What do you think?
Rate this book
Brunello di Montalcino: Understanding and Appreciating One of Italy's Greatest Wines
For fans of Italian wine, few names command the level of respect accorded to Brunello di Montalcino. Expert wine writer Kerin O’Keefe has a deep personal knowledge of Tuscany and its extraordinary wine, and her account is both thoroughly researched and readable. Organized as a guided tour through Montalcino’s geography, this essential reference also makes sense of Brunello’s complicated history, from its rapid rise to the negative and positive effects of the 2008 grape-blending scandal dubbed “Brunellogate.” O’Keefe also provides in-depth profiles of nearly sixty leading producers of Brunello.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 1, 2012
What makes Brunello di Montalcino one of the best wines in the world? This enjoyable book gives all the answers, and explains why Sangiovese grown in other parts of Italy and the world is no match for Montalcino. I read the book in 3 days, as the pages on history, the pioneers, geology and viticulture are very interesting.
The part on the producers is full of surprises about who is in it and who is not, as there are 58 producers profiled out of 250. The author only profiles what she feels are the best estates for each sub-zone: Montalcino, Bosco, Torrenieri, Tavernelle, Camigliano, Sant'Angelo and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. O'Keefe consciously excludes the black, inky and oaked Brunellos, as she prizes classic expressions of Sangiovese as opposed to wines that could have been made with any grape variety anywhere in the world. But even for those producers that are in it there is nothing to take for granted, as the author does not refrain to express her evaluations on the wines and their firms.
The best part of the book? O'Keefe explains once and for all why consumers should beware of chocolate and vanilla notes in their Brunellos: they come from wood, not from the Sangiovese grapes.
I checked out these 2 reviews before buying the book and I found them very useful:
An Honest Look at Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
After I read the book I also discovered this fascinating take on Times Literary Supplement:
The Grace Kelly of wine
The part on the producers is full of surprises about who is in it and who is not, as there are 58 producers profiled out of 250. The author only profiles what she feels are the best estates for each sub-zone: Montalcino, Bosco, Torrenieri, Tavernelle, Camigliano, Sant'Angelo and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. O'Keefe consciously excludes the black, inky and oaked Brunellos, as she prizes classic expressions of Sangiovese as opposed to wines that could have been made with any grape variety anywhere in the world. But even for those producers that are in it there is nothing to take for granted, as the author does not refrain to express her evaluations on the wines and their firms.
The best part of the book? O'Keefe explains once and for all why consumers should beware of chocolate and vanilla notes in their Brunellos: they come from wood, not from the Sangiovese grapes.
I checked out these 2 reviews before buying the book and I found them very useful:
An Honest Look at Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
After I read the book I also discovered this fascinating take on Times Literary Supplement:
The Grace Kelly of wine
July 27, 2016
I read this book prior to arriving in Montalcino and found it quite informative. The first part of the book reads as a history of the Montalcino region and the development of the Brunello wine. The author then transitions to reviewing numerous wineries. It should be noted that there are over 200+ wineries in Montalcino.
If you are a wine a enthusiast and Brunello in particular you must get to Montalcino - and bring this book along....
If you are a wine a enthusiast and Brunello in particular you must get to Montalcino - and bring this book along....
January 27, 2015
Dense but pretty interesting!!
July 6, 2020
Excellent descriptive book on the wines and many of the wineries in the Montalcino region of Tuscany. If you have half an interest in Brunello wines, thus us the book for you.
June 8, 2022
One of my fave wines, this book made me love it more!
February 11, 2024
The book that helped me fall in love with brunello and inspired multiple trips to Tuscany
The best resource by far for understanding the different sub zones and vineyards and a joy to read
The best resource by far for understanding the different sub zones and vineyards and a joy to read
September 28, 2024
This should be obligatory reading for anyone who loves Brunello! I have lost count of the number of copies I have gifted to friends and industry connections. Not a coincidence that Kerin O'Keefe appears five times in my guide to Montalcino.
October 1, 2012
What makes Brunello di Montalcino one of the best wines in the world? This enjoyable book gives all the answers, and explains why Sangiovese grown in other parts of Italy and the world is no match for Montalcino. I read the book in 3 days, as the pages on history, the pioneers, geology and viticulture are very interesting.
The part on the producers is full of surprises about who is in it and who is not, as there are 58 producers profiled out of 250. The author only profiles what she feels are the best estates for each sub-zone: Montalcino, Bosco, Torrenieri, Tavernelle, Camigliano, Sant'Angelo and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. O'Keefe consciously excludes the black, inky and oaked Brunellos, as she prizes classic expressions of Sangiovese as opposed to wines that could have been made with any grape variety anywhere in the world. But even for those producers that are in it there is nothing to take for granted, as the author does not refrain to express her evaluations on the wines and their firms.
The best part of the book? O'Keefe explains once and for all why consumers should beware of chocolate and vanilla notes in their Brunellos: they come from wood, not from the Sangiovese grapes.
I checked out these 2 reviews before buying the book and I found them very useful:
An Honest Look at Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
After I read the book I also discovered this fascinating take on Times Literary Supplement:
The Grace Kelly of wine
The part on the producers is full of surprises about who is in it and who is not, as there are 58 producers profiled out of 250. The author only profiles what she feels are the best estates for each sub-zone: Montalcino, Bosco, Torrenieri, Tavernelle, Camigliano, Sant'Angelo and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. O'Keefe consciously excludes the black, inky and oaked Brunellos, as she prizes classic expressions of Sangiovese as opposed to wines that could have been made with any grape variety anywhere in the world. But even for those producers that are in it there is nothing to take for granted, as the author does not refrain to express her evaluations on the wines and their firms.
The best part of the book? O'Keefe explains once and for all why consumers should beware of chocolate and vanilla notes in their Brunellos: they come from wood, not from the Sangiovese grapes.
I checked out these 2 reviews before buying the book and I found them very useful:
An Honest Look at Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
After I read the book I also discovered this fascinating take on Times Literary Supplement:
The Grace Kelly of wine
October 1, 2012
What makes Brunello di Montalcino one of the best wines in the world? This enjoyable book gives all the answers, and explains why Sangiovese grown in other parts of Italy and the world is no match for Montalcino. I read the book in 3 days, as the pages on history, the pioneers, geology and viticulture are very interesting.
The part on the producers is full of surprises about who is in it and who is not, as there are 58 producers profiled out of 250. The author only profiles what she feels are the best estates for each sub-zone: Montalcino, Bosco, Torrenieri, Tavernelle, Camigliano, Sant'Angelo and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. O'Keefe consciously excludes the black, inky and oaked Brunellos, as she prizes classic expressions of Sangiovese as opposed to wines that could have been made with any grape variety anywhere in the world. But even for those producers that are in it there is nothing to take for granted, as the author does not refrain to express her evaluations on the wines and their firms.
The best part of the book? O'Keefe explains once and for all why consumers should beware of chocolate and vanilla notes in their Brunellos: they come from wood, not from the Sangiovese grapes.
I checked out these 2 reviews before buying the book and I found them very useful:
An Honest Look at Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
After I read the book I also discovered this fascinating take on Times Literary Supplement:
The Grace Kelly of wine
The part on the producers is full of surprises about who is in it and who is not, as there are 58 producers profiled out of 250. The author only profiles what she feels are the best estates for each sub-zone: Montalcino, Bosco, Torrenieri, Tavernelle, Camigliano, Sant'Angelo and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. O'Keefe consciously excludes the black, inky and oaked Brunellos, as she prizes classic expressions of Sangiovese as opposed to wines that could have been made with any grape variety anywhere in the world. But even for those producers that are in it there is nothing to take for granted, as the author does not refrain to express her evaluations on the wines and their firms.
The best part of the book? O'Keefe explains once and for all why consumers should beware of chocolate and vanilla notes in their Brunellos: they come from wood, not from the Sangiovese grapes.
I checked out these 2 reviews before buying the book and I found them very useful:
An Honest Look at Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
After I read the book I also discovered this fascinating take on Times Literary Supplement:
The Grace Kelly of wine
January 21, 2016
Bidnii medeh Itali uls negdsen uls bolood 150 jil baigaa buguud ternii umnu olon arvan haant ulsuud baisnii negend odoogiin bidnii nerlej zanshsan Tuscnani muujiin Siena hotiin oiroltsooh bus nutag hamgiin bayan erhet yambatnuudiin husemjit gazriin neg baij.
Europiin tuuhendee anhnii bankinii zeeliin sistemiin bolovsrongui bolgoson geltsdeg ene heseg humuus busad haad noyoduudad dain tulaanii ued alt munguur tetgej hariudn taiwan tsagtn ur zeelee erguulen avan olson ashig orlogoo nemegduuleheer baigal tsag uuriin huvid taalamjtai ene heseg gazar tarialangiin ajild iheer hurungu oruulj irsenen yavtsadaa 100 huvi sangiovese uzemnees gargaj avdag tansag darsnii bie boloh undesiig tavijee.
Hediin 1500 onii ues zuvhun tom modon torhond hiij hudaldaaldag baisan niitleg jishegiig halj tusgai zoriulaltiin jijig savand hiij olon ulsad tsuun toogoor hudaldaalj irsenen ene darsnii amt chanariig iltgeh bizee
Europiin tuuhendee anhnii bankinii zeeliin sistemiin bolovsrongui bolgoson geltsdeg ene heseg humuus busad haad noyoduudad dain tulaanii ued alt munguur tetgej hariudn taiwan tsagtn ur zeelee erguulen avan olson ashig orlogoo nemegduuleheer baigal tsag uuriin huvid taalamjtai ene heseg gazar tarialangiin ajild iheer hurungu oruulj irsenen yavtsadaa 100 huvi sangiovese uzemnees gargaj avdag tansag darsnii bie boloh undesiig tavijee.
Hediin 1500 onii ues zuvhun tom modon torhond hiij hudaldaaldag baisan niitleg jishegiig halj tusgai zoriulaltiin jijig savand hiij olon ulsad tsuun toogoor hudaldaalj irsenen ene darsnii amt chanariig iltgeh bizee
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews