Brunello producer dismisses act of compensation as fraud

This story just runs and runs....Brunello producer Gianfranco Soldera has now been expelled from the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino after libelous comments he made in the newspaper Corrier della sera.

Soldera was talking to the newspaper following the arrest of his former employee who vandalised 62,000 litres of his Brunello di Motalcino. The act was originally thought to be a vendetta against Soldera following his outspoken comments regarding his fellow producers and the authenticity of their blends. Soldera is a staunch advocate of the rule that allows only 100% Sangiovese in the blend.

His libelous comment came about when he refused a gesture of solidarity from local producers who offered him their wine to bottle as his own, by way of compensation. Soldera dismissed the offer as inadmissible, offensive and a fraud to the consumer, adding he would not know where the wine came from.

The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino is now filing a suit for libel with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Milan following a request voiced by all the winemakers involved to take action against Soldera.