The Assembly of the Consorzia del Vino Brunello di Montalcino voted on 7 September to maintain their long held rules and traditions by requiring all wines labelled "Brunello di Montalcino" and "Rosso di Montalcino" to be made from 100% Sangiovese grapes.
This is a great win for the traditionalists who believe the wines made under this strict DOCG classification must be protected and integrity maintained.
Votes are based on the number of hectares planted to vine and the number of bottles produced. So there was always a danger that the big winemakers such as Banfi may hold sway. But it wasn't to be.
Proposition 1 was: are you in favour of changing the ampelographic basis of Brunello di Montalcino?
662 NO
30 YES
Proposition 2: are you in favour of changing the ampelographic basis of Rosso di Montalcino?
540 NO
162 YES
Proposition 3: are you in favour of making other changes to the appellation rules? eg changing maximum yields
474 NO
228 YES
So in all an overwhelming result supporting the strict DOCG requirements of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino.
The tradition is alive and well
