L38 October Wine Lunch | Julian Parmegiani | 27 October 2026

Six Expressions of Tuscany’s Great Red Grape

Our next tasting takes us to Tuscany to explore Sangiovese, the noble Italian grape whose name is traditionally interpreted as Sanguis Jovis — the Blood of Jupiter.

Sangiovese is the foundation of some of Italy’s greatest red wines, capable of producing everything from lively, elegant Chianti to the powerful, long-lived wines of Montalcino.

We will explore six expressions of this remarkable grape, beginning with the three classifications of Chianti Classico — Annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione — before moving south to compare Rosso di Montalcino with its more distinguished relative, Brunello. We finish with a Super Tuscan-style wine, demonstrating how Sangiovese responds to blending with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our wines are:

2019 Isole e Olena – Chianti Classico

2009 Marchese Antinori – Chianti Classico Riserva

2015 Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo – Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

2021 Argiano – Rosso di Montalcino

2006 Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta – Brunello di Montalcino

2010 Tenuta di Ghizzano Veneroso – Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon

With wines ranging from five to twenty years of age, this tasting offers an opportunity to examine not only the different interpretations of Sangiovese, but also the influence of vineyard selection, maturation and bottle development.

A fascinating exploration of one grape, three Tuscan regions and six very different wines.

Canapés

Caprese Skewers

Roast Vegetable Ricotta Tart

Cheese Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto

Main

Homemade Pasta with Beef Ragù