Sangiovese 101

Winter is setting in here in the Rocky's and Reds are on my mind. The Italian heritage Sangiovese varietal vine is normally a very productive variety. Big berries, big clusters grown in deep, fertile soil produces a good grape for light wines and roses. By restricting water, thinning vines and growing in less fertile areas the grapes get stressed (who wouldn't?) and the wines (from red checked table cloth Chianti to big buck Italian Brunellos) become bigger, bolder, full-flavored and deeply colored. "Super Tuscans" are Italian varieties such as Sangiovese & Barbera mixed with bigger wines that bolster the main wine's complexity and depth. To label a wine a varietal , government rules require at least 75% of the blend to be the variety stated on the label. Temecula, California has the right temp and terra for these " Big Reds".