(BBCNews) - The Italian economy has been shrinking for the last six quarters, but there remain bright spots, and Italian vineyards - which have produced more wine than their French counterparts for four of the past five years - are one. The story of Brunello di Montalcino shows how a fine wine can shrug off a downturn. Offer a glass of dark red Brunello di Montalcino to most Italians and their faces will light up with impressed enthusiasm - it is considered one of Italy's top red wines, alongside the likes of Barolo, Barbaresco and Amarone. Outside Italy it has not achieved the same wide renown, even though 65% of it is exported and a typical price upwards of 35 euros (£30, or $45) indicates both high quality and high demand.