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Top 5 Brunello (Sangiovese) at the LCBO
Buyer’s Guide to Vintages October 11th Release
John Szabo’s Vintages Buyer’s Guide October 11: Come Over October, Tasting Climate Change, & Decriminalizing a Product of Civilisation, Knowledge, Beauty and Tradition By John Szabo MS, with notes from David Lawrason, Michael Godel, Megha Jandhyala and Sara d’Amato In this week of Thanksgiving, we’re reminded by our friends behind the “Come Over October” campaign […] More
By John Szabo, MS John Szabo’s Sicily En Primeur: Top Sicilian Wines 2025 & Decriminalizing a Product of Civilisation, Knowledge, Beauty and Tradition I look forward each spring to the annual Sicily En Primeur event created by Assovini Sicilia, an opportunity to taste a wide selection of new releases and visit different corners of the […] More
If I Could Buy Only One – September 27th Vintages Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the September 27th release, which one would it be and why?” Shanahans The Barking Dog GSM 2023, South Australia, Australia$19.95, Five Senses Wines & SpiritsSara d’Amato – I have a soft spot for rotundone, the aromatic compound behind that peppery kick in certain grapes like […] More
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Brunello di Montalcino is one of the most prestigious appellations in Italy, born in the 19th Century in its present form thanks to the efforts of the Biondi-Santi family, who defined its rules and have largely guided it to the present day. The wines are made from 100% Sangiovese grape, in particular from a clone called Sangiovese Grosso, or also as Brunello - hence the appellation's name. Traditionally, the wine goes through an extended maceration period where color, tannins and flavour are extracted from the skins. Following fermentation the wine is then aged in oak. Traditionally, the wines are aged 3 years or more in "botti" - large Slovenian oak casks that impart little oak flavour and generally produce more austere wines. Some winemakers will use small French barrels which impart a more pronounced vanilla oak flavour and add a certain fruitiness to the wine. Whatever the approach, wines must be aged for for years (with a minimum of two years in barrel) before being released, according to appellation rules.
