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Brunello di Montalcino
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Classification: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita- Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin)
Colour: intense ruby red, tending towards garnet with ageing
Region of production: Montalcino, in the province of Siena, in the area between the rivers of Ombrone, Asso and Orcia
Minimum alcohol content: 12.5%
Grape varieties used: Sangiovese (Brunello) |
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THE AWARD-WINNING TUSCAN RED |
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Brunello di Montalcino is one of the most well-known and highly regarded Italian wines in the world; indeed it is listed amongst the ten best wines in existence. It belongs to the family of ancient Tuscan reds, praised since the fifteenth century for their delights. At the time, however, and until the second half of the nineteenth century, the vine cultivation was not very productive and different types of grape were used to produce this wine. The specialisation of the Sangiovese vine, which in the Montalcino area became known as Brunello, lead to the official birth of this fine wine. This was the start of a triumphal march which was even to take it to the United States, where the only thing to halt its success was the era of prohibition. In 1966 it was awarded DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata- Controlled Denomination of Origin) status, and in 1980 that of DOGC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita- Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin), thus further confirming its high quality.
Today, over one thousand two hundred hectares of the area are given over to vineyards producing more than four million bottles, and the Brunello di Montalcino Wine Consortium (set up in 1967) numbers about two hundred members. The grapes are generally picked in mid-September, before the autumn rains ruin them, and are left to ferment in stainless steel, cement or wood vats. It is then left to age in casks as established by the production specifications over four years. It is a noble wine that improves with age: the conservation period depends on the year and varies from three to ten years, although in some cases it can extend even further.
Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine with a robust and persistent flavour and intense perfume which is slightly aromatic. Clear and full bodied, it should be served at a temperature of 18 degrees in full-bottom balloon glasses so it can be warmed with the palm of the hand. Before drinking it though, it should be left to decant in a crystal decanter for at least two hours. It should be kept in cool and dark cellars, keeping the bottle horizontal at all times.
Delightful even drunk alone, Brunello yields its very best when combined with red meats, preferably roasted or barbecued, such as the equally famed Florentine T-bone. It is also excellent with game such as pheasant and wild boar as well as with mature cheeses like Pecorino.
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