Sagrantino is a red grape varietal that hails from Italy, indigenous to the region of Umbria. The most famous ones are Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, named after the village of Montefalco in Central Umbria. Montefalco is often considered the birthplace of Sagrantino, although it may well be more legend than fact. There are references to Sagrantino dating as far back as the late 16th century as a communion wine. Not surprising given the name derives from the Italian words sagra (feast) or sacrestia (communion wine).
We love our Italian varieties at Oliver’s Taranga, and one of our classic styles is Sagrantino, but not everyone has heard of it, so we thought we’d give you a good run-down of just what you can expect…
Sagrantino, pronounced sah-grahn-tee-no, is known for having the highest tannins of all red wines, given its high polyphenol content. It also displays an intense depth of colour, and many winemakers would recommend giving this some time in the cellar to enjoy it at its peak. In Montefalco, the famous examples spend a minimum of 37 months in oak prior to release, and then they’re often not consumed for another decade. Talk about needing patience!
There are also small sagrantino plantings in other Italian regions, such as Central and Southern Italy. The varietal is becoming more widely planted here in Australia, performing well in dry and windy climates with good resistance to cold winters and the frosts that typically occur in spring. Late ripening, it needs plenty of warmth and sun.
What does Sagrantino taste like?
It’s delicious! Choc-full of wonderfully layered tannins and violet florals. Sagrantino is often known for its bouquet of dried herbs and intense dark fruit flavours. The wines can be powerful and well-structured – but they have some of the strongest tannins in any wine, meaning they are best enjoyed with food.
Expressions of Sagrantino vary depending on the winemaking style, but you’ll often find many savoury characters – it’s a special blend as the palate can be sweet and savoury.
Watch as winemaker, Corrina Wright tastes through our Oliver’s Taranga Sagrantino.
Sagrantino is often made as a straight varietal wine, although sometimes it is blended with sangiovese. The dark-berried, full-bodied wines have good acidity, so they are particularly appealing to wine lovers who love a big red!
What is Sagrantino similar to?
If you love the big bold flavours of Cabernet or a Nebbiolo, then Sagrantino could be for you. This Italian wine certainly has the tannins, all you need is some delicious food to go with it.
What food pairs with Sagrantino?
There are so many foods that pair beautifully with Sagrantino. However, with such intense tannins, the team at Oliver’s Taranga can’t go past a classic Italian style Porchetta. The delicious savouriness of sagrantino matches perfectly with the generous flavours of the crispy skinned Porchetta. In fact, Oliver’s Taranga’s signature event is the Porchetta Party held several times a year – the kind of lunch Sundays were made for: good friends, great tunes, awesome wines and four delicious courses of amazing food, culminating in the slow roasted, crispy, Italian style Porchetta prepared by chef Todd Steele.
Read on for Chef Todd Steele’s tips to serving the perfect porchetta at home.
Who makes Sagrantino in Australia?
Oliver’s Taranga first planted Sagrantino in McLaren Vale in 2004, and the first vintage wine was released in 2009. This was a natural progression, as many other Italian varietals, like fiano, vermentino and mencia, were already planted on the estate.
The first release of Sagrantino in Australia was by the Chalmers family, friends of the Oliver’s Taranga family, who imported cuttings in 1998 and started plantings in 2000 in their Nursery in the Murray Darling. Chalmers’s first vintage was in 2004, with further plantings in Heathcote in later years. You may even start to see even more of this red grape varietal popping up, given the interest in Italian grape varietals within Australia, with several clones being planted depending on the location.
Be sure to seek out some of the other examples from Savaterre, Chalmers, David Hook Wines, Susuro, Lethbridge, Jamsheed. Or keep an eye out for the winners from the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show each year for new wines to discover.
Try our 2021 Oliver’s Taranga Sagrantino
This wine is often a hidden treasure that OTT Club members adore. They love the fact that they get priority access, and it’s often a wine many have yet to discover. Only a small parcel of this delicious release is made —one to add to your cellar. Cook up some porchetta and serve with a glass of Sagrantino to experience this ultimate flavour combination.
Cheers, Corrina, Brioni, Sam & the OT Team