Originating in Tuscany Italy, the Sangiovese Grape gets its name from the Latin Sanguis Jovis, which means "the blood of Jove." Jove is another name for the Roman God Jupiter, the patron deity of the Roman State. Sangiovese is the main component in Chianti, and is usually blended with a variety of other grapes which often includes Barbera. By itself, Sangiovese has a lush strawberry and spice taste which makes for a mellow and delightful medium bodied red wine.

After watching the beautiful movie Under the Tuscan Sun, I developed a yearning for a big plate of pasta with marinara sauce and a glass of the god Jupiter's Blood! This later part was accomplished by pulling the cork on a bottle of 2005 Santa Cristina Sangiovese from Antinori. What a wonderful combination; this wine is mellow with sweet tannins and a mild but dry finish. The fruit suggests spiciness and strawberries, and the 10% Merlot blended into this wine adds a little more subtle softness to its finish. While perfect with the pasta marinara, this wine would pair well with a host of other foods, from fowl to shellfish with red sauce.

The Antinori family has been making wine in Italy since 1385, and the winery has been a family run business for 26 generations. They make excellent wines, with this one being at the entry level price-wise -- but certainly a great choice for almost any occasion.

World Beverage
6190 Highway 400
Cumming, GA  30040
(678) 513-6284