Discover Brunello di Montalcino: Tuscany’s Treasure
Throughout history, Italian gastronomy has established itself as a high-quality Mediterranean cuisine and a creative benchmark for many restaurants worldwide. Typically, when we think of Italian cuisine, the famous pizzas, the quality of the pasta, the exquisiteness of their coffee, or their irresistible desserts and sweets come to mind. However, there are many other dishes that are rarely found on restaurant menus.
Today, we’ll reveal one of the lesser-known secrets of Italian gastronomy: Brunello di Montalcino wine, one of the finest wines from the Tuscany region, highly valued by both Italians and foreigners alike.
Characteristics of Brunello di Montalcino Wine
Italian wines are distinguished from Spanish wines mainly by the type of grapes used in their production. Sangiovese grapes, according to various sources, have been cultivated since the 15th century, and their unique flavour is partly due to a high level of acidity.
This type of red wine is typically paired with meats, cheeses, seafood, and legume soups. Unlike Spanish wines, it is imbued with sweet aromas reminiscent of cherries, offering a moderately bitter taste to the palate.
The main organoleptic characteristics of Brunello di Montalcino are:
- Colour: Ruby red, which tends towards garnet with ageing.
- Aroma: Intense and elegant, with hints of wild berries, ripe red fruit, vanilla, tobacco, cocoa, leather, and spices.
- Taste: Dry and warm. Structured, robust, harmonious, and persistent, with notes of berries, ripe red fruit, coffee, and vanilla. Its freshness and vibrancy soften with age.
If you’d like to learn more about the similarities and differences in Italian cuisine, don’t miss our article “Similarities and Differences in Italian Cuisine”!
Reputation and Recognition
Brunello di Montalcino wines are highly valued for their ease of preservation and versatility of flavours. Today, various wine institutions oversee the quality of Italian wines and their vineyards.
One of the most internationally renowned Italian wineries is the San Polo Winery, which has received numerous accolades throughout its history. This is mainly due to the traditional production techniques employed, as well as the type of soil or terroir used for planting and cultivating the wine.
If you’re interested in learning more about this Italian winery and its wines, don’t miss the interview with Marilisa Allegrini by Enamoured with Italy.
Curiosities About Brunello di Montalcino Wine
- Its name means "brown" and refers to the town of Montalcino.
- It is a red wine with a designation of origin from the Tuscany region of Italy.
- It is a popular drink in many parts of Italy and is easy to find in Italian restaurants.
- The production process takes between 3 to 5 years from preparation to bottling.
- Unlike the traditional classification of Spanish wines, Brunello is categorised based on its quality, not its maturation time.
It is highly recommended to pair it with game meats, such as Stufato di Cinghiale, or Italian cheeses, of which there are over 450 varieties.
Try the Best Wines at Rossini
Keen to discover more Italian wines? At our Rossini restaurant, you’ll find a selection of the finest Italian drinks and cocktails. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the exquisite quality of Tuscan wines for yourself. See you in the next article!