Winemakers in the Rosso di Montalcino area of Italy, famous for its exquisite Brunello di Montalcino wines, have voted down proposals to change the region's production code.

Proposals put forward by the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino suggested allowing new grapes to be planted and the permitting of vineyard irrigation.

According to Decanter, most of the Consorzio attended the assembly to vote on the plans, and 69 per cent were against the changes.

While larger vineyards carry more voting weight than smaller estates, the significant margin of victory appears to have put the issue to bed.

"This is an important milestone for Montalcino's producers who work so hard to create unique, terroir-driven wines from Sangiovese," Gigliola Gorelli of Tenute Le Potazzine told the publication.

Col d'Orcia's Francesco Marone Cinzano said that he was glad the right decision was made, but many growers are angry about the time and expense that has been spent on this subject.

"Thankfully Montalcino made the right decision yesterday, not only in terms of image, but in commercial terms. These proposals would have led to many more vines registered to Rosso production, and they would have saturated the market," added Jacopo Biondi Santi of Castello di Montepo.

Under the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita designation, which covers wine from the Rosso di Montalcino region, only Sangiovese grapes are currently permitted for use in wine production.

The smooth tannins and ripe, fruit-driven flavours they produce often draw comparisons with wines from Burgundy, and are known for their ability to age particularly well. Some can continue to develop for decades.

Winemakers who intentionally use non-Sangiovese grapes in Brunello can be convicted of fraud and be handed a prison sentence of up to six years.

America is the major export market for Brunello, with around one of every three bottles produced heading to the States.