ORIGIN OF SANGIOVESE
Provided by Pete Anderson
For many of us who have a keen interest in the growing and wine making of
Sangiovese grapes, this is a monumental discovery, especially for those in
Tuscany who have declared Sangiovese to be a Tuscan autochthonous grape with
enological folklore origins.
WINE: SANGIOVESE'S ANCESTORS FOUND(AGI) - Florence, Italy, Nov. 18
The news that researchers found the species of vine from which originated Sangiovese
vine was published during the international symposium on Sangiovese wine organized
by Arsia (Tuscany's regional agency for agriculture) in Florence. Many wines
like Brunello, Chianti, Carmignano and Nobile of Montepulciano are made from
Sangiovese vine. The discovery of Sangiovese's ancestors was reported by researcher
José Vouillamoz of the agrarian institute San Michele All'Adige, who
presented a report entitled "Sangiovese's genetic relations". According
to this research, Sangiovese's ancestors are Ciliegiolo and Calabrese Montenuovo.
Ciliegiolo is an ancient vine species well known in Tuscany. Montenuovo is a
vine species that was rediscovered in a vineyard farm in Campania cultivated
from a sample of a dozen originals. This grape species is not registered in
the roll of vine species, the researcher said. When vines were DNA tested researchers
came up against a surprise. Researchers analyzed 50 DNA genes strands and the
result was that Sangiovese has half the genes of Ciliegiolo and half the genes
of Calabrese Montenuovo. Researchers will study in depth Calabrese Montenuovo.
CONFIRMATION OF SCIENTIFIC ABILITY
I took the liberty of contacting Dr Carole Meredith who is recognized as the leading DNA expert on grapevine identification and have provided her response to my inquiry which is shown below. Dr Meredith has retired from UC Davis and is involved with her husband in the operation of Lagier Meredith Vineyard where they make Syrah wine. You will recall that Dr Meredith had discovered the origin of Syrah a few years ago.
Pete, The guy who did the Sangiovese DNA work is Jose Vouillamoz and he spent
a year working in my lab in 2002. I wasn't involved in the Sangiovese work (he
started it after he left my lab) but I have a high regard for Jose's scientific
abilities, so I am inclined to support his conclusions.Carole******************************Lagier
Meredith Vineyard 4967 Dry Creek Road Napa, CA 94558