Skip to main content

THE WINE WORLD'S VIEW OF THE BRUNELLO 2008 VINTAGE

Whilst Benvenuto Brunello 2013 is still in full swing with the wine trade tasting its way through Montalcino's wines today, Montalcinonews has already put together an informative video with the views of some of the world's top wine journalists on the 2008 vintage. 



2008 vintage interview by Montalcinonews 


The experts seem to agree that 2008 isn't an easy vintage, but one in which quality of Brunello wines varies from vineyard to vineyard. The (non official) sub-zones have played a big role and also the moment during which the grapes will have been harvested in September or October. 2008's climatic conditions meant that producing a great Brunello wasn't quite as 'easy' as in 2007. 

On the positive side, 2008 is a back to the roots vintage, and a great year for Sangiovese lovers after the 2007 vintage, which has produced fantastic, but in many cases also atypical Brunellos. 

Quality of wine may not be consistent between Montalcino's 250 producers, (maybe with an advantage for producer with vineyards in lower lying and therefore warmer areas), but a good Brunello 2008 has the potential to age for 10 to 15 years. In fact young tannins and high acidity mean that in most cases the wines aren't ready to drink and - again in classic Brunello fashion -  will profit from a few more years in the cellar. 

You may also want to watch Montalcinonew's wine experts interview in regard to the 2007 Brunello Riserva. It's interesting how the wine journalists' views differ in regard to the 2007 vintage, with some absolutely loving it, and others wondering whether this particular Brunello Riserva isn't shaping itself too much along the tastes of the international (i.e. American?) wine market.  


Popular posts from this blog

SANT'ANTIMO ABBEY - TUSCANY'S ROMANESQUE TREASURE

Sant'Antimo abbey near Montalcino You don't have to be a catholic to remain spellbound by the eternal beauty of the Sant'Antimo abbey. The Tuscan church and monastery can turn a stubborn skeptic into a reborn spiritual. At least for the time of the visit. 

SWIMMING, READING AND DINING IN BAGNO VIGNONI

Whilst  the  sell-out of tourist destination is a well known plague all through Italy, t here exists a tiny town in UNESCO Heritage Val d'Orcia which forgoes made in  China souvenirs and just opened a bookshop instead. Bagno Vignoni is one of  Tuscany's oldest tourist destinations.  In fact the historic spa town has never been anything else than a tourist destination,  and the ratio of inhabitants to visitors must always have been at least 1 to 10. Having looked after  medieval  pilgrims, ailing popes and saints ( St.  Catherine of Siena used to live here for a while),  Bagno Vignoni isn't tempted at all  to put out plastic chairs or pizza takeaways for  present day travelers.  I used to live close to Bagno Vignoni and have fond memories of chasing my first -born around the town's main square  which consists of a steaming hot  water pool (a  must-see sight for urban architects!).  Our healthy mornings were usually finished off  with a slice of fudge chocolate c

VAL D'ORCIA: A MAP OF THE UNESCO HERITAGE SITE

About 40 minutes south of Siena and a bit over an hour from the Tuscan coast, Val d'Orcia lies to the east of the Maremma and to the west of Montepulciano and Umbria. The UNESCO world heritage site is made up by the territories of Montalcino, San Quirico d'Orcia  (with historic spa town Bagno Vignoni ) , Pienza, Castiglione d'Orcia and Radicofani. The Orcia river crosses two more municipalities (Castel del Piano and my hometown Cinigiano ), where it divides the province of Siena from the province of Grosseto (Tuscany's two southernmost areas) before flowing into the Ombrone river.    View VAL D'ORCIA MAP in a larger map