Move Over Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino Should Be Your Next Italian Wine

If you've ever splurged on a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, you know the magic of Tuscany's most celebrated red wine. But another wine from the same picturesque hillside town deserves your attention. One that won't require a second mortgage.

Enter Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello's younger, fresher sibling, which is quickly becoming the talk of the wine world. Made from the same Sangiovese grapes as Brunello, Rosso offers a livelier, more approachable style that’s perfect for everyday drinking.

“Montalcino is actually unique in Italy because we produce more of our prestigious wine, Brunello, than we do of Rosso di Montalcino,” says Riccardo Fratton, winemaker at Poggio San Polo. “For years, Rosso was seen as second-best, made from grapes that weren't good enough for Brunello. But that mindset is changing completely.”

A fresh take on tradition

Winemakers have started to treat Rosso with the same care that they give to Brunello. Rather than use leftover grapes or rush the winemaking process, they craft wines that showcase the freshness and energy that made people fall in love with Italian wine.

“Rosso has graduated from the kids’ table,” says Chicago sommelier Covin Davis, of RPM Italian restaurant. “The typicity of a Rosso is still yet to be determined. From producer to producer, styles range from light, easy drinking, reminiscent of young Chianti, to more serious ‘second wines’ like the great châteaus of Bordeaux.”

This represents a significant shift in how producers view Rosso di Montalcino. 

“We need to break away from the old idea of Montalcino wines with their searing acidity and firm tannins,” says Fratton. “While tradition and terroir remain crucial, we're now focusing more on balance and elegance. Brunello can show the more structured, age-worthy side of Sangiovese, while Rosso displays its freshness and drinkability.”

Single-vineyard standouts

Perhaps the most telling development in Rosso di Montalcino’s pedigree is the emergence of single-vineyard offerings. These wines showcase the unique characteristics of specific sites within Montalcino, which indicates that Rosso can be just as terroir-driven as its big brother Brunello.

Val di Suga produces a Rosso from its prized Vigna Spuntali vineyard on Montalcino’s southwestern slope. The Mediterranean-influenced site with sandier soils creates a fresh, complex wine that captures the essence of its location. An innovative aging approach, six months in Slavonian oak barrels followed by 12 months in concrete vats, preserves the wine’s vibrant fruit character, yet adds depth and structure.

Il Marroneto’s “Ignaccio” Rosso is made from a one-hectare plot of sandy, mineral-rich soil and offers vibrant acidity. Pioneering producer Poggio di Sotto ages its Rosso for at least two years in wood that’s selected with the same care it uses for Brunello. Such attention to detail shows just how far Rosso has come.

Climate change and quality

An unexpected factor has propelled Rosso’s quality even further. 

“Climate change is a real threat,” says Davis. “Producers are searching for vineyards at higher elevations and cooler sites. Some of the region’s best producers are ripping up their estate vineyards so they can plant new vines at higher elevations, which will eventually be destined for Brunello. In the interim, these vines will be used for Rosso, and the wines will be crafted to the utmost quality.”

Montalcino’s wine authorities have made significant changes to production rules. In June 2024, producers gained more flexibility in how they use their vineyards, a move away from strict plot-by-plot designation for either Rosso or Brunello. This allows winemakers to adapt to vintage conditions and climate challenges. They can choose which grapes go into which wines based on the year’s unique characteristics. The region also approved an expansion that will add about 1.5 million bottles to Rosso's annual production, which brings the total to 5.5 million bottles, a clear response to growing global demand.

“Sangiovese is incredibly versatile,” says Fratton. “It can express both power and structure, as well as lightness and drinkability. Montalcino’s unique terroir lets us show both sides of this grape’s personality.”

Value in the glass

Rosso di Montalcino offers a perfect entry point into one of Italy's most famous wine regions without the steep price tag of Brunello.

The price differences can be dramatic. While top Brunellos like Biondi-Santi ($228) and Poggio di Sotto ($200) command serious investment, their Rossos offer a similar pedigree at around $87 and $100, respectively. Even more accessible options like Baricci ($40), Le Ragnaie ($45), and San Polo ($30) deliver exceptional quality at prices perfect for everyday enjoyment. Their Brunello counterparts typically run $60-90.

“With the rising costs of the Brunello category, wines labeled under Rosso di Montalcino have a seat at the table for an approachable option, and a way to not sacrifice quality while remaining budget conscious,” says Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, sommelier at Madrina in St. Louis. “When it comes to highly sought-after premium producers like Biondi-Santi, Valdicava, or Case Basse, the Rosso offering gives the consumer a more reasonable introduction to the acclaimed winery’s style.”

Davis agrees with this value proposition. “You need to be patient with Brunello, and in our world of instant gratification, sometimes a young Brunello will leave you feeling far from gratifying,” he says. “On the other hand, you can enjoy a Rosso at a fraction of the cost, which gives you a peek into a producer’s style without handing over a mortgage payment.”

A modern style for a new generation

These wines show typically what Blackwell-Calvert calls “hallmark Sangiovese characteristics of Morello cherry, cranberry, and tomato leaf, with medium-bodied structure and ageability.” 

But what makes Rosso particularly exciting is its immediate appeal.

“Rosso showcases a fresh representation of Sangiovese before the extended oak aging Brunello requires,” says Blackwell-Calvert. “The brightness of Rosso tends to resonate with younger palates.”

Such accessibility doesn't compromise quality. “My recent excursion to Montalcino was very enlightening for many reasons, but the quality of the Rosso di Montalcino we tasted was very eye-opening,” says Blackwell-Calvert. “Rosso is no longer an oversight, but being taken more seriously as a contender for market and wine list share with the overall attention to greater quality and presentation.”

The next time you browse the Italian wine section, consider a bottle of Rosso di Montalcino. You might discover your new favorite Italian red and have enough money left to order pizza to go with it.

Rosso di Montalcino bottles to try

The following selections offer their own interpretation of what makes Rosso di Montalcino special, whether through single-vineyard bottlings or traditional blends.

Baricci 2021 Rosso di Montalcino, $40

A benchmark producer from Montosoli, Baricci crafts a Rosso di Montalcino that is fresh and vibrant, showcasing bright red cherry, wild herbs, and a mineral-driven finish. Known for their elegant and structured Brunellos, their Rosso captures the same precision and energy in a more youthful, accessible expression.

Canalicchio di Sopra 2021 Rosso di Montalcino, $42

One of Montalcino’s historic estates, Canalicchio di Sopra delivers a Rosso that balances freshness with depth. Notes of ripe red berries, floral hints, and subtle spice lead to a silky yet lively palate, reflecting the estate’s refined winemaking approach.

Il Marroneto 2021 Rosso di Montalcino “Ignaccio”, $46

From the renowned Il Marroneto estate, famous for its traditionally styled Brunellos, “Ignaccio” is a Rosso that brims with purity and elegance. Bright raspberry, pomegranate, and rose petals shine alongside a fine-boned structure, offering a glimpse into the finesse of the estate’s age-worthy wines.

Poggio San Polo 2021 Rosso di Montalcino, $34

A modern, sustainably focused estate, Poggio San Polo produces a Rosso that is juicy and fruit-forward, featuring lush cherry, plum, and soft tannins. This is a bright and easygoing take on Sangiovese, emphasizing drinkability and charm.

Val di Suga Vigna Spuntali 2021 Rosso di Montalcino, $75

An outlier in the category, this single-vineyard Rosso from Val di Suga’s Vigna Spuntali, typically reserved for Brunello, delivers remarkable depth and concentration. Dark berry fruit, balsamic tones, and velvety tannins set it apart as a Rosso with serious pedigree.

Le Ragnaie 2021 Rosso di Montalcino, $40

Le Ragnaie’s high-altitude vineyards lend an ethereal quality to this Rosso, marked by lifted aromatics of red currant, orange zest, and delicate spice. With a light touch and bright acidity, it epitomizes the refreshing, food-friendly side of Montalcino’s younger wines.