BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO: THE 2010 HARVEST STARTS UNDER VERY FAVOURABLE AUSPICES

A good production also of Rosso di Montalcino. Great satisfaction over the recognition by the International Wine Challenge of Sandro Chia’s Brunello and by Gambero Rosso of Biondi Santi’s, another confirmation of the “vitality and great competence of the producers of this territory, placing them at the top of world œnology”.

Montalcino 29 September 2010 - The 2010 harvest of Brunello di Montalcino starts under the best auspices. According to the President of the Consorzio, Ezio Rivella “the forecast of the quality of the grapes points towards a year of a high quality level”.

Add to this two more high profile awards to this Tuscan red wine. The first is the one awarded a few days ago by the International Wine Challenge of London to Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004, Castello di Romitorio, as the best wine in the world 2010. The second is the “special prize” - “Best rosso of the Year” awarded by the prestigious “Gambero Rosso” – 2011 to Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004 of Franco Biondi Santi’s Tenuta il Greppo, a decision which will be made official in Rome on October 17th.

“These are two awards – in the words of President Ezio Rivella – “that apart from rewarding the great quality of Franco Biondi Santi’s and Sandro Chia’s Brunello, underscore the vitality of this territory, the outstanding competence and skills achieved by all producers, confirming Montalcino’s position at the top of world œnology”

As far as this year’s harvest goes, the data gathered by the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino, show very good sugar contents, significant and evident acidity, poliphenols in definitive transformation and with a degree of extractability constantly increasing. All very interesting characteristics of high quality products and with specific features that could prove to be the making of an extremely good vintage. All this brought about the start of the grape picking at the normal time that is usually from the end of September to the middle of October. With regards to quantity, according to the producers it will be within the average of the preceding years.

As President Ezio Rivella affirms “the harvest began under the best auspices and promises the possibility of obtaining excellent results. It is now up to us producers to transform this potential in concrete targets and to engage fully in the task so as to guarantee the quality that consumers expect thereby consolidating the world renowned excellence attained by our territory.”

The year 2010 began with a very particular period. The first phase of vegetative development that started in the last ten days of April, was characterized by a great deal of rainfall that continued throughout the second third of June. A very rainy spring, therefore, with temperatures below average. The next phase, from the last ten days of June was very dry and hot, with significant rainfalls towards the end of September. The weather during the month of September – apart from a few episodes - proved suitable for the ripening of the grapes, with good temperatures in the day time and fairly cool nights, and therefore with a temperature difference between day and night, ideal for the ripening process. The phases of vegetative development were somewhat delayed and with a progress that was rather slow but both constant and continuous. In August – during the first half of the month, the veraison took place (the moment when the red grapes change colour from yellow-green to intense red). During the last ten days the ripening progressed extremely well.

The production of Rosso di Montalcino also went well. The grapes are picked at the same time as the Brunello ones. The harvesting of the grapes for the early Sant’Antimo wines started a few days ago while the late harvest ones will be picked during the next days. In any case for this denomination also, the health and characteristics of the grapes are good. The Muscat grapes are also being picked since a few days, out of which will be made the Moscadello di Montalcino both the Still and Sparkling types as well as the Late Harvest ones. For this wine the new production regulations will be applied for the first time. These do not significantly change the products, but provide for more suitable norms, particularly with regard to the Late Harvest wine