The earliest known reference to Sangiovese grape variety is found in "La coltivazione delle viti", Soderini's treatment of grape growing published in 1590. He makes mention of a grape called Sangiogheto and praises it for its productivity. Trinci also praised it in 1738 in "Agricoltore sperimentato" and Gallesio devotes an entire chapter to Sangiovese in his "Pomona italiana" published in 1830. No one knows the origin of the grape name but many believe that it comes from the Toscana dialect, "Sarzana", meaning "Sangiovannina", a term used to denote early-ripening grapes. Sangiovese is grown throughout Italy and it is believed that 11% of hectares under vine in our country are planted to Sangiovese. Brunello di Montalcino has been made from 100% Sangiovese grosso (also known as Brunello) since the 1880s. The Sangiovese grosso clone of Sangiovese has berries that are larger than most clones of Sangiovese. Il Poggione is one of the original producers of Brunello.
Great background information, Alessandro. Thanks.
Posted by: Rich | July 24, 2008 at 12:35 AM
What was then the first brunello year produced at Il Poggione?
Bruno
Posted by: Bruno Schuler | July 26, 2008 at 09:56 PM