All the medallists from The Global Sangiovese Masters 2026

This year’s Global Sangiovese Masters displayed the supreme quality of the grape – and the preeminence of one Italian region. Patricia Stefanowicz MW reports.

SANGIOVESE IS the quintessentially Italian variety and is grown practically everywhere in Italy. The grape is especially important in the central part of the country: Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, the Marche and Umbria.

Wine quality can vary but, as the judges found in this year’s Global Sangiovese Masters, given the right clones, careful vine-growing and judicious winemaking, the grape can provide superb wines, whether single-varietal or in blends.

Traditionally, Chianti was a blend of varieties, with supporting roles played by Colorino, Canaiolo and Mammolo for Sangiovese. Nowadays, especially in Tuscany, ever since Bordeaux varieties were introduced to the coastal Bolgheri zone after the Second World War, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the most common partners.

But experimentation continues apace, and nowadays Sangiovese blends with Syrah are being rewarded with much critical acclaim. When carefully made, these blends are exciting. That is not to take anything away from pure Sangiovese, and there were plenty of top-level wines (Gold and Master medal winners) among these expressions too.

This year’s tasting gave the judges a good idea of what is being produced from Sangiovese, and the results were positive, with nine Gold medals, three Masters and one Grand Master awarded.

The majority of the wines were from Tuscany, with a couple hailing from elsewhere in Italy, alongside examples from Australia and South Africa. As climate change continues, it will be interesting to see where the next wave of Sangioveses will come from.

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At moderate price points, Australia performed well, with Silver medals for De Bortoli’s unoaked Rutherglen Estate Sangiovese and Langmeil’s Barossa Sangiovese-Barbera blend. And, during a very recent visit to Australia, this judge discovered that there are plenty more fantastic Sangiovese wines and blends to discover from the country where these two wines are produced.

As is usually the case, Tuscany took top honours, with all 11 of our Golds and Masters coming from what is affectionately referred to by some British people as ‘Chianti-shire’. Not all the Italian winners were at silly prices either. Villa Saletta’s Luna and Basilica Cafaggio’s Chianti Classico are priced just under £20, and both earned well-deserved Golds. Querciabella’s ‘entry-level’ Chianti Classico priced in the mid-£20s, also achieved a Gold.

Within the £30–£50 price bracket, the judges found excellent wines worthy of at least Silver medals, while Querciabella’s Chianti Classicos from two vintages (one of them priced just under £30) both earned Golds. The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from RBW (Robin Baum Wines) and Conti di San Bonifacio’s Monteregio di Massa Marittima Riserva were awarded Masters.

Above £50 there were Gold medal-winning wines from Villa Saletta for Riccardi IGT and Castello di Meleto for Vigna Casi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG.

SUBLIME POWERHOUSES

The finest wines we judged, at admittedly stratospheric prices, were from Querciabella. In addition to the Golds for the Chianti Classicos, the three wines from individual vineyard Gran Selezione sites in Greve, Radda and Lamole (SA-LA) were sublime powerhouses, with Greve taking home a Gold medal and SA-LA a Master.

Radda achieved one of our highest ever judges’ marks and became the Grand Master of this tasting. These wines are admittedly youthful, but enjoyable even now – at least with very strong and savoury meat dishes. This Global Masters demonstrated that Sangiovese can be brilliant. The high number of Silver, Gold and Master medals dished out attest to that. And, despite escalating prices, the judges agreed that Sangiovese represents good value for money at various price points in 2026. A gastronomic joy, Sangiovese deserves a place in every wine enthusiast’s repertoire.

Still Unoaked 100% Sangiovese

Still Oaked 100% Sangiovese

Still Unoaked Sangiovese Blend

Still Oaked Sangiovese Blend

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Sangiovese Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2026 competition was judged on 27 May at House of Decant in London, employing experienced judges. The top entries were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolades – the titles of Global Sangiovese Master or Grand Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Aston at: [email protected]