Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Located in the municipality of Montalcino, Tuscany, the Sugarille vineyard belongs to the Pieve Santa Restituta estate, owned by the Gaja family. The plot lies on the southwest side of the Montalcino hill, on well-ventilated and sunny slopes, benefiting from a Mediterranean climate tempered by the altitude. The soils, rich in marl, clay, and pebbles, offer natural drainage, ideal for the slow and complete ripening of the Sangiovese grapes. This historic terroir, surrounded by woods and olive groves, gives rise to a Brunello of character, structured and profound.

The grapes are harvested by hand, carefully sorted, and destemmed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks with skin maceration. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in tanks. The wine is then aged for an extended period in large oak casks and barrels to preserve the pure expression of Sangiovese while adding complexity and structure, before a further period of rest in the bottle.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , ripe plum , and red berries , complemented by floral touches of violet and dried rose . Spicy nuances of pepper and licorice mingle with elegant oak of cedar and tobacco , on a subtly mineral background. The palate is full and concentrated, driven by vibrant acidity, firm yet polished tannins, and a long, lingering finish that reveals great depth.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!