Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The new vintage is celebrated at this weekend of tastings and award presentations in
February. It's organised by the
Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino
International Chamber Music Festival
(
www.musica-reale.com
)
Staged in July.
MUSIC
Sagra del Tordo
(
www.comunedimontalcino.it
)
A procession and traditional archery competition held on the
last weekend in October.
CULTURAL
BRUNELLOPOLI
In 2008, Montalcino drew the attention of the international wine world when a number of local produ-
cers were accused of secretly adulterating their vintages of Brunello di Montalcino with 'foreign'
grapes such as merlot and cabernet sauvignon. The Disciplinare di Produzione dei Vini a Denom-
inazione di Origine Controllata (Law Controlling Wine Appellations in Italy) decrees that Brunello
must be 100% Sangiovese, so this breach was taken extremely seriously by the government, wine in-
dustry and international wine media.
As a result of the accusations, the USA blocked some imports of Brunello, hitting Montalcino's
economy hard (approximately 25% of each vintage ends up in the States). Seventeen producers faced
commercial fraud charges and possible jail sentences, and the local industry's reputation (not to men-
tion that of its product) suffered as a consequence.
The scandal - known as Brunellopoli or Brunellogate - raised the question of whether winemakers
should be able to vary the DOCG decree and add other grapes to broaden Brunello's marketing ap-
peal, particularly for palates attuned to New World wines. Heated debates have occurred within the
Consorzio del Vino Brunello, the peak consortium of local producers, about whether upholding tradi-
tion equates to halting progress.
At present, the vast majority of the consortium's 700-odd members believe that the 100% local San-
giovese rule should stand, arguing that it is the purest expression of terroir and the wine's strongest
claim to quality and marketability. They also argue that allowing blending would simply be another
step towards global wine homogenisation. Proponents of change argue that blending with other variet-
ies makes economic sense and leads to the creation of better wines.
Only one thing is sure: the debate is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.
Sleeping
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€
Hotel Vecchia Oliviera
