Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva
Differences between Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva and Brunello di Montalcino classico
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva is one of the most famous and valuable Italian wines, known worldwide for its quality and elegance.
It differs from the Brunello di Montalcino Classico For some specific features, which mainly concern its production and organoleptic characteristics.
First, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. Must be aged for a period of at least 60 months, including at least 2 years in oak barrels.
This distinguishes it from the classic Brunello di Montalcino, which instead requires an aging period of at least 48 months, including at least 2 years in oak barrels.
In addition, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Can only be marketed after the 6th year after harvest, while classic Brunello di Montalcino can be marketed after the 5th year after harvest.
The organoleptic characteristics of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva are generally more complex and elegant than those of classic Brunello di Montalcino.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, in fact, possesses:
- more intense color;
- Deeper and more complex aroma;
- More full-bodied, full and persistent flavor.
These characteristics are. the result of the longer aging period, which allows the wine to acquire greater organoleptic nuances.
Winemaking process of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
The winemaking process for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is long and complex, requiring great care and attention at each stage. Below, we summarize the main steps in the winemaking process of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.
Grapes are harvested manually between late September and early October. Le Sangiovese grapes are carefully selected, discarding those with imperfections or that are not ripe.
The grapes undergo a crushing and destemming stage., to separate the grains from the stems and unripe berries.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in steel or concrete tanks, at a controlled temperature of about 28-30°C. During fermentation, yeasts naturally present on the grape skins convert sugars into alcohol.
During fermentation, the following takes place pumping over and delestage to promote the extraction of color, aromas and tannins from the skins. After about 10-15 days, racking is carried out, or the separation of must from solid residues.
The must is fermented again, this time through malolactic fermentation, which converts malic acid into lactic acid.
The wine is transferred to oak barrels of various sizes, where it is left to mature for at least 2 years. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva must remain in wood for at least 3 years and for an additional year in bottle before being marketed.
After the aging period, the wine is bottled and then further Aged in the bottle for at least 6 months.
Organoleptic characteristics
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a wine with very complex and elegant organoleptic characteristics.
Here are some tasting notes and food pairings, along with some interesting facts about the organoleptic properties of this great wine.
Tasting notes:
Color: rDeep ruby bone with granat hues.
Fragrance: Intense and complex, with notes of red fruits, spices, tobacco and wood.
Taste: Full-bodied, with ripe, well-structured tannins, balanced acidity, and long persistence.
Food pairings:
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva goes well with red meat dishes, roasts, braised meats, game, aged cheeses and mushroom dishes.
In particular, we recommend pairing it with a beef tagliata, grilled fiorentina steak or braised wild boar.
Curiosity about organoleptic properties:
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a wine that well suited for prolonged aging, even by several decades.
During this aging period, the wine acquires greater complexity and elegance, with even more nuanced and refined tasting notes.
In addition, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a wine that is characterized by its balanced acidity, which gives it a good aging capacity.
Finally, the oak barrels used for the aging of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva give the wine notes of wood and vanilla, which blend perfectly with the fruity and spicy notes, resulting in a unique and unforgettable harmony of aromas and flavors.