Collection: Sagrantino

Sagrantino is a dark and powerful grape variety with roots in Umbria in central Italy, notably around Montefalco and neighbouring municipalities such as Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Giano dell'Umbria and Castel Ritaldi. The grape has been documented in the area as far back as 1598, and this is precisely where we source our Sagrantino. Our entire selection comes from Italy, and more specifically from Umbria, the homeland of this characterful variety.

Sagrantino is known for its unusually high content of polyphenols, which produce dense, tannin-rich wines with great ageing potential. The primary style today is dry red wine, but historically the grape was first and foremost made into a sweet passito from air-dried grapes. Dry versions truly came into their own at the end of the twentieth century. The important classification for the grape is Montefalco Sagrantino, which was established as a DOC in 1977 for passito and raised to DOCG status in 1992, when the dry versions were included. You will also find Sagrantino as part of Montefalco Rosso, a blend with Sangiovese and other varieties.

The wines differ depending on where in the area the grapes are grown. Sagrantino from Montefalco tends to be more structured and refined, while wines from Bevagna often come across as more floral. From Castel Ritaldi and Gualdo Cattaneo the style is typically softer and more ready to drink at a younger age.

Sagrantino is a fussy grape to cultivate. It has above-average vigorous growth but low yields, and it requires plenty of sun and warmth to ripen properly. It does best on clay- and loam-rich soils, and it has its vulnerabilities, including to peronospora, magnesium deficiency and spider mites. It is a variety that rewards patience both in the field and in the glass.

The dense, tannin-rich wines pair well with dark and robust meat dishes such as lamb and game. With its tannin and acid structure, Sagrantino also has the best conditions to develop nicely over the years in the cellar.