Mapping MONTALCINO

Sommeliers at Benvenuto Brunello 2016 Some important changes have taken place during the last few years in regard to Benvenuto Brunello. The Consortium of Brunello wine and its yearly fair are now located in the newly restored Sant Agostino complex (a beautiful former monastery in Montalcino's town center). But even more importantly, in 2017 access rules to the Brunello preview have been changed. It always used to be a press and trade fair, but producers got tickets they would share generously with friends or clients (see my Benvenuto post here ).  However, several winemakers told me that this will be no longer the case. From 2017, the rules are more similar to Verona's Vinitaly fair with producers having a minimum amount of tickets that grant free access to Benvenuto Brunello.  Hence, Brunello lovers no longer need to nice talk a winemaker for a voucher but can book their  Benvenuto Brunello ticket  directly from the Consortium (prices start at 15€ if yo...

Towards the end of winter in the midst of February, Brunello town wakes up from hibernation. For two reasons: pruning: the vineyards are still resting, so it's high time to move in there with secateurs in hand to get things back into shape before spring is running havoc.  Benvenuto Brunello: Montalcino's most important event presents the freshly released Brunello  -  just count back five years to know which vintage will be on show (and six for Brunello Riserva) . The three days of tasting at the end of February bring the most important wine writers into town. In fact journalists, bloggers and wine critiques are flocking all through Tuscany, since during the same week the anteprima (preview or rather pretaste) of the Chianti Classico aka black rooster wines takes place in Florence and the one of Vino Nobile in Montepulciano. GOOD TO KNOW Benvenuto Brunello is organized every February by Montalcino's vintner association . The event...

With the wine world discussing the pros and cons of Brunello's 2008 vintage , the biggest surprise of this year's Benvenuto Brunello has been the five star rating awarded to the 2012 vintage , which will make its entrance on the wine stage in 2017.  Did anybody really expect a full five stars (the top vote) after such an incredibly difficult year? I'm no wine maker or tasting expert, but as the owner of a Tuscan vegetable garden I truly suffered my way through 2012's incredibly dry winter, spring and summer - in the company of my desperate looking greens and tomatoes. Luckily, vines react very differently to water shortage than your average vegetable or fruit, but still - five stars seem a lot.  Ready for tasting 2008 Brunello di Montalcino at Benvenuto Brunello 2013

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 pr...

Whilst the wine world is waiting to get a first taste of Brunello di Montalcino 2008 and the Brunello Riserva 2007 at Benvenuto Brunello 2013 , wine pro Monica Larner has already gotten a head start at Montalcino's vintner association last week.  A big fan of Brunello 2007, Monica Larner doesn't seem quite as excited about the 2008 vintage after tasting her way through a good 250 Brunello di Montalcino 2008 (poor thing!); whereas, not surprisingly, the Brunello Riserva 2007 gets one big thumbs up from the Italian editor of Wine Enthusiast (click through for the interview with her in Italian on   Montalcinonews ).   We'll be keeping you up-to-date on what the rest of the wine world is going to say at the end of February after Benvenuto Brunello 2013.  In the meantime you better keep stocking up on Brunello 2007 - a vintage meant to last. Check out Monica Larner's  Brunello di Montalcino 2007  tasting notes on Wine Enthusiast  or listen to what she ...