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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