Cheap vs. Expensive Wine - Bargain Alert!

[@elfblood9127]

I can't get enough of your blind tastings! I love watching them and rewatching them. I enjoy trying to guess your ranking before you state the ranking based upon your verbal dissection of the wine. I have become pretty good at it although there are times when I'm off by a few points. Its always so great to see an affordable wine beating out or at least competing well against a high-priced wine. Thanks for doing what you do so well and for sharing those efforts online. I always look forward to your videos with great anticipation.

[@bradbellomo6896]

Great to see a Slovenian wine. My grandfather from Slovenia thought orange wine was disgusting. I like it, but Slovenia has so many different styles of wines. Slovenians are the best gardeners in Europe, and have a long history of wine making. Most of the best is enjoyed locally, Slovenians are so much better at making wine than exporting and marketing it.

[@der_weinigel]

The People have demanded more of these and Konstantin the Great has granted their desires🎉 Long live the King !

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Long live the hedgehog!

[@thobax]

Casa Marin is one of the best wineries of Coastal Chile. Their wines are stunning! Aside from the great SB, they also have really good Pinot and Syrah! And is a nice place to visit too!

[@hacksawbob3310]

Wow, 5 wines in the 90s - good selections! Especially from you, as you tend to be pretty strict in your scoring. I like the wide variation in flavors and expressions from the same grape, especially one so popular and familiar. Your team did exceptionally well in putting this tasting together. Chile so frequently comes through with the bargains...

[@EstorilE36M345]

I really loved your explanation about why the flavors show up the way they do. I am not a wine expert and enjoy learning from you

[@javierel22]

Being Argentinian I'm happy to see that Altura Maxima SB from Salta there, haven't tried it yet, it's a bit expensive at almost 40 USD nowadays. But also happy to see a Casa Marin wine, I love their SB and also their Riesling! Chile has some extraordinary sauvignon blanc wines with an incredible price too!

[@robertk1robertk1]

Suggestion: adding captions on the screen to remind us what you thought each wine was. Thank you, Konstantin ☺️

[@migue1724]

Thank you so much for all your videos! They are incredibly useful and informative. I have a suggestion for a future video: it would be fantastic to see a blind tasting comparison of the second wines from the great Bordeaux estates, like Echo de Lynch Bages and others. I think many of us would find that really interesting and insightful. Keep up the great work!

[@klitomazify]

What a hilarious guess on Wine #6, Konstantin! The Vino Gross Colles isn't a skin contact wine at all! I hope this Styrian Sauvignon Blanc piqued your curiosity about Slovenia and its excellent wines. You are always welcome to explore, learn, and taste some more!

[@cven1103]

Love your tastings Konstantin, look forward to seeing your review scores online along with the more established guys.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Really interesting and enjoyable as ever! I've found the best value to be had in Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or Argentina in the main, not the best but the most reliable on price. I have always found the adjective 'chewy' applies to the mouth feel of a good wine of this style. I'm curious about the Slovenian orange Sauvignon though! Nice one Konstantin. 🌟👍

[@adjusted-bunny]

Favorite SB?! A lot too choose from. First of all one the top white varietal ever. I love a SB from Bordeaux matured in oak or stainless steel. Terrific ones from New Zealand and the Loire, as well.

[@lynnpowell1601]

My favorite sauvignon is probably one I haven't tasted yet. NZ is making some good SB. I did buy a Chilean SB recently and was pleasantly surprised. You've inspired me to try an Argentine.

[@Eueugeneu24]

I really appreciate that you let the video with your real thoughts. This shows us how difficult is to guess a wine even with a lot of knowledge. It was the same for contestants at the Best Sommelier of the World. To be a sommelier is not just about guessing the wine right, is more complex than that. Thank you!

[@AnarchoKapital]

Best SB I had so far was a 2017 Grassnitzburg from Sattlerhof, Steyria. It was just so incredibly elegant. I have a bottle of Blaue Libelle 2018 from Andreas Tscheppe; really looking forward to that one. For easy drinking I like the Rabbit Island from New Zealand, which you can often get for under 10€.

[@darkerbinding6933]

It's always fun when you get surprised and it's nice to see you have a very good attitude about making mistakes! 💜 I can tell you that we don't mind them...

[@oxvaldus]

Cipreses from Casa Marín its a Chilean classic, lovely wine and excellent price too

[@B2024-y4c]

Best SB I have tried was Lismore barrel fermented SB from South Africa - power on the mid palate was amazing - the vintage I tried was the 2017. Keep up the great work, really enjoy your videos!

[@ilianstoimenov6619]

Great video! I will try the Casa Marin, the Bodega Colome and the Slovenian one for sure. I really enjoy Marlborough sovignons and the best local Bulgarian sovignon is from Yamantievs winery. Try some Bulgarian wines by the way - unfairly underrated.

[@GarthScholtz]

My two favourites are Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc, which I'm disappointed didn't make it into the tasting, and Cotat Mont Damnes Sancerre when I want to treat myself really well.

[@marilynbeardslee2163]

Favorite is Cloudy Bay but I have a bottle of Craggy Range (New Zealand) awaiting an opening, about which I'm quite curious.

[@kentpiano2600]

Love this, what a broad selection esp the orange wine, well done! I have a fave s blanc/s gris orange from Bordeaux .. you were so close with all of these, Silex-Sancerre, Chile-Argentine, I thought your most successful blind to date and really drew me in, I applauded your Slovenia, neatly done!! Bravo 👏🏼

[@robdielemans9189]

The one that immediately comes to mind was a late harvest Chilean dessert wine. And luckily there's an importer in the lowlands for the 2022 Casa Marin Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio Valley, Chile.

[@frederickheard2022]

I had too much mediocre sauv blanc fifteen or twenty years ago (mostly from Australia and New Zealand), and I’ve been overlooking it/avoiding it as either bland or cat-pissy for a very long time. I have had some fumé blanc styles that I enjoyed, and you made me interested in trying some more Sauv Blanc from around the world. Thanks for the spark of curiosity.

[@daniellabuda7744]

Konstantin, I really appreciate your vids. You gave me a chance to spread my knowledge about wines. Wines are my favorite type of alcohol, I am really grateful. Thanks, Bro!

[@daveincambridge]

I think it would be interesting if you did a video on how wine is made and the different production methods in place for making cheap to expensive wine. OR... the history of wine (by country?) I love you videos!!

[@EdgarWilkening]

Großartig gemacht! Tolles Tasting. Danke, dass wir dabei sein können.

[@bluejesper]

You convinced me to buy the Casa Marin Sauvignon Blanc, and yes, it is seriously delicious, you describe it perfectly and indeed a bargain for £21 in the UK. Please keep posting your excellent blind tastings Konstantin, I'm a big fan of yours!. I'd love to see you to do a CABERNET FRANC tasting; Jacky Blot Domaine de la Butte, Gran Enemigo Gualtallary, Paleo.... 🙏🍷

[@multidayticket]

Favorite Sauvignon Blancs: Chateau Brown Blanc (a blend with Semillon) from Bordeaux, Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma.

[@gemilyt]

Bravo! The kind of blind tasting that makes it clear things are constantly changing! Casa Marin was a Rex Pickett favorite while researching his Sideways Chile novel, and am glad you got one before me! SB from Italy with Chard can be very entertaining as well! Mahalo! It's almost as diverse as Cabernet.

[@MichaelJazayeriMD]

Excellent as always! I tasted Samuel Adam's Utopias beer which uses the Solera technique. The beer has no carbonation and reminded me of Port. I wonder if you can do a blind Port tasting and have this beer in the lines as a dark horse?

[@MattFank]

Great tasting! I think there is a lot more diversity to the styles in which this varietal is made than people give it credit for. Personally, I enjoy the minerality of a Sancerre, which I'm surprised wasn't in your line up. While we consume a lot of Sav Blanc in Australia, it's not a varietal that we are generally regarded for as highly as other countries. None-the-less, I believe that Australia is about to enter a Sav Blanc evolution, much in the same way that Chardonnay did a couple of decades ago and expect to see more premium wines showing greater complexity and structure with aging potential.

[@braindy5]

I absolutely love these! Idea for your patreons: Provide the list of wines including blinded numbering before so they can join you (with the help of someone else) and experience and rate the wines with you. Tough though to get many of your wines here in the US that you are testing.

[@dangareau3143]

Never been big on whites but you could probably do a good tasting video with rose. Another great video. Cheers!!!

[@georgeliapis47]

Don’t worry about the Greywacke, it is probably the most non-NZ SB I have ever tasted! As for the Silex… I expected it to be in the tasting (or a Dagueneau in any case), and I was kinda waiting for it..! Have never tasted such an expensive SB, but I have a feeling (since I love NZ’s and the gunflint Sancerre style), that I will not enjoy it as much…

[@lauracanna2201]

I don't have a favourite but a few months ago, I tried one SB from Chile (Leyda Valley) which was spectacular! I never drank anything like that before. It also had some petrol/kerosene aromas and flavours which were so unexpected for me 😊

[@gavinconvery]

Silex is the best SB I have tasted...the bottles I had had some age which i think is essential for that wine. Love the Greywacke wild ferment SB - Dogpoint do a great similar version - Section 94, although their standard SB is also great and different. A favourite orange wine SB is from Alexandre Bain who is in the Pouilly region - worth checking out! Gonna check out the others if they're available in the UK!

[@GeorgeDaymondLush]

I tasted Silex about 30 years ago. It took me weeks to find out what it meant. Not being a white wine fan I won't be buying too much. I think Didier Dagenau died quite recently (No 2008)

[@michaelfallesen820]

Another truly great video - after all: Who doesn't like Sauvigning Blanc? Seeing how Portuguese wine is really grabbing market shares (at least in Denmark) because it seems to offer a lot of value for money, could you maybe do a video on Portuguese wine? It would be really great to hear your professional verdict 🙂

[@enthusiastic_amateur]

Arkenstone Vineyards on Howell Mountain in Napa makes a couple exceptional Sauvignon Blanc bottlings. Definitely lots of concentration, structure & acid that is not typical in California Sauvignon Blanc. Probably due to the elevation of the vineyards on Howell Mountain.

[@RJHHamersma]

As always, really enjoyable to watch your videos !! When you described the Silex, I actually immediately thought of that. Drank it once, and remember it was quite special, and for me it was hard to spot it to be Sauvignon Blanc (tasted blind). But again, really enjoyed your video !!

[@getsconesTRUTH]

Late to the party but you can't go wrong with a good sauv blanc. You can get such good quality for pretty reasonable price. Two good ones I've had recently were Frogs Leap from Rutherford and chateau Doisy Daene from Bordeaux.

[@JoeFlynn-n9t]

Always enjoy your "COMPARISON BATTLES" videos ... can you do one on Wine Clubs like WSJ & FIRST LEAF ... quality - value - selections etc - THX Joe Flynn

[@stanleovart]

My favorites are definitely New Zealand SBs, but also what I like - Luis Felipe Edwards Winemaker Selection Reserva SB from Chile - really great one, German Krämer Straight SB - also great example I like, and then French Tresors de Loire Touraine SB - which I found very delicious, especially with sea food!

[@johnoshiro8885]

I love the tropical fruits and zippy acidity of New Zealand SBs. Dog Point (across the road from Cloudy Bay, owned by LVMH) is great with spicy and salty Asian dishes and fish.

[@pm3390]

I actually guessed dageneau corrdctly based on your commentary;) Outstanding SB which rivals top chardonnay's from bourgogne in my opinion. But not really a value proposition anymore as it got famous, especially the older ones. In general though, pouilly fume and sancerre offer some of tje best value for money whites out there, together with the vovuray from Huet, probably the best price wine with a 95+ rating

[@schmup53]

I love the Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre, many of which are affordable and good quality. I buy them online usually.

[@MJR67]

Excellent line up. I recall years ago, 20 plus years and cloudy bay was just in its infancy, drank it on a sailing boat in HK. Great wine , cheap by today’s standards but extensive at the time. A few years later read in Decanter that CB bought grapes from a vineyard called Isabel. Tried Isabel and yep, 95% of CB for half the price. Bought it by the case load. Today different continent and got an email from KL wines re Greywake. Bought a few bottles, good stuff, not aware that it is the same wine maker as per CB but now $20 here in California. Nice but at that price, it has completion. Prost and be well.

[@elbertvanderwaal]

Konstantin, it would be nice if you revealed the bottle on screen with information about the location etc. while you're guessing so we can see you honing in on the answer. Maybe just after you've given a description of the notes for those interested in guessing along? That way, you don't have to tell use what you guessed after the fact. Just an idea. Thanks for the great video!

[@Matt_Bykowski]

Fun video. I really like the premise (blinds) of it. Thanks for another good one.

[@markforman2768]

Oh that's a really fascinating question. Actually I have had some Sauvignon Blancs from Bordeaux, from South Africa (I really liked them a lot) and from other regions of France. I lake the grape varity. Espeacially sometimes the wine can show elderflower which I really like. Thank you very much for this blind tasting video. When you spoke of the first wine which was from Chile I thought directly it could be South Africa. Imagine the experience you have. You are one of a few Master of Wine and still can be wrong. How can I really dive in deeper in that specific type of tasting experience? That for example a friend will buy the wines and cover them for me? Or it is better starting to taste various wine and try to describe them in my own basic content of wine knowledge? With the best wishes

[@solomonmengeu1003]

The effect of blind tasting is that quality always trumps price, nice to see a Chilean SB scoring higher than other higher priced ones. I generally prefer Alto Adige, satellite appellations around Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre, South Africa and Bordeaux. People over generalize about Sauvignon Blanc, when it can vary greatly depending on region, vintage and producer. New Zealand has gotten more creative and edgy over the last 10-15 years; I have pretty much enjoyed all SBs I have tried. Surprised to see so many 90+ wines in one tasting. Cheers!

[@robertgolden2061]

Jean-Jacques Auchere Sancerre, my favorite go to Sauvignon Blanc. Also a good value too.

[@briand2614]

As you were describing number 3 I was thinking the DD Silex, since it is a very expensive SB.

[@Lars-gj7bz]

Hey konstatin, great job. The wineworld is focusing on Bordeaux right now. would love to see a blind tasting between the 1. And 2. Wines. Like chateau Palmer vs. alter ego de Palmer, l’hospitalet de gazin… and so on. Can u taste the difference?

[@adjusted-bunny]

Colomé is almost always a bargain. The founder (Donald?) stems from a brewery dynasty from Berne, Switzerland who is living (or resting?) in the US. Also an art collector.

[@michaellogan1428]

Great presentation. Thanks Konstantin. A finely balanced blend of good humour, knowledge, German precision wrapped up in erudition. Excellent. §¥ points. ☺️

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Many thanks!

[@atamo4323]

From my notes (since 2007), Leyda single vineyard SB, Dom Sylvain Bailly Quincy Beaucharme, Santa Rita Floresta SB, Les Plantiers du Haut Brion Blanc (a blend)

[@AchillesMajor]

Fave SB is Smith Haut Lafitte from BDX! (ok ok, blended w Semillon)

[@markusrohling4913]

For the Question of the day: i really enjoy the Austrian SB, Stift Göttweig has nice Ried Quality, also Krispel

[@LaurenBerns]

Really enjoy your content. Great work, man.

[@persimarco]

I'm somehow used to Austrian Sauvignon blanc. Ewald Zweytick Don't cry or Heaven's door or of course the more affordable Zieregg from Tement.

[@toxicsn0wshuffle]

Claude Riffaullt makes a stunning Sancerre. Michel Redde has amazing Pouilly-Fume. Didier Dagueneau Sillex is on another level, still. Even though I couldn’t drink more than 1 glass. It’s a bit too much for me. Like drinking pure mineral rocks.

[@Ildskalli]

Yay, Chile wins this tasting! Also for a very deserving example. I personally adore the Gran Reserva made by Calyptra, it's a fumé blanc that's just exquisitely balanced.

[@Blue28485]

I am so disappointed that you confused Sancerre and Pouilly Fume! Like you couldn’t distinguish a Barolo from Barbarresco! 😜 I haven’t tasted an interesting SB in a while but now I want to try some of these! Thanks again!!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Sorry!

[@duncanwmaxwell]

We had the 2015 Dog Point “Section 94” at our wine club a couple of weeks ago, it was singing!

[@markevans506]

Ava or Eva Grace. A sweeter Sauvignon Blanc than what I have normally experienced. I think it was US origin. Haven’t seen it in a while.

[@clydeblair9622]

Didn't realise Pouilly Fumes were playing around with oak instead of just the lees :-) Facinating. The Greywacke made WS top 100.

[@LadyAceRoxy]

This is not at all glamorous, but Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite grape and Giesen is my favorite overall SB. Le G de Guiraud and Chateau Latour-Martillac Pessac-Leognan Blanc Grand Cru are pretty epic though! I love almost all SBs, so this tasting was great!

[@kennethbowers5840]

Best wine is the Silex. I’ve had it one time, and it’s amazing, best Sauvignon blanc I’ve ever had.

[@damongray8530]

While I love Silex, I could also go for Pascal Cotat Monts Damnés. Giton Mt Damnés is great too, though I don't see it much anymore. Le G de Guiraud is delicious and super inexpensive Bdx

[@윤지원-d8u]

I really interested in Casa Marin because i never enjoyed chilean sb, so I really want to meet that wine thx for the nice video!

[@lliamgregory3182]

Hehe no spittoon today ;) Lots of the natty winemakers in Aus are fermenting Savvy B in oak.

[@Cloverdad]

I do tastings with consumers from time to time and when looking how the same grape behaves in different climates, SB is my go-to variety.

[@amonducius]

I wish I could have someone like you taste some of my homemade wines and give it a rating, but you live on another continent and honestly the idea is a little intimidating. Have you ever done a tasting of homemade wines (other than your own) to see how some of them compare to similar wines at different price points? It would be interesting, but maybe not the easiest video to make. I hear people claim they can make top shelf wines at home, but haven't seen a pro pick them apart and compare them with wine made by world-class professionals.

[@torgilekman1598]

Cloudy Bay, mu favorite...

[@andrewwebster15]

I love a Marlborough for the right occasion, but give it to me with some noble rot in a Sauternes for the best use of the grape.

[@stuartdiamond8775]

My favorite from your tasting was your number 4 from New Zealand

[@alexm7310]

Great fun, really enjoyable. Thank you! 😊❤

[@danf321]

Now the real test…mix in a couple Trader Joe’s Sauvignon Blancs to see how $10 wines compare. Keep up the great reviews 👍

[@kachiu320]

love those SB from Styria, I think they are in bargain!

[@Pladderkasse]

So funny, I just had a bottle of the Casa Marin a few days ago and it's pretty damn good for the price.

[@isaaclilian5127]

How about getting Leon to pour from behind the camera? Would eliminate bottle feel/weight as well as having sight of whether the bottle is screwcap/cork closure.

[@acidDrop2000]

i really like the greywacke wild, under $30 and really tasty

[@glennjohnson4919]

Watching, I had to go get a glass of wine. Inspirational again! Many thanx

[@tomjones2202]

Thanks again Master Baum! HOW in the world can you ever get them ALL right!? lol Good job and keep on bringing us good wines! :) and videos .

[@markwalton3706]

Oh ... fav Sav Blanc for me Seresin from NZ.

[@adjusted-bunny]

Dagenau (probably wrong spelling I know) RIP was a pioneer in the Loire. But as a normal person you cannot afford his wines.

[@alistaircorbishley5881]

Fantastic video Konstantin. Your producer has selected a good variety of SB which showcase what a good winemaker can do with this grape. OK, it may not have the range of styles that chardonnay can produce but it can be just as interesting. My favourite is the Greywacke from Kevin Judd, much more refined than Te Koko!

[@liamblake937]

I love the wines of Vincent Ricard in Touraine!

[@yeovildancer]

Francois cotat for me!

[@The1stHannibal-ex5fo]

How about a video about affordable bordeaux's? That would be terrific!

[@MisterDarling]

I wonder if, in an imaginary world in which we mostly made rose, we would say "skin contact reds" mostly taste like the process. I wonder why we can't pick a classic skin contact pinot gris vs a sauvignon blanc is just that we haven't made enough to know what a classic orange expression of that white grape is?

[@danielhazke8729]

9 Monde from Thomas Pichler is one of my favourites :)

[@credenza1]

Getting the Slovenian wine right more than makes up for the other decisions. Well done.

[@andi2381]

I am from Rheinhessen and I love me some Weedenborn SB.

[@kingjulian1549]

Sadly Konstantin, the Tsunami of NZ Sav Blanc that was unleashed on the world over the past 20 years, (particularly Australia where i live) has meant for both me and my friends that we now totally avoid this style of wine. That grassy cat pee bouquet is a huge turnoff. Nonetheless, you have provided an interesting showcase of the different styles in your video and maybe when the dust settles we can look to say the Americas to provide an alternative.

[@robertthrossell4321]

Brilliant tasting 😊

[@Alexa-ux1be]

Hello Konstantin, i recently noticed you use different glasses in the last weeks, you had your riedl champagne/riesling glass for the last years but now switched to gabriel and zalto. Just advertising or which is the best universal glass to use for tasting in your opinion?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I am not getting money for using specific glasses and I like to play around with different ones. Thats why.

[@notoverlyacerbic9574]

I have always wanted to ask you guys(youtubers or others who do multi bottle tastings),what happens to all the wine,from these multi bottle tastings,that is now open and needs to be consumed? Keep one gift the rest? Or God forbid,dumped?