Spotlight on Sangiovese
This month, we are celebrating Sangiovese. This quintessential Italian grape grows prolifically in its home region of Tuscany, and is the most planted varietal in Italy. In the US, it’s a precious find, with fewer than 1,500 acres planted here in California. In 2007, Sangiovese was given a place in our estate vineyard, and we have proudly cultivated and shared it ever since. Its character is bright and vibrant, with an unmistakable ruby red hue that shines in your glass. Here at Rubino Estates, Sangiovese often goes by the endearing nickname, “Sangio.”
As a varietal, Sangiovese is approachable, unpretentious, and a thing of beauty, well-suited to pairing with many of our favorite Italian dishes due to its characteristic acidity. In Italy, Sangiovese is a crown jewel, making up the foundation of both Chianti Classico and Super Tuscans. These gorgeous wines are well-respected worldwide. Still, Sangiovese is relatively obscure in California because, in general, Bordeaux-style wines have more name recognition in the United States.
In the 1980s, a subtle but impactful Cal-Ital movement took hold of the wine scene, wherein California’s wine lovers began to reach beyond French classics like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and explore the delicious world of Italian reds, Sangiovese included. As a Cal-Ital winery, Rubino Estates celebrates and encourages that exploration!
The alluring deep purple grapes of Sangiovese produce the gorgeous red color and cherry flavors, with incredible flavor variation determined by the growing environment. With any Sangiovese, you can expect juicy fruit flavors, especially red and black cherry and wild strawberry. Depending on the winemaking style, you can also find fun accent notes like fresh herbs, spice, smoke, and even espresso. Oak aging imparts earthy and savory notes to this wine as well.
Our Riserva Collection Sangiovese boasts juicy flavors and aromas you can relish. With balanced elements of fruit, acid, and tannin, it’s a pairing superstar, especially with pizza and pasta, but also with rare steak, rich chicken and mushroom dishes, and anything with tomato sauce. Even on its own, this wine dazzles! A sumptuous nose of bright red fruit mingles with aromas of allspice. On the palate, lush notes of cherry and ripe plum meet a whisper of tart raspberry. The signature food-friendly acidity of this varietal also shines in this vintage, complimented by a medium weight on the palate and a kiss of tannin. A flirty finish of cherry and vanilla lures you in for another sip.
