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Sangiovese Guide

Ravenna, Italy

Guide
Origins of the name

The first news on the Sangiovese grape date back to the seventeenth century and its origins are wrapped in a veil of legendary mystery. Its curious name, which in the Romagna dialect sounds like "sanzve's", would seem, in fact, to derive from Monte Giove or Colli Jovis, a hill that is located in the Rimini hinterland. But the appellation also alludes to the "Sanctus Zeus", the god Jupiter of the Romans. The fact that Pliny the Elder was already mentioned in his writings as one of the finest wines deserves to be mentioned.

Characteristics

The characteristics of the Sanves recall the spirit of the people of Romagna: a frank and rough character, but at the same time delicate and open. Generous sips of Sangiovese are accompanied by red meats and abundant dishes of fresh Romagna pasta, such as cappelletti, as well as classic Piadina.