If you have been to Italy and are a bit of a wine lover, you may have noticed that when sat in an enoteca (Italian wine bar) the word Montalcino seems to come up quite often. Italians are crazy for wines from Montalcino, and for good reason. This are produces some of the most prestigious, quality wines in the country.
What are some of the wines that you absolutely must try from Montalcino?
Let’s start with the crème de la crème of Montalcino wines…
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
This Sangiovese based wine is one of the most important of the areas. This is the typical wine you think of when you think of red wines stored in a cellar waiting for that perfect day to finally be opened. This is a wine that only gets better with age. Typically aged 5 years before market sale, 2 years in oak, the Brunello di Montalcino offers a decisive and fine wine which is best drunk in good company.
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Where there is Brunello there is Rosso di Montalcino. This is also a Sangiovese based wine which is aged for one year so is intended to be drunk earlier than a Brunello. They are somewhat distant cousins, from the same grape. This is a wine with great structure and floral notes which will make you feel like you are in Tuscany, when you feel the warmth of this drink with every sip.
Sant’Antimo DOC
Another great Tuscan wine from Montalcino is Sant’Antimo. It is not an aging wine so is not as complex as the Brunello di Montalcino, but its strength lies in its many grape varietals which can give it a very interesting and unique set of notes and aromas. This wine may include the Sangiovese grape, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.
One thing is for sure, you simply cannot leave Montalcino without buying 2 bottles of Brunello. One is to drink at your next dinner. The other a further down the line so you can truly see and taste the beauty of how a wine ages.
