Sangiovese is the most widely planted red grape in Italy representing almost ten percent of Italy’s acreage under vine. Sangiovese is recommended or authorized in more than half of Italy’s wine regions, and it produces some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, most notably Chianti and Brunello Di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Sangiovese was also the source of some controversy in the 1970s and 80s. Several Tuscan growers looking to improve upon Chianti started to produce wines that included a percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties. These wines ignored DOC regulations regarding production methods and only qualified for the lowly Vino da Tavola designation. This did not matter to the producers who steadfastly believed their wines were of superior quality. The market agreed and the category of “Super Tuscan” wines was born. We chose to market a wine produced 100% from Sangiovese grown here in Amador, but that is not to say that a blend with Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is out of the question.
