Catina Scacciadiavoli

– Umbria

“What’s my prediction?... Pain!” So said ‘Clubber Lang’ (AKA Mr T) from Rocky 3.

Sagrantino is a brooding, powerful, and muscular wine. The variety is famous for its huge tannins and massive structure. Unless carefully managed, the wine will leave you feeling like you’ve just had 12 rounds for the Heavyweight Championship of the World, thankfully Scacciadiavoli know just how to tame this beast.

South East of Tuscany is the land locked region of Umbria. A rugged and wild place, with a long history of farming. The white wines are often in the fresh, crisp spectrum making them perfect for Summer drinking. The reds are at the opposite end of the spectrum especially the variety, which is unlike any other, Sagrantino. In a sense it might appear too much for the modern world, the antithesis of the crowd pleaser, this is a wine that is for those who want an outlier and something that stands out from the masses.

Careful selection with Sagrantino is more important than probably with any other wine, perhaps because if you try one where the monstrous tannins haven’t been carefully managed, you could lose the ability to speak. We tried many Sagrantinos which were too tannic, and some where being careful turned to being timid resulting in them being a pale imitation of what they should be. Scacciadiavoli has found the balance just right..