The grape of Tuscany's red Chianti wine and of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepluciano. Often blended with up to 10% Cabernet-Sauvignon in Chianti to give added roundness and colour to the wine.
Characteristics: Varied styles can exhibit farmyard and spiciness or sometimes damsons and prunes. The colour is not generally very deep and the wine tends to brownness at the edges from a comparatively early age. In very hot, ripe years the wines can develop very well with some cellaring.