Classification: DOCG Brunello di Montalcino

Type of Wine: Powerful red wine

Grape variety/varieties: sangiovese grosso (sangiovese)

Closure: Cork

Country: Italy

Wine region: Tuscany

Area: Montalcino

Winemaking: The first selection takes place in the vineyard, harvesting is done by hand, followed by a second selection on the sorting table when the grapes arrive in the cellar. Then destemming and fermentation follow. The grapes ferment at a maximum of 30°C in stainless steel tanks and macerate on the skins for 2 weeks. The cap is regularly punched down for aeration and to extract more aroma and color from the skins. The young wine then ages in Slavonian oak for 3 years. These are large barrels with a capacity of 50 to 100 hl. This is followed by another half year to a year of bottle aging. The average age of the vines for this Brunello is 25 years.

Area information Brunello di Montalcino comes from southern Tuscany, 50 km south of the city of Siena. The village of Montalcino, beautifully situated on a hilltop, is the center of the area where the most famous wine of Italy is made. The wine region has been 'discovered' only recently; in 1960 a total of 60 ha were planted with vines, 50 years later that number is 2,000. The soils are poor, containing clay and some lime. There is also a lot of wind, important for drying the bunches after wet weather. This helps prevent the formation of rot. The wind from the sea, 50 km away, also provides coolness. Here, the brunello grape, known as sangiovese in Chianti, produces a very aromatic and elegant wine.

Producer information: In 1976, Sergio Rossi bought this estate, which belonged to the Biondi-Santi family, and in 1978 the La Gerla estate was born. After the death of Sergio Rossi in 2011, daily management came into the hands of Alberto Passeri, the winemaker and co-owner. Sergio's widow, Donatella Monforte, is also a co-owner. They are assisted by friend and oenologist Vittorio Fiore. The almost 12 hectares of vineyards are divided into 2 sections: 6 hectares directly at the winery on the north side of the village of Montalcino at an altitude of 320 meters and 6 hectares on the south side of the appellation near the hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’ Abbate. On the north side, the old Biondi-Santi clones provide a lot of finesse and refinement. The vineyards in the south are considerably warmer and provide richness and power. It is precisely the blend of these 2 areas that determines the structure of La Gerla. Annual production is 75,000 bottles. Organic methods are used, but not certified.

Serving suggestions: With robust red meat, mature lamb, game and dishes with mushrooms, stews, risottos, spicy, hard and blue cheeses.

Serving temperature: 18ºC

Allergen: sulfites