Monte Bernardi Sangió Chianti Classico DOCG

Chianti Classico Sangió DOCG from Monte Bernardi

A wine, a casual buddy, a good friend

The owner of Monte Bernardi - Michael Schmelzer is a big admirer of Sangiovese - the Chianti Classico's very own grape variety. It's not for nothing that I like to call him "Mr. Sangiovese". And Michael's latest wine makes this undoubtly clear: with the 2019 vintage was born the Sangió! A Chianti Classico made of 100 percent sangiovese, but in a more casual form. And  the wine presents itself in the glass just as casual as the name on the label sounds. Besides Retromarcia, the winemaker has created a second Chianti Classico in his assortment, which is fruity, light and lively and close to the original taste of the grape. You can taste cherries, plums, a rich fruit basket of aromas - and much less wood. And there is a good reason for this: In contrast to the Retromarcia, the Sangió is vinified to 70 percent in cement tanks and to 30 percent in wooden barrels used several times. The Chianti Classico Retromarcia from Monte Bernardi is produced exactly the other way around. As a result Sangió is a red wine that is uncomplicated to drink and flows very well. A slightly chilled bottle of Sangió on a balmy summer evening - it's like spending quality time with a good buddy who has the potential to become a true friend in the upcoming years.

A dynamic winemaker who relies on biodynamic viticulture

The idea for Sangió was born actually thanks a new vineyard. In 2019, Michael expanded his vineyard with 10 hectares in Sala, part of Panzano in Chianti. This brings Monte Bernardi to around 63 hectares of land. Michael's eyes always sparkle when he talks about his new parcels: orientation, soil structure - everything perfetto! A small hint : before beeing part of Monte Bernardi that land was cultivated conventionally. But from the first day on Michael switched to biodynamic cultivation of these vineyards. Eversince 2004 Monte Bernardi has been relying on biodynamic viticulture according to the principles of Rudolf Steiner. Michael is convinced that this is the best way to express the terroir, the ultimate quality and at the same time the harmony between the vineyards and the environment. Or to put it another way: in a few years, like all other Monte Bernardi wines, Sangió will be a certified organic wine.

Monte Bernardi - a winery in the heart of Chianti Classico

If you take the famous SS 222 national road through the wonderful Tuscany, the "Chiantigiana", as the winding road is so sonorously called, takes you right into the heart of the world-famous Chianti Classico wine region. About halfway between Siena and Florence, you will finally reach the small town of Panzano in Chianti. And exactly here beats the heart of the Chianti Classico! And right in the middle of it is the Monte Bernardi winery. Since 2003, the estate, which is rich in tradition, has been managed by Michael Schmelzer. Born and raised in the USA, Michael studied oenology in Australia. But one day love led him to Chianti Classico. Namely the love for the autochthonous and at the same time for Italy most important grape variety Sangiovese. Michael is convinced that there is something very special for Sangiovese. He believes that if this sometimes "tricky" variety is treated carefully and sensitively, it will produce wines of absolute top quality. And this is exactly what the winemaker masterfully proves: with wines that have received numerous national and international awards and top ratings.

A wine assortment as versatile as life itself!

The devotion to the Sangiovese variety is deeply reflected in Monte Bernardi's assortment. Besides the new Chianti Classico Sangió and Monte Bernardi's other Chianti Classico - the popular Retromarcia, the Chianti Classico Riserva Sa'etta is also produced from 100 percent Sangiovese. In Michael Schmelzer's second Chianti Classico Riserva, Sangiovese is joined by a hint of Canaiolo. The autochthonous grape variety also plays a major role in Monte Bernardi's rosé. However, the rosé wine is a very special blend: mix of Sangiovese and Canaiolo (90 % red wine varieties) with Malvasia and Trebbiano (10 % white wine varieties). And that reminds a little bit of the "old" composition of the Chianti Classico. An all-time classic in the Monte Bernardi range is the Super Tuscan Tzingana, made from international grape varieties: 45% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot bring French flair to the Italian soil. As a "little brother" of the big Super Tuscan, the Tzingarella wine also belongs to the wine family of Monte Bernardi. This is a cuvee of international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Similar to Tzingana and Tzingarella, Rossolino Colli della Toscana IGT is predominantly produced out of international grape varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and some Colorino, which is also an autochthonous grape variety in Tuscany. And last but not least, Michael produces a strong and spicy Olio Extravergine di Oliva from the fruits of his 1,000 olive trees.