BRUNELLO AT THE OLYMPICS: THE MONTALCINO WINE WILL BE THE FLAGBEARER AT THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS, WITH ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NAMES, CASTELLO BANFI. THE “OLYMPIC” LIST REVEALED BY THE BRITISH WINE MERCHANT “BIBENDUM”

At the Olympic games, the flag-bearer is an athlete or a prominent figure of the country he or she represents. And at the 2012 London Olympics the flag-bearer of Italian wine will be the territory of Montalcino, with its Brunello and its Rosso wines as the representatives of Italian winemaking at all official events. The English wine merchant “Bibendum” broke the news to Decanter.com that it will supply the wine for all the special events at the games. And, according to our sources, the only Italian wines will be 2007 Brunello di Montalcino (“5 circles” like the maximum 5 stars it was awarded for that vintage) and 2010 Rosso di Montalcino of Castello Banfi, one of the most important Italian denominations together with Bracchetto, of the Rosa Regale 2011 winery in Piedmont.

Thanks to these labels, Italian wine will be among the stars of the highly anticipated "London 2012 Olympics”, on stage from July 27th to August 12th. It is an important recognition of the value and the appeal of Italy's wines and Castello Banfi, which will accompany the best British food offered to guests on official occasions and events in the Games that will command the world's attention. In the list of the 18 prestigious "Olympic wines" revealed up to now, alongside classics such as Brunello di Montalcino or the 2008 Meursault Cuvee Charles Maxima of Domain LA tour-Giraud, there will also be wines such as 2006 Quinta do Valadon Tinto from Portugal. And, in honor of the host nation, there will also be the 2008 Hush Heath Balfour Brut Rosé, or "Britagne", English bubbles and the only "patriotic" wine on the list.