Sangiovese

Blue grape. The most widespread grape in Tuscany, Italy. It is used for all of the Tuscany region's best-known wines; Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The grape originates from Tuscany, where it was already used in the 16th century. Today, Tuscany is also considered the home of the grape, although it has spread to other Italian regions. The Sangiovese family consists of several varieties, including "Sangiovese Grosso", which is used in Brunello. The combination of a thin skin and a long ripening period makes the grape difficult to grow. A rapid and strong absorption of liquid, due to rain, can cause the grapes to grow so violently in size that the skin splits. A cold summer can mean that the grape does not have time to fully ripen before it is harvested.