Costco Has Your Everyday Pizza/Pasta Wine

Fast facts:

• 2019 Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino, Italy $19.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 1472194)

Brunello di Montalcino is only produced from vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino, in the province of Siena, located some 50 miles south of Florence in the Tuscan wine region. Brunello is derived from the Italian word for brown – the color of the rim of this wine in the glass. In Montalcino the name Brunello evolved into the designation of the wine produced with 100% Sangiovese grapes.

In 1980, Brunello di Montalcino was among the four wines awarded the first denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG) designation. Today it is one of Italy’s best-known and most expensive wines. That is, unless you snatch up some of these Kirkland Signature wines for just $20 a bottle.

Italy has more indigenous grape varieties (which number in the hundreds) than any other country of origin.  Leading the pack is Sangiovese.  Unlike Chianti, which is from Tuscany, location, climate and elevation inform wines from this region. The vineyards enjoy a warmer, drier climate than in Chianti. In fact, it is the most arid of all the Tuscan growing areas.

It is significant that this wine carries the DOCG designation, which requires three years of aging in barrel before a wine can be released. (Lesser DOC renditions are bottled after just one year in barrique and named Rosso di Montalcino, be forewarned.)

So all the preamble just goes to prove that this Kirkland Signature bottling is “the good juice”.

 

Tasting Notes:

A rusty red color in the glass. Dried rose petals and strawberry aromas in the glass, herbs and leather on the tongue. Herbs, orange zest and leather on the finish. Tannins (softened given its age) and acidity are in nice balance. Would pair well with roasted meats, hard cheeses, vegetarian fare and all things Italian – duh.  ABV = 14%.

Need More Wine Picks from Costco – or Trader Joe’s Even?

If your wine shopping excursions land you in Costco, prepare by grazing our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list.

And if your shopping finds you at Trader Joe’s, you can find our Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.

Happy hunting.

Cheers!