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Montalcino, the Territory and the Wines
Consorzio del Vino
Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino,
a few words on the history
The origin of the name "Montalcino" is shrouded in mystery: some
would have it that it comes from Mons Lucinus, the mount of Lucina in
Latin, a mount named after the Roman goddess Lucina (the Greek Juno).
Others, instead, link the name to Mons Ilcinus (Mount of the Lecci, the
Italian for holm oaks) as an allusion to the diffused presence on the
territory of holm oaks (ilex, ilicis in Latin), which is also the most widely
accepted opinion. And, perhaps a fact that corroborates this theory, a holm
oak is in clear view atop three mountains on the coat of arms of the
Municipality of Montalcino.
The Coat of Arms of Montalcino in onyx (14th century)
(Civil and Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, Montalcino).
Between the 12th and 16th century, Montalcino was contended in fierce
military battles, first waged against Siena and later, after 1260, allied with
Siena against Florence.The small but bold town of Montalcino was thought
to be an impenetrable stronghold, protected by walls and by a great
fortress. This is why, when the inhabitants of Montalcino handed over the
keys of the city to the representatives of Cosimo de' Medici in 1559, the
town had been the last to survive as an independent municipality in Italy.
Copper colander of Etruscan manufacture,
with elegant handle with a swan's head at its end, used
to filter the wine after its spicing.
Discovered in the countryside of Montalcino.
Dates back to the 4th century BC (Private collection).
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Abbazia di Sant’Antimo
(Castelnuovo dell’Abate)
The territory of Montalcino has a natural vocation for the production
of wines of the best quality, which has been renown for over two thousand
years: evidence thereof and that Montalcino was a place where wine was
made is given by the many archeological findings that date as far back as
the Etruscan age.
In the Middle Ages, municipal edicts established the time of year when
grapes were to be harvested, while even during the siege of 1553, there
was no shortage of wine, and Blaise de Montluc, troubled with the task of
fending off attacks to the city walls, would "rub his face to a ruby-red color
with red wine" to dissimulate the ordeal. Leandro Alberti (1550-1631) from
Bologna states that Montalcino is "much mentioned for the good wines
that are reaped from those homely hills". On his visit to Montalcino in 16761677, the grand-duke auditor Bartolomeo Gherardini points to the
production of 6050 somas of wine, which he describes as a "lively wine,
though not abundant". Charles Thompson writes in 1744 that "Montalcino
is not particularly famous, except for the goodness of its wines".
Wine amphora "Oinochoe" of Etruscan manufacture.
Discovered in the countryside of Montalcino
Dates back to the 4th century BC (Private collection).
An ancient military map of the siege of Montalcino
(12th century) Published in 1584 in the treatise of military
architecture by Maggi and Castriotto.
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Brunello di Montalcino,
the triumph of a grand wine
The birth of the Brunello of Montalcino dates back to the 19th
century, when a handful of local farmers begin to experiment making
a red wine from grapes of a vine traditionally cultivated in the
surrounding lands.
A vine known as "Brunello" or "Brunellino", which around the
middle of the 1800's is identified as a variety of the Sangiovese grape. A
highly valuable grape, because the wine it fruits can be aged long and,
hence, red wines of the best quality can be produced from it.
The ampelographic committee of the province of Siena issued a
Report on a particular Brunello aged 32 years - from grapes harvested in
1843 - that states that the wine displays analytical characteristics
unchanged over time and, in other words, that it preserved itself perfectly.
However, it is in the years of Italy's unification - between 1865 and 1869 that attempts to make wine from Brunello grapes and to age wine in
barrels grow in number and attain superb results.
The founding father of the Brunello of Montalcino was, without a
doubt, Clemente Santi. In 1869, a Choice Wine (Brunello) of his from the
grape harvest of 1865 was awarded a silver medal by the Agrarian
Committe of Montepulciano. In the years that follow, the Brunello is
awarded other important international acknowledgments, being preferred
over French red wines even in Paris and Bordeaux.
Report of the ampelographic committee
of the province of Siena, 1876.
(Ilio Raffaeli, Remembering the enological supremacy
of our land, Vanzi Editrice, 2010).
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For several years, the Brunello remained a rare wine reserved to only
few refined connoisseurs. Only in the second half of the 20th century did it
change from being an exquisite delicacy available to elite members to
becoming a universal symbol worldwide of the finest Made in Italy.
With the introduction of the DOC quality brand (a guarantee of origin
attributed to Italian wines), the Brunello is brought to the forefront and
numbers amongst the first eight wines to which the "denominazione di
origine" or "guarantee of origin" is conferred.In 1966, the Brunello of
Montalcino becomes a DOC wine, and a year later, its own Consortium is
founded. In 1980, it is the first wine to be branded a DOCG (Denominazione
di Origine Controllata e Garantita, a guarantee of superior origin reserved
to selected wines in Italy), and from that moment onward, all of its bottles
are sealed with a seal of the State that guarantees their origin.
A Brunello label dating back to 1895
(Ilio Raffaelli, Riccardo Paccagnini:
a pioneer of Brunello, Massa, 1990).
An historical shipment of Brunello wine to United States
in the early twentieth century.
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However, the quantity of Brunello made is still too small to grant its
affirmation on an international level. The first wine cellar to have a true
sales network appears in the 70's, but the global market is only conquered
by Brunello wine after 1980, thanks, too, to the growing number of wine
cellars and bottles produced. Montalcino also has the merit of paving the
way to the "tourism of Italian wine", with the first cellars that are open to
guided tours, and a territory that on a whole welcomes thousands of
visitors from all over the world each year.
The acknowledgments that attest to the quality of the wine are
countless: in 1999, the prestigious U.S. magazine "Wine Spectator" lists a
Brunello wine among the 12 best ever wines of the 21st century, and in
2006, a Brunello wine is crowned the absolute best in a worldwide ranking.
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Montalcino,
a territory made for wine
Montalcino lies in Tuscany, in central Italy, about forty kilometers
South of the city of Siena, in the hill-lands of an uncontaminated
landscape. A land of farms with an ancient history and of rare beauty
which, since 2004, is enlisted among the locations of Heritage of
mankind by Unesco. The territory of Montalcino consists of one tall hill,
mostly covered by forests. Farm cultivations are a mix of vineyards, olive
groves, and seeded crops, with a large number of stone buildings that
are a witness to centuries of cultivations in these lands. Montalcino and
its hamlets Castelnuovo dell'Abate, Sant'Angelo, and Torrenieri are
small cities of art with an overall population just a little over five
thousand inhabitants.
The area where the Montalcino wines are made lies within the confines
of the Municipality of Montalcino. A district of 24,000 hectares, of which a
mere 15% is occupied by vineyards. It is a pretty much squared area, the sides
of which are bordered by the rivers Ombrone, Asso, and Orcia.
The Hill of Montalcino has several pedological environments, owing
to its formation over different geological ages. The lowest areas are made
up of relatively loose soils, which originated in the Quaternary due to the
flow of debris with a deep, active layer. As one moves up, the soil becomes
dense with rock formations, while the active stratum thins out, since these
are soils formed by the decomposition of original rocks, namely marl and
limestone.
Montalcino lies 40 km away from the sea in airline, and 100 km from
the Apennine Mountains. Its climate is typically Mediterranean, tendentially
dry, but with occasional continental connotations, given its position midway
between the sea and the Central Apennine. Precipitations mostly occur in
spring and late autumn (yearly average rainfall: 700 mm). Snowfall is
possible during winter at heights above 400 meters. Fog, ice, and late
hoarfrost are rare in the medium hill strips, factor in part due to the presence
of wind, which provides the best habitat for the healthy growth of vegetation.
Mount Amiata down South, with its 1,740 meters of height, towers over
and protects the territory of Brunello from weather hazards like rain
and hail storms.
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The climate is prevalently mild during the entire vegetative phase of
the vine, with a high number of clear-sky days that make for a gradual and
full ripening of the clusters.
The presence on the territory of slopes with differing orientation, the
pronounced modulation of the hills and the altimetric gap (from 120 to 650
meters above sea level) between the valley areas and the lands most atop
(Poggio della Civitella), determine quite varied micro-climates, even in
areas very close to each other.
The most widespread method of cultivation for vines is the spurred
cordon, which is obtained by way of a short pruning (double gems)
of a variable number of horns per vine.
The secret of the quality of the Brunello of Montalcino is treasured in
the grapevine: a meticulous labor by hand, from dry pruning to the selection
of the most fit offshoots, from the containment of the vegetation to the
trimming of the bunches, processes that all share the goal of reaping and
selecting the best fruits. Certain winemakers carry out a second selection
at harvest, so that only perfect grapes are sent away to the wine cellar.
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®
The Consortium of the
Brunello of Montalcino Wine
The Consortium of the Brunello of Montalcino Wine was founded in
1967, on the morn of its being branded a D.O.C. wine, as a free association
between winemakers bent on safeguarding their wine and on accentuating
its qualities. The Consortium has favored the onset of a productive fabric
made of old and new, small and large winemaking firms alike, brought
together by the common interest of respecting nature and aspiring to the
highest quality of wine.
The Consortium organizes events in Italy and abroad, as well as
participation by winemakers in trade fairs. It manages public relations and
the image of Montalcino wines through its press office, and distributes
news and information on an official website, with numerous publications
in several languages. A business more in the shadows but no less
important is the assistance service provided to specialized press and to
opinion makers, to which it caters with organized wine tasting and
sampling events and tours. The assistance given to members on the
standards that govern wine production are just as important.
Total surface area of the territory of Montalcino Ha 24,000
Total surface area of vine-cultivated lands
Ha 3,500
Brunello of Montalcino DOCG
Ha 2,100
Rosso di Montalcino Wine DOC
Ha 510
Moscadello di Montalcino Wine DOC
Ha 50
Sant’Antimo DOC
Ha 480
Other wines
Ha 360
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The Consortium of the Brunello of Montalcino Wine organizes an event named
"BENVENUTO BRUNELLO" or "WELCOME BRUNELLO" in Montalcino every February.
The event showcases the premiere of new wines sold on the market starting from the beginning
of the new wine year, and the stars awarded to the new grape harvesting just finished are announced,
and the commemorative plate-tile of the new year, designed each year by prominent artists,
is applied on the wall.
Wine denominations and the
main disciplinary standards
The Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, the Rosso di Montalcino DOC, the
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC, and the Sant'Antimo DOC are only and
exclusively made in the territory of the Muncipality of Montalcino.
The "Brunello di Montalcino" is obtained from Sangiovese grapes, a
vine traditionally referred to as "Brunello" in Montalcino.
The disciplinary committee that governs wine production establishes
that the maximum production of grapes per hectare must be less than 8
tons/ha (approximately 52 hl/ha of wine). The committee rules on the dates
of sale onto the market of the wine produced, which takes place on January
1st of the fifth year after the harvesting. During this long period, the wine
must remain for at least two years in wooden barrels and undergo a
minimum of four months of refinement in bottle. The period of preservation
in bottle is prolonged to as many as six months for reserve wines, which
are sold onto the market a year later.
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The "Rosso di Montalcino" (Red Wine of Montalcino) DOC proudly
exhibits the versatility of the territory of Montalcino which, with the same
Sangiovese grapevine, produces a red wine that can also be savored at a
younger age. In fact, the Rosso di Montalcino can be sold onto the market
from the 1st of September following the grape harvest. Since the harvesting
of 1984, it has attained DOC status and is made with only Sangiovese
grapes. The Rosso di Montalcino has a peculiar fresh and fruity taste, a
nice variant for the cellar master and for the consumer.
A decisive step toward completion of the productive pyramid of
Montalcino wines was made when the last guarantee of origin was
introduced, starting from the harvest of 1996: the "Sant'Antimo". This
category includes both white and red wines and a reference to where the
grape variety comes from.
The "Moscadello di Montalcino" is a white DOC wine that goes well
with desserts. The production of this wine has an ancient tradition in
Montalcino, so much that the Italian poet Ugo Foscolo mentioned it in one
of his letters. It is now experiencing a new beginning thanks to the labor
of a few passionate vineyard tenders. All of the varieties of Moscadello
(Tranquillo - Still, Frizzante - Sparkling, and Vendemmia Tardiva - Late
Harvest) are all made from Moscato grapes.
Brunello di Montalcino
DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
Location where it is made: Municipality of Montalcino
Grape variety: Sangiovese (known as the "Brunello" in Montalcino).
Maximum yield of the grapes: 8 tons per hectare.
Refinement in wooden barrels (required): 2 years in oak wood barrels.
Refinement in bottle (required): 4 months (6 months for Reserve wines).
Bottling: the wine can only be bottled in the location where it is produced.
Sale onto the market: January 1st of the 5th year after the grape harvest
(January 1st of the 6th year for Reserve wines).
Packaging: the Brunello of Montalcino can be sold onto the market
only if bottled in Bordeaux-style bottles.
Rosso di Montalcino
DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Location where it is made: Municipality of Montalcino
Grape variety: Sangiovese (known as the "Brunello" in Montalcino).
Maximum yield of the grapes: 9 tons per hectare.
Bottling: the wine can only be bottled in the location where it is produced.
Sale onto the market: September 1st of the year following the grape harvest.
Packaging: the Rosso di Montalcino can be sold onto the market
only if bottled in Bordeaux-style bottles.
Two youths in wooden wine vat
Dating back to the 15th century.
(Civil and Diocesian Museum of Sacred Art, Montalcino).
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Moscadello di Montalcino
DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Location where it is made: Municipality of Montalcino
Grape variety: White Moscato or Muscat
Maximum yield of the grapes: 10 tons per hectare for the Tranquillo and Frizzante
(Still and Sparkling). 5 tons per hectare for the Vendemmia Tardiva (Late Harvest).
Bottling: the wine can only be bottled in the location where it is produced.
Sale onto the market: January 1st of second year after the grape harvest
for the Vendemmia Tardiva wine.
Sant’Antimo
DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Location where it is made: Municipality of Montalcino (with the exception of a confined area).
Grape varieties: all those which are recommended and authorized in the province of Siena,
with specific limitations for the types bearing the name of the grape variety and for the Vin
Santo (literally, "Holy Wine", a traditional, Italian sweet and slightly more alcoholic wine).
Maximum yield of the grapes: 9 tons per hectare for white wines and for the Red
Sant'Antimo, 8 tons per hectare for all red wines with grape variety indication.
Bottling: can only be bottled in the province of Siena.
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CONSORZIO DEL VINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Piazza Cavour, 8 - 53024 Montalcino (SI) Italy
Tel +39 0577 848246 - Fax +39 0577 849425
[email protected]
www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it