Sangiovese - wine grape variety

In terms of area planted and grapes produced, Sangiovese is the leading wine grape of Italy. Because of mixed plantings (trees and vines) the area is not well defined but something like half a million tonnes of grapes would be produced each year. The variety is thought to be originally from Tuscany but it is also recommended for many other parts of Italy. Apart from 5000 ha in Argentina, Sangiovese does not appear to have been planted much in other countries, and in Australia was found only as odd vines at Mudgee under the name of Canaiolo, which is another Tuscan variety.

Sangiovese is a fairly vigorous variety with a spreading habit of growth. Leaves are medium, nearly entire to 3-lobed, almost smooth and flat, with a few tufted hairs on the lower surface. The petiolar sinus is an open U. Bunches are small to medium, winged and well filled to compact. Berries are medium and short oval, with a heavy bloom.

Sangiovese is used in many wines of controlled appellation in Italy, sometimes alone, but quite often mixed with three or four other varieties. Perhaps the best known of these wines would be Chianti, for which 50-80% of the grapes used are Sangiovese, along with Canaiolo, Trebbiano, Malvasia del Chianti and a little Colorino.