The Sagrantino
Grape
A red grape variety indigenous to the Umbria region of central Italy, particularly associated with the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. Sagrantino produces robust, tannic wines with high levels of anthocyanins, offering flavors of dark fruits, spices, and earth, with significant aging potential.
Sagrantino
Grape History
Sagrantino is a unique and historic wine grape variety that has its origins rooted in the wine-producing region of Umbria in central Italy. This dark-skinned grape is known for its thick skin and high tannins, making it ideal for producing bold and structured red wines. The history of Sagrantino can be traced back centuries, with some sources suggesting that it has been cultivated in Umbria since the time of the Etruscans.
One interesting fact about Sagrantino is that it was traditionally used to make a sweet wine for religious purposes, particularly during the Easter season. The name "Sagrantino" is believed to be derived from the Italian word "sagra," which means sacred or holy, further emphasizing the grape's religious significance in the region.
Sagrantino is primarily grown in the Montefalco region of Umbria, where it thrives in the warm Mediterranean climate and well-drained limestone soils. The grape's cultivation is relatively limited, with only a small number of producers dedicated to its production. However, Sagrantino has gained recognition for the high quality of wines it can produce, leading to increased interest in recent years.
The most famous wine made from Sagrantino is Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, a deeply colored and full-bodied red wine with intense flavors of dark fruits, spices, and earthy notes. These wines are known for their aging potential, often requiring several years of bottle aging to soften the robust tannins and allow the complex aromas to fully develop.
In recent years, Sagrantino has been receiving growing international attention, with wine enthusiasts and critics praising its unique character and potential for producing world-class wines. As a result, some winemakers outside of Italy have started experimenting with cultivating Sagrantino in their vineyards, showcasing the grape's versatility and adaptability to different terroirs.
Overall, the future looks promising for Sagrantino, as more consumers discover and appreciate the distinctive qualities of wines made from this exceptional grape variety. With an increasing focus on indigenous and lesser-known grape varieties in the wine world, Sagrantino is poised to further establish its reputation as a quality and sought-after wine grape in the global market.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel