Brunello di Montalcino Italian Wine
Italian wines are well known worldwide thanks to the exclusivity and quality that they offer. Among these, the Nebbiolo and also Tignanello wines stand out. Many Italian wines have a designation of origin that makes them typical of a certain region and makes them exclusive in the world. The Brunello di Montalcino wine is a wine of great popularity and recognition.
Grown in the Italian region of Tuscany, it’s a wine that shares its reputation for exclusivity with Vino Nobile di Montalcino and Chianti. Today we have prepared an excellent review about the Brunello di Montalcino wine.
What is Brunello di Montalcino Wine About?
Brunello di Montalcino wine is red wine from the Tuscany wine region. Its elaboration is exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. These grapes are growing in lands near Montalcino, a picturesque little town in the south of Siena.
Its production occurs in a mixed setting: the land where its grapes are grown can be slightly mountainous, as well as other times, it can be rich in limestone or clay.
The Brunello di Montalcino is a wine that, together with 3 other wines, has the first DOCG appellation (short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita). According to DOCG regulations, these wines cannot be marketed in the first five years from when they are produced. During this time, the wine must remain in wooden barrels for at least two years. And also must undergo a minimum of four months of refinement in the bottle.
History and Origins of the Brunello di Montalcino
The hill of Montalcino, located at an altitude of 667 meters, is the birthplace of this wonderful jewel of enology.
This wine was born thanks to the young winemaker Ferrucio Blondi Santi. Blondi Santi dedicated himself to continuing his grandfather’s research on the Sangiovese grape. In previous centuries, wine production in this area was known to many. With the same traditional processes that last through the years.
The Blondi Santi family was the initiator of the “new” Brunello di Montalcino. This wine got its name due to the type of grapes. Called “Brunello”. This grape was a clone of the Sangiovese grape, the Sangiovese Grosso. This cloning resulted in a wine of better quality but also longevity. It can age for a long time (between 10 and 30 years).
As the end of the 19th century was nearing, the first oenological studies were done out in the region to verify these wines’ quality. These studies’ conclusion is that the “Brunello” grape was a Sangiovese grape.
Growing and Production Conditions
In addition to the Barolo and Barbaresco grapes, the Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s most important grapes in terms of growth. It achieved a great reputation at the end of the Second World War.
In the Montalcino area, province of Siena, of its 24,000 hectares, 15% are vineyards. This area occupies a sizeable square-shaped hill almost entirely covered with forests.
Montalcino is a perfect area to produce excellent quality wines regarding the climate and its soils. The quality of Brunello di Montalcino varies according to its cultivation location, which can be found on one of the plateau’s four sides. These differences master winemakers highly value when producing quality wine.
Its cultivation is mainly done with the horizontal cord system, which allows a low yield per hectare.
For wine production, a small number of grapes from the Rennina and Sugarille vineyards are put together with grapes from the Torreniero vineyard. A 9-hectare vineyard located northeast of Montalcino.
As for its production, this wine needs an aging time of between two to five years in Slovenian oak barrels. This storage gives the wine complex characteristics, among which a strong, dry flavor and also stronger tannins stand out.
By regulation, this wine must age for at least four months in the bottle. And also can only go on the market after five years of harvest.
Tasting Notes
In view, it has a ruby red color with garnet reflections. On the nose, you can sense intense, clean, and pleasant aromas. Among which are the aromas of black cherries, balsam, chocolate, vanilla, and light toast from the barrel stand out. It is intense, fruity, with notes of cherries and also red fruits on the palate. It is smooth and round in the mouth; you can distinguish the tannins by their maturity and delicacy, which gives it a lively and full acidity. Its aftertaste is pleasant and persistent.
Read more: What is Montepulciano D’Abruzzo?
Pairing of Brunello di Montalcino
This wine pairs very well with intense flavors and roasted red and white meats. Game meats such as pheasant and wild boar stand out. Another good accompaniment is grilled vegetables, cold cuts, Parmesan, or Pecorino cheese.
Due to its high acidity and moderate alcohol level, Brunello di Montalcino is an excellent accompaniment to Italian dishes with tomato sauce, such as pizza and pasta. It goes very well with dishes seasoned with basil, thyme, and sage, thanks to the grape’s herbaceous notes.
Other Data
The Brunello di Montalcino is one of the most exclusive wines in Italy. Hence its high market price, which is around $ 75. The recommendation is to serve at a temperature between 64,4°F and 68 °F (between 18°C and 20 ° C).
Thanks to meticulous manual work, from dry pruning to choosing the most suitable shoot, the grapes’ quality from which Brunello di Montalcino is born is exceptionally high.
The municipality of Montalcino, the cradle of this wonderful wine, consists of an agricultural landscape with a great history and unparalleled beauty. Since 2004, this municipality is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.