Sangiovese is Italy's most widely planted red grape and the variety at the heart of many of Tuscany's most important wines.
Naturally high in acidity and capable of considerable tannin, it can produce everything from bright, savoury wines intended for earlier drinking to structured examples capable of developing for decades.
Red cherry is a common thread, often accompanied by dried herbs, spice, earth and more savoury characteristics as the wine matures. Beyond the grape itself, however, appellation and place play an important role in understanding Sangiovese.
Chianti & Chianti Classico
Chianti is one of Tuscany's best-known wine names, but Chianti and Chianti Classico are separate appellations with different geographical boundaries and production regulations.
Sangiovese forms the foundation of both.
Chianti can encompass a broad range of styles and subzones, while Chianti Classico comes specifically from the historic zone between Florence and Siena.
The black rooster, or Gallo Nero, appears on Chianti Classico bottles and identifies wines belonging to the appellation's producer consortium.
Styles vary from fresh, red-fruited wines through to more structured Riserva and Gran Selezione releases intended for further ageing.
Rosso & Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino offers another distinctive interpretation of Sangiovese.
Rosso di Montalcino DOC is produced from Sangiovese and generally requires less maturation before release, providing a more immediate expression of the area.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is also made entirely from Sangiovese but is subject to longer mandatory maturation and has established a significant international reputation for long-lived wines.
Producers such as Canalicchio di Sopra offer an opportunity to explore the relationship between Rosso, classic Brunello and more site-specific bottlings from the same estate.
Super Tuscans & Sangiovese
Not every important Tuscan red fits neatly into the traditional Sangiovese appellations.
The term Super Tuscan emerged to describe influential Tuscan wines produced outside, or beyond, the conventions of the region's established DOC and DOCG regulations.
Some are Sangiovese-led and include Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. Others, including Sassicaia, are based primarily on international Bordeaux varieties and may contain no Sangiovese at all.
Tignanello is one of the important Sangiovese-led examples, while Solaia and Sassicaia demonstrate how broad the Super Tuscan category has become.
For that reason, Super Tuscan describes a modern Tuscan wine tradition rather than a grape variety or formal appellation.
Australian Sangiovese
Australian producers have increasingly explored Sangiovese, particularly in regions suited to varieties that retain natural acidity in warm growing conditions.
Local examples can emphasise bright red fruit, herbs and freshness, offering a different perspective on the variety to its Tuscan origins.
Australian Sangiovese remains a relatively small category, but it forms part of a broader interest in Italian varieties across the country's wine regions.
Sangiovese for the Cellar
Sangiovese's acidity and tannin can give well-structured examples significant ageing potential.
Brunello di Montalcino, top Chianti Classico and selected Tuscan wines can evolve considerably in bottle, developing more savoury characteristics of dried fruit, leather, earth and spice.
Not every Sangiovese is designed for long-term ageing, however. Producer, appellation, vintage and individual wine are more useful guides than grape variety alone.
Shop Sangiovese at Kent Street Cellars
Explore Sangiovese from Tuscany and Australia, spanning Chianti, Chianti Classico, Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello and contemporary regional expressions.
The collection includes current releases alongside selected mature vintages, limited allocations and large formats, with delivery Australia-wide and same-day delivery available across eligible Sydney metropolitan areas.
