Ties between Montalcino and Fiat renewed as the new Brunello coloured 500 makes its debut

FIAT Collezione

Montalcino and Turin, Brunello and Fiat: stories of two different worlds, but which more than once have shared paths. First and foremost, made in Italy, and the symbol of Italian excellence around the world. Secondly, the passion of Fiat’s top man, Sergio Marchionne, who passed away in August this year, for Brunello. A passion which brought him to Montalcino not only as a Fiat executive, but also and above all as a wine enthusiast. “I had never been able to drink wine, I started at the age of 43 with Brunello, which structurally corrupted me”, the Italo-Canadian business leader, who had often highlighted the close links between the wine and automotive industries, once said. These ties were once again underscored in recent days with the launch of Fiat’s new 500 “Collezione”, which features unique new liveries that include Two-tone Brunello, a grey and wine red combination that pays homage to autumn, the season of warm colours and harvests.

And – why not – a homage to Marchionne, who was a guest at “Benvenuto Brunello” in 2008, when the creator of the traditional tile celebrating the “five stars”, the highest rating, awarded to the Brunello 2007 vintage, was designer Roberto Giolito of the Fiat Style Centre, Turin, leaders in automobile design. It was Marchionne himself who unveiled the tile, and told the Winenews.it website “A large part of my career has been spent abroad, and if there is one thing that is known by everyone for its excellent quality, it is Brunello, an icon that represents Italy. The ability of our country to produce things that are truly excellent is something we have in common”.