An Italian Brunello Blind Tasting, Brown Bags And Fun!

An Italian Brunello Blind Tasting, Brown Bags And Fun! – Episode #487

June 17, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk tries 3 Brunello wines from Italy, The Brunello Di Di Montalcino wines are some of the most Sought after in the world!

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“Loved it, i am a huge fan of tuscany, brunello especially. couldn’t a…” by Andrew
“Im down with the Iron Shiek. Poor guy has gone absolutely bat— craz…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2001 Ruffino Brunello Di Montalcino Greppone MazziBrunello di Montalcino
2003 Fanti Brunello Di MontalcinoBrunello di Montalcino
2003 La Rasina Brunello Di MontalcinoBrunello di Montalcino

Links mentioned in todays episode.

217 Responses

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June 23, 2008

Nik
Brunello doesn’t seem to be anywhere near as popular in the UK as it is in the states.. I’ve only ever had two I think.
June 22, 2008

The Ben
Don’t have a story yet. I do have your book now though. I had it with me at a local cafe at the bar, and an old gentleman sitting next to me, saw it and asked “are you working on becoming a wine expert?” I could only tell him “I’m working on something.” Thanks for the book Gary, I’m enjoying it.
June 21, 2008

Kevin
Hm. Either a vertical of Poggio Antico 1997 and 2001, or listening to stories from a Tuscan friend who lives near Montalcino talk about wealthy westerners buying posh brunello and pop-and-pouring it into plastic cups, and shooting her back. Yikes.
June 21, 2008

Big Bear
Brunello.. I have a bottle which I am saving for when I land my first big job. The interview was yesterday, so here is hoping that the cork will come out soon!

Great Show!
BB
June 21, 2008

Ben C
Story of the day:
Celebrated my girlfriend’s and my graduation on Wednesday with a beautiful Donatella Colombini 2001 Brunello, with bison carpaccio and lamb chops and lamb tajin. YUM.
June 21, 2008

the unknown chef
15 or 16 years ago, when San Francisco wasn’t such the restaurant scene it is today, and life was more relaxed without reservations, there was a tiny (and I mean tiny) place near the Pyramid called Cafe Macaroni. Three brothers, market Italian cuisine and the rippingest Italian wine list for that time. Too long ago to remember the maker but, I remember one of the brothers nixed my Brunello choice and brought me a Rosso that was magical and about 1/2 the price. Kisses on both cheeks all around at the end of dinner, topped by their cellar hooch limoncello and that’s what I think of Montalcino.
June 21, 2008

Sharon
I don’t have a Brunello story. Frankly, I get it mixed up with Barolo, lumped together in my mind as the Italians reds that I can’t afford, heh heh.
June 20, 2008

Zack0
We were vacationing outside of Montalpulciano a few years back and drove around the area looking for places to wine taste..without a guide or intelligently gathered information (went through some cheese tasting places on accident), we ended up on a dirt road near the town of Montalcino..we stopped above a long driveway and wondered if we were going to get shot going up to this house…just when we were going to send out my step brother for reconn – this old lady with no teeth waved at us to come down to the house…then 2 men (twin brothers) came out and welcomed us in. Andreas and Marciello gave us a tremendous tour and explanation of Brunello – and gave us each a bottle after tasting some tremendous wine!! We ended up carrying 6 bottles back to the states.. The winery is called La Serena. Andreas is the producer, his brother an architect (that blows crystal glass as well!!) We tasted some ‘97, 99, and ‘01…the ‘99 was the best but muy $$..that is my brunello story and i am sticking to it..
June 20, 2008

Ryan W
QOTD – I have yet to have a Brunello, but of course will soon.

Gary I think it would be cool for you to do a blind tasting show where you don’t know the wines varitel or region and try and guess what they are. That would make for a killer show.

MOTT, where is the link to the Blind Cab show? I sent you an email and never got a link to the show.
June 20, 2008

pierazzo
i agree with rebecca, when a wine become too much famous, if you still want the best quality and sticking to the traditions, search the little prouders
ciao form Italy
June 20, 2008

RenatoFonseca
Gary,

The price of Brunellos in Brazil is obnoxius, itÂ´s just insane. They are in the US$ 150 bones range. I intend to enjoy my first Brunello when I travel to Italy, later this year. Man, you have to bring Winelibrary to Brazil and fix the price structure for wines here. WeÂ´re the 8th largest economy in the world and itÂ´s about time our wine market gets some real improvement.

Congratulations on your work and Best Regards
June 20, 2008

RenatoFonseca
Gary,

Wine prices in Brazil are so obnoxius, it’s just insane. As I’m travelling to Italy at the end of this year, I will be drinking my first Brunello there. Prices in Brazil are in the range of 150 bones. Bring WineLibrary to Brazil, man!!
Congratulations and best regards.
June 20, 2008

Rebecca Christophersen
Probably have too many Brunello stories, but will give you the most sober. My friend got married inside the Fortress of Montalcino about two weeks ago and it was the best wedding I’ve been to by far. A big part of the community was there, and producers like Cerbaiona, Gianfranco Soldera were sitting at the table next to us. Great food prepaired by the chef at Poggio Antico.
A message to all you Brunello lovers: Search out the small producers & you’ll make sure to get the “real” stuff!
June 19, 2008

Kezza
Don’t have one yet.. sorry!!
June 19, 2008

Giania
No Brunello tales yet. We’ll have to wait and see.
June 19, 2008

Rhonda
I don’t have a Brunello story yet, but I hope to someday!
June 19, 2008

Jack2112
Enjoy your Brunello episodes, as always.

QOTD: Hosted a little Italian evening at my studio in NYC for friends and clients, and bought cheese and meats from Grand Central Market. Went to Morrell and picked up a few bottles of Brunello, specifically Mocali 2001. For the price ($35) I was SHOCKED by how good it was, and to watch the expressions of everyone drinking their first (yes all of them BDM virgins) Brunello was a trip.
June 19, 2008

ChrisV
SOTD: Was in Florence, Italy mid last year on my own, having never even heard of Brunello. I went into a side street, away from the main tourist traps, and found a little upmarket-looking place. I went in there and ordered the works – appetizer plate with local prosciutto, etc, then starter and main. The waitress asked if I wanted wine and I said that I did, but could she recommend me something other than Chianti (at that point the only Italian wine I’d had). She recommended me a half bottle of Brunello for something like 40 euro and it absolutely ripped it. Since that time, on the rare occasions I can find good Brunello in Australia, I have been a keen consumer. Have also gotten into other Italian wines, especially Dolcetto and Ripasso.

Good episode… but it makes me sad that I always watch these episodes for entertainment and not with regard to what the wines are, since I know I have nearly a zero percent chance of finding any of these wines here.
June 19, 2008

mjr
no brunello stories, dudes
but enjoyed the show & i like knowing the regions/places
s.w. of florence
gotcha
mjr in tokyo
June 19, 2008

David
I’m from LA. In 02′ went to visit my wife’s friend in Philadelphia. We go to this wine bar (Panorama) and we each have a glass of Pinot. Then her Dad orders a 1997 Brunello from a small producer Podere La Vigna and everyone was like “Yeah!” A year later, a friend of ours brought back a Castello Banfi Brunello “Poggio Alle Mura” from Italy that is still one of my favorites.
June 19, 2008

DARREL LAS VEGAS
Great Bru show ,you got balls to do a blind on these wines !

QOTD: BRACCO Brunello SURPRISE ! it ROCKED!
June 19, 2008

glenn
what a concept, a blind tasting where the bags actually come off? j/k.

QotD: dinner @ Il Mulino years ago where we sat late, drank BdM, and remained on our best behavior as John Gotti was in the hizzy. quietest meal i ever had @ Il Mulino!
June 18, 2008

Bill
nothing yet. i’ve had a few but no good stories to go along.
June 18, 2008

Newman
QOTD: I don’t have one yet. Brunello is a little pricey on a student’s budget, but soon.

On a completely different note, I noticed that the British Columbia liquor store website’s front page has a big ad saying “Rose: Try something new this summer.” Maybe someone in their marketing division is a Vayniac?
June 18, 2008

AndrewG
No great brunello story yet, though I am going to search out the la rasina. Thanks as always for a great episode.