San Polo in Montalcino

Montalcino is a magical part of Tuscany, the vistas are all postcards and the wine is exceptional. Walking through the medieval town of Montalcino is a step back in time, the stonework is all in tact, the shops are full of artisans wares and the restaurants all serve amazing food paired with local wines. I’ve visited Montalcino several times and each time I consider myself lucky to have been fortunate enough to have spent some time there. I know several producers in the region and have been invited to stay and experience the region on a personal level. I’ve never had a glass of wine that I didn’t love.

I remember several years ago, there was a huge uproar over the production of Brunello. Allegations were levied against some of the major producers over the addition of non-traditional grapes to Brunello. Brunello is made of one hundred percent Sangiovese Grosso, a clone of Sangiovese, the grape used in Chianti. Needless to say the uproar died down, I think in the end there were some minor instances of some grapes inadvertently making their way into the wine.

The problem with Brunello is, it’s so good, and the production level is so small. Producers are strictly limited to how much they can plant, and how much they can produce. Ultimately, we the consumers end up paying the price. If you want to drink Brunello, be prepared to pay, at minimum, a hundred dollars for a bottle. I would consider it a special occasion wine, one that is consumed with fellow wine lovers. Fortunately, the producers of Brunello understand that their wine has become prohibitive to the average consumer, and are sympathetic to our cause. Most wineries produce a Rosso di Montalcino, which is typically considered a Baby Brunello. It is produced from the grapes picked from the newer vines, usually under five years of age. This wine is aged for about one year, where a typical Brunello is age from three to five years before being released. Which of course contributes to the cost of the wine.

San Polo is a fairly new winery in the Brunello region, it was started in the year 1990, the first vintage was produced in 1997. San Polo is owned by Marilisa Allegrini, of the famed Amarone producing family in the Veneto. Branching out into Tuscany, Marilisa has focused her tenacity on producing world class wines on par with her Amarone. We have chosen a wine produced by San Polo to be our September Wine Special. It’s called Rubio IGT Toscana,

Strolling through Montalcino after lunch

and it is one hundred percent Sangiovese. The wine is a brilliant Ruby Red and pairs well with most barbecued meats, sausages or pastas. I consider the wine to be very versatile and a new favorite. It will also pair well with prosciutto or salami and hard cheeses. I highly recommend this wine as an aperitif or to enjoy with your meal.

I will be traveling to Italy this fall, my wife and I have the privilege of dining with Marilisa Allegrini and I can’t wait to tell her how much our customers are enjoying her wine. I’m hoping to find some new gems to feature for the rest of the season. Enjoy your Rubio IGT Toscana and share it with your friends. Food, Wine and Good Friends, it doesn’t get any better than that.