone and the word Riserva. Some winemakers deliberately choose IGT Toscana, for example for a pure Sangiovese outside the rules or a blend with Cabernet: the famous Super Tuscans. So IGT does not automatically say anything about quality.
Storing, serving and food pairing
Drink a young Sangiovese within two to four years. A good Riserva, Brunello or Montefalco Rosso can keep for ten years or more, stored lying down, dark and cool. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees in a generous glass, and give a young Brunello an hour in the decanter.
Sangiovese is made for Italian food. Its fresh acidity makes it perfect with tomato: pasta, pizza and lasagne. A Riserva or Brunello suits bistecca alla fiorentina, game, braised meat and pecorino. Curious about other Italian grapes? Discover all Italian red wines.
Frequently asked questions about Sangiovese
Is Chianti a Sangiovese?
Yes, Chianti is always a Sangiovese based wine. Chianti DOCG contains at least 70% Sangiovese and Chianti Classico at least 80%, often with some Canaiolo or Colorino. That makes Chianti the best known Sangiovese in the world, but Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are made from this grape too.
Is Sangiovese the same as Montepulciano?
No, they are two different grapes. The confusion comes from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: that wine comes from the Tuscan town of Montepulciano and is made from Sangiovese. The Montepulciano grape grows mainly in Abruzzo and Le Marche and gives darker, softer wines with less acidity.
What does Sangiovese taste like?
Sangiovese tastes dry and fresh, with sour cherry, red plum, violets, tomato leaf and dried herbs. The acidity is high and the tannins are firm. With longer ageing, as in a Riserva or Brunello, notes of leather, tobacco and dried fig appear.
What is the difference between Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino?
Both are Sangiovese, but Brunello comes only from Montalcino and is 100% Sangiovese. Brunello may only be sold five years after harvest, with at least two years in wood, which makes it fuller and more powerful. Chianti may be blended, is often fresher and can be drunk younger.
Where does Sangiovese grow outside Tuscany?
Sangiovese is the most planted red grape in Italy and grows across almost all of central Italy. In Romagna winemakers turn it into juicy Romagna Sangiovese. In Umbria it is the base of Montefalco Rosso, together with Sagrantino. In Le Marche it is blended with Montepulciano into Rosso Piceno.
Is Sangiovese a light or full bodied wine?
Sangiovese usually sits in the middle: medium bodied, with plenty of acidity and firm tannins. A young Chianti or Romagna Sangiovese feels light and juicy. A Brunello or Riserva is fuller and more powerful, yet stays fresh. Sangiovese almost never becomes truly heavy and lush like a Primitivo.
What is a Super Tuscan?
A Super Tuscan is a top Tuscan wine made outside the classic appellation rules, which is why it is released as IGT Toscana. It is often a blend of Sangiovese with Cabernet or Merlot, sometimes pure Sangiovese. The name says something about the winemaker's freedom, not about one fixed style.
How long can you keep Sangiovese?
A young Sangiovese, such as a Chianti DOCG or Romagna Sangiovese, is best drunk within two to four years. A Riserva, Brunello or Montefalco Rosso can age for ten years or more. Store the bottles lying down, in the dark and at a constant, cool temperature.
What goes with Sangiovese?
Thanks to its fresh acidity, Sangiovese is perfect with tomato: pasta, pizza, lasagne and ragù. A Riserva or Brunello suits bistecca alla fiorentina, game, braised meat and pecorino. A Sangiovese rosato is lovely with antipasti and grilled fish. Serve the reds at 16 to 18 degrees.
What does shipping cost?
You order a case of six bottles per winemaker, mixed as you like. Shipping is €8 per case and the wine comes straight from the winemaker to you.
Chianti
Brunello
Romagna
Montefalco
