Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino was already well-known for its fine red wines during the 15th century. However, the precious formula of the fantastic Brunello was invented in 1888 by Ferruccio Biondi Santi, who first had the idea of leaving out the grapes used in the traditional Chianti recipe (Chianti wines require only 85% Sangiovese grape and permit a blend of other types of grapes) and using only the Sangiovese variety. Before the Brunello is ready, it must age for a minimum of 5 years (6 years for a “riserva”), two of which must take place in oak barrels. However, the wine actually requires much more ageing - typically at least 10 years - before it is enjoyable to drink. The best Brunellos can easily match the best Bordeaux wines and be stored for many decades. In 1980, Brunello di Montalcino was the first red Italian wine to receive the highest DOCG classification.
Where to taste
If you want to taste it, there are several enotecas in the city center, which offer large selection of wines to taste, including small refreshment. Our preferred one is Enoteca di Piazza. For larger purchases, we typically go to the Enoteca Bruno Dalmazio (see below). Another pleasant option is making a stop at one of the wineries at the bottom of the Montalcino hill, which usually offer also a short tour of winemaking facilities and tasting.
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However, if you really want to taste a lot of the Brunello's at once, best to come for an annual Benvenuto Brunello fair in February - there is more than 100 producers releasing their new vintage for market, you can taste all day long. We were participating when 2015 and 2016 vintage was released, it was a great experience. While 2016 release was taking a different format due to Covid restrictions, the ability to taste 40-50 wines in a single day (for a small fee) was incomparable to any wine tastings in enoteca or winery.
Enoteca di Piazza (Via Matteotti)
This is the place if you want to taste a wide variety of Brunellos as they always have about 100 bottles opened for tasting. Most of them are from recent vintages, but they have a few from the older vintages too, typically worth trying. With such a selection it happens occasionally that some wine goes bad - just tell the staff and they will happily replace it right away. Around the mealtimes you can sit outside and get a little snack to accompany your tasting.
https://www.enotecadipiazza.com/index-en.html
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Enoteca Bruno Dalmazio +39 0577 849019
You find this enoteca a little out of town, driving in the general direction of the Strada Provinciale to Siena or Rome (or simply back home to Chiancianello), in a sharp curve. There is a parking lot right across the road, from where you can also comfortably reach Montalcino’s old town on foot. We always come to this place when shopping for the Brunellos, the prices are fair and selection wide, plus they ship all over the world. They have some wines for tasting; however, the tasting selection is not broad. You can also get some high-quality local products suitable as presents (oils, cantucci, chocolate, cakes, pasta, spirits, pickles…).
Our favourite wineries
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Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona winery, Castelnuovo dell'Abate +39 0577 835 616
Recent vintages of 2015 and 2016 (2018 for Rosso) have been on top of our tasting list, both Brunello, Pianrosso Riserva as well as Rosso di Montalcino. In our tasting notes we find great elegance with lots of dark fruit but powerful structure that will help the wine age well. The prices are very reasonable for the excellent quality. Tour of winemaking facilities tour and wine tasting at the winery is a bit commercial but still down to earth.
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Lisini winery, S. Angelo in Colle +39 0577 844 040
During our visit we were hosted by Carlo Lisini who continues the family operation winery with one of the best tradition. We have been tasting their wine since 2001 vintage and never been disappointed in the good years (2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016). Wine is an excellent value. Vineyards are on the southeast slopes just above the picturesque hill top town of San Angelo. The winery is overlooked by an enchanting castle-like structure but winemaking facilities are relying on the long-lived tradition within the family.
Castello Tricerchi winery, loc. Altesi, out of town direction Buonconvento, +39 347 250 1884
This winery is an excellent representative of Brunello around Montosoli slopes, our favorite terroir of the appellation. We have selected it because the winery is centred at a beautiful castle with great views. However, if planning the wine tasting there, it is highly recommended to visit also nearby wineries Altesino, Terre Nere, Capanna or Baricci. We really like all of them and each is focused on traditional winemaking. At Tricerchi, the tour of the wine making facilities is hosted by Tomasso, the owner who gave us full tour, including early barrel tasting of upcoming vintages.
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Canalicchio di Sopra winery, out of town direction to Torrenieri +39 0577 848 316
About 4 km out of town in the direction of Buonconvento there are winemaking facilities of one of the best Brunello producers. For a tasting and a tour of the facilities one needs to make an appointment upfront!Their wines have been consistently excellent over the years but 2015 and 2016 vintages are exceptional.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
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It is a red wine produced in the vineyards surrounding the town. While often in the shadows of the more known Brunello or Chianti wines, its rich tradition from medieval times and DOCG classification almost guarantee its wines being at par with the other great Tuscans. The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape, known locally as Prugnolo gentile (minimum 70%, but most producers stick to 90% proportion of Sangiovese in their wines), blended with Canaiolo Nero and small amounts of other local varieties such as Mammolo or international varieties like Merlot. The wine is aged for 2 years (at least 1 year in oak barrels) before releasing it into bottles; 3 years if it is a “riserva”. While drinkable already upon release, the best wines are worth storing for up to 20 years. Similar to Brunello release fair, Montepulciano is organising Anteprimo Vino Nobile for the new wines coming to the market in November every year. There is more than 50 producers at the same time and wines are of very good value for money in good vintages.
La Bottega del Nobile,
Via di Gracciano nel Corso, +39 0578 757016
This is, in our opinion, the best place for wine-tasting and wine-buying for Vino Nobile: prices are fair and the staff very knowledgeable (ask for Antonella). If you have no clue where to start, you cannot go wrong with ABC wineries: Avignonesi, Boscarelli, Bindella, Le Bertille, Contucci, Cesiro, Il Conventino. There are also some small gems that we always suggest trying like Sanguineto, Il Macchione or bigger Poliziano. The owner Andrea runs few nice restaurants in the town, so if you are hungry after the tasting (or during it), just ask the staff for the suggestions or menu from across the street.
https://www.facebook.com/botteganobil/
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De’ Ricci winery (Via Ricci)
De’Ricci is one of the oldest wine-producing families, going back to 1337. Its historic wine cellar in the heart of the Montepulciano is carved into the rock and provides for an exceptional self-guided tour. Upon entry, observe the historic staircase leading down to the cellar, which was built in a way to allow horses to ride in. The wine-tasting room at the bottom of the cellar provides a great ambiance to enjoy their wines.
Boscarelli winery,
out of town about 4 km +39 0578 767 277
After tasting majority of the Vino Nobile houses, this is in our opinion the best winery of the appellation. Family run, very traditional wine making approach with hand-picking of grapes and multi-stage selection process allows the house to produce elegant but complex wines, including riserva and selections Nocio, Sotto Casa and Costa Grande. The winemaking facilities are unpretentious and winery visit is all about passion for the wine, no bells and whistles.
Il Macchione, out of town about 7 km +39 0578 758 595
Another family run wine house with a very small production of high quality wines. The place is run by two brothers, Leonardo and Simone, both passionate about what they do in a very traditional, all natural approach to wine making. Do not be surprised to sit on the wine boxes during the tasting - they do not invest much in the marketing as their wines sell well.