SANGIOVESE Sangiovese is known as “the king of Tuscany” and dominates central Italy’s winemaking. With its name meaning ‘blood of Jove,’ Sangiovese is grown principally in central Italy and is the dominant variety in Tuscany. It has several clonal variations such as Brunello, Sangiovese, Morellino and Nielluccio. Sangiovese is used as the main grape for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as in Brunello, Chianti and Chianti Classico. The Sangiovese grape was already a well-known variety as far back as the 16th century. Recent DNA research suggests that its ancestors were the ancient Tuscan Ciliegiolo and the almost extinct Calabrian Calabrese Montenuovo varieties. Making good Sangiovese wines requires the vines to be planted at the correct density to help control crop vigour, using clones and rootstocks selected specifically for the area, and training the plants properly. We monitor the fermentation temperatures carefully so as not to burn the grapes’ delicate bouquet. Sangiovese produces rich, fruity wines with a flavour profile that includes sour cherries and plums, violets, blueberries, strawberries, orange peel and thyme.