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Sangiovese

The red grape variety originates from Italy. There are over 80 synonyms that testify to its great age and wide distribution. These are, for example, Agnelluccia, Brunelletto, Brunello, Cacchiano, Calabrese, Cardisco, Cassano, Cordisio, Chiantino, Corinto Negro, Guarnacciola, Ingannacane, Lambrusco Mendoza, Lacrima, Liliano, Maglioppa, Montepulciano Primaticcio, Morellino, Morellino di Scansano, Negrello, Negretta, Nelutcho, Nerello, Nerello Campotu, Nerino, Nerino Sanvicetro, Niella, Nielluccio, Primaticcio, Prugnolo Dolce, Prugnolo Gentile, Prugnolino Dolce, Puttanella, Sangiogheto, Sangiovese dal Cannello Lungo, Sangiovese dal Cannello Lungo di Predappio, Sangiovese di Lamole, Sangiovese di Romagna, Sangiovese Dolce, Sangiovese Elba, Sangiovese Grosso, Sangiovese Nostrano, Sangiovese Piccolo, Sangiovese Romagnolo, Sangiovese Toscano, San Gioveto, Sangioveto, San Zoveto, Tabernello, Tignolo, Tignolo Sointovese, Toustain, Tuccanese, Uva Canina, Vigna del Conte and Vigna Maggio.

Sangiovese - Traube und Blatt

History

The variety was first mentioned under the name "Sangiogheto" by the Italian agronomist Giovanni Soderini (1526-1596) in his work "Trattato della coltivazione delle viti, e del frutto che se ne puô cavare", published posthumously in 1600. Allegedly, the name is of Latin origin (Sanguis Jovis), which means "blood of Jupiter" and is supposed to indicate an ancient origin of the vine. According to an unverifiable hypothesis, an ancestor is said to have been known to the Etruscans. In any case, it is one of the most important Italian leading varieties with numerous descendants.

Descent (Parentage)

The exact descent (parentage) has not been clearly clarified. The Swiss biologist Dr. José Vouillamoz already stated in 2007 that Sangiovese comes from a cross between Ciliegiolo x Calabrese di Montenuovo (i.e. Sangiovese is a descendant). However, this contradicts later analyses by Dr Manna Crespan, which showed a parentage of Sangiovese x Muscat Rouge de Madère for Ciliegiolo (i.e. Sangiovese is a parent). Finally, DNA analyses carried out by the ampelographer Thierry Lacombe in 2013 revealed two possible parentages for Sangiovese. These are Frappato x Foglia Tonda or Gaglioppo x Foglia Tonda. However, since all these varieties have a parent-offspring relationship with Sangiovese, this is not all that surprising. However, due to two possible variants and only 20 matching DNA markers, the result is at least doubtful (see Molecular Genetics).

There are numerous clones of the variety with somewhat different taste profiles. In the past, on the basis of research published in 1908 by the ampelographer Girolamo Molon, a rough classification was made according to berry size and, deriving from this, quality into the two groups Sangiovese Grosso(Brunello and Prugnolo Gentile, as well as Sangiovese di Lamole in Chianti) and Sangiovese Piccolo in other Tuscan zones. However, this is no longer considered justified, as there are no genetic differences in the DNA profile (see also under Pinot for this phenomenon).

Descendants

Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or great morphological similarities, Sangiovese must not be confused with the varieties Ciliegiolo, Montepulciano, Morellino del Casentino, Morellino del Valdarno, Nero d'Avola, Perricone, Sanvicetro or Uva Tosca. Extensive DNA analyses have shown that the varieties Aleatico, Ciliegiolo, Foglia Tonda, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Inzolia Nera, Morellino del Casentino, Morellino del Valdarno, Nerello Mascalese, Orisi and Perricone are direct descendants or have a parent-offspring relationship. Sangiovese was also a crossing partner of the new varieties Incrocio Bruni 147, Incrocio Bruni 60, some Dalmasso varieties and Merlese.

Sangiovese - Weintrauben und Aromen im Glas

Characteristics

The great adaptability to different soil types over centuries resulted in different taste directions. At the end of the 1990s, the best clones began to be selected. The high-yielding vine is susceptible to botrytis and yellowing, but resistant to drought. Characteristic is the slow, late ripening. It usually produces red wines that are not very colourful, but rich in alcohol, acidity and tannins, with aromas of cherries, violets, plums and leather, as well as great ageing potential when properly matured.

Areas under cultivation

The area under vines in Italy is 68,428 hectares, with a slight downward trend. This makes it by far the most common Italian grape variety, widespread in almost all regions but especially in Tuscany. It is the basis for many famous Italian top red wines. These are above all the DOCG wines Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Chianti, Chianti-Classico, Conero, Morellino di Scansano, Rosso Conero, Torgiano Rosso Riserva and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as countless DOC wines and also some of the so-called Super Tuscans such as Tignanello.

In France, the variety occupies 1,503 hectares with a constant trend. The majority is in Corsica, where the variety was introduced from Italy by the Genoese who dominated the island until the end of the 18th century. There, it is mostly permitted under the name Nielluccio in all appellation red wines and rosés, as well as in IGP wines (country wines). There are further stocks in Europe in Romania (88 ha), Switzerland (0.1 ha), Spain (2 ha), Turkey (18 ha) and Hungary (1 ha).

Outside Europe, there are cultivated areas in Argentina (1,837 ha), Ethiopia (90 ha), Australia (430 ha), Brazil (3 ha), Chile (152 ha), Israel, Canada (4 ha), New Zealand (8 ha), South Africa (70 ha), Thailand (2 ha) and Tunisia (842 ha), as well as in the USA (827 ha) in the states of California and Washington. In 2016, a total of 73,464 hectares of vines were reported, with a slight downward trend. The variety is thus in 13th place in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).

Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Grapes and leaf: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Aromas in the glass: © by armin faber

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Markus J. Eser

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