Laura Gray, Associazione Italiana Sommelier in Montalcino: "Brunello is one of the wines that is considered in Italy to be 'da meditazione'—that you can enjoy it on its own (meditating!) or with food. The strong tannic component is well matched with rare steak, if possible a Bistecca alla Fiorentina or Chianina, and with wild boar or game.

For the adventurous, the typical Dolce Forte method that pre-dates the arrival of tomatoes in Italy involves using chocolate, pine-nuts and the animal in question's blood—hare and wild boar are particularly delicious cooked in this way."