Chianti | Vino Con Vista Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Wino

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Coat of arms of Montalcino

Bottle & glass of a 1961 Brunello di Montelcino wine from Tuscany. This Italian wine is made from Sangiovese

The Italian wine Brunello from Tuscany made from Sangiovese

Brunello vineyard, Montalcino

Abbey of Sant’Antimo, Montalcino, Tuscany

Sangiovese grapes in a vineyard of Montalcino, Italy Tuscany is Italy’s quintessential wine region. It is the birthplace of one of Italy’s blockbuster red wines, Brunello di Montalcino. This is an opulent wine made entirely from Sangiovese grapes.

In Montalcino, take a Winery Tour of Castello Banfi.

Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino has an intense ruby-red color and displays the complex aromas of black cherry, rasberry and violets.

Montalcino is surrounded by defensive medieval walls that were built in the 13th century. The Montalcino Fortress stands at the highest point in the town; designed by the Sienese architects Mino Foresi and Domenico di Feo.

Image result for Montalcino is surrounded by defensive medieval walls

Montalcino has remained practically unchanged over the centuries.

Here’s a good link: A day trip to Montalcino

Montalcino (Photo credit: littlestar19)

Castle (Fortezza) at Montalcino, Siena, Italy. Photo taken by Type17, 18:50hrs June 24th 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Montalcino is divided into quarters called contrade. They are: Borghetto, Travaglio, Pianello and Ruga. Each contrade has their own colours, songs and distinct drum rhythms. Twice a year they dress in Medieval attire and compete in an archery contest under the walls of the Castel Fortezza.

English: View of Montalcino from the Castle (Fortezza). Taken Sept 8th 2006 by me. Canon EOS 20D, 10mm focal length (16mm effective length) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Montalcino (Photo credit: fondelli.nadia)

Montalcino, Toscana, Italia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brunello di Montalcino earned a reputation as one of Italy’s rarest wines. At the end of WWII, the only commercial producer recorded in government documents was the Biondi-Santi. The high price and prestige of there Brunello de Montalcino encouraged other producers to emulate Biondi-Santi’s success. By the 1960s, there were 11 producers making Brunello. By 1980 there were 53 producers in Montalcino. In 1980, the Montalcino region was the first Italian wine region to be awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) designation.

Italy has restrictive government regulations that prescribe wine-making practices in Italy. These rules define areas where specific wines can be made using the acronyms DOCG, DOC, and IGT.

Português: Garrafa de vinho Brunello di Montalcino de Biondi Santi – 1985 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG designation means “Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita” (the most prestigious/elite Italian wines). This means that the wine has the following characteristics:

The location is certified and guaranteed

Provides more stringent government regulations

Requires longer aging periods and lower yields per vine

montalcino fortress (Photo credit: tonyduckles)

Brunello is Tuscany’s rarest and most expensive wine. It is produced in the walled medieval village of Montalcino, south of the Chianti Classico zone. The climate is warmer and the hills are steeper. The wine is aged longer and it must be aged in oak barrels to enhance the character of the wines.

The Banfi Winery is Castello Banfi

“Positioned at the confluence of the Orcia and Ombrone rivers, the Banfi estate extends along the southern slopes of the township of Montalcino across 7,100 acres of land; one third of the property is under specialized vine and the balance is shared between olive groves, wheat fields, plum trees, truffle stands, forest and scrub.” https://castellobanfi.com/en/wines/banfi-wines/castello-banfi.php#banfi

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The Banfi Winery was the first winery in the world to be awarded international recognition for exceptional environmental, ethical and social responsibility. It won the 2009 VinItaly International Award and has been designated Italy’s Premier Vineyard estate for 11 consecutive years.

The winery is nestled on 7100 acres of land and it is owned by two wine-making brothers from Long Island, New York.

They have a state of the art winery with a glass museum.

Taste their Brunello di Montalcino at the Winery’s Enoteca.

Dine at their Tuscan Taverna

The restaurant is located in the vaulted cellars of the Castello. Enjoy three and five-course tasting menus of traditional Tuscan cooking on rustic wooden tables situated under gorgeous brick arches.

Image result for Montalcino The Banfi Winery interior