Tastings in Milan and Zurich show: Brunello di Montalcino is better than ever

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Weather-wise, November isn’t necessarily the best month to visit the northern Italian metropolis of Milan. So, does the weather outside really matter when having a unique wine tasting indoors? 16 bottles of Brunello di Montalcino from the magnificent 2016 vintage were served.

Promising wines were selected by famous wine critic Eric Guido. Alongside Gabriele Gorelli and Andrea Lonardi, Italy’s only two Masters of Wine to date, Guido explained the different regions of Brunello di Montalcino and how these differences show up in the wines.

Elegance and sophistication

Stylistically, there were actually striking differences between the wines. For example, examples from the north of the appellation showed slightly more structure and freshness, while wines further south showed riper fruit and added appeal. What all 16 wines had in common was Sangiovese’s noble footprint, solid structure and safe aging potential.

Not long ago Brunello di Montalcino had one thing above all else: strong. The relatively high alcohol content met with a concentrated, ripe and partially ripe fruit. While this style can still be found today and still has a loyal fan base, leading wineries have long since abandoned it. Instead, they focus on elegance and sophistication without sacrificing race and class.

Two weeks ago, Biondi-Santi, arguably Brunello’s most famous winery, presented its newest wines. Charismatic CEO Giampiero Bertolini traveled to Zurich to present three new wines to a carefully selected audience: the 2020 Rosso di Montalcino, the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino and the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.

perfect balance

It is rare that a Rosso di Montalcino is as clear, refreshing and at the same time elegant and fruity as the 2020 Biondi-Santi. You can immediately tell from the wine that the harvest time was chosen carefully. The balance is perfect, the moderate alcohol content of 13.5 percent integrates seamlessly into the wine. The larger Brunellos, the 2017 and 2016 Riserva, showed much more concentration, depth and power without overdoing it.

Additionally, Brunello di Montalcino is a versatile food companion that goes well with roasted game, poultry, veal and pork. The strong tannin structure also has an affinity for sauces to balance the feeling of over-drying, especially in young wines. If you want to accompany the upcoming holiday menu with a celebratory red wine, the characteristic Brunello di Montalcino wines are definitely recommended.

Source : Blick