I have to admit I do understand the logic of the TTB getting involved with the issues over in Brunello. Currently the TTB is stating that no Brunello di Montalcino will be authoruized to come into the US without laboratory analysis proving 100% Sangiovese Grosso. While yes this is the DOCG rule for Brunello, it is being policed there.
The four producers being investigated already have the wines confiscated until they are proven innocent. This has been done by the Financial Police in Italy. I think this is silly already since it should be innocent until proven guilty, but regardless does this not mean the TTB does not need to stick their noses in.
The argument that the TTB has is that is it breaks their rules under the wines current COLA (Certificate of Label Approval). Their argument is that Americans won't know what they are drinking......In the US the variety labelled only needs to be 75% of the blend in the bottle. Rather hypocritical is it not?
Maybe our government should start to look at far more serious issues then whether or not our Brunello contains 3% Merlot that is destined to be in an IGT that will sell for more money then the Brunello anyway in many cases. Don't get me wrong, if the four producers did cheat and are proven so, they should be and are currently being punished. It just has nothing to do with the TTB.
Anyway, enough of my rant. It is time to go stock up on Brunello while I can.
Cheers.
Canalicchio di Sopra
Tenuta Friggiali
Pietranera
Gianni Brunelli
Valdicava
Romitorio
Please note that none of these wineries have been or will ever ... more