Episode 41: Grape Rap: Sangiovese, the King of the Tuscan Grapes
We’re sipping, chatting and exploring Sangiovese this week. The versatility, the styles, the characteristics are all on the table (or in the glass) along with savvy input from last week’s guest, a true Tuscan. Massimo helps us elaborate on the many facets of Sangiovese and its wines. But wait, there’s more! The #W25Challenge is heating up, we have shoutouts to some awesome somms, and we talk about wine in a tube. Join us for some wine edu-tainment and some tips for expanding your palate!
In the Glasses:
Steph: “2011 Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Rosso DOC – 60% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino – the name “Scacciadiavoli” means “cast out the devils”. – from Umbria – and a preview to the wine tasting I’ll be leading at Chimney Park on Jan 31st. So listeners, if you are in Northern Colorado, call Chimney Park and make your reservation to join me! What about you?”
Val: “A repeat. 2009 Podere Poggio Scalette Chianti Classico made by Jurij Fiore, “…the son of Mr. Sangiovese.” His father, Vittorio Fiore, is the first consulting enologist in Tuscany. I figured since we are all up in Sangiovese today, this would be an appropriate choice. Plus, remember, I got to pick the grapes in this wine and meet Mr. Sangiovese (Vittorio) himself. So … it’s my tribute.”
Discussion
Val: “We are talking about the Sangiovese grape, the King of the Tuscan grapes.
“Sangiovese is considered one of the oldest varieties of Italian grapes where its name is rumored to have come from Latin Sanguis Jovis, that is Blood of Jove, and in the course of years it evolved into the current name. (Jove being the king of gods, Jupiter). It is believed that the Etruscans were making wine with Sangiovese as far back as the 8th century. Ampelographers have targeted the Sangiovese’s birthplace to be Tuscany (Etrusca = Toscana), where it is still the most planted red grape.
“The first thing we were taught during our immersion into the Tuscan wine world, particularly, Sangiovese, is that there are many clones, but two categories in particular of which to be aware: Sangiovese Grosso (large berries) and Sangiovese Piccolo (small berries). From the Sangiovese Grosso clones are made the famous Brunello di Montalcino; and there are at least a half or dozen or so clones that are referred to strictly as Brunello. There is also the Nobile di Montepulciano wines of Tuscany, in which case the the grapes or Sangiovese clones are called Prugnolo Gentile. Lamole is found in Chianti and Chianti Classico, along with the various Sangiovese Piccolo clones like Sangioveto, Uva Tosca, etc. Morellino di Scansano (Morellino clones) is also another example. Each clone, production area, winery, climate, and vinification will produce a wide variety of styles of wines making it very hard for someone to say, “I don’t like Sangiovese,” as they all tend to be different. In fact, after years of drinking so many variations of wines made with Sangiovese, I can tell you first hand, that this is a most incredibly versatile grape. ”
The grape in the glass:
- characteristics – aroma of cherries, herbs, dusty, earthy, spice, tobacco, tomato
- mouth feel – high acid and firm tannins
- geek alert! – it is low in anthocyanins (natural phenolics in the skin that give wine color), and that’s one of the reasons why Sangiovese’s been blended with other red grapes in the past and still today… and the orange rim is a dead giveaway on a blind tasting!
Italian regions and aliases
- Chianti
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (alias Prugnolo)
- Morellino di Scansano (aka Morellino)
- Brunello di Montalcino (Brunello)
- Carmignano
- Common blended styles, but not always with Sangiovese necessarily: Super Tuscans, Montefalco Rosso (Steph’s drinking) from Umbria
- Lesser known blends with possibly a % of Sangiovese: ugh… I think there are too many to list :)… Bolgheri, … how about the island of Elba (where Napoleon was exiled) and their Rosso DOC? There’s a good chance if it is in Tuscany and near Tuscany, a red wine might have some Sangiovese in it. If it doesn’t say on the label, and you don’t know, look it up!
Other regions around the world
- on the French Island of Corsica – the grape is called Nielluccio
- USA – planted in CA, WA,
- Southern Hemisphere – planted in Argentina, Chile, Australia
Enjoying it with FOOD!!! “Live the Wine”… and explore with the #W25Challenge
Shoutouts
- The Med in Boulder and their beverage director/sommelier Tre Gerbitz- the wine list treated us well too – Moscofilero, Lambrusco, Priorat … and the bottle of Txakolina sent over by Tre.
- Frasca in Boulder and all our “hospitalians” that took care of us – Rebecca, Justin, – loved the stemware!!! Zalto – the glasses are functional art.
Val:
**Can Val just jump on this bandwagon here???? Honestly, I never just want to give up the wine list and turn over wine pairings to most restaurants – but Saturday was a milestone – Val the control freak trusted the somms to do what they do best, and the wine/beverage program at Frasca is top notch – we didn’t even have to think. Just chose our dishes from the droolworthy menu, and they did the rest. The evening, experience and the pairings were as delicious as the food coming from that magical kitchen of gastronomic happiness known as Frasca’s kitchen.
Wino Radar
Steph: http://getvinebox.com/
“Higher end wines in this test-tube thingy, and includes boutique wineries and even cru classe’ growths like Chateau Kirwan. Dude, this is super cool and innovative.
“Confession- I joined and used their $10 off coupon code! I convinced myself it was like having a personal bartender at my house… somebody picked a glass of wine for me, measured it, and surprised me for the #W25Challenge.
#W25Challenge! What’s new?
Val:
- Lynn’s #W25Challenge input! #1 of 2016 for her was the Muscat de Rivesaltes from SW France, Roussillon region. A vin doux naturel style of dessert wine, Muscat Petit Graines and Muscat de Alexandria grapes.
- Susan’s input for Week 3: Funky Buddha Hop Gun IPA from Boca Raton, Florida – pretty good for someone that is not a fan of IPAs. Susan has also input from weeks 1 & 2:
“I have had Chardonnay plenty of times, but I had not had one (#W25Challenge) from Wente until the evening of the 7th – it was impressively Burgundian in style and paired beautifully with lemon caper walleye! Also tried a California Grenache at The Laureate Publick House prior to dinner – I generally only drink Spanish or French for these, but it was pretty good! Lastly, I tried a friend’s New Fashioned – I am not a whiskey/rye drinker, but the nuances from the non-traditional ingredients were nice!”
“#W25Challenge week 2 – a four aces martini at Henry’s in Loveland – muddled basil and (black) grapes, vodka, ginger liqueur, lime juice!”
Steph: “ I tried that Grappa Marolo from Barolo grapes and the Meroi Verduzzo Friulano at Frasca. They were both new and unusual. What a great weekend full of #W25Challenges… but we still have to go back to the Boulder Tea House and try that Scotch and Chai drink!… otherwise make it at home.”
Val: “Pretty stoked to try that DRY Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro by Tenuta Pederzana at The Med. It’s a DOC-quality level wine and very different from what we all think about when we think of low-end lambruschi mostly available here.”
Connect
Connect with Val on Twitter @WineGalUnboxed and on the VinoWithVal FB page, and on instagram as Vino with Val.
You can find me on twitter @Albarellosoap and on the AlbarelloSoap FB page.
Val: you can visit us on the WineTwoFive FB page, Twitter, Pinterest & You Tube. You can also email us at winetwofive@gmail.com.
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Until next week: Cheers! and don’t forget to expand your palate with the #W25Challenge!