Italy > Tuscany > Tuscany DOCG > Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany's most famous DOCG (along with Chianti) and the region's boldest expression of Sangiovese. Brunello di Montalcino is located 30km south of Siena with the hilltop town of Montalcino as its epicentre. Brunello is the local vernacular name for Sangiovese Grosso, the large-berried form of Sangiovese which grows in the area and from which Brunello di Montalcino should be made in purezza (100%).
Altough the first mentions of the Brunello can be traced back to the 14th century, the wine became well known much later, largely because of the Bondi-Santi family (in the 1870's).
Bondi-Santi vinified his Sangiovese grapes separately from the other varieties (in Tuscany at that time it was common practice to co-ferment all the grapes together). His wines ere also noticed to be livelier and fruitier, something he achieved by forgoing the second fermentation (as distinct from the secondary fermentation used in méthode traditionelle wines). These wines were aged in wooden barrels, sometimes for more than a decade; this being the third key change implemented by Bondi-Santi.
The vineyards must be planted on hills with good exposures at altitudes not surpassing 600mts above sea level (any higher than that the mesoclimate becomes cooler to the point of unreliability).
According to the disciplinare di produzione (the legal document laying out the wines production laws) for Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello must be made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso and aged for at least four years (five for riserva wines). During that time the wines should be aged for at least two years in oak, followed by at least four months in bottle (six for riservas). Maximum yields are 55hl/ha.
The elegant age-worthy wine which results from these strict laws is known for its brilliant garnet hue and its bouquet of berries with underlying vanilla and spice. A hint of earthiness brings balance to the finest examples.
Rosso di Montalcino is declassified Brunello di Montalcino, released for sale 18 months after the harvest.
Premier Producers
Sources:
- Tastings.com
Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany's most famous DOCG (along with Chianti) and the region's boldest expression of Sangiovese. Brunello di Montalcino is located 30km south of Siena with the hilltop town of Montalcino as its epicentre. Brunello is the local vernacular name for Sangiovese Grosso, the large-berried form of Sangiovese which grows in the area and from which Brunello di Montalcino should be made in purezza (100%).
Altough the first mentions of the Brunello can be traced back to the 14th century, the wine became well known much later, largely because of the Bondi-Santi family (in the 1870's).
Bondi-Santi vinified his Sangiovese grapes separately from the other varieties (in Tuscany at that time it was common practice to co-ferment all the grapes together). His wines ere also noticed to be livelier and fruitier, something he achieved by forgoing the second fermentation (as distinct from the secondary fermentation used in méthode traditionelle wines). These wines were aged in wooden barrels, sometimes for more than a decade; this being the third key change implemented by Bondi-Santi.
The vineyards must be planted on hills with good exposures at altitudes not surpassing 600mts above sea level (any higher than that the mesoclimate becomes cooler to the point of unreliability).
According to the disciplinare di produzione (the legal document laying out the wines production laws) for Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello must be made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso and aged for at least four years (five for riserva wines). During that time the wines should be aged for at least two years in oak, followed by at least four months in bottle (six for riservas). Maximum yields are 55hl/ha.
The elegant age-worthy wine which results from these strict laws is known for its brilliant garnet hue and its bouquet of berries with underlying vanilla and spice. A hint of earthiness brings balance to the finest examples.
Rosso di Montalcino is declassified Brunello di Montalcino, released for sale 18 months after the harvest.
Premier Producers
- Altesino
- Argiano
- Fattoria dei Barbi (Colombini Riserva)
- Biondi-Santi
- Canalicchio
- Caparzo (La Casa & Riserva)
- Casisano-Colombaio
- Castello Banfi (Normale & Poggio allOro Riserva)
- Castello Romitorio
- Tenuta Centolani (Pietranera)
- Ciacci Piccolomini dAragona (Riserva)
- Corte Pavone
- Costanti
- La Fortuna
- Fuligni (Vigneti dei Cottimelli Riserva)
- Mastrojanni (Riserva)
- Silvio Nardi (Riserva & Vigneto Manachiara)
- Siro Pacenti
- Guido Padelletti (Riserva)
- La Palazzetta
- Pertimali
- La Pieve di Santa Restituta (Rennina)
- Tenuta la Poderina (Riserva & Normale)
- Poggio Antico (Normale & Riserva)
- Poggio Salvi
- Poggio San Polo
- Poggio Di Sotto
- Salvioni
- San Griogio
- Angelo Sassetti
- Livio Sassetti
- Uccelliera
- Val di Cava/Vincezo Abbruzzese (Madonna del Piano Riserva)
- Val di Suga (Vigna Spuntali & Vigna del Lago)
Sources:
- Tastings.com
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