If you love Brunello di Montalcino, you have to try its younger brother Rosso di Montalcino. It is probably easier to find than Brunello.
If you’ve never tried Rosso di Montalcino, you are in for a treat, but let me give you the rundown of the wine before you head to your local store to purchase it.
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What Is Rosso Di Montalcino?
Russo di Montalcino is a Tuscan wine made in Montalcino. This dry yet fruity red wine was called Vermiglio (Vermillion) before it got the name we are familiar with.
Russo di Montalcino is produced from Sangiovese grapes that are grown in Montalcino. Usually, Russo di Montalcino is only made from Sangiovese grapes.
However, in 2011 winemakers called a vote to discuss if they should combine other types of grapes with Sangiovese to make Russo di Montalcino.
Some people thought it would get the wine up to international standards. However, this motion was denied. Therefore, Russo di Montalcino will always be made with 100% Sangiovese grapes.
There are some strict rules for making Russo di Montalcino. For example, grape yields cannot produce more than 4 tons per acre of land.
When making Russo di Montalcino, aging the wine in oak barrels is not required. Additionally, the wine is typically released earlier for sale. Typically, it takes about 1 year after the grapes were harvested for Russo di Montalcino to be released. Additionally, the bottling of Russo di Montalcino must happen in the facility’s production area.
What Does Rosso Mean in Italian Wine?
Russo simply means red wine. It is the Italian word for red.
History Of Russo di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino became a designation of controlled origin (DOC) in 1966. However, the wine had a mandatory aging time of 4 years.
Because the winemakers could not afford to lose any money, a separate group of grape growers and wine producers was established for the wine Vino Rosso daiVigneti di Brunello, the forerunner of Rosso di Montalcino.
To limit confusion between Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Rosso di Montalcino they changed the name to Consorzio del Vino Rosso daiVigneti di Brunello which translates to consortium of red wine made from the vineyards of Brunello.
Rosso di Montalcino was granted a DOC classification in 1983. This is particularly important as it is Italy won a DOC classification. Usually, Italian vineyards receive a DOCG classification.
What’s the Difference Between Rosso Di Montalcino and Brunello Di Montalcino
Russo di Montalcino originates from the same region as its distinguished cousin Brunello di Montalcino. In fact, they are cultivated in the same Mediterranean weather and even use the same type of grape: Sangiovese.
However, Rosso di Montalcino is the younger brother of Brunello di Montalcino. It was bottled and sold much quicker than Brunello.
Brunello must be aged for a minimum of 4 years before it is sold to the public. In contrast, it takes about 1 year for Russo to be sold to the public.
Is Rosso Di Montalcino Good?
Yes, Russo di Montalcino is good. It has a ruby color and fruity aroma. It has a good balance of flavors as well as a complex fruity flavor and smooth viscosity.
What To Serve With Rosso Di Montalcino?
Rosso di Montalcino is known for its fruity aroma. The unique, dry, yet warm, tannic, and fruity flavor shines through when paired with the right food.
A hearty vegetable soup, mushroom risotto, or roasted vegetables pairs perfectly with a glass of Rosso di Montalcino. You can even serve Rosso di Montalcino with cold cuts and cheeses arranged on a charcuterie board.
You can also serve it with thicker sauces such as those used for pasta, sausage, pizza, and roast chicken.
Nevertheless, make sure you serve your Rosso di Montalcino at a temperature between 60°F -64°F for best results. Since this is a red wine, it is best served cold in a wide-mouth glass.
Additionally, if you do not have a wine cooler, place the Rosso di Montalcino in the fridge about 30 minutes or 1 hour before serving it.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the full rundown of Rosso di Montalcino. Rosso di Montalcino is a delicious dry red wine that is perfect for any occasion.
If you’re in search of a new wine to try, pick up a bottle of Rosso di Montalcino. You may be presently surprised. If you don’t like the way Rosso di Montalcino tastes, you can try a Brunello wine instead.