Brunello di Montalcino (Italy)
Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine from the town Montalcino in Tuscany.
It is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes.
Flavors
 Red Cherry |
 Black Cherry |
 Strawberry |
 Blackberry |
 Blueberry |
 Violets |
 Licorice |
 Minerals |
Oak Added Flavors:
 Toast |
 Coffee |
 Tobacco |
 Leather |
Cherries and Wild Berries are typical Brunello di Montalcino flavors.
Depending on climate the Cherries / Berries will be Red or Blue.
Cold Climate: Sour Cherry. Red Berries. Strawberry. Licorice. Violet. Tea.
Warm Climate: Blueberry. Sweet Cherry. Plum. Herbs.
Hints of Flowers (Violets), Spices, and salty Minerals.
Profile
Brunello di Montalcino is known to have good power and fullness. Juicy fruits and soft tannins:
| BODY | Medium | ||
| TANNINS | Medium | ||
| FRUIT | Medium | ||
| ACIDITY | Medium | ||
| |||
Food Pairing
 Pasta |
 Risotto |
 Ham |
 Salumi |
 Pizza |
 Hamburger |
 Chicken |
 Turkey |
 Sausages |
 Rabbit |
 Pork |
 Wild Boar |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Game |
 Beef |
Brunello di Montalcino pairs well with both Tuscan and International food.
It loves Rich Pasta Dishes, Tomato Sauces, Stews and Mushroom Sauces.
Pairing Suggestions
Excellent Pairing:
Tomato Sauce. Meat Sauce.
Truffle Sauce. Mushroom Sauce.
Rich Pasta. Rich Risotto. Pasta Cabonara.
Pasta Arrabbiata. Pasta with Truffles.
Rich Pizza. Pizza Picante. Lasagna.
Poultry. Rich Chicken. Turkey. Rabbit.
Hamburger. Sausages. Veal.
Wild Boar Stew. Ox Tail Stew.
Pork. Herb Grilled Pork.
Lamb. Lamb with Rosemary.
Red Meat. Braises. Roast Beef. Game.
Cheese:
Mature Cheese. Pecorino. Parmigiano. Asiago. Provolone.
Tuscan Specialities:
Ribollita (Hearthy Soup).
Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine Steak).
Risotto (with Meat or Mushroom Sauce).
Polenta with Black Truffle.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms.
DOC(G)
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 Wines
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 |
The difference between the 2 Montalcino wines and the other famous wines from Tuscany such Chianti and Montepulciano wines is that Montalcino wines are 100% Sangiovese while Chianti and Montepulciano are blends.
The Ideal Glass
The Bordeaux glass is the perfect glass for medium to full bodied red wines.
It is taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.
The slimmer bowl sends the wine directly to the back of the mouth for maximum taste.
Toscana Wines
Chianti Classico
Brunello di Montalcino
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Rosso di Montalcino
Rosso di Montepulciano
Sangiovese
Super Tuscan
White Wines:
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vermentino
Sweet Wines:
Vin Santo
Elba Aleatico Passito
Tuscany
