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Whether you want to make a single grape varietal wine or a blend, RJS Craft Winemaking kits are made with the finest juices and concentrates to make your favourite wine styles. Use our wine selector to learn more about wines you love and possibly discover new wines that might be your next favourite.
Sangiovese
The Grape
Sangiovese is an Italian red wine grape variety that derives its name from the Latin and means “the blood of Jove”, referring to the Roman god of Jupiter. Historically Sangiovese has held a prominent place in Italian winemaking and was already well known by the 16th century. Sangiovese is well suited to the climates of Central and Southern Italy as it requires a long growing season since it buds early and requires sufficient warmth to fully ripen. But, if it gets too much heat, its flavours can become diluted.
The Wines
A typical Sangiovese is light in colour and has a flavour profile of sour red cherries with earthy aromas and tea leaf notes. It will have medium tannins and high acidity. If it is made with oak, it will readily take on oaky flavour. Sangiovese is usually made to be consumed with minimal aging. In Italy, the most famous Sangiovese wines are made in the Chianti region of Tuscany and are simply called “Chianti”.
The Occasions
The classic Sangiovese pairing is Italian style Pizza. The high acidity in the wine makes for a match made in heaven when the pizza is smothered in rich tomato sauce. Cover the sauce with mozzarella and sprinkle with fresh basil to play off the herbal notes in the wine. Sip your Sangiovese and nibble your pizza while enjoying your favourite movie or TV.
Different types of winemaking practices can affect the outcome of your wine. The chart below is a guideline for how we describe the profiles of our finished wines. Refer to tasting notes for each wine’s profile.
| OAK | BODY | SWEETNESS |
|---|---|---|
|
U - UNOAKED L - LIGHT M - MEDIUM H - HEAVY |
L - LIGHT M - MEDIUM F - FULL |
D - DRY O - OFF-DRY S - SWEET |
| Weeks | 6 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sangiovese |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
sangiovese Italy Style Sangiovese
This deep ruby red wine with aromas of tobacco, ripe plums and black cherries will remind you of Tuscany. The palate offers explosive notes of blackberries, prunes, and vanilla.
Food Pairings
Serve with penne alla vodka or chicken parmigiana.
| Weeks | 5 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sangiovese |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
sangiovese Italy Sangiovese Style
Perhaps Italy’s best loved grape from Tuscany, this wine is expressive on the palate with lively cherry fruit and a brisk acidity supported by ample smooth tannins with a deep and lingering finish.
Food Pairings
Try with Italian sausage and tortellini soup or ham and swiss stromboli.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sangiovese
Merlot |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
sangiovese Sangiovese Merlot Style
Aggressive in nature, it is crisp, clean and spicy with a subtle black pepper flavour. A perfect match for tomato-based Italian food.
Food Pairings
Enjoy with Caesar salad and meatballs or a hearty pasta dish.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sangiovese
Merlot |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
sangiovese Sangiovese Merlot Style
Aggressive in nature, it is crisp, clean and spicy with a subtle black pepper flavour. A perfect match for tomato-based Italian food.
Food Pairings
Enjoy with Caesar salad and meatballs or a hearty pasta dish.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sangiovese
Merlot |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
sangiovese Sangiovese Merlot Style
Aggressive in nature, it is crisp, clean and spicy with a subtle black pepper flavour. A perfect match for tomato-based Italian food.
Food Pairings
Enjoy with Caesar salad and meatballs or a hearty pasta dish.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Sangiovese
Merlot |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
sangiovese Sangiovese Merlot Style
Aggressive in nature, it is crisp, clean and spicy with a subtle black pepper flavour. A perfect match for tomato-based Italian food.
Food Pairings
Enjoy with Caesar salad and meatballs or a hearty pasta dish.