Thursday Virtual Happy Hour: Brunello di Montalcino

Sangiovese (in its Grosso variant) is the sole grape variety permitted in the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (Brunello translates as "little brown one"). However, that name (employed to differentiate the wine from Chianti) is now associated more with the DOCG title, and the grape variety used is generally referred to as Sangiovese Grosso.

In past centuries, this region's vineyards were largely isolated from others in Tuscany, and the variety is held to have followed a distinct path of mutation. The variant of Sangiovese here is more fleshy and thicker-skinned than the Chianti clones.

Brunello refers to Brunello di Montalcino, a renowned Italian red wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes in the Tuscany region. Known for its full body, high acidity, firm tannins, and complex flavors of cherry, licorice, and earthy notes, Brunello undergoes significant aging, with the younger wines exhibiting vibrant fruit and the older vintages developing sweeter, more refined notes of dried fruit and leather. The wine has a long history and is considered one of Italy's most famous and prestigious red wines, with a DOCG designation guaranteeing its quality and origin.

If you can't afford a Brunello, you might want to consider a Rosso di Montalcino, or a Chianti Classico.

## We have a choice of videos to watch including:

1. https://youtu.be/lO36TucwG8U?si=BTyinPz5QUoKy3nc - BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO: We tried 5 legendary producers! - Our Pour Decisions (24:40)
2. https://youtu.be/4yOm_rksjU0?si=nVhj0JiSd0mtwXPf - Brunello di Montalcino Explained: Tuscany’s Top DOCG Wine for WSET Level 3 - Wine with Jimmy (14:50)
3. https://youtu.be/9IrdJhiJkFc?si=5cJGBl4NTRrnylgZ - Italian Red Wine You Must Know: Brunello di Montalcino - Wine Folly (8:47)
4. https://youtu.be/zkus_hw_pCA?si=tVeTEqR3hydgJdQo - The Magic of Brunello - Jamessucklingtv (19:07)

So, pick up a bottle and watch a couple of videos. Let us know what you’re drinking and eating, and, if possible, the region from which your wine comes. Do you have any comments (positive or negative) about the videos? And, as always, tell us what’s going on in your life - what's happening with you, how you're feeling about things, updates, successes, challenges - as much or as little as you’re willing to disclose. We are in this together. And - thank goodness - we have wine!

Cheers!!