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WSET3 Central Italy - Brunello di Montalcino

Oct 31, 2024

Brunello di Montalcino and Sangiovese - Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Presenter: Jimmy Smith
  • Topic: Brunello di Montalcino & Sangiovese
  • Context: Focus on DOCG level wines, particularly Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany, Italy.
  • Aim: To prepare for WSCT Level 3 exams by understanding Brunello di Montalcino.

About Jimmy Smith

  • Owner of West London Wine School & South London Wine School.
  • Also owns Streatham Wine House.
  • Wine educator for 17-18 years.
  • Award: WSCT Regional Educator of the Year 2018.

Tuscany Overview

  • Location: Central Italy, historical Etruscan region.
  • Landscape: Mix of coastal and inland with mountains (Apennines).
  • Historical Sites: Florence, Pisa, Chianti.

Brunello di Montalcino

  • Location: Southern Tuscany, medieval hilltop town of Montalcino.
  • Wine: Known for Brunello di Montalcino, a DOCG wine made from Sangiovese.
  • DOCG: Highest quality category in Italy.
  • Secondary Wine: Rosso di Montalcino, made from declassified grapes.

Climate

  • Type: Mediterranean with continental and maritime influences.
  • Features: Warm, dry with cooling breezes; significant diurnal temperature differences.
  • Altitude: 200-550 meters.

Grape Varieties

  • Main Grape: Sangiovese (Brunello synonym).
  • Characteristics: High acidity and tannin; late ripening.
  • Oak Aging: Essential for flavor development and softening tannins.
  • Aroma Notes: Sour cherry, plum, leather, cigar, nutty, mushroomy.

Wine Regulations

  • Minimum Aging: 5 years total for Brunello di Montalcino, with 2 years in oak.
  • Oak Types: Slavonian oak barrels or French barriques.
  • Uniqueness: Must be 100% Sangiovese.

Key Points for Exams

  • Grape Variety: Sangiovese (Brunello).
  • Climate Impacts: High alcohol, full body, high acidity, tannins.
  • Aging Effects: Secondary and tertiary flavors develop; tannins soften.
  • Exam Tip: Be specific with grape, climate, and aging processes.

Conclusion

  • Further Study: Online portal offers additional learning resources.
  • Contact Information: Twitter/Instagram @winewithjimmy; West London and South London Wine Schools.
  • Engagement: Use hashtag #WLWSVirtual for social media interactions.

These notes provide a foundation for understanding Brunello di Montalcino and the Sangiovese grape, emphasizing the factors that contribute to its unique style as required for WSCT Level 3 exams.

Full transcript