Sangiovese

Sangiovese – Italy's most important red grape variety

If you're drinking a wine that smells of cherries, plums, and a hint of leather, with lively acidity and firm tannins on the palate, then you most likely have a Sangiovese in your glass. This grape variety is the soul of Tuscan wine culture – and at the same time, one of the most versatile red grapes in Italy. At Vinoscout, you can order Sangiovese online and choose from over 107 products, from accessible everyday wines starting at €5.40 to large bottles costing up to €319.00.

Origin and growing regions

The Sangiovese grape undoubtedly originates in Tuscany , the most important growing region for this variety. Here, it thrives on light, calcareous soils that give it just the right balance of minerality and ripeness. The grape is vigorous and ripens only at the beginning of October – those who give it the best location will harvest powerful, characterful wines with real depth.

But Sangiovese is by no means only Tuscan. The grape variety is widespread throughout central Italy, appears in Umbria, Marche, and Emilia-Romagna, and has made a name for itself worldwide – it can now be found in Greece, Corsica, Switzerland, the USA, Chile, South Africa, and even Thailand. Nevertheless, Tuscany remains its spiritual home.

The great wines of Sangiovese

Sangiovese is the basis of some of the most famous Italian wine appellations:

• Chianti and Chianti Classico: Arguably the most famous Sangiovese wine in the world. Chianti consists of at least 80% Sangiovese, but there are also single-varietal wines. The Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG (€24.80) from the Antinori winery demonstrates just how elegant and complex this category can be. You can find out more in our Chianti category.
• Brunello di Montalcino: The king of Sangiovese wines. A single-varietal Sangiovese from the Montalcino region, aged for a long time, with tremendous structure and aging potential. The Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (€29.95) is one of our best-selling wines – a classic example of this DOCG category. For those who want to delve deeper, take a look at our Montalcino category.
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Also DOCG-certified, also dominated by Sangiovese. The Santa Caterina Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tenuta Tre Rose (€13.90) is a wonderful introduction to this underrated category.
• Morellino di Scansano: Sangiovese from the Maremma, somewhat softer and more fruit-forward than its northern relatives.
• Super Tuscans: Wines that are deliberately produced outside the DOC/DOCG regulations. Sangiovese is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and aged in barriques – the result is powerful, international wines with a Tuscan soul.

Flavor profile: What can you expect in the glass?

Sangiovese is not a crowd-pleasing wine – it's a wine with character. Typical aromas include sour cherry, plum, and tomato , along with floral notes of violet and, with age, a subtle interplay of leather and tobacco. The acidity is lively, the tannins are present but never harsh. Young Sangiovese wines can sometimes seem angular; with a few years of aging, they develop a remarkable elegance.

Simpler bottlings like the San Leonino Governo all'uso Toscano (9.80 euros) focus on freshness and drinkability – an uncomplicated everyday wine from Tuscany that delivers exactly what it promises.

Dietary recommendations

Sangiovese is a natural food companion. Its acidity makes it the ideal partner for:

• Tomato-based pasta – Bolognese, Amatriciana, Puttanesca
• Grilled and braised meats – Bistecca alla Fiorentina, venison ragout, leg of lamb
• Mature hard cheeses – Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano
• Mushroom dishes – Risotto ai funghi, Tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms

Lighter Sangiovese wines also pair perfectly with hearty antipasti or a good salami.

Buyer's guide: Which Sangiovese is right for you?

Our selection is extensive. For a relaxed evening for two, we recommend entry-level wines starting at around €6.90 – such as the Terre di Montelusa Brindisi Riserva from Botter. Those willing to invest a bit more and looking for a classic Chianti Classico will find the Antinori wine at €24.80 a good choice. For special occasions, the Brunello di Montalcino from Banfi (€29.95) is worth considering – a wine that rewards patience and continues to improve even after years in the cellar.

Discover our selection now and find your Sangiovese – from big names like Antinori, Banfi and Tenuta Tre Rose to hand-picked insider tips.