Brunello di Montalcino 2019: Special Tasting of 12 Wines Led by Master of Wine Gabriele Gorelli for Chinese Buyers and Professionals
The Brunello di Montalcino Consortium hosted a prestigious seminar at its headquarters, led by Master of Wine Gabriele Gorelli. The event brought together a select group of Chinese buyers and professionals, who are currently participating in an inbound program organized in collaboration with Wine Channel Italia, aimed at deepening their understanding of Brunello in its homeland.
Montalcino, a UNESCO heritage site since 2004, covers 31,000 hectares, but only 4,100 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. Of these, 2,100 hectares are allocated to Brunello di Montalcino. The area, characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cold winters, is divided into four main zones, each with different soils, ranging from galestro (marl) to clay, which deeply influence the character of the wines. During the tasting, Gorelli emphasized the importance of understanding these variations, highlighting how clay, galestro, and other soils contribute to the creation of wines with extraordinary complexity.
For this special masterclass, 12 wines from the 2019 vintage, currently available on the market, were selected from this territory to showcase what each part of the region has to offer.
“We wanted to provide an overview of what the 2019 vintage expresses in Montalcino,” said the Master of Wine. “It was a year that benefited from balanced climatic conditions: high temperatures were offset by cool nights and regular rainfall during the summer months. This classic vintage is expressed in delicacy and length, promising considerable longevity,” Gorelli remarked, drawing a parallel with other renowned wine regions.
The wines tasted offered an overview of the great diversity present in the Brunello territory, where every small factor contributes to the creation of a unique wine, producible only here. The region’s altitude ranges from 200 to 500 meters above sea level, and everything—from the soil to the wind, from exposure to aging—affects the growth of this particular Sangiovese. From traditional, classic wines aged in large barrels to new, different styles of Brunello aged in smaller barrels. From the elegant wines of the north to the warmth expressed by those from the south. Some stand out for freshness and balance, while others offer greater power and density. Some evoke historical traditions with complex tannins, while others present a more expansive and soft approach, expressing the versatility of Sangiovese.
Gorelli concluded by underscoring the importance of showcasing the richness of styles and variations present in the denomination, demonstrating how Sangiovese can transform into a fascinating expression of terroir, the result of a synergistic combination of land, climate, and variety.
Wines in Tasting:
Belpoggio – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Casisano. – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Cava d’onice – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Fanti – Brunello di Montalcino 2019 Vallocchio
Fossacolle – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Franco Pacenti – Brunello di Montalcino 2019 Rosildo
La Fiorita – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Pinini – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
San guglielmo – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Sesti – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Ventolaio – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Voliero – Brunello di Montalcino 2019
