October 18, 2004

Sangiovese

Pronounced [san-geeo-VEHS-eh]

From the International Wine of the Month Club

Sangiovese is best known for providing the backbone for many superb Italian red wines, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, as well as the so-called SuperTuscan blends. Sangiovese is distinctive for its supple texture and medium-to-full-bodied spice, raspberry, cherry and anise flavors. When blended with a grape such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese gives the resulting wine a smoother texture and more supple tannins.

From WikiPedia

Sangiovese is a red wine grape variety originating in Italy where it is now recognised as a superior variety. Although it can be found as a varietal, and as a single variety wine such as Brunello di Montalcino (Brunello is a synonym for Sangiovese), it usually forms part of a blend. It is a major component in blends such as Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Sangiovese is being planted in vineyards worldwide as part of growing fashion for Italian style wines.

The name derives from sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove".

Posted by Michael at 11:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack