NEBBIOLO vs SANGIOVESE Blind Tasting!!!

[@gogreenmsu03]

I love both Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. My challenge is that my wife doesn’t love them, so I don’t drink them as often as I’d like. As for blind tastings, I will have my wife open two wines from a tasting stash I keep and she occasionally supplements with a few wines from Costco (which is useful because that way any wine she opens could be anything). While I do attempt to guess what they are, the primary reason I like doing this is because it’s forced me to be honest about what I like without being influenced by the grape, price, or producer. Most recent surprise was a highly-rated, but not super expensive Chianti Classico Riserva, that I was really confused by. I didn’t think it was Sangiovese (color was darker than expected, and the oak was very prominent - maybe I should have expected that). Anyway, it’s a really fun and useful way to taste wines.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Wow that is a great idea and your wife is a good sport! What was the producer?

[@gogreenmsu03]

She is a good sport, that’s true! It’s much more my hobby than hers! The wine was the 2018 Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva. I think it was about $20. I liked it, but Sangiovese never crossed my mind.

[@marknelson8724]

Barolos really love cellar time. The people at Vajra have been researching for years reading old letters and diaries and have found that from 1500 to 1950, Nebbiolo was used to make a light crisp wine that often had a few bubbles. Then came the next style of dark heavy tannic heavily oaked wines...and the world loved them. I could never figure out what the winemakers were trying to do as Nebbiolo is a thin skinned grape, much like Pinot Noir. Then around 2005, I encountered the wines from Paolo Scavino whose wines were much lighter in color. This is like a masculine Pinot Noir that makes a statement on its finish. I like this newer style that doesn't demand 15, 20, 25 years in the cellar. The Barbaresco producers have never "gone dark" like the Barolo producers to the best of my knowledge. So many wine, so little time.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Scavino can definitely be more approachable on the younger side. Nebbiolo always loses a lot of color with age.

[@nataliameylunas117]

I absolutely love your metaphore of Nebbiolo being “a boxer who also does ballet”❤

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I have to admit, I got that from Madeline at Wine Folly...

[@sookic3897]

As a fan of Sangiovese, I really enjoyed this blind tasting. Love your enthusiasm!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you

[@momentsinlove4525]

You did a great job there! Very fun to watch, as always.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you, this tasting was A LOT of fun for me!

[@CreativeFabien]

I wish I could taste and find more of these in France ! I use to have, taste and drink Italians while working in Norway as they do well on this market, big fan of Fèlsina, Fontolloro , GD Vajra, Albe Barolo & Bascarelli a great classic

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhhh yes I bet you carried all of them in your restaurant

[@smithscott1700]

Oh boy, what a treat! I have been getting into Sangiovese wines recently as well as Barbera, which I prefer. But, nebbiolo is expensive and super tannic so I have avoided them really. Your video made me want to try some again though. Very educational, especially explaining how different wine types are actually the same grape, like Barolo and Barbaresco. Excellent. Barbera D'Asti is my favourite Italian wine so far. Many thanks.

[@gogreenmsu03]

Good call on Barbera. Don’t miss out on Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d’Alba, though. Those won’t break the bank, and I personally really enjoy them.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Barbera is the grape that locals drink in Piemonte. It offers great value for money. Nebbiolo can be difficult to appreciate young.

[@whitelightning2291]

Such purity and balance with both intensity and giggling excitement. Scientific and geeky style driven by a playground-esque character. Banter aside, love this video! You're having so much fun, and I'm always into these kind of blind tasting games

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh thanks so much, two great grapes here

[@whitelightning2291]

@drmatthewhorkey for sure! I know Sangiovese is your fave, I enjoy them but love Nebbiolo. I think I prefer the dried cherry, flowers, tar, and heavy tannins to the sour cherry, herbs, lighter, and more balsamic/VA notes (at least as I find). As Italy goes I probably put Etna Nerello Mascalese/Cappuccio over Sangio, as I love that intensely savory smoke and earth - but I guess I should try more Chianti/Brunellos just to be sure 🤷😅

[@timelessracecars7796]

Wow doc, great video

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you, it was fun to create!

[@calsno1fanclub]

I’ve been waiting for so long since you teased that photo of Barolo Albe… I almost thought I missed it!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

All wines end up in a vide evetually. It takes a LONG time to get all the wines for a video like this, often months…

[@Luca-xj9cb]

Very nice & informative video. Those two grapes were, for me, kinda hard to get into especially several years ago when i was younger because of the acidity. But now i'm more & more into these wines and begin to understand why they are beloved by many wine enthusiasts. Cheers Matthew !

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Cheers to you! They are not beginner wines for sure hhehehe

[@johns2262]

Super interesting! I haven't tried many Nebbiolo, but I've liked each one. I think I'll visit in the autumn time.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Wow you will have a great time!

[@scottdunlap8668]

Just starting this video and I’m so excited I can’t stand it. I swear our palates are identical. How good are both of these grapes? I mean it’s the stuff of life!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

They are great indeed!

[@KonaR.S]

Last year I did pick up a few bottles of the 2016 vintage G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe for 26€ a piece an absolute amazing value. It was also for me an introduction to Barolo that made me really love the wines of Barolo.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

What a great price for that wine!

[@giak7525]

Love the show!!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🙏

[@juanito2109]

Team Nebbiolo here all day! The tart dry red fruit, floral aromas, dry herbs and terracota with great acidity and harsh tanins, that is what i look for in wine. Elegant as Pinot Noir but super aggressive and complex. its just like i enjoy my girls, violent, communist, tattooed, borderline lesbians, with armpit hair in a red dress!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahhahahhahahhah intense comparison

[@pacerhythmandtiming.4109]

Your girl analogy strengthens my convictions as a sangiovese guy.

[@juanito2109]

@@pacerhythmandtiming.4109 hahahahahahaha Fair! Go for the elegant, well dressed, doll faced, perfumed italian girls!

[@holyone5]

Top Video! Great wines! 😅

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you

[@comesahorseman]

$30 for a 94 point Nebiollo? Wow!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I was shocked it did so well. Great under the radar producer.

[@LadyAceRoxy]

I lean more towards Nebbiolo currently (recently went to a wine diner featuring La Pianelle wines and was blown away!) because I love the floral aromas, but maybe I haven’t tried enough Sangiovese yet for comparison? I do really like Poggio La Noce’s Gigetto and Occhio di Pernice Vinsanto!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Time to get on the Sangio train!

[@welshtoro3256]

Excellent video and tasting. Thanks Mat. I love these wines but the waiting or drinking with ultra strong food is a problem. I have a friend that grows Sangiovese grapes and they are tough little critters.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you! I like drinking Sangio at all ages, Nebbiolo on the other hand…

[@nataliameylunas117]

Both grapes are my favourite.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

They are both stellar!

[@dantheman8279]

The enthusiasm with which he tastes wine is fun to watch.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you... I really do enjoy doing these videos and learn just as much doing them as those who watch!

[@dantheman8279]

@@drmatthewhorkey well you definitely pack a lot of wine knowledge into your segments, keep it up, please!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There is A LOT coming up

[@RCTricking]

Yooooooo my local shop just got that cheap but delicious Barolo at 11:20 ! I recognize the label, and I have a bottle now! Time to taste against you haha

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Niceeee you get to judge my palate!!

[@RCTricking]

Spoiler this wine is great 😂😂🎉

[@pwlp789]

Interesting tasting, thank you. I have a slight preference to Nebbiolo but I like it to be mature, so it can be bit expensive. For good value wines I'm interested in exploring Argentina Malbec and it would be really great if you were able to do a tasting of these wines sometime in the future. I do hope this will be possible!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That’s the problem with Nebbiolo, everyone wants it aged hehehe. You will see some Malbec coming up…

[@hellomoto170]

Barolo is the only wine I've ever tried that has been *too* acidic in that it irritated my tongue a little (and I love acidity in wines). Recently I tried the Vajra Barolo Albe, I think the 2016 which is meant to be an incredible vintage, but from my tasting it shouldn't be opened for a good while yet - too harsh, but the quality of course does shine through.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Barolo is a wine that gets a lot of hype amongst collectors and geeks but it’s NOT an easy wine for casual drinkers to have young. It’s sharp and tannic.

[@shawnerie]

Greetings from Singapore

[@drmatthewhorkey]

My old stomping ground! (West Coast)

[@saveriopersichilli1129]

Such different grapes though..how can we compare them ?

[@Lord_Pender]

Your best video so far…

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks! A LOT more to come!!!

[@ttjwoon]

Is it ever acceptable to have food with a blind tasting since your getting hammered with Tannins? Or that is generally considered too much of a variable? Nice showing wines looked great n awesome value!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I should have had bread handy to clean my palate off after every two wines or so. It’s neutral and helps reset the palate. Good call by you TB.

[@gimmefree9689]

do sum georgian wine blind testing plsss

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You will see some Georgian wines in some upcoming videos :)

[@solomonmengeu1003]

I am pretty happy with both Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. The problem is that my wife isn't too fond of Sangiovese, besides Brunello, and even basic Nebbiolo d'Alba starts at 20-25 US$ here. So not too much of either, though I do have a Chianti Classico Riserva 2012, A Kirkland Signature Brunello '06 and an organic Nebbiolo d'Alba '18. Besides wine geeks and aficionados Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a pretty confusing and hard to understand appellation/region, as it sounds rather similar to Montepulciano from Abruzzo. I was surprised that some of these wines cost more that the Barolos! Sangiovese seems to be able to make a variety of wines across various terroirs, mainly in Italy but also in other places. It seems that once Nebbiolo leaves northern Italy it doesn't taste the same, hopefully in the future Roero and the other "lesser" regions of Nebbiolo will increase quality and quantity to offset the rise of prices in Barolo and Barbaresco.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Those were the premium wines of VNdM, so yes they cost a bit. If I could get the special cuvees of Barolo producers, that would be a different story. I have found some nice value for money Nebbiolos in Valle de Aosta.

[@porkchopsammies79]

i've really only had exposure to young nebbiolos. i'd like to change that along with my opinion of the grape. for the meantime, i prefer sangiovese.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Aged Nebbiolo comes at a premium price for sure!

[@henriklindhansen6456]

i think the quality of Chianti, the last 20 yers, have gone tru the roofe. its easy the best, bang for your bugs. That said. italy in general. is great value, if you know what to look for. Well here in europe that is 😁 i think what you pay for them in the Usa, is a bit high. but again American wine's in the EU, are soo darn expencive. 😄

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahah yes it does work both ways. Sometimes Italian wines are cheaper in USA than Italy and sometimes the opposite. The complex US laws don’t help at all.

[@Spiritchaser93]

Either way, I find BOTH sangiovese and nebbiolo to be superior to Burgundy pinot noir. Something about italian wines which possess more herbaceous rustic complexity, leaves alot of Burgundy PN in the shadow like boring simplistic wines that are overprized as unicorn investment chips for the elite. Flaccianello is a good example of a dark sangiovese that is high quality but goes against what we expect from the varietal. As for the face-off, lets just say that Bartolo Mascarello's 2010 Barolo is in my top 5 wine of all time, and this is coming from a Bordeaux fanatic :)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That is one helluva Barolo producer. I’m a big fan too (not cheappp hahaha). Italian grapes are quite unique IMO

[@lamoreda]

Awesome

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you

[@casperoomen9111]

Based on just one example per variety I am more a sangiovese fan I am more a black fruit kinda guy and that comes out more with the Sangiovese Nebbiolo is pretty close to Pinot noir and higher acidity The Nebbiolo I tasted was for 2021 so still very young Would love to taste one with more bottle maturity

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes worth tasting a Nebbiolo with age on it!

[@casperoomen9111]

@@drmatthewhorkey I will! Just starting to venture outside the classic Bordeaux variaties and I am loving the journey so far!!

[@numanuma20]

I like the Nebbiolo and Sangiovese wines are aged traditionally in botti. I grape to shine rather than compete with Bordeaux.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

A lot of producers are moving back to that style

[@danielmagg6096]

as much as possible of both

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Agreed!

[@noahsimulated6124]

Every sangiovese based wine or blend i’ve ever had has lacked depth or structure and i feel nebbiolo has held up in those respects more often

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hot take!

[@xuanbusto7358]

Man your fixation with oak socks.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

???

[@Verdadverdadera737]

sassicaia the best of the best

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I've seen it beat out before in blind tastings...

[@joe-zp7ge]

priorat

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good but it’s a region and not in Italy…

[@hottuna2006]

Just speaking out loud but I wish wine reviewers would retreat from 100pt scoring scale. It makes no sense and just confuses people. A simpler 1-10 scale or even 1-5 is so much more intuitive and would be easier to understand if a wine was bad, middling, good, or great.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I like the 3 point scale: 0 no good, 1 good, 2 very good, 3 you’d run over your mother to get it good

[@hottuna2006]

@@drmatthewhorkey That's four points 🙃

[@saveriopersichilli1129]

Also...if you can't tell between nebbiolo and sangiovese then you're in the wrong business

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’ve seen a lot of people fooled in blind tastings, esp with age

[@saveriopersichilli1129]

@Dr. Matthew Horkey really? Maybe it's because I drink them young ..but they are soo different to me. Sangiovese is just juicier...nebbiolo is just so much more austere and the fruit is way more " blue " you know what I mean ? Also nowadays most good sangioveses are so high in alcohol where the best barolos and barbarescos are rarely higher than 13.5 or 14 %

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Times are a changin’ Barolos and Barbarescos now reach 15% easily as well as a few in this video

[@saveriopersichilli1129]

@Dr. Matthew Horkey well. My experience has been that those barolos tend to not be anywhere near ready to drink until at least 6 or 7 years after bottling..whereas the sangiovese based stuff is a lot more approachable and fruit forward. Also...I can't afford to drink 10+ year old barolos unless I cellar them myself..and frankly.. I do not have the patience or the cellar space

[@saveriopersichilli1129]

@Dr. Matthew Horkey also..I think we're getting ridiculous when a barbaresco is above 14.5.. takes away from its elegance In my opinion..whereas I don't mind a 15 % sangiovese.