Brunello 2006s cause controversy

The annual en primeur presentation of the 2006 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino last Friday and Saturday has already caused widespread controversy even before the wines' official release date.

The Brunello di Montalcino Consorzio, eager to present some good news after a very testing couple of years, in which Italy's most famous wine was associated with fraud and illegal blending practices (click on the Brunellogate tag below), has awarded the 2006 five stars, the highest possible rating. Although 2006 was a very good vintage for Tuscany in general, and in some places even outstanding, many journalists present at the two-day...