Introduction
How to conduct a proper Brunello di Montalcino tasting.? A question only seemingly unimportant when we think of the importance of this wine not only nationally, but also internationally.
From the uncorking of the bottle to eventual decanting, to its proper storage, the most structured wine of the Italic culture needs a couple of cautions to be enjoyed at its best, either as a main wine to serve to your guests or as an accompaniment to some special course.
Imagine yourself immersed in the rolling hills of Tuscany, surrounded by lush vineyards and breathtaking scenery.
It is right here, in the heart of Tuscany, that one of the wine world's most prized treasures is hidden: Brunello di Montalcino. Produced exclusively in the small town of Montalcino, this red wine is famous for its exceptional quality, rich flavor and long tradition.
In this article, We will take you on an engaging in-depth look at how to taste Brunello di Montalcino, revealing the secrets of this elixir and guiding you through the nuances that make it one of the most coveted labels among wine enthusiasts worldwide.
Be prepared to Discover the art of tasting Brunello di Montalcino, a sensory journey that explores not only taste, but also the historical, cultural and natural aspects that have shaped its reputation.
When to uncork a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is known to be a strong wine with character, but also quite structured. It is definitely not a wine designed for the "young consumption", but for soft and sinuous drinking, carried out when the wine reaches a certain age.
From the time of harvest, in fact, the following must pass at least 5 years of aging so that the wine preparation process is concluded in an optimal manner, aging properly and according to all the basic criteria of Brunello di Montalcino preparation.
This is the only way to obtain a wine, whose better vintages they get 5-star ratings!
Decanting Brunello di Montalcino, therefore, is only possible after this time frame, which rises to 6 years if we are talking about Reserve. Around the world, it is also possible to find some very rare bottles aged over 10 or 30 years.
Defined aging, before a tasting of Brunello di Montalcino, the bottle must be uncorked at least 2 to 3 hours before service, so as to promote reoxygenation of the wine.
The process of reoxygenation is critical to the development of the wine's aromatic bouquet.
The regulation that has been given over time by the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino, among other things, allows this specialty to be produced only and exclusively within the territory itself (this is precisely the area of the municipality of Montalcino in the province of Siena, located just 40 kilometers south of the provincial capital), becoming an almost limited edition product.
How to serve Brunello di Montalcino: from temperature to the shape of the glass
The service of a Brunello di Montalcino counts for a lot, both in the presentation phase and in the actual tasting phase.
La tasting of Brunello di Montalcino, usually, is in fact done in wide, large and spacious shaped glasses designed precisely to accommodate the harmonious and colorful wine.
In the case, however, of dealing with aged bottles long time (we are talking about at least 7 or 8 years), tasting is preferable only after the decanting of Brunello di Montalcino inside a pitcher, which is more conducive to the reoxygenation process.
Temperature, of course, also plays its role, hovering around 18-20° (room temperature).
Brunello di Montalcino pairing: our recommendations
Drinking with taste is never an easy thing for novices. The more experienced and passionate ones surely, will already know what is the best pairing with Brunello di Montalcino at the table: but which ones are the most successful in our opinion?
Brunello di Montalcino is a mighty wine, charged and with a strong imprint, so a definite match is with a equally powerful dish, so that wine and dish can support and cancel each other out, supporting the harmonious load of the wine with the pleasantness of the dish.
Wine pairings with various foods can be varied and, almost always, all in favor of the flavor and intensity of a well-aged Brunello. The favored flavors, therefore, are those of game and red meat.
Other food pairings may also involve hard, flavorful cheeses.
L'Wine food pairing by contrast; some characteristics must instead be matched by contrast, such as for example, the tannin of the wine that dries the mouth well offsets the unctuousness of the scottiglie typical of the area.
Intrigued and eager to uncork a good bottle of Brunello di Montalcino?
Conclusions
If our article on the Brunello di Montalcino tasting techniques caught your attention, you will surely want to learn more about these fine wines and perhaps taste them from the comfort of your own home.
In this case, we invite you to explore Montalcino Club, where you will find numerous resources for learning more about the wines of this fascinating region.
Our site specializes in the Sale of excellent quality wines, carefully selected directly in the territory of Montalcino. In particular, we focus on the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Thanks to our partnerships with several wineries in Montalcino, we are able to offer our customers a wide variety of wines chosen from the best Brunello producers.
By accessing the wine club section, you can discover exclusive and high-value offers.
Signing up, you will periodically receive our selections of Brunello di Montalcino, specially curated to introduce you to and appreciate this internationally renowned wine.
In addition, we organize wine tours that will allow you to taste the best Brunello di Montalcino wines directly at the place of production, offering you a unique experience to immerse yourself in the beautiful, world-renowned land of Montalcino.
For more information, please visit our website and feel free to contact us by filling out the contact form.
