Rosso di Montalcino

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The territory of the municipality of Montalcino covers a total area of 243.62 square kilometres and is bounded by the valleys of three rivers: the Orcia, the Asso, and the Ombrone.
• The altitude of the territory ranges from approximately 120 metres above sea level along the rivers to approximately 650 metres at Poggio Civitella, the highest point in the zone.
• The hill of Montalcino presents numerous soil environments formed in different geological eras, attributable to sandstones sometimes interbedded with limestones, to alberese and galestro, as well as to soils of mixed particle size, sometimes sandy and sometimes clayey.
• The climate is Mediterranean but tends toward the dry side, with continental overtones owing to the intermediate position between the sea, 40 km distant, and the central Apennines, approximately 100 km distant; mean annual rainfall is approximately 700 millimetres.
• Above 400 metres winter snowfall is possible, while the mid-slope band is unaffected by fog, frosts, or late frosts, and the frequent presence of wind ensures favourable conditions for the health of the vines.

• In the 1960s there was consideration of designating this wine 'Rosso dai Vigneti di Brunello' before the territorially linked name 'Rosso di Montalcino' was adopted.
• A red wine produced in Montalcino was awarded a bronze medal in 1869, and wines of Rosso di Montalcino were presented at the Mostra dei Vini Tipici Senesi in Siena in 1932, 1933, and 1935.

• The wine presents on appearance as clear and bright, with an intense ruby-red colour and a characteristic, intense nose.
• The palate is dry, warm, and pleasingly tannic, a characteristic that according to Wikipedia is described as somewhat tannic.

• Soils that tend to be low in organic matter, calcareous, and relatively water-deficient allow the Sangiovese variety to develop with rather restrained vigour and consequently limited yields.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1456
• Official trade body site — Consorzio del vino Brunello di Montalcino