ROSSO DI MONTALCINO IS STILL 100% SANGIOVESE. THE PROPOSED SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR BRUNELLO’S “LITTLE BROTHER” DIDN’T PASS. BATTLE OVER, TIME AND THE MARKET WILL TELL ... FOCUS: THE NUMBERS & FEATURES OF ROSSO

The hypothesis of a specification change in a wine (which the producers propose and decide on) doesn’t usually make news in Italy or abroad. When it does, that means we consider the area where this wine comes from more important than the wine itself (or at least until now it was considered such). And, this perhaps is the definitive finding.
The uproar this story has caused however, reveals the growing importance of Internet and wine blogs (an instrument that Italian producers must take into account) that inspired and “influenced” the debate around the world, “besides” or anyway, before even the “political analysis” of today’s vote, which has once again given the victory to the Sangiovese grape: the majority of the producers (69% opposed the change, 31% in favor), decided by secret ballot (86% of those eligible voted) that the specification of the Rosso, which is Montalcino’s number four wine on shelves around the world (after Brunello, Brunello Selection / Vigna and Brunello Riserva) is not to be touched. This decision at least puts an end to the age-old controversy on “specification”. But it also shows a rift formed in the “constituency” which will probably not be easily reconciled.
The “battle” on specification, which is nothing but an act of self-determination played by the producers, is over. Now time and the market will have their say.