Cellar Raid Highlight: Sangiovese Spotlight - The Soul of Italy
Cellar Raid: Half Priced Bottles of 750ml Wine Every Tuesday in our Enoteca.
Sangiovese Spotlight: The Soul of Italy
Italy is a country where culture, history, and passion intertwine seamlessly, and its wines reflect the very essence of this vibrant land. Among its many celebrated varietals, Sangiovese stands as the backbone of Italian winemaking, deeply rooted in tradition and an enduring symbol of the country’s rich viticulture heritage. This week, we turn our attention to this iconic grape, exploring its history, cultural significance, and its remarkable versatility in the glass.
A Grape with Deep Roots
Sangiovese, whose name is thought to derive from the Latin “sanuis Jovis” or “the blood of Jupiter” has been cultivated in Italy for over 1,000 years. Its first written mention dates back to the 16th century, but its role in Italian wine culture stretches far earlier, as the Etruscans are believed to have grown Sangiovese in central Italy.
Today, it is the most widely planted grape in the country, particularly thriving in the hills of Toscana, Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, and parts of Campania. Despite its extensive footprint, Sangiovese is most famously associated with Toscana, where it forms the backbone of world-renowned appellations such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile de Montepulciano.
A Versatile Canvas for Regional Expression
What makes Sangiovese remarkable is its ability to express the unique character of the land where it is grown. In Toscana, the grape takes on many forms. In Chianti Classico, it is bright and vibrant, offering flavors of red cherries, violets, and a touch of savory spice. Move to Brunello di Montalcino, and the same grape shows its more powerful side, with complex layers of dried fruit, earth, and tobacco.
Beyond Toscana, Sangiovese plays a starring role in lesser-known regions like Morellino di Scansano on the Toscana coast, where it produces approachable, fruit-forward wines, or Romagna, where it often delivers a more rustic, earthy charm. Each expression reveals a new side of the grape, making it endlessly fascinating for wine lovers.
Cultural Significance
Sangiovese is more than a grape – it is a piece of Italy’s identity. From the winemakers who have spent generations perfecting its cultivation to its role in family gatherings and feasts, Sangiovese wines embody the Italian way of life. In Toscana, Sangiovese is a constant presence, gracing tables adorned with handmade pastas, grilled meats, and rich ragù.
Moreover, Sangiovese reflects the Italian tradition of producing wines that elevate cuisine. Its hallmark acidity and balance make it one of the most food-friendly grapes in the world, seamlessly complementing both rustic and refined dishes.
Unlocking Sangiovese – Italy’s Most Iconic Grape
This week, we invite you to embark on a journey through Italy’s most celebrated grape. Whether you’re drawn to the classic elegance of Chianti Classico Riserva or the bold complexity of Brunello di Montalcino, there is a Sangiovese for every palate.
This Week’s Featured Selections:
Toscana, Isole e Olena “Cepparello” 2018
Allow me to introduce “Cepparello” 2018, one of Toscana’s most revered wines and a shining example of what Sangiovese can achieve when crafted with uncompromising precision. This wine, from the legendary Paolo De Marchi of Isole e Olena, is not your typical Chianti Classico – and for good reason.
While it hails from the heart of the Chianti Classico region, “Cepparello” is intentionally crafted as an IGT Toscana wine, allowing it to transcend the boundaries of tradition. Unlike Chianti Classico DOCG wines, which often blend other varietals alongside Sangiovese, “Cepparello” is 100% Sangiovese, showcasing the grape’s purest and most elegant form. This decision is Paolo De Marchi’s tribute to the untapped potential of Toscana’s signature varietal, free from the constraints of DOCG blending rules.
In Cepparello, you’ll find a wine that’s both timeless and modern – rich with the character of its Toscana origins but crafted with the meticulous precision of a winemaker who believes in innovation.
On the palate, “Cepparello” 2018 is a symphony of bold red cherries, dried rose petals, and subtle notes of cedar and tobacco. Its structure is breathtaking: vibrant acidity, silky tannins, and a long, layered finish that speaks of its ability to age gracefully for decades. This is a wine of complexity, elegance, and undeniable presence.
Brunello di Montalcino, Valdicava 2013
The Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2013 is nothing short of a masterpiece, a wine that captures the profound essence of Toscana and the precision of one of its most celebrated producers. Crafted from meticulously farmed vineyards in the heart of Montalcino, this Brunello stands as a true expression of its terroir, its vintage, and the relentless pursuitof perfection.
Valdicava, under the guidance of Vincenzo Abbruzzese, has long been regarded as one of the greatest Brunello producers. This estate is known for its philosophy of nurturing tha
land, allowing each vintage to reveal its own character. The 2013 vintage, a classic year for Montalcino, delivers a wine of exceptional elegance, depth, and longevity.
The 2013 vintage in Montalcino is celebrated for its balance and purity. Cooler weather allowed for slow, even ripening, resulting in wines of elegant structure and nuanced complexity. Valdicava harnesses this potential beautifully, producing a wine that is approachable now yet built to age gracefully for decades.
This wine opens with an intoxicating bouquet of dark cherries, dried violets, and subtle hints of tobacco and leather. On the palate, it is rich yet perfectly balanced, with layers of plum, earthy truffle, and a whisper of spice. The tannins are fine and silky, while the wine’s vibrant acidity ensures freshness and structure. The finish is long, lingering, and unforgettable – a hallmark of a great Brunello.
