Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

DOCG area for red wine in the Italian region of Tuscany. The zone encompasses the slopes around the picturesque town of Montalcino, located 40 kilometers south of Siena in the province of the same name. Other DOC areas in Montalcino include Moscadello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, and Sant’Antimo. The Brunello di Montalcino is made 100 percent varietal from Brunello, a clone of the Sangiovese grape, which was selected in the 1870s at the Il Greppo estate of the Biondi-Santi family. A wine from this estate was first produced by Clemente Santi in 1865 under the name “Vino Rosso Scelto.” Ferruccio Biondi-Santi - the grandson of the “inventor” - continued the selection process and planted a large part of his vineyards.

First Brunello 1888

In the years 1888 and 1891, he first pressed a wine referred to as “Brunello” (this name had been used as early as the 14th century). He aged it for several years in large barrels made of Slavonian oak. Today, there are still a few bottles left in the cellar from these two legendary vintages.

The next two generations of the family (Ferruccio's son Tancredi and grandson Franco) made the wine famous worldwide. Contributing to its cult status was the fact that until 1945 only four vintages were produced: the aforementioned 1888 and 1891, as well as 1925 and 1945. This, along with the outstanding quality, was also a reason for the exorbitantly high prices. For many decades, the estate held an exclusive production privilege. Until after World War II, the name Brunello was used solely by Biondi-Santi.

DOCG Classification 1980

Even into the 1970s, the vast majority of production came from this estate, as there were only 25 producers. Today, Brunello di Montalcino is produced by around 200 wineries. In 1960, the vineyard area was only about 60 hectares, which increased to nearly 700 by 1980 and to about 1,500 hectares today. Unfortunately, this expansion also contributed to a significant range in quality.

Alongside the equally famous red wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tuscany, it ranks as one of the first two wines in Italy to receive the DOCG classification in 1980. Brunello is among the most well-known red wines in Italy and Europe. An important aspect of quality lies in the special climate, as it is warmer and drier than in the nearby Chianti areas, with cooler nights.

Production Conditions

The alcohol content must be at least 12.5% vol, but 13.5% is often achieved. The minimum aging periods have been drastically reduced in recent decades. In the early 1960s, 42 months or 3.5 years of aging in large Slavonian oak barrels was required, which was reduced to 36 months in 1990 and finally to 24 months in 1998. However, the total aging time in barrel and bottle must still be 48 months. This means that the release for trade occurs on January 1 of the fourth (previously sixth) year, and for the Riserva, from the fifth (previously seventh) year following the harvest.

Special Vintages

If the grapes come from classified vineyards (with stricter conditions), Vigna followed by the vineyard name can be indicated on the bottle label. The intensely ruby-red red wine has a Tannins taste with aromas of exotic woods, fruits, Vanillin, and jam. The wine, which is still hard and inaccessible in its youth, only develops after several years of aging in the bottle. It is extremely Longevity, with the peak or optimal drinking maturity for the Riserva often reached only after 15 to 20 years or more. The best Vintage are considered to be 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998.

Producers

Among the most well-known producers of Brunello di Montalcino are Abbadia Ardenga, Altesino, Argiano, Castello Banfi, Barbi, Biondi-Santi, Campogiovanni, Capanna, Caparzo, Caprili, Casanova di Neri, Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi), Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, Col d’Orcia, Coldisole, Costanti, Ferrero, Fuligini, La Serena, Le Chiuse, Lisini, Martinozzi, Piccolomini, Pieve Santa Restituta, Poggio Antico, Poggio di Sotto, Poggione, Salvioni, Scopetone, Siro Pacenti, Talenti, Tenuta La Fuga, Tenute Silvio Nardi, Valdicava, and Vasco Sassetti.