Once hailed as “the new Merlot”, Sangiovese experienced an unfortunate phase in California. In the 1980s and 1990s, at the height of the “Cal-Ital” movement, this noble Tuscan grape was grown and vinified without much care or discernment, resulting in unbalanced and often overdone wines.
The outcome was a widespread loss of interest in Sangiovese, which came to be seen as unsuitable for Californian soils and climate. Today, however—as highlighted by a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle—things are beginning to change. A new generation of winemakers is rediscovering the potential of Sangiovese, drawn by its ability to adapt to heat and express a broad range of styles.
