Sanforte, or Sangiovese Forte is a native Italian red wine grape variety (Ian D’Agata (2016, p.426) found in the Tuscany region of Italy. It was long assumed to be a biotype of Sangiovese. Its bunch is not unlike that of Sangiovese but Sanforte produces more bunches per vine and ripens significantly earlier than Sangiovese. It was first named in 1773 by Giovanni Cosimo Villifranchi in the book ” Enologia toscana, ossia memoria sopra i vini e in specie toscani”.   

Where grown: Sanforte is found in some blended Tuscan wines eg. Costa Toscana IGT. It was planted to bulk up wines from the cold Lamole area – Sanforte’s  name derives from ‘Sangiovese Forte’ (‘strong Sangiovese) because it builds up sugars easily.

Wine style: Sanforte reds are ‘bigger’ and not inelegant wines compared to Sangiovese with savoury violet, dark cherry, and even tarry notes and textures. 

Wineries: Cosimo Maria Masini.