not only Brunello !
 

Do you remember what happened at Brunello di Montalcino DOCG few months ago ?
Italian inspections discovered that, breaking the rule, in that very expensive wine there are also grapes NOT Sangiovese and it is forbidden.
Well. Something quite similar is now happening with Nobile di Montepulciano and the bad winery is the winery of the president of "Consorzio Nobile": Gattavecchi.

Vincenzo

Thanks for this information Vincenzo-thoug it'a not good news.
I know the Fodorites who will be traveling in Tuscany will appreciate it!

This is more of a regulatory issue than a quality one. The best wines from the region, the Super Tuscans, can't get DOCG approval because they use non-native grapes such as Cabernet. And if we get cheaper Brunellos that is a price I'm willing to pay.

Grazie Vincenzo,

I've been following "Brunelopoli" for some time now in anticipation of our return to the area in September this year. While Castelgiocondo, Banfi and Antinori's wines are still locked up, I understand Argiano has de-classified theirs and released it under another name. I am curious if the other vintners have maintained their prices for the '03 vintage.

I am not surprised about Gattavecchi and the Vino Nobile--there must be a lot of investigtion going on all over Tuscany these days. Still, I can't wait to get back.
Paul

As Italian, as wine lover and as honest man, I am very happy that the big bluff is going to finish.
In Italy we have several excellent wines whose only fault is that their name is not Brunello or that their label do not finish in . . . . "aia", as Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Lupicaia, etc
The famous and very rich wine makers of fake Brunello show us that they do not respect the buyer customer and that their only need is to become richer and richer.
I hate this way to be in the business community.
I invite everyone to discover the honest and very clever winemakers that, believe me, exist and are not few.

Vincenzo

From Wine Spectator Online - June 26.

"Tuscan magistrates have released Marchesi Antinori's Brunello di Montalcino from impoundment, allowing the wine to be sold and making Antinori the first Montalcino producer under investigation to be cleared of suspicion. Laboratory tests concluded that the wine contains only Sangiovese, as required by the Brunello DOCG regulations."

((H))

Vincenzo, I agree; The "Classics" in name only not in substance reflect very shabby business ethics. Hopefully the more adventourous winemakers will be able to expand the example of the Super Tuscans to other regions!!!!

Vincenzo, having said that; I still am partial to Brunellos, with Tenuta La Fuga, a steady favorite. On Super Tuscans, I have no desire to chase the "high flyers", such as the mentioned Sassicaia, dell'Ornellaia, or others in the same circle.

Vintners adulterating wine?

I'm shocked.

How about olive oil?

((I))

I am heading to Tuscany next weekend, anyone have an update on this situation ? Is it still a problem ?

VinItaly, the big Italian wine show, came to New York last week. When the subject was raised, we were told that the situation had been resolved.

That explains why lately some Brunellos have been tasting too intense and hard instead of the more typical refined smooth Brunello taste.
I just had the Casanova di Neri Brunello that's rated 100 by Wine Spectator last night and absolutely didn't enjoy it. I don't have much faith on Wine Spectator rating anyway.

Speaking of Wine Spectator, did you hear about the big scandal regarding their "WS best restaurant" selections?

If not, I will try to find a link for you..

After hearing about THAT, I would never trust that magazine on anything!

Please post the link excrunchy, I'd like to read it. Sounds like the Gamberi Rosso scandal a few years ago.

If I remember correctly, Wine Spectator rates wine as follows:
33% on the actual quality of wine.
33% on availability (the easier to buy the higher the score)
33% on price quality value

It's a bad start because a mediocre wine can get a high score because it is readily available and relatively cheap. Once the wine is on the top Spectator list, then it becomes less available and more expensive lowering its value, so technically the score should drop down immediately.

The issue was the restaurants that they give their WS awards to. I cannot find the original story from the NY Post but here is a recap; basically, if the restaurant pays a fee, it gets a WS award:


http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,7875970.story

That's really disappointing! And to think we've been influenced by the hoakey Wine Spectator list of restaurants in Europe when we travel. Come to think of it, many of them have been ho hum, not bad but overpriced for no reason.