Brunello di Montalcino

Montalcino is located in southern Tuscany. The appellation bears the name of the town
of the same name. The wine was first bottled and sold in 1865 by the Biondi-Santi family, who remained the sole commercial producer until the Second World War. Since the 1970s, there has been a massive expansion of planting, led by Banfi, a wine import company in the United States. Having enjoyed great success in exporting Lambrusco to the United States and other countries, Banfi purchased land and planted Muscat in the southern part of Montalcino, but this proved to be a failure. The vines were grafted onto Sangiovese, which led to commercial success for Banfi's Brunello di Montalcino in the United States and other markets.
From eleven producers and 65 hectares in the 1960s, the appellation has grown to more than 250 producers and 2,100 hectares today.
In general, the region is warmer and drier than Chianti Classico because it is protected from rainfall by Monte Amiata to the south, but in most years there is still enough rainfall for the vines to thrive. These conditions produce wines with ripe fruit, full body and relatively high alcohol content. The region also benefits from cooling night breezes from the Mediterranean Sea, located 40 kilometres away, which helps to preserve acidity.
The vineyards in the oldest area, just south of the town of Montalcino, are over 500 metres above sea level, while other parts of the DOCG appellation are much lower. Most of the appellation is hilly. Similarly, the soils are very variable.
Brunello di Montalcino must be made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. The maximum yield is limited to 54 hL/ha. Brunello must undergo prolonged ageing: it cannot be released onto the market before 1 January four years after the year of harvest, and ageing must include two years in oak containers. For Riserva, it is five years, including two in oak barrels. Thus, the ageing requirements significantly increase the cost of production, due to the downtime, the need to invest in oak containers and the space required to store them.
The wines are generally of exceptional quality, with an intense nose of morello cherry. The acidity and tannins are well present, allowing these wines to age for a long time.