Brunello di Montalcino is produced purely from Sangiovese grapes, and is one of the most renowned Italian wines in the world, loved for the elegance of its body and the harmony of its aromas. The traditional, artisanal agricultural methods used to make it follow natural rhythms and use gentle processes. They respect the soil and the vines, enhancing the characteristics of the terroir and the grapes, but not changing the unique sensory qualities of the wine and the grapes.
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO RED WINE TOUR
Brunello di Montalcino is the Tuscan wine of the greatest international renown.
WHAT WE WILL DO ON THIS TUSCAN WINE TOUR:
FULL DESCRIPTION OF BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO RED WINE TOUR:
The first documents indicating Montalcino as an area with a great winemaking vocation date back to the 15th century. However, the term “Brunello” only appears in the mid-19th century when, thanks to the insight of some members of the historic Biondi-Santi family, a decision was made to abandon the traditional blend of various grape varieties and focus solely on the use of Sangiovese grapes typical of Montalcino. Specifically, selected clones of Sangiovese grapes over time, choosing those of the best quality and most suitable for expressing a severe and solid wine, with great longevity, to be aged in barrels and left to refine in the bottle for a long time. This approach went against the trend of the time, which favored the production of simple and immediate wines.
For many years, Brunello production was limited to an almost amateur practice undertaken by a few producer families. However, in the 1920s, the cultivation of Sangiovese Grosso grapes gained good agricultural extension and increasing international fame.
Difficult years would follow, primarily due to the attack of the phylloxera parasite, which crippled wine production across the entire European continent between the 19th and 20th centuries. The rise of the fascist regime and entry into war, with the consequent shift of the war front, endangered agricultural production.
The economic recovery of the 1960s saw a proliferation of producers and investments aimed at planting new vineyards and technological innovation. In 1966, Brunello di Montalcino was granted the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), establishing the first true set of common rules, indications of geographical territories, and breeding systems. The production specifications were among the strictest at the national level, and the meticulous work of the newly established Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino first obtained the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and subsequently promoted the product both in Italy and abroad.
The 1980s marked the beginning of a period of significant growth that continues to the present day. The Montalcino region is now known for pioneering efforts in the development of regenerative agriculture methods, focused on preserving the balance between soil fertility and vitality, often depleted by irresponsible agricultural practices. The goal is to make the agricultural environment favorable to plants, enabling them to grow strong and robust, thus maturing grapes that are rich and balanced. This is a necessary condition for producing a high-quality wine like Brunello di Montalcino.
THIS TUSCAN WINE TOUR INCLUDES:
