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Sangiovese
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Sangiovese is an ancient Italian grape that predates Roman times, and remains one of that country’s two most important red wine grapes today. It’s name comes from the Latin sanguis Jovis, “the blood of Jove”. Believed to originate in Tuscany, it is the featured grape in most of that region’s wines, including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the great Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese varies tremendously depending on where it is grown, and it has a knack for mutating into wines of quite distinct character. The two most common mutations are Sangiovese Grosso and Sangiovese Piccolo. One particularly prized clone of Sangiovese Grosso is Brunello (“little dark one”), which makes the most important wine of Italy outside of the Nebbiolo-based Barolos of Piedmont. Though Sangiovese is the most planted red grape in Italy, outside of Italy there is very little Sangiovese in production. One cannot think of Sangiovese without identifying it with the wine regions of Italy, where it supplies ample variations on a theme. Generally the wine is medium-bodied, elegant, with lively acidity, firm tannins, and a savory core of dark cherry and plum fruit mingled with barnyard or leather elements. Seemingly custom designed for food pairing, Sangiovese is one of the most simpatico wines for the table. |
Merlot
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Merlot still suffers from the negative publicity it received in 2004 from the wine-themed movie Sideways. But even before that movie, Merlot had begun to be perceived as a beginner’s wine — soft and simple. We think that’s an unfair conclusion: inferior examples of Merlot are usually the result of overprinting in the wrong soil types rather than any intrinsic deficiencies in the grape. In fact, some of the most sought-after collectible wines are Merlot-based, including the great Bordeaux of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. A single bottle of the current vintage of Château Pétrus will fetch prices in the neighborhood of $4,000! How can one grape manifests itself as both wine plonk and memorable classics? Seemingly a wine paradox, Merlot’s identify crisis may be cleared up by this oft-repeated winemaker’s adage: The quality of the wine is directly proportional to the quality of the vineyards. Merlot is the second-most planted red wine grape in the world, so there is bound to be variation in quality. As with all grapes, location and the reputation of the winemaker are the two most important details when it comes to producing great wine. The characteristics that make Merlot a noble wine worthy of seeking out are its potential for aging, full, ripe berry flavors, plumy or fruitcake middle and, yes, that velvety, plush finish. |
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