Brunello di Montalcino: Understanding and Appreciating One of Italy's Greatest Wines

by Kerin O'Keefe

Overview

For fans of Italian wine, few names command the level of respect accorded to Brunello di Montalcino. Expert wine writer Kerin O’Keefe has a deep personal knowledge of Tuscany and its extraordinary wine, and her account is both thoroughly researched and readable. Organized as a guided tour through Montalcino’s geography, this essential reference also makes sense of Brunello’s complicated history, from its rapid rise to the negative and positive effects of the 2008 grape-blending scandal dubbed “Brunellogate.” O’Keefe also provides in-depth profiles of nearly sixty leading producers of Brunello.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520265646
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	04/18/2012
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	312
Sales rank:	980,080
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Kerin O’Keefe writes about Italian wine for Decanter, The World of Fine Wine, and formerly for Wine News. She is the author of Franco Biondi Santi: The Gentleman of Brunello, a recipient of the Gourmand World Cookbook Award.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Preface
Introduction. Brunello: A Modern-Day Phenomenon of Made in Italy

Part One. The Place, the Grape, the History, and the Wine
1. Montalcino
2. Temperamental Sangiovese: Location, Location, Location
3. Birth of a New Wine
4. Brunello Comes of Age
5. Boom Years and the Loss of Tipicità
6. The Brunellogate Scandal
7. Brunello Today and Tomorrow: The Return to Tipicità, or Business as Usual?

Part Two. Leading Producers by Subzone
8. Montalcino
9. Bosco and Torrenieri
10. Tavernelle
11. Camigliano
12. Sant’Angelo
13. Castelnuovo dell’Abate

Part Three. Beyond Brunello: Other Wines and Local Cuisine
14. Montalcino’s Other Wines: Rosso di Montalcino, Moscadello, and Sant’Antimo
15. Brunello, Rosso, and Food Pairing

Appendix A. Vintage Guide to Brunello
Appendix B. Brunello at a Glance
Notes
Acknowledgments
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This well-researched detailed work on the zone is a must-read, especially for Brunellophiles."—Wine Spectator

"A valuable source."—The World of Fine Wine

"An absolutely essential wine guide for the connoisseur wishing to learn about the wine or the wine traveler seeking advice on where to go and which wineries to visit."—
International Wine Review

Editorial Reviews

Easily the most definitive book on one of Italy’s greatest wines.

Choice

This well-researched detailed work on the zone is a must-read, especially for Brunellophiles.

Wine Spectator

A valuable source.

The World Of Fine Wine - Keith Levenberg

"A fabulous read....it's a fascinating, well-written take on Brunello di Montalcino, and one of the books of the year."

JancisRobinson.com - Paul O'Doherty

An absolutely essential wine guide for the connoisseur wishing to learn about the wine or the wine traveler seeking advice on where to go and which wineries to visit.

International Wine Review

An absolutely essential wine guide for the connoisseur wishing to learn about the wine or the wine traveler seeking advice on where to go and which wineries to visit.

Ícaro|Ícaro|Ícaro|International Wine Review

"This well-researched detailed work on the zone is a must-read, especially for Brunellophiles."--Wine Spectator

"A valuable source."--The World of Fine Wine

"An absolutely essential wine guide for the connoisseur wishing to learn about the wine or the wine traveler seeking advice on where to go and which wineries to visit."--International Wine Review

"A fabulous read....it's a fascinating, well-written take on Brunello di Montalcino, and one of the books of the year."--Jancisrobinson.com

"Easily the most definitive book on one of Italy's greatest wines."--Choice

From the Publisher