On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.
(November 26, 2014) ... "Garnacha, also known as Granache, is one of the world's oldest and most widely planted wine grapes."
"Granacha is the only major grape variety with red and white variants, which allow it to produce very diverse wines: red, white. rose and sweet."
The wines in this tasting were all from Spain and all have a base or are made from 100% Granache.
(March 10, 2014) ...
Let's talk Brunello for a minute or two ...
The total surface area of the territory is 59,305 acres of which only 8,648 acres (or about 15%) is under vine. Brunello di Montalcino makes up 5120; Rosso di Montalcino 1260 ... the rest is a mix of Moscadello, Sant'Antimo and other wines. For the purposes of the this tasting the majority of the wines fell under the Brunello and Rosso designation, so let's take a peak at what we're getting into with these wines.
Brunello di Montalcino is a DOCG wine - the highest level in the Italian wine designation. It is made up of Sangiovese, has a maximum yield of 8 tons per hectare, must be aged 2 years in oak and a minimum of 4 months in bottle (6 months for Riserva designation).
Rosso di Montalcino is at the DOC level - is made with Sangiovese and yields in the fields in 9 tons per hectare
So let's take a look at the tastings and the wines that were being poured on this day ... Click here to see the pictorial evidence of the tasting.
