Barolo and Brunello are two of Italy's most prestigious wines, each with its own unique character and history. In this beginners guide, we'll compare these iconic wines to help you understand their differences and appreciate their distinct qualities. We also have a YouTube video explaining the differences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFykaTDI5Mk&t
What is Barolo?
Origin and Production
Barolo hails from the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. It's made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape, known for its high tannins and acidity. Barolo is considered to be Italy’s top wine.
Flavour Profile
Barolo wines are robust and complex, often featuring flavours of tar, roses, cherries, and truffles. They have a long aging potential, with some improving over decades. The have the unique property of being light in colour yet extremely intense, complex and long lived.
What is Brunello?
Origin and Production
Brunello di Montalcino comes from Tuscany, specifically the area around Montalcino. It's produced from 100% Sangiovese grapes, locally known as Brunello.
Flavour Profile
Brunello wines are rich and full-bodied, offering flavours of red fruits, spices, and earthy undertones. They also have excellent aging potential, often developing more complexity over time.
Map: from WineFolly.com
Key Differences Between Barolo and Brunello:
Grape Varieties
- Barolo: Made from Nebbiolo grapes.
- Brunello: Made from Sangiovese grapes.
Terroir
- Barolo: Grown in the hilly Piedmont region with calcareous clay soils.
- Brunello: Grown in the warmer, more Mediterranean climate of Montalcino with clay and limestone soils.
Aging Requirements
- Barolo: Minimum of 38 months aging, with 18 months in wood.
- Brunello: Minimum of 5 years aging, with 2 years in wood and 4 months in bottle.
Tasting Experience
- Barolo: Typically more tannic and acidic, with a lighter color and more intense aroma.
- Brunello: Generally richer and more fruit-forward, with a darker color and rounder mouthfeel.
Good value alternatives for each
These will be 40-50% cheaper
- Barolo: Wines labelled as Lange Nebbiolo are from the Barolo region and are often declassified Barolo juice.
- Brunello: Similarly like declassified Barolo, you can find declassified Brunello by the name of Rosso di Montalcino.
Conclusion
Both Barolo and Brunello are both exceptional wines, each with its own unique qualities. Whether you prefer the aromatic Barolo or the rich and full-bodied Brunello, you can't go wrong with either choice.