Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is a prestigious Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) red wine produced around the hill town of Montalcino in southern Tuscany. Made exclusively from the local clone of Sangiovese known as Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello, it is recognised for its power, longevity, and role as one of Italy’s most acclaimed wines.[1]
Background
Viticulture in the Montalcino area dates back to the Etruscans, but the modern identity of Brunello emerged in the 19th century when Clemente Santi isolated Sangiovese Grosso for quality red wine production.[2] By the late 20th century, Brunello di Montalcino had gained international recognition, becoming the first Tuscan wine to achieve DOCG status in 1980.[3]
Terroir and Characteristics
The vineyards of Montalcino extend across varied soils and altitudes, from clay-rich lowlands to stony, well-drained higher slopes. The Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and cool nights, favours long ripening, giving Sangiovese Grosso its intensity and balance.[4]
Brunello wines are typically deeply coloured, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, leather, and tobacco. Structurally, they are marked by firm tannins, elevated acidity, and notable ageing potential.
Production Rules
DOCG regulations require Brunello di Montalcino to be made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso grown within the commune of Montalcino. The wine must be aged for at least 5 years before release, including a minimum of 2 years in oak and 4 months in bottle (6 months for Riserva).[5]
These strict rules ensure the style’s consistency and longevity, with the best examples capable of maturing gracefully for decades.
Styles and Related Wines
Alongside Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, the area also produces:
- Rosso di Montalcino DOC, a fresher, earlier-drinking expression of Sangiovese.
- Sant’Antimo DOC, used for non-traditional blends.
- Moscadello di Montalcino DOC, a historic white wine, once widely celebrated in Renaissance Florence.[6]
Global Reputation
Since the late 20th century, Brunello di Montalcino has been regarded as one of Italy’s “icon wines”, often compared with Barolo and Amarone della Valpolicella for its stature and collectability. International demand has made it a benchmark of Tuscan winemaking and a symbol of Italian viticultural excellence.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Scienza, Atlante dei vini d’Italia: Toscana, Touring Editore, 2011. (Italian original)
- ↑ Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, “La denominazione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG”, consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, “La denominazione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG”.
- ↑ Bastianich & Lynch, Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy, Clarkson Potter, 2002.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.