THE DRINK BUSINESS

Biondi-Santi to skip 2014 vintage
One of Brunello di Montalcino’s most prestigious producers, Biondi-Santi, has announced it will not be producing a Brunello from the 2014 vintage ... Blaming a poor harvest, the Biondi Santi family has said the estate will only bottle a Rosso di Montalcino.
Although last year’s harvest brought what appear to be good results across most of the world, Italy struggled through a wet summer, battling the subsequent diseases. Tuscany was one of the most severely affected regions.
Speaking to Italian news outlet AGI, Jacopo Biondi Santi said: “It’s a question of seriousness…when the vintage goes badly; we in Brunello do not make it.
“And, therefore, all of the grapes we had selected to produce Brunello di Montalcino will instead be used for a Rosso di Montalcino.”
Biondi-Santi is the first producer from the region to publically announce its intention to skip the 2014 vintage, though others are expected to follow suit.