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All the medallists from the Global Sangiovese Masters 2023

This year’s tasting dedicated exclusively to Sangiovese uncovered a kaleidesope of fabulous expressions from across the globe.

Sangiovese is quintessentially Italian, with the variety respected throughout the country. It is most prominent in Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and the Marche, and the majority of the wines we judged in our 2023 Sangiovese Masters came from these regions stretching across central Italy. Sangiovese’s best-known vineyards are those of Tuscany, as well as in Chianti, Brunello, Montepulciano and Maremma. Here Sangiovese reaches some of its greatest expressions, but the quality is variable and depends on clonal selection, vineyard location and yields. At higher altitudes, or cooler vineyard sites, it is crucial to allow extra ripeness and to harvest later.

One of the most interesting aspects of Sangiovese is that high quality can be found at affordable price points, and Emilia-Romagna might just be the place to look. The judges found value-formoney with fresh and clean Sangiovese at under £10 from Fuori Porta, for example, and experienced plenty to enjoy at £10-15 and £15-20 from many regions. Over £20, the wines are often delicious. And, at stratospheric prices (over £30), the Tuscan wines, in particular, are complex and enticing, exhibiting red berry and bramble fruits together with beautifully integrated wood, often new and used oak, but occasionally large, traditional acacia barrels. After a few years’ bottle ageing these examples are delightful. And, with their brisk acidity and grippy tannins, the wines will evolve for a couple of decades, at least, and will accompany the best of Italian cuisine.

In this year ’s competition, the judges noted that 2018 and 2019, both superior vintages, showed very well. One of the most exciting aspects of this tasting was finding new ‘modern’ producers (albeit with rejuvenated old vineyards), such as Casisano, as well as long-time stalwarts, like Ruffino and Banfi among the top winners. The best Chianti Classico gave a gentle reminder that Chianti should not be shunned. The judges found plenty to love in Brunello di Montalcino, too, though if there is a minor criticism with the Brunelli wines, alcohol levels are creeping ever upwards (15%+), which occasionally makes the wines a bit tiring after a sip or two. For purity of flavour and elegance, one should look to Maremma, close to the cooling breezes of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

There were a few very good wines from Australia, where Sangiovese is making good strides in vineyard plantings, according to the AWRI National Vintage Report 2023, particularly in regions such as Rutherglen. Sadly, we did not see any examples from California, possibly because the local ‘Cal-Ital’ wine lovers snap them up upon release. It is well worth looking around the globe, however, because we found interesting wines from Maharastra, India, as well as Argentina, Switzerland, Malta, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and South Africa. It is interesting to note, also, that a few producers are making white wines (Bianco di Nero) from Sangiovese and those we judged are refreshing and delightful. The judges concluded that Sangiovese is capable of greatness, but careful research and tasting is required to find the best wines.

White Unoaked Sangiovese

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Orion Wines Fuori Porta Bianco Rubicone IGP Emilia-Romagna Italy 2022 Silver
Fratelli Wines Sangiovese Bianco Maharashtra India 2022 Bronze

Red Unoaked Sangiovese

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Orion Wines Fuori Porta Sangiovese Rubicone IGP Emilia Romagna Italy 2022 Gold
A. Lassonde inc., Arista Wines Division Stefano Sangiovese Puglia Italy 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Conti di San Bonifacio Sangiovese DOC Maremma Toscana Tuscany Italy 2021 Silver
£15-£20
Casale Terzo – La Cantina Pizzolato Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG Tuscany Italy 2021 Silver
Basilica Cafaggio Cafaggio Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy 2021 Silver
Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano Maremma Toscana DOC Sangiovese Tuscany Italy 2022 Silver
Winemakers Club Italia @ Monterinaldi RBW Toscana Rosso “Egg” Tuscany Italy 2018 Bronze

Red Oaked Sangiovese

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Tenute Piccini Collezione Oro Chianti Riserva DOCG Tuscany Italy 2020 Bronze
£10-£15
De Bortoli Wines Bella Riva Sangiovese Heathcote Australia 2022 Silver
Banfi Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino DOC Tuscany Italy 2021 Bronze
£15-£20
De Bortoli Wines Rutherglen Estate Sangiovese Rutherglen Australia 2022 Silver
Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano Vigna Benefizio Morellino di Scansano DOCG Tuscany Italy 2021 Silver
£20-£30
Tenute Piccini Piccini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany Italy 2018 Gold
Famiglia Zingarelli Rocca delle Macie Sergioveto Tuscany Italy 2020 Silver
Fattoria di Calappiano Collegonzi Sangiovese Tuscany Italy 2020 Silver
Castello di Albola Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Tuscany Italy 2020 Silver
Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano Roggiano Riserva Morellino di Tuscany Italy 2020 Silver
Bortolomiol Il Segreto di Giuliano Toscana IGT Tuscany Italy 2018 Bronze
£30-£50
Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano Sicomoro Morellino di Scansano Tuscany Italy 2019 Gold
Banfi Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcini DOCG Tuscany Italy 2018 Gold
Castello di Radda Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Vigna Il Corno Toscana Italy 2016 Silver
Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Toscana Italy 2018 Silver
Castello di Albola Il Solatio Chianti Classico DOCG GS Toscana Italy 2018 Silver
Castello di Radda Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Toscana Italy 2016 Bronze

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£50-£70
Famiglia Zingarelli – Rocca delle Macie Sergio Zingarelli Tuscany Italy 2019 Gold
Casisano Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy 2016 Gold
£70-£100
Banfi Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva Tuscany Italy 2017 Master
Casisano Colombaiolo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Tuscany Italy 2015 Gold
£100+
Banfi Poggio all’Oro Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva Tuscany Italy 2016 Gold

Red Unoaked Sangiovese Blend

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Sensi Vigne e Vini Dal Campo Chianti DOCG Tuscany Italy 2022 Bronze
£10-£15
Fattoria di Calappiano Vinciano Chianti DOCG Tuscany Italy 2022 Silver
£30-£50
Azienda Guido F. Fendi Società Agricola Burattini DOC Maremma Toscana Tuscany Italy 2019 Gold

Red Oaked Sangiovese Blend

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£15-£20
Sensi Vigne e Vini Dal Campo Chianti Riserva DOCG Tuscany Italy 2020 Silver
£20-£30
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Tuscany Italy 2020 Gold
Fratelli Wines Private Limited Sette Maharashtra India 2021 Silver
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Tuscany Italy 2019 Silver
£50-£70
Ruffino Romitorio di Santedame Tuscany Italy 2019 Gold

About the competiton

With high-quality judges, and a unique sampling process, The Sangiovese Masters provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2023 competition was judged on 7 July at 28°-50° in London’s Chelsea, employing experienced judges.

The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Sangiovese Master.

This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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