What is "Benvenuto Brunello"
The "Benvenuto Brunello" event. is an annual celebration held in the picturesque town of Montalcino, located in the heart of Tuscany, to honor the prestigious Brunello wine and other excellent Italian wines.
This wine tasting event, which lasts for over 25 years, brings together producers, journalists and industry enthusiasts, attracting the attention of an increasingly large and curious audience.
Inspired by similar events held in countries such as France, "Benvenuto Brunello" offers the opportunity to taste new wines produced in the Montalcino area in advance of marketing, with the aim of promoting and enhancing them.
The event is organized and curated by the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, which is also responsible for evaluating and awarding the new vintage of the famous wine.
However, the event is also a useful opportunity to discover the other wines that are produced in the Montalcino area, especially for wine lovers who travel to the town during the days of the event (Rosso di Montalcino, Moscadello di Montalcino and Sant'Antimo.).
These wines are all marked with the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) seal, attesting to their quality and origin.
Brunello di Montalcino, on the other hand, has the distinction of being awarded during the 1990s the prestigious DOCG acronym (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), a further recognition attesting to its excellence.
Presentation of marketable vintages
Originally "Benvenuto Brunello" figured as an event that unfolded over about 3 days, but in recent years it was decided to lengthen this event over several days, even adding a date dedicated exclusively to selected tasting of Brunello di Montalcino in 4 foreign cities (London, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles).
An event, then, that looks increasingly with interest at the spread of Brunello internationally, the Consortium's true great goal.
A tasting of the last marketable vintage of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Riserva, dating back to:
- 5 vintages before, as far as Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is concerned;
- 6 vintages earlier, regarding the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.
Accordingly in the 2023 edition of "Benvenuto Brunello" (the dates of which have not yet been announced) the vintage presented will not be the current one, as the rules of wine specifications are extremely strict.
These regulations state that a wine can only be released for consumption from January 1 of the fifth year following the vintage.
Therefore, in the 2023 edition, the stars will be the 2019 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino and the 2018 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.
It should be pointed out that, for the latter, it is necessary to wait six years after the harvest because of its special production and ripening characteristics.
Breakdown of the events of "Benvenuto Brunello"
In order to better explain how "Benvenuto Brunello" takes place, let's go through a selection of every single event held during this event (which, in 2022, took place between November 11 and 21)..
First, let us recall that the main events take place almost entirely at the village of Montalcino, with a specific location such as the Cloisters of the Museum of St. Augustine And they are basically as follows:
- Private tastings, reserved exclusively for the press and by invitation only;
- Tastings reserved for wine professionals;
- tastings reserved for producers in the Montalcino area;
- tastings also open to wine lovers.
The last edition also featured an all-international day, which will surely be repeated in subsequent editions.
We are talking about a private tasting reserved for press and trade professionals, which takes place In the cities of London, Toronto, New York and Los Angeles.
The reason why is quickly said: the goal of a wine like Brunello di Montalcino is to make itself known globally, which is why events like this one can increase its appeal and not limit it only to the local level.
Presentation of the current agronomic year and evaluation
Without calendaring these events, which mark the days of "Benvenuto Brunello," the most important part of the entire event is the day dedicated to the presentation of the current agronomic year.
The event is held with a presentation conference at the Teatro degli Astrusi in Montalcino, where precisely we introduce the latest addition to the great family of Brunello di Montalcino (in this case we will refer to the 2023 vintage).
This is where the A ceremony to proclaim the stars awarded at the last vintage (In our case it will be 2023).
This tradition of quality assessment of vintages dates back to 1945 and has often rewarded wines of the highest quality with the highest award of 5 stars, a symbol of absolute excellence.
Prominent among the most memorable vintages of the past century are those of 1970, 1985 and 1997, which reached extraordinary levels of quality.
However, it is important to point out that the awarding of stars does not coincide with the immediate availability of the bottles on the market because, as mentioned above, it is necessary to comply with the aging times stipulated for the Brunello di Montalcino appellation.
In honor of the award-winning vintages, a commemorative tile is made, which is then posted on the wall of the Montalcino Town Hall, along with tiles from previous vintages. This symbolic gesture underscores the importance of wine tradition and wine excellence in the Montalcino community.
Leccio d’Oro Award
The "Benvenuto Brunello" event not only presents to the public the new vintages of Montalcino wines, but also provides an opportunity to reward establishments that stand out for the quality of their wine list.
During the event, in fact, the Award ceremony of the prestigious Leccio d’Oro, an award given to establishments that offer the best selection of Montalcino wines, considering both the quality and variety of proposals.
In recent years, the award has also expanded abroad to Demonstrating the growing international interest in Montalcino wines. and a desire to consolidate their reputation in global markets. The Leccio d'Oro is divided into three categories: restaurants, wine bars and taverns.
To determine the winners, a jury of experts in the field is convened, which evaluates not only the wine list, but also the service and presentation offered by the venues, as well as the knowledge of the characteristics and specificities of the various Montalcino wines.
The jury is chaired by the President of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, assisted by the three Vice Presidents.
In addition, the jury is enriched by the presence of four alternate members, chosen from important personalities in the food and wine world, such as world-renowned sommeliers, journalists and food and wine critics.
The Golden Holm Oak award ceremony is a highlight within the event "Benvenuto Brunello", helping to further enhance Montalcino's winemaking heritage.
Gambelli Award
The Giulio Gambelli Award is a prestigious award given during the "Benvenuto Brunello" event in Montalcino.
Established in 2012, the award celebrates the memory of the great master taster Giulio Gambelli, who despite never having been a professional winemaker, left an indelible mark on the world of wine.
The award is given to a young winemaker who, during the year, has particularly distinguished himself or herself in approaching the idea of making wine according to Gambelli's principles and philosophy.
Thanks to the support of some of the companies the master taster has worked with throughout his career, the winner receives a plaque and a cash prize of 1,500 euros.
This recognition not only honors the figure of Giulio Gambelli, but also helps to support and encourage new generations of winemakers to follow in the footsteps of this great master, enhancing his unique approach and vision in winemaking.
How to participate in "Benvenuto Brunello"?
In order to participate in "Benvenuto Brunello," interested industry professionals must follow an accreditation procedure.
A formal request must be sent by email to. [email protected], using the company account. In the application, it is important to include personal and contact information, as well as the name, company name, location, VAT number and category of your company.
To ensure the seriousness of the event membership, a valid credit card is required for a security deposit.
At the end of the event and following actual participation, this amount will be fully reimbursed to the practitioners who took part in the event.
By following these steps, those in the sector will be able to experience "Benvenuto Brunello" firsthand, having the opportunity to preview new vintages and connect with producers, journalists and wine enthusiasts.
Are you a wine lover and want to visit Montalcino during Benvenuto Brunello days?
We have seen how "Benvenuto Brunello" is an event reserved largely for wine operators and press professionals.
However, it should be mentioned that on the days when this event is carried out, are numerous side events that enliven the streets of the village of Montalcino, and which represent a unique opportunity for those who wish to discover this area.
Our advice, if you are looking for a time of year other than the classic summer months, where you can organize a tour to discover the territory where the famous Brunello is produced, is to take advantage of these very days.
Are you not an expert in the area, but would like to discover the territory of Montalcino?
Then, relying on Montalcino Club, you can participate in wine tours that will take you to the heart of Montalcino, where you will have the opportunity to taste directly the fine Brunello di Montalcino wines.
This experience will provide you with a unique immersion in the striking landscape of internationally renowned Montalcino.
In addition, if you want to deepen your knowledge of these excellent wines and enjoy them in the comfort of your own home, you can join our exclusive wine club!
We are dedicated to the sale of high quality, carefully selected wines in the region of Montalcino, with a focus on the renowned Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
Through collaboration with several Montalcino wineries, we offer our members the following a wide selection of wines from the best wineries in Brunello and throughout Tuscany.
By joining the wine club, you will have access to exclusive and valuable offers.
Every other month, you will receive a selection of Tuscan wines from the Montalcino region, carefully chosen to introduce you to and appreciate this world-loved wine.
What are you waiting for? Visit our website now to learn more or contact us to get information!
