Red to go with Italian food

The vintage of this wine is 2015. This is the current vintage.

Osawa Wines are truly impressive. Every time we receive this old vintage wine, I am always amazed at just how big their aging cellars must be.

To begin with, there are very few producers growing Sangiovese in New Zealand.

Among these, it is extremely rare for Sangiovese that has been thoroughly aged to appear on the market.

Sangiovese is a red grape variety that is representative of central Italy, especially Tuscany.

In this region, the range of flavors varies widely depending on the maker and the land, from light styles with a strong acidity to heavy, full-bodied wines that are aged in barrels.

"A versatile Italian variety." That is what defines Sangiovese.

So what does Sangiovese look like in Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island?

My impression of this Flying Sheep Sangiovese 2015 is...

• The fruit flavor is a little subdued and calm.
• But the balance is very good

This is how I felt.

It has a somewhat modest, well-balanced taste. It is not as fruity as other New Zealand wines, and is slightly earthy. The overall balance is very good. I think it can be said to be a wine with a calm presence.

The color is a little dark but not too strong, and the rim of the glass has an orange tint that suggests aging.

The aroma has hints of forest undergrowth and soil, with a gentle fruity scent like blueberries in the background.
The taste is medium-bodied with the refreshing acidity typical of Sangiovese. It's not too thick, but not too thin either, with smooth tannins and a deep, delicious flavor. The fruit is not overly flashy, and there is also a hint of earthiness and mushrooms. This makes you want to eat. This is the kind of wine it is.

Considering that, it can be said that this wine has an Italian feel to it. Just like authentic Italian wines, the wine's true potential comes out when paired with food, and I think this is also true for NZ Sangiovese.

The range of dishes that go well with it is extremely wide.

• Beef Carpaccio
• Bolognese or Ragu Pasta
• Beef tagliata (thinly sliced steak)
• Lamb braised in red wine
• Sautéed Chicken Liver

A bottle on the dinner table. It will complement a variety of side dishes perfectly. I think it's the perfect wine to liven up a meal.

And for a red wine aged for 10 years, it is priced extremely reasonably.

It has the maturity that comes with age and the excellent compatibility with food that is characteristic of Sangiovese.

Please try adding it to your dinner table.

About the Winery "Osawa Wines"

Osawa Wines is a boutique winery located in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand's North Island.

It was established in 2005 by its Japanese owner, Taizo Osawa, who had dreamed of farming overseas since he was a boy.

Since its founding, Osawa Wines has believed that "making safe and delicious wine begins with growing the best grapes," and while it incorporates the latest technology in grape cultivation, it still primarily cares for the branches, leaves, and fruit of its vast single vineyard, which covers an area of 43 hectares (about the size of nine Tokyo Domes), by hand.

In addition, they started their organic cultivation, which was their goal, from the 2013 vintage. Their 2016 vintage wine was certified by BioGro NZ, a New Zealand organic certification body. Since then, all their wines have been given the same certification.

The head brewer is Rod MacDonald, who was once named New Zealand's best brewer. By incorporating wild yeast alcohol fermentation and traditional brewing processes, they maximize the unique characteristics of their own vineyards to produce safe, reliable, and top-quality wines.

The lineup of Osawa Wines is as follows:

• Flying Sheep, Osawa Wines' representative casual line
• Reserve Wine (High-Quality Wine) "Prestige Collection"
• Reserve Wine (Top Quality Wine) "Winemaker's Collection"

These three series are divided into a wide range of releases, from casual to authentic flavors that can be aged for a long time.

About Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay is located in the eastern part of the North Island and is characterized by abundant sunshine and a relatively warm climate, and boasts the second largest grape-growing area in Australia.

Hawke's Bay specializes in producing red wines, particularly those made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Syrah, while fruity Chardonnay is a popular white wine.

The Gimlet Gravels, an area created when what was originally a riverbed was pushed up by an earthquake, is one of Hawke's Bay's important sub-regions.

Osawa Wines Flying Sheep Sangiovese 2015

item	Content
Winery Name	Osawa Wines
Country of Origin	new zealand
Origin	Hawke's Bay
kinds	red
Grape variety	Sangiovese
Vintage	2015
Alcohol content	13.5%
capacity	750ml
others	Sustainable Certification
remarks	Screw Cap

Click here for products and content related to this wine.