This Brunello Does Not Like Tomatoes

At first, this Brunello tasted flat despite its excellent reputation. In fact, it seemed to have almost no flavor at all. The problem was not the wine, but the pairing. I initially served it with chicken parmesan, and the acidity of the tomato sauce disrupted the wine’s balance, leaving it unexpectedly muted. This Brunello does not pair well with tomatoes.

I then tried a piece of Tillamook cheddar cheese with it, and suddenly the Brunello came alive. Notes of blackberry and black cherry emerged, layered over a faint hint of cedar. The wine revealed its depth, balance and long finish. The garnet color, full body and medium tannins showed the wine had clearly aged well.

Torciano Brunello Di Montalcino
Producer: Torciano
Region: Montalcino, Italy
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Year: 2013
Style: Dry red
Alcohol: 15.0%

This experience is a reminder that great wines evolve over time, and they also depend heavily on pairing. The right combination can highlight complexity, while the wrong one can obscure it or mute it entirely.

A practical takeaway: if a wine tastes a little “meh,” try having something lightly salty. Cheese, crackers or chips, and see if the flavors start to shine.