Italy is renowned for Sangiovese, its most planted wine grape, covering around 70,000 hectares. In Tuscany, Sangiovese is often blended with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, except in Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino where blending is not permitted.
The recent Global Sangiovese Masters showcased mainly Tuscan wines, with some from Romagna and a few from Australia and the Americas. Notable unoaked wines under £15 included Tenute Piccini’s Oro Chianti Superiore, awarded Gold for its fruity character. Sangiovese generally benefits from wood aging, adding complexity, with many excellent wines found under £20, such as Prugneto Romagna Sangiovese Superiore DOC from Poderi dal Nespoli and Fattoria Villa Saletta’s Chianti Superiore.
Here are just the Gold winners:
- Santa Caterina Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Castello di Albola, Italy, Tuscany, 2020, £30-£50
- Prugneto Romagna DOC Sangiovese Superiore, Poderi dal Nespoli, Italy, Emilia Romagna, 2022, £10-£15
- Riserva Ducale Oro, Ruffino, Italy, Toscana, 2020, £20-£30
- Collegonzi Sangiovese Toscana Igt, Sensi Vini – Fattoria di Calappiano, Italy, Toscana, 2020, £20-£30
- Saletta Riccardi, Fattoria Villa Saletta, Italy, Tuscany, 2019, £50-£70
- Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Banfi, Italy, Tuscany, 2019, £50-£70
- Brunello di Montalcino Paesaggio Inatteso, Camigliano Srl, Italy, Tuscany, 2019, £50-£70
- Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Fiore, Fattoria dei Barbi, Italy, Toscana, 2019, £50-£70
- Chianti Superiore, Fattoria Villa Saletta, Italy, Tuscany, 2019, £15-£20
- Sicomoro Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva, Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano, Italy, Toscana, 2020, £30-£50
- Brunello di Montalcino, Camigliano Srl, Italy, Tuscany, 2019, £30-£50
- Poggio alle Mura Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva, Banfi, Italy, Tuscany, 2018, £70-£100
- Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Banfi, Italy, Tuscany, 2019, £70-£100
- Vigna dell’Impero, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Italy, Tuscany, 2020, £100+
- Piccini Collezione Oro Chianti Superiore DOCG, Tenute Piccini Spa, Italy, Toscana, 2022, £10-£15
All the winners, and more, can be found in the Masters wine database.
