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.
Brunello di Montalcino Understanding and Appreciating One of Italy’s Greatest Wines
About the Book
Reviews
“This well-researched detailed work on the zone is a must-read, especially for Brunellophiles.”—Wine Spectator
“A valuable source. . . . [O’Keefe] gives the appellation something that it has deserved for some time: a critical voice who writes about Brunello with the affection and focus ordinarily reserved for the likes of Burgundy, and, more important still, one who appreciates Brunello for what Brunello is and not for what it can be when it’s dressed as something else.”—Keith Levenberg The World Of Fine Wine
“O’Keefe is the best English-language writer and critic on Brunello, and her book is a delight. Her depth of knowledge of the region, the issues, and the winemaking personalities shines through in her writing. The Montalcino region is a complex one with diverse sub-regions and distinct terroirs, artisanal as well as commercial wineries, and a fascinating wine history. The author helps the reader understand this complexity, including the historical context of the wine. . . . There is no other English language book that provides the rich detail and knowledge of Brunello di Montalcino that this one does. In short, it is 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."—Paul O'Doherty JancisRobinson.com
“Easily the most definitive book on one of Italy’s greatest wines. . . . O’Keefe, well-known for her wine and food writing focusing generally on Italy and particularly on Tuscany, presents a vivid portrait of Brunello terroir and wineries in the Montalcino region.”—Choice
“In an era where there is so much misinformation about any number of wines and wine news, it’s refreshing to read the work of an author who not only knows her subject in great detail, but one who is opinionated and tells her story in an engaging fashion. Whether you are just discovering Brunello di Montalcino or have been enjoying these wines for decades, this book is highly recommended.”—Learnitalianwines.com
“Kerin O’Keefe’s Brunello di Montalcino is not simply an enjoyable wine book; it’s one of the rare wine books that is truly important.”—Palate Press
“More than half of the book is devoted to detailed descriptions of the Brunello producers, and the ever-present tasting notes. The rest is a useful history of the wine, written in a brisk, informative style. O’Keefe covers many of the main issues in Italian winemaking of the past few decades. . . . We need a guide we can trust; and those once seduced by the delicate complexity of a perfect Brunello could hardly do better than O’Keefe’s book.”—Times Literary Supplement (TLS)
“This well-researched detailed work on the zone is a must-read, especially for Brunellophiles.”—Wine Spectator
"Compelling and page-turning prose. . . . O'Keefe supports her tale-style report on Brunello with the results of accurate ethnographic and oenological research, demonstrates competence in wine production and marketing strategies, and incorporates considerable technical information, all the while keeping her prose engaging."—Journal of Wine Research"Kerin O'Keefe is undoubtedly the English-speaking world's most passionate advocate of the wines of Montalcino. Every page of her book reflects her expertise and long experience, and what's more, she's a good writer. How often have we been presented with detailed knowledge wrapped in turgid language? Not here! This is a page-turner if ever a wine book was one." —Nicolas Belfrage M.W., The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy: A Regional and Village Guide to the Best Wines and Their Producers
"Kerin O'Keefe's book is the best thing I have read on Brunello di Montalcino—period. The research is the most thorough, and the coverage of the key aspects of the Montalcino situation—origins and history, legislation, zonal variations, producers—is the most complete and rigorous I have encountered anywhere." —Tom Maresca, contributor to Decanter, Wine & Spirits and Quarterly Review of Wines
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