Brunello and Vino Nobile Flashcards
Name type of Sangiovese for Brunello
And for Vino Nobile?
Sangiovese Grosso
Prugnolo Gentile
What percent Sangiovese must Brunello be?
And Vino Nobile?
100% percent for Brunello
min 70% for Vino Nobile
Who coined the term “Brunello”, and when?
Clemente Santi, at a fair in 1869, when his ‘Brunello’ won two silver medals.
When would the modern form of Brunello appear, and who made it happen?
Pre World War I, Clemente Santi’s grandson, enamored with his work, isolated sangiovese grosso, and made it a monovarietal wine. Ferruccio even changed his name to include his grandfather’s surname, Ferruccio Biondi Santi.
When would Brunello become a DOC? When would it become a DOCG?
1966 DOC
1980 DOCG, Italy’s 1st.
Historically, what was produced in Montalcino before Clemente and Ferruccio came along?
Is it still made today?
Sparkling and/or sweet white wines made from Moscadello (Muscat Bl.a.p.g)
Yes, under the Moscadello di Montalcino DOC
What DOC exists for Bordeaux grapes or ‘Super Tuscans’ in Montalcino?
Sant Animo DOC, although nobody actually uses it, they use IGT Toscana instead.
What was the Brunello gate scandal in 2008 about?
Some darker than normal wines had appeared, and it was discovered that some producers were blending in other grapes, which besides softening tannin and making wines darker, illegally stretched production of an expensive wine to make.
Stylistically, how might a Brunello taste from North of town versus South of town?
The North is higher elevation, and cooler, making wines with more acid and elegance.
The South is warmer, making more broad shouldered wines with baked fruit.
Valdicava (N) vs. Poggio di Soto (S)
What is the major soil type in Montalcino?
Galestro
Brunello di Montalcino normale is what min abv, and ages for how long?
12.5%
5 years total, 2 years in wood, 4 months in bottle
Brunello di Montalcino riserva must age for how long?
6 years total, 2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle
Vigna on a bottle of Brunello means what three things?
Single Vineyard
Must be in a Bordeaux Bottle
With traditional cork
When can Rosso di Montalcino be released?
What % Sangiovese must it be?
September 1st, year after harvest
100%
Why is Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG not more prevalent today?
Despite being an ancient Etruscan settlement with winemaking ties all the way back, producers were happy to use Chianti instead.
