Tuscany, with its history and the many UNESCO World Heritage sites, is one of the best-known wine-producing regions in Italy. If you have not yet tasted Brunello di Montalcino, now is the time to catch up. This intense and harmonious red wine is a jewel for true connoisseurs. Moreover, its characteristics make it an ideal wine for cellar ageing. Follow my advice to pamper your guests with an unforgettable wine tasting experience. Learn how to properly serve Brunello di Montalcino and what foods to pair it with.
Brunello di Montalcino: its story and terroir
There are many reasons to enjoy a holiday in Tuscany. Brunello di Montalcino is certainly one of them!
The medieval village after which it is named is located on the hills 40 km from Siena. Here, the terroir is partly clay and partly formed by rocky shale (called galestro). The climate is Mediterranean, characterised by hot summer days and cooler nights. This temperature difference gives the wine a balanced acidity and a great intensity of flavours and aromas.
Brunello di Montalcino is the result of the synergy between an extraordinary territory and the work of man. It was born from the intuition of Clemente Biondi Santi, who in 1800 decided to make a 100% Sangiovese wine that could differentiate itself from the Chianti production. Over time it acquired more and more importance and prestige, on a par with the great French red wines.
Brunello is a wine for connoisseurs, refined and structured, able to mature in wooden barrels for long periods of time. Born as a rare product, in the mid-1900s it became the symbol of Made in Italy excellence and obtained the first DOCG in Italy.
According to the regulations, Brunello di Montalcino must spend at least two years in oak barrels and at least 4 months in the bottle. For the Riserva, the ageing period goes up to 6 months.
A wine that improves over time
Brunello di Montalcino is a wine that, thanks to its characteristics, is perfect for ageing. The maximum ageing period depends on the vintage, but it generally ranges from a minimum of 10 years to over 30 years. Obviously, it is essential to store it in a professional cellar. This means you should keep it away from sources of light, heat and vibrations, at a constant temperature and without odours.
Guided tasting
Brunello is clear and bright ruby red in colour.
The bouquet is intense, full and persistent. Hints of undergrowth, aromatic wood, wild berries and vanilla are discernible.
On the palate the wine is full-bodied, elegant and harmonious, dry and with a long aromatic persistence.
How to serve it and recommended food pairing
Let’s finally start the tasting! To enjoy Brunello di Montalcino at its best, serve it in crystal balloon glasses. They allow you to capture the harmonious and complex bouquet of the wine.
Serve the wine between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius.
If the bottle is very old, I recommend decanting into a crystal carafe. The timing varies according to the age of the wine. For a 10-year-old wine the decanting period is about one hour, while for wines of 20 years or more you should calculate at least two hours. This period of rest is useful to oxygenate the wine and enjoy it in its purity.
Food pairing
Now that you are ready to serve the wine, you just have to pair it with an equally fabulous menu! The elegance of this wine and its harmonious body go well with structured dishes. Try red meat, game, mushrooms or truffles. In the English tradition, it goes perfectly with fillet Wellington, Sunday roast and beef pie. It also goes very well with mature and structured cheeses. And if the evening is rainy, plan an after dinner relaxing in front of the fireplace. Brunello di Montalcino will keep you company as a meditation wine.
Do you have a special dinner planned and would like to serve equally special Italian wines to your guests? Contact me to design your menu! Together we will prepare a wine list and the appropriate dishes to pair, according to your needs and tastes.
