Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine from the town Montalcino in Tuscany.
It is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes.
Red Fruit. Dark Fruit. Cherries.
Flowers. Violets.
Oak. Licorice. Coffee. Smoke.
Brunello di Montalcino loves Florentine Steak.
Chianina Beef. Lamb with Rosemary. Game.
Pasta. Polenta. Risotto with Meat or Mushroom Sauce.
Portobello Mushroom. White Truffle.
Mature Cheese. Pecorino Toscano. Parmigiano Reggiano. Asiago. Provolone.
| Serving temperatures: 17-18°C (63-64°F) |
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG has a younger brother called Rosso di Montalcino DOC. Both come from the Tuscany region of Italy. Both are made from 100% Sangiovese.
The Rosso di Montalcino DOC classification originated in 1984 to create a fresher wine that needed less aging than Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
The DOC is lighter and require only six months in oak and one year total aging before release.
This classification enables the producers to make money from the DOC while waiting for the DOCG wine to age.
Sangiovese translates to "Blood of Jove" (the Roman God Jupiter).
The Sangiovese wines from Tuscany are world famous.
Typical Chianti and Montepulciano wines are Sangiovese blends (70-80%).
Typical Montalcino wines are made from 100% Sangiovese:
| DOC(G) | Grapes |
|---|---|
| Brunello di Montalcino | 100% Sangiovese |
| Rosso di Montalcino | 100% Sangiovese |
| Chianti | Minimum 80% Sangiovese |
| Nobile di Montepulciano | Minimum 70% Sangiovese |
| Rosso di Montepulciano | Minimum 70% Sangiovese |