BiondiSanti

GREAT ITALIAN WINES TASTING

Sangiovese "Grosso" Grapes: Pure

Biondi Santi - Tenuta Greppo

Montalcino (Siena)

The geological features of the hills and micro-climate of the territory make Montalcino one of the most ancient winegrowing areas in Italy, with a perfect vineyard location. International fame came with Brunello di Monalcino which was "created" toward the end of the 1800's by Ferruccio Biondi Santi. Thanks to the winegrowing experience of his maternal grandfather, Clemente Santi, an expert in agriculture around Siena and a valid winegrower himself--Ferruccio selected a particular clone of Sangiovese (Sangiovese "grosso") for his Greppo estate. These grapes were vinified "pure" and heralded a new "typical identity" of the Tuscan wines of the period.

The Greppo Estate stands on a hillside about 500 meters above sea level, to the South-East of Montalcino, and enjoys a micro-climate and soil ideal for the production of mature and highly perfumed red wines. The vineyard area is totally dedicated to Brunello production and today totals about 19 hectares, producing grapes of impressive quality.

Ferruccio's son, Tancredi, also an agriculturist and famous oenologist, officially defined the "typical" Brunello wine that formed the basis for the "regulations" and launched the market for the wine which achieved, in just a few decades, and despite small-scale production, a huge commercial success.

The wine: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1997

Grapes used: Sangiovese grosso 100%

Production Characteristics: exceptional harvest. Optimal seasonal trends for the Greppo Estate: cool, rainy Winter, moderately rainy Spring; dry, warm June and July; hot August with three refreshing rainfalls at ideal intervals; dry September. The grapes--from the older vineyards--were healthy, well-ripened and well-colored; the must was rich in extracts, sugars and acidity. Standard vinification for 14 days at controlled temperatures. The wine was matured in Slavonia oak barrels for 36 months.

Alcohol: 14% vol.

Presented by Franco Biondi Santi
Tasting Guide: Jacopo Biondi Santi

Born in Mantalcino (Siena) January 11, 1922. Franco Biondi Santi resides in Montacino at Villa Greppo. He earned a degree in Agrarian & Forestry Sciences at Perugia University in 1948 and was awarded the title of oenologist by the Ministry of Agricultural Policies. He is a member of the Italian Vine & Wine Academy and the Fisiocritici Academy of Siena. In 1975 he received the Gold Medal fro technical agricultural merit from the Foggia Agriculture Exhibition Center. He has been a member of the DOC and DOCG Commission of the Siena Chamber of Commerce since 1981 and member of the Taster Commission of the Enoteca Italiana di Siena since 1972. He is also a member of the Georgofili Academy.

Winery

Biondi Santi - Tenuta Greppo

53024 Montalcino (Si)

Tel: 39 0577.848087 . Fax: 39 0577.849396

Email: biondisanti@biondisanti.it

GREAT ITALIAN WINES TASTING
Sangiovese "Grosso" Grapes: Pure
Biondi Santi - Tenuta Greppo
Montalcino (Siena)
	The geological features of the hills and micro-climate of the territory make Montalcino one of the most ancient winegrowing areas in Italy, with a perfect vineyard location. International fame came with Brunello di Monalcino which was "created" toward the end of the 1800's by Ferruccio Biondi Santi. Thanks to the winegrowing experience of his maternal grandfather, Clemente Santi, an expert in agriculture around Siena and a valid winegrower himself--Ferruccio selected a particular clone of Sangiovese (Sangiovese "grosso") for his Greppo estate. These grapes were vinified "pure" and heralded a new "typical identity" of the Tuscan wines of the period. The Greppo Estate stands on a hillside about 500 meters above sea level, to the South-East of Montalcino, and enjoys a micro-climate and soil ideal for the production of mature and highly perfumed red wines. The vineyard area is totally dedicated to Brunello production and today totals about 19 hectares, producing grapes of impressive quality. Ferruccio's son, Tancredi, also an agriculturist and famous oenologist, officially defined the "typical" Brunello wine that formed the basis for the "regulations" and launched the market for the wine which achieved, in just a few decades, and despite small-scale production, a huge commercial success.
The wine: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1997
	Grapes used: Sangiovese grosso 100% Production Characteristics: exceptional harvest. Optimal seasonal trends for the Greppo Estate: cool, rainy Winter, moderately rainy Spring; dry, warm June and July; hot August with three refreshing rainfalls at ideal intervals; dry September. The grapes--from the older vineyards--were healthy, well-ripened and well-colored; the must was rich in extracts, sugars and acidity. Standard vinification for 14 days at controlled temperatures. The wine was matured in Slavonia oak barrels for 36 months. Alcohol: 14% vol.
Presented by Franco Biondi Santi Tasting Guide: Jacopo Biondi Santi
	Born in Mantalcino (Siena) January 11, 1922. Franco Biondi Santi resides in Montacino at Villa Greppo. He earned a degree in Agrarian & Forestry Sciences at Perugia University in 1948 and was awarded the title of oenologist by the Ministry of Agricultural Policies. He is a member of the Italian Vine & Wine Academy and the Fisiocritici Academy of Siena. In 1975 he received the Gold Medal fro technical agricultural merit from the Foggia Agriculture Exhibition Center. He has been a member of the DOC and DOCG Commission of the Siena Chamber of Commerce since 1981 and member of the Taster Commission of the Enoteca Italiana di Siena since 1972. He is also a member of the Georgofili Academy.
Winery
	Biondi Santi - Tenuta Greppo 53024 Montalcino (Si) Tel: 39 0577.848087 . Fax: 39 0577.849396 Email: biondisanti@biondisanti.it