The red grape variety originates from Italy. There are more than 80 synonyms that testify to its probably great age and wide distribution, especially in Italy. The most important ones are Brunelletto, Brunello, Cacchiano, Calabrese, Cardisco, Cassano, Cordisio, Chiantino, Corinto Negro, Guarnacciola, Ingannacane, Lambrusco Mendoza, Lacrima, Liliano, Maglioppa, Montepulciano Primaticcio, Morellino, Morellino di Scansano, Negrello, Negretta, Nelutcho, Nerello, Nerello Campotu, Nerino, Nerino Sanvicetro, Niella, Nielluccio, Primaticcio, Prugnolo Dolce, Prugnolo Gentile, Puttanella, Sangiogheto, Sangiovese dal Cannello Lungo, Sangiovese dal Cannello Lungo di Predappio, Sangiovese di Lamole, Sangiovese di Romagna, Sangiovese Dolce, Sangiovese Elba, Sangiovese Grosso, Sangiovese Nostrano, Sangiovese Piccolo, Sangiovese Romagnolo, San Gioveto, Sangioveto, San Zoveto, Tabernello, Tignolo, Tignolo Sointovese, Toustain, Tuccanese, Uva Canina, Vigna del Conte and Vigna Maggio.
The variety was first mentioned under the name 'Sangiogheto' by the Italian agronomist Giovanni Soderini (1526-1596) in his work 'Trattato della coltivazione delle viti, e del frutto che se ne puô cavare', published posthumously in 1600. Supposedly, the name is of Latin origin (Sanguis Jovis), which means "blood of Jupiter" and is supposed to indicate an ancient origin of the vine. According to a hypothesis that cannot be verified, an ancestor is supposed to have been known to the Etruscans already. In any case, it is one of the most important Italian leading varieties with numerous descendants.
Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or great morphological similarities, Sangiovese must not be confused with the varieties Ciliegiolo, Montepulciano, Morellino del Casentino, Morellino del...
