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Brunello di Montalcino Wine :An Overview of Brunello di Montalcino Wine and the Sangiovese Grape
- By Nikolas Veddkish
- Published 12/20/2009
- Food and Drinks
Nikolas Veddkish
View all articles by Nikolas Veddkish
The Sangiovese grape is the most prolifically cultivated grape in Montalcino today. Furthermore, it is the only grape ever used in any of the Brunello di Montalcino Wines. There are a variety of clones of this grape, but they are all unique to this area in the Tuscany region and compared to other varieties of grapes, these have adapted to the climate and terrain of this area. This climate and terrain adaptation is the primary reason why the Sangiovese grape ripens very consistently and much more fully than in any other area in Tuscany.A reserved, yet aromatic wine. Dark color, with an ever-evolving nose of crushed berries, flowers and perfumes. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, silky finish. Very pretty. Drink now. 1,000 cases made. �JS MAY, 2003 ISSUE
The wine passes through what is called the �maceration period� and then the fermentation stage before it is aged for a period of up to 3 years in oak casks imported from Slovenia. Very little oak flavoring is imparted to the wine by these casks and they produce a wine that is much more austere than wines aged in other types of casks. There are normally 2 distinct bottling venues followed a �normale� and a �riserva�, meaning normal and reserve. The normale is usually released onto the market roughly 50 months after harvesting the grape while the riserva is released one year after that.
The current aging guidelines and requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Wine were originally
established in 1998. These mandate that the wine is cask aged for no less than 24 months. Once it is bottled, it must age for another 4 months before it is released out into the marketplace. Caution must always be taken by vintners to follow these guidelines because commercial fraud convictions can result if they do not adhere strictly to the rules. Additionally the vintner who is found guilty of commercial fraud may be sentenced to prison for up to 6 years as a result of the conviction.
A Word about the Vintner and the Wine
Brunello di Montalcino Wine is considered to be a more modern creation in the wine industry being first bottled in 1880. Although that dates back nearly 130 years, when you consider that wines have been produced for nearly 3,500 years in Italy, it makes this a much more modern invention. Its creation came at the hands of a winemaker during the late 1800�s named Ferruccio Biondi-Santi. It was his studies of the Sangiovese grape that led to the planting of his vineyards and the production of Brunello di Montalcino Wine.
Brunello di Montalcino Wine is a rich, red Italian wine that is produced and bottled in the Montalcino vineyards which surround the town. Situated in the Tuscany region, the town is located roughly 110 km or 70 miles south and west of the city of Florence. The term Brunello means �nice dark one� in the local language and is the unofficial name of the Sangiovese grape clone from which the wine is made. This award-winning wine is considered one of the most renowned Italian wine and is also one of the most expensive in the industry.
The wine passes through what is called the �maceration period� and then the fermentation stage before it is aged for a period of up to 3 years in oak casks imported from Slovenia. Very little oak flavoring is imparted to the wine by these casks and they produce a wine that is much more austere than wines aged in other types of casks. There are normally 2 distinct bottling venues followed a �normale� and a �riserva�, meaning normal and reserve. The normale is usually released onto the market roughly 50 months after harvesting the grape while the riserva is released one year after that.
The current aging guidelines and requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Wine were originally
A Word about the Vintner and the Wine
Brunello di Montalcino Wine is considered to be a more modern creation in the wine industry being first bottled in 1880. Although that dates back nearly 130 years, when you consider that wines have been produced for nearly 3,500 years in Italy, it makes this a much more modern invention. Its creation came at the hands of a winemaker during the late 1800�s named Ferruccio Biondi-Santi. It was his studies of the Sangiovese grape that led to the planting of his vineyards and the production of Brunello di Montalcino Wine.
Brunello di Montalcino Wine is a rich, red Italian wine that is produced and bottled in the Montalcino vineyards which surround the town. Situated in the Tuscany region, the town is located roughly 110 km or 70 miles south and west of the city of Florence. The term Brunello means �nice dark one� in the local language and is the unofficial name of the Sangiovese grape clone from which the wine is made. This award-winning wine is considered one of the most renowned Italian wine and is also one of the most expensive in the industry.