Ep. 196 --ENGLISH-- Attilio Scienza (VIA Chief Scientist) on Sangiovese

This is the English-language translation of episode 196, which has originally been recorded in Italian. In this educational podcast, Monty Waldin speaks to Attilio Scienza, vine genetics scholar and Chief Scientist of the Vinitaly International Academy. Scienza’s most recent book La Stirpe del Vino (Sperling & Kupfer, 2018) explores the genetic history of an iconic grape variety. In this interview, Scienza and Monty discuss the genetic origins of Sangiovese, its genetic relationships with Mantonico, Nerello Mascalese, Foglia Tonda and other Southern grape varieties. Scienza redefines the notion of grape indigeneity by stating that a grape is native to the place where it finds its best genetic expression, rather than to the place where it originates. Thus, despite its Southern Italian origins and progeny, Sangiovese has found its best genetic expression in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Scienza talks about Sangiovese’s soils and wine-making styles and introduces key issues related to the main Sangiovese territories and denominations: Morellino di Scansano, Brunello, Chianti, and the Sangiovese in Emilia-Romagna. This podcast will give you an overview of the importance of Sangiovese to the Italian wine tradition and cannot be missed if you are studying wine! [A transcript of this interview in English is available on www.italianwinepodcast.com]. --- This episode is part of the Native Grape Odyssey sponsored series. This podcast series is brought to you by Native Grape Odyssey. Native Grape Odyssey is an educational project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE) for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines in Japan, Canada, and Russia. Learn more about "Europe. Quality. Wine." at nativegrapeodyssey.com/. Enjoy it's from Europe!