Brunello di Montalcino for beginners: what you need to know and how to start your discovery tour
Brunello di Montalcino: the name sounds like music to the ears of wine lovers. But if you are just starting to discover top Italian wines, Brunello may also raise questions. What makes this wine so special? What should you look for? And how do you start your own Brunello journey?
In this article we explain everything you need to know about Brunello di Montalcino as a beginner – and give you tips on how to get to know your own taste.
What exactly is Brunello di Montalcino?
Brunello di Montalcino is a prestigious red wine from Tuscany, originating from the hilly region around the town of Montalcino , about 40 kilometers south of Siena. The wine is made from 100% Sangiovese , but not just any Sangiovese you know from Chianti – here it is a specific local clone, called Sangiovese Grosso , also locally called 'Brunello'.
Brunello di Montalcino is a DOCG wine – the highest Italian quality classification – and is known for its power, elegance and exceptional ageing potential.
What makes Brunello so special?
-
100% top quality Sangiovese
No blends, no additives. Just the purity of one grape, perfectly expressed. -
Long maturing process
Brunello must mature for at least 5 years before it is released onto the market, of which at least 2 years in oak. This gives it its characteristic complexity. -
Unique terroir of Montalcino
The altitude, the clay and limestone soils and the Mediterranean microclimate produce wines with a perfect balance between power and finesse.
What does Brunello di Montalcino taste like?
A young Brunello often has firm tannins, fresh acids and aromas of cherries, herbs, leather and earth. After a few years of bottle aging, deeper notes develop such as truffle, tobacco, cedar and dried fruit.
Each producer and each vintage gives its own nuance to the wine. That is why discovering Brunello is so fascinating: you always find something new.
Where do you start as a beginner?
1. Taste different styles and producers
Not all Brunellos taste the same. There are traditional producers who focus on long wood aging and a robust style (such as Biondi-Santi or Tassi ), and more modern houses that make softer, more fruit-driven wines (such as Castiglion del Bosco or Ciacci Piccolomini ).
👉 Tip: On Brunolo.nl you will find clear pages per year and per producer, so you can easily compare.
2. Pay attention to the vintage
Vintages say a lot about the character of the wine. For example, 2016 and 2010 are great classic years with aging potential, while 2017 and 2018 are more approachable and quicker to drink.
👉 Curious? Also read our article: Which vintage Brunello should you choose?
3. If necessary, start with Rosso di Montalcino
Rosso di Montalcino is the 'little brother' of Brunello: also 100% Sangiovese, but matured for a shorter period and often priced a bit more friendly. Perfect to get to know the style of a producer. Try the Rosso from Castiglion del Bosco
4. Choose the wines from our selection of Best Price/Quality Brunellos
At Brunolo.nl we regularly select the best price/quality Brunellos, so you can easily order a number of different Brunellos to go on a journey of discovery. This way you can discover for yourself which style you prefer - without immediately investing in expensive bottles.
Additional tips for the Brunello beginner
-
Decanter : Younger Brunellos benefit from an hour of decanting for greater openness in aroma and flavour.
-
Serving temperature : Brunello is best enjoyed at around 18°C.
-
Food pairing : Brunello goes fantastically with rich dishes such as game, mushroom risotto, stews or hard cheeses.
Discover your favorite Brunello at Brunolo.nl
At Brunolo.nl we are happy to help you on your way in the world of Brunello. We have an exclusive selection of top domains – all imported directly from Italy, carefully stored and provided with clear information per wine and year.
Want to learn more about Brunello? Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram for tips, promotions and stories behind the wine.
👉 Check out our Brunello selection for beginners here
👉 Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our Brunello offers.
Let yourself be surprised – Brunello is not a wine for connoisseurs only, but an adventure for every lover. Salute!
Do you want advice about buying a nice Barolo, or do you have questions?, let us know. Send an email to info@brunolo.nl or call: +31 (0) 85 431 140
