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Sangiovese

Sangiovese Wine for Delivery or Pickup

The Instacart guide to Sangiovese


About Sangiovese

The Sangiovese grape is Italy's most widely planted red grape variety. It is used to make a range of wines, including the ever-popular Chianti. Italians love Sangiovese across its native country since it is not typically found outside the boot-shaped peninsula. Sangiovese vineyards can be found planted in Emilia-Romagna and Puglia, but the grapes grow extremely well in the warm Mediterranean region of Tuscany.

This thick-skinned grape takes its time to ripen and mature on the vine before harvest. It has a summer growing season and is harvested late in September and early October. While many Sangiovese grapes across the world are grown in Italy, California and Australia feature many vineyards.

Sangiovese is a medium-bodied, highly acidic wine with high levels of tannin. Its flavors range from rustic to fruity, and the wines can have savory characteristics, depending on the vineyard locations. In wines made from Sangiovese, you may experience flavors of cherry, plum, and red currant, as well as smoky flavors, such as peppery tones, sweet tobacco, and black tea. 

Types of Sangiovese

Sangiovese can be found in a variety of red wines, but the most common are listed below:
  • Chianti DOCG: The grape responsible for Chianti DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is grown over about 1/3 of Tuscany. For a wine to be considered a Chianti, it must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. Styles of Chianti DOCG range from medium-bodied and fresh to dense and oak-aged.
  • Chianti Classico DOCG: For a Chianti to be considered a Classico, it must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. Aromas of this Chianti include cherries, plums, flowers, and earthy flint rock. Oak-aged varieties are bright, tannic, and dry with a warm finish.
  • Montalcino: The Montalcino region of Italy produces some of the highest quality and longest-lived Sangiovese wines. These grapes grow in higher-elevation vineyards. 2 popular types of Montalcino wines are the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Rosso di Montalcino DOC.
  • Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG: The name of this wine, Montepulciano, refers to the region in which this particular Sangiovese grape grows. This wine must be aged for at least 2 years, including 12-24 months in old oak barrels. The wine can range in style from everyday drinking wine to a more complex and structured wine. Its primary flavors consist of cherry, plum, strawberry, dark berries, and subtle spice aromas.
  • Carmignano DOCG: To be labeled a Carmignano DOCG, this wine must contain at least 50% Sangiovese grapes. You'll usually find the wine blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to complete the finished product. The grape that produces this wine is grown on the east side of the Montalbano hills in Italy, resulting in a more intense and structured flavor. This wine must be aged for 18 months, including 8 months in oak or chestnut barrels. It holds notes of plum, blackberry, tart cherry, and black pepper.
  • Morellino di Scansano DOCG: This grape variety is grown southwest of Montalcino in southern Tuscany's large Maremma region. Morellino literally translates as "little dark one." It produces a plush, juicy, and dark cherry flavor. 

How to choose a Sangiovese wine

When shopping for a bottle of Sangiovese wine, make sure to read the label. While Sangiovese is the name of the grape used to create these wines, the labels are based on the region where the particular Sangiovese grape was grown. 

Sangiovese Near Me

Buy your favorite Sangiovese online with Instacart. Order Sangiovese from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

FAQs about Sangiovese

Due to Sangiovese's innate acidity, savory features, and medium-bodied structure, it is a versatile companion to several dishes. A classic pairing with Sangiovese is anything tomato-based, such as pizza or Pasta Bolognese. Pour yourself and your guests a glass when serving rare grilled steak, roasted chicken, lamb chops, roasted pork, prosciutto, Tuscan salami, wild game dishes, Fiorentina steak, Tuscan soup with chickpeas and farro, gnocchi with sage and butter sauce, and a variety of grilled vegetables. It also matches well with aged Parmesan, Tuscan Pecorino, and provolone cheese.

For the best Sangiovese wine-tasting experience, follow the steps below:
  • Look at the wine: Before you smell or taste the wine, look at the wine carefully. Watch the way it swirls in the glass. Take notice of the particular color. Is it more dark and brooding, or does it have a fresh and vibrant vibe?
  • Smell the wine: If you've ever watched wine-tasting competitions, you may have noticed how the officials swirl and sniff the glass before taking a drink. This process allows them to understand better the aroma and scents featured in the particular wine. 
  • Taste the wine: Finally, it's time to taste the wine. Begin by taking a small sip and let it roll around in your mouth. Notice the sweetness, acidity, and flavors of the wine. Once you swallow, take note of the finish and how your mouth feels and tastes after swallowing it.
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