Monte Bernardi Sangió Chianti Classico DOCG

Chianti Classico Sangió DOCG from Monte Bernardi

A wine, a casual buddy, a good friend

Michael Schmelzer, owner of the Monte Bernardi winery, is an admirer of Sangiovese - the original grape variety of Chianti Classico. It's not for nothing that I like to call him "Mr. Sangiovese". And Michael's latest wine makes this unmistakably clear: for the first time with the 2019 vintage, there is a Sangió! A Chianti Classico made from 100 percent Sangiovese, but in a more casual style. And the wine in the glass is just as casual as the name on the label sounds: in addition to Retromarcia, the winemaker has created a second Chianti Classico for his range that 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 - but significantly less wood. And there is a good reason for this: in contrast to the Retromarcia, 70 percent of the Sangió is vinified in cement tanks and 30 percent in wooden barrels that have been used several times. With the second Chianti Classico Retromarcia from Monte Bernardi, it is exactly the opposite. The result is a red wine that is easy to drink and flows very well. A slightly chilled bottle of Sangió on a warm summer evening - it's like spending quality time with a good friend who has the potential to become a real friend in the years to come.

A dynamic winemaker who believes in biodynamic viticulture

The idea for Sangió actually came about with a new vineyard. In 2019, Michael expanded his vineyard by 10 hectares in Sala, a part of Panzano in Chianti. Monte Bernardi now covers around 63 hectares of land. Michael's eyes light up when he talks about his new vineyards: Orientation, soil structure - everything perfetto! One small drawback: until Monte Bernardi took over, this land was farmed conventionally. But from day one, Michael also switched to biodynamic cultivation on these vineyards. Since 2004, Monte Bernardi has been using 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. In other words: in a few years, the Sangió, like all other Monte Bernardi wines, will be a certified organic wine.

Monte Bernardi - a winery in the heart of Chianti Classico

If you take the famous SS 222 country road through wonderful Tuscany, the "Chiantigiana", as the winding road is so sonorously known, takes you right into the heart of the world-famous Chianti Classico wine region. About halfway between Siena and Florence, you finally come to the small town of Panzano in Chianti. And this is where the heart of Chianti Classico beats! And right in the middle of it all is the Monte Bernardi winery. The traditional estate has been run by Michael Schmelzer since 2003. Born and raised in the USA, Michael studied oenology in Australia. But it was love that led him to Chianti Classico: His love for the indigenous grape variety Sangiovese, which is also Italy's most important grape variety. Michael is convinced that something very special lies dormant in Sangiovese. That if you treat this sometimes somewhat "bitchy" variety with care and sensitivity, it produces wines of absolute top quality. And this is exactly what the winemaker demonstrates masterfully: with wines that have won numerous national and international awards and top ratings.

A range of wines as varied as life itself!

The dedication to the Sangiovese grape is also reflected in the Monte Bernardi range: in addition to the new Chianti Classico Sangió and the second Chianti Classico from Monte Bernardi, the popular Retromarcia, the Chianti Classico Riserva Sa'etta is also made from 100 percent Sangiovese. In Michael Schmelzer's second Chianti Classico Riserva, a touch of Canaiolo is added to the Sangiovese. The autochthonous grape variety also plays a key role in Monte Bernardi's rosé, but it is a very special blend: the mix of Sangiovese and Canaiolo (90% red wine varieties) with Malvasia and Trebbiano (10% white wine varieties) is slightly reminiscent of the "old" composition of Chianti Classico. An all-time classic in the Monte Bernardi range is the Super-Tuscan Tzingana, which is made from international grape varieties: 45% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot bring French flair to Italian soil. As the "little brother" of the big Super Tuscan, the Tzingarella is also part of the Monte Bernardi wine family: this is a cuvée made from international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Similar to Tzingana and Tzingarella, Rossolino Colli della Toscana - an IGT - is also made primarily from international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and some Colorino, also an autochthonous grape variety of Tuscany. And last but not least, Michael produces a strong and spicy Olio Extravergine di Oliva from the fruit of his 1,000 or so olive trees.

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti

Schmelzer family

Michael Schmelzer