SEKT vs. CHAMPAGNE: A Blind Tasting Battle of Bubbles!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

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[@manub6215]

really neat idea for a blind tasting and big kudos to you Konstantin for not "doctoring" your assessment and being totally cool about it!

[@andi2381]

Deine Blindtastings sind definitiv mein Lieblingscontent hier auf deinem Channel. Gerne mehr davon!!

[@jamesallison4875]

Congrats to Leon for making this interesting and very amusing. Nice to see the “master “ a little confused and flustered. All in good fun. This is entertainment, I hope! Laughed my head off at the comment about your‘moneymaker’. Thanks.

[@darkerbinding6933]

We don't mind your mistakes, you're human and you not only stay thirsty, you stay humble.

[@intuitivehomebrew3199]

I appreciate your objectivity with the blind tasting. Champagne and sparkling wine are some of my favorite wine styles. Looks tasty!

[@hereforthebubbles]

My mouth was watering the entire time! Thank you for sharing & thank you for staying humble after the revealing! 😆🥂

[@53531640]

Any sparkling wine seems to go straight to my head.... I would have been very happy after tasting 8 wines.

[@gero_k99]

Respect for still posting this video. From the beginning on, I felt like there was something off with the ratings and when the wines were revealed, I definitely felt offended at times since I've tasted some of these wines myself, but this is more of a "me-problem" :D But there is a trend I am seeing when it comes to blindtasting sparkling wine. There seems to be quite a lot of people consistently switching up blanc de blancs for blanc de noirs and vice versa. I have very little blindtasting experience when it comes to sparkling wines, so I don't know for myself. But still good of you to showcase German sparkling wine :)

[@elfblood9127]

I love the blind tastings and can't get enough of your videos. I wish you had some clones of you so that I could watch at least one a day.

[@craig4571]

I’ve been a fan of Gatinois for many years and happy to see it in your tasting. It’s a great, small champagne house and still family owned. I’m now interested to try sekt as it’s not been in my radar.

[@thomasbahr2806]

One of my favorite Sekts from Germany is the Reinecker Cuvee Classic or as a slighty more pricey alterantive their vintage terroir Sekts like the Reinecker 2017 Feuerbach Steingässle Pinot Noir Extra Brut. Would love to have you oppinion on one of these in the future.

[@Blue28485]

Thank you! I always thought that drinking sparkling wine blind was tough but didn’t think about the point that you raised about winemaking vs terroir. That makes sense! Watching your video makes me want to go to Germany to drink wine. (At risk of upsetting some beer loving friends)

[@stephenbest4924]

Love this guy, always having fun.

[@terezazloska6642]

We did also blind tasting in South Africa with MCC from SA, Champagne, Prosecco and one German Kessler ( because of our roots). Mostly we did it to find best alternative to Champagne. All were nice but by far not as Champagne. Thanks for great video

[@matttinney8159]

Of course there are many great producers of Sekt in Germany. Henkell is known internationally but not for high quality. This past spring I was in Germany during strawberry season and I had the most amazing fresh strawberry secco. Something so simple, just fermented strawberries with plenty of residual sugar, injected with CO2, drank chilled on the balcony watching ships pass on the Rhein was an unforgettable experience.

[@happyburial]

Great topic and perfect timing

[@justinaubin2592]

Loved the tasting. I have had some German friends recommending German Sekt recently to me but it is harder to get in my area.

[@jasmusican]

One of your best videos - I chose #5 right away as the champagne - simply had the flair. Thanks and I will be looking for Gatinois as well a s a few zecht. 35

[@tjakkomartijn]

Easy! My favourite German sparkling wines are the sekts made by Reichsrat von Bühl. Across the entire price range they offer super high value for money. Their higher end wines are superior, incredibly intense and complex, beautiful yeasty aromas, but also the cheaper sekts are satisfying and there's nothing even remotely close from champagne at that price. Cheers!

[@ChaosCrischen]

I can really recommend the Sekt of Griesel. Since the wine growing region Hessische Bergstraße isn't so well known they are kind of under the radar.

[@marnixvanboetzelaer631]

Oh Yes! Got some Griesel for New Years even last Saturday Good recommendation!

[@papzilabzi]

Really good as always!

[@stefanozanol2157]

Great tasting Konstantine! I recently attend to a sparkling wine course. This course was focused on TRENTODOC, a classic method sparkling wine produced with grape variatals grown at high altitude (400-800 m) near mountains where I live (do you know Dolomites?). The wines have got a lot of freshness and acidity and some of them have the potential to be aged for decades. In Italy is the main competitor of Franciacorta. Maybe you've heard of Ferrari maison, that is the flagship of TRENTODOC and has more than 100 years of history. During this course we blind tasted several wines and I can confirm that is very difficult to analyze this kind of products since even if I tasted wine produced with the same grape varietals, from the same region and with the same method of production they were incredible different among the producers. I agree: the winemaking can drastically change the final result!

[@mykolagulevych5571]

Well done, Konstantin bubbles are the toughest!!!

[@tarawalker7193]

I have had only a few sparkling Rieslings. I'm looking to try more German wines. However, my sparkling wine of choice is Cava from Spain.

[@goyard92]

Awesome video! Siegrist has a very nice Sekt, they're from the Pfalz as well.

[@robdielemans9189]

I haven't had many, yet, sparkling wine from Germany. The one that comes immediately to mind is the Knipser Chardonnay Brut Nature, which I liked a lot.

[@larsio72]

Very insightful! Thank you!

[@utu1124]

Thanks again, very informative! Somehow I got the feeling that the Master of Wine got even a bit tipsy towards the end!

[@jovegajo]

Lived this! Always wanted to try some Riesling Sekts, however they can be hard to locate stateside

[@RJHHamersma]

Great story, funny as well 😂😂 !! But that is indeed a pretty good champagne of course. Thanks for this ! Going to try the Pi because of you 😊

[@RJHHamersma]

Actually, apart from the Sylvaner Sekt, the champagne seems to be the cheapest (buying locally) 😂😂.

[@solomonmengeu1003]

A great video and lots of fun. Yes, sparkling wine blind tasting videos are tricky, so don't be too hard on yourself. Traditional method Winzersekt, particularly from the VDP is getting better all the time. The problem is that it is pretty difficult to find it outside of Germany and even more difficult outside of Europe. As it is a pretty niche category, not yet as famous or prestigious as Champagne, not QPR like Prosecco or Cava and not as well known as mid-tier options like Trentodoc, English sparkling wine, Franciacorta, etc. Most of the German sparkling wine that you see in oversea markets are the big brands like Henkel, Peter Mertes, Rotkäppchen, etc. Now that I am in Europe I will be on the lookout for these wineries making amazing German Winzersekt. Cheers!

[@erisferra]

Very nice blind tasting. Can you do a similar one but with italian sparkling wine ( Franciacorta or Trento Doc) ? It would be very interesting. Great content, as always.

[@markw639]

Great video !

[@georgeagap]

Interesting, although not sure how many of these sekt are in our market. Was hoping to see what you thought of Griesel, which I have had along with Peter Lauer, but, oh well!

[@kentpiano2600]

Good entertaining and full of suspense! I must try sekt, it's a wine style pretty rare in England

[@zachgoldstein4411]

loved your ad for the pube shaver 🥰

[@RalphWendlandt]

Hello Konstantin, where can I get this nice wine socks with numbers for blind tasting? Thanks. Again a great video! My favorite Riesling Sekt is the Van Volxem 1900 - each vintage constant high quality. For Champagne style my favorite is Diel MO and Rebholz Pi No.

[@MattEdwards1]

Great fun video!

[@gerardgreen3441]

Great stuff.

[@fingersfinesilver]

Number 5 I got it right from your tasting notes!!!!! 🎉 I'm going to celebrate but I only have a red. Thanks for making me better at this!

[@maylloyd3348]

Yeah, I got 5 as well, based on the flavour notes with a bit of added psychology about how people "randomly" pick numbers (as in how many told to choose 1-10 go for 7 etc)

[@_Seppixx]

Sparkling Wine is way more than a Appetizer or drink to get when you have something to celebrate. It is also an awesome tool to pair with food. I really enjoy drinking sparkling wine to Sushi and especially to Asian food. My favourite sparkling Wines from germany are the Pinot Blanc - Griesel, Blanc de Noirs - Krack and I really like Blanc de Blanc from Braunewell. That are only some examples for sure there are way more outstanding producers. Germany is on fire right now and doesnt need to hide :)

[@jean-philippetremblay6343]

Hi Konstantin, what do you do with all that wine after the blind tasting? Please tell me someone gets to enjoy it! Germany is not known in Canada for sparkling, would love to get that kind of variety as the QPR with German wine is often so high.

[@active285]

I do really advise you to try Luxembourgish Crémant. Alice Hartmann's Crémant de Luxembourg is one of my favourite sparkling wines. Despite the classical method used, it consists not only of Chardonnay but adds Riesling und Pinot Noir. From my point of view, it can really compete with some Champagnes ;).

[@holgerheuermann]

Great video, thank you! Currently, my personal favorite is the Raumland Triumvirat Grande Cuvée. They just released the XIV. from 2014 and it is outstanding and delicious and definitely even better than the XII./2012 you tasted. Unfortunately, they are always sold out quite quickly.

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

I've only had one Riesling sparkler, and that was from MacGregor Vineyards on Keuka Lake several years ago now; it was mildly fruity and very good! If I could find more (any?) German sekt in my area I would definitely try it! 👍

[@GlitchingWithAlandi]

Haha you could tell my man did not spit as often in this one. Good vibes.

[@johnkelly1826]

Im Québec wir haben kein Deusche sekt. I möge viel Veuve Cliquot, aber es ist sehr teuer. Wann ich wolle ein gut "mousseux", ich kaufe Château Moncontour von Vouvray

[@AndréUrlaub]

Should have tasted the Griesel - would be interesting to see, if you confirm Stefan Reinhard‘s assessment.

[@ChaosCrischen]

I don't know who Stefan Reinhard is, but I really like the Griesel Sekt.

[@chaspx6228]

Hi I just started watching from Switzerland and enjoy your content. Where can I buy the cool wine socks for blind tasting with the neat red numbers on them?

[@zigavidic4011]

Hey Konstantin, can you help me where to buy that kind of bottle covers for blind tasting? Thanks man and really appreciate your content, keep doing good stuff !!

[@Sallahaddin1]

I would love you to make a cremant d'alsace video which would include i.a. the Rieffel Cremant D'Alsace and Rietsch Cremant D'Alsace. Cheers!

[@Insel_im_Meer]

Did you ever try Griesel Rosé Extra Brut Prestige?

[@fabiomacedo1681]

I challenge you to do the same with Brazilian sparkling wines from Pinto Bandeira region. Specially with a Cave Geise Nature

[@Dontspillthewine]

Hello! what bottle covers / bottle bags do you use? look good. do they fit both champagne sized bottles and still wine ones? Thanks!

[@kachiu320]

great work for the tasting. I also host similar blind tasting battles before ,for German sparkling vs other sparkling around the world for price around $50USD , and German sket Griesel got 3rd place(winner is champagne 😂) will organize another round 2 weeks later for price around $120USD, will be exciting to see the results 😊

[@mikeldearalarsardondelgado7532]

Te recomiendo que pruebes el siguiente vino: “Gramona III Lustros”. 👌🏼👌🏼

[@taylerbrumble5970]

I just looked up offerings of German Sparkling wines at K&L and was disappointed that they don't have any in stock. Flatiron in San Francisco has a sparkling from Weingut Weinreich... wondering if it is worth 47 USD.

[@SirWussiePants]

Great video! I love the sparkling Rieslings. I make a Pet Net Riesling that I love. Going to try a Sparkling Riesling (with sparging/disgorgement) this year. I tried my first Sparkling Gewurztraminer this year too (Boundary Breaks on Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes). That was yummy. I am not a big fan of Chardonnay these days so having sparkling choices I DO like is great! (Nothing against Chardonnay, but it tends to be in my "boring" category).

[@Don-L-Airtist]

Great stuff sir. As always. Still waiting to see something from Czech Republic :) Any chance to go for Welschriesling tasting? That's something we know how to do :)

[@Honkytonk_one]

Hallo Konstantin, sag mal, kannst du mal eine Folge zu Eiswein machen? Dieses Jahr dürfte ja gut dafür sein in Deutschland oder?

[@conqueror-w3]

I would like to see you do this against some of the California "methode champaign" sparkling wines, particularly the ones that have been produced by (or in partnership with) some of the great French champaign makers. I have recently tries a few such that I like, for example Le Reve Domaine Caneros (Tattinger), Mumm Napa Brut Reserve, Roederer Estate L'Emitage Brut 2015, J Vinyards Cuvee, Schramsberg Poseidon Vinyard , Chandon 50TH Annivarsary Winemakers Blend.... enjoy

[@typerightseesight]

I have tried the siracha but the rick and morty Szechuan chicken would really be that amber to my riesling when im tryna get that saucy feeling. lol.

[@cryptoescu]

Cool blind tasting! Congrats! Please do try the Romanian Carassia, blanc de blancs, it is truly exceptional. If you could get your hands on the 2017 vintage… 🚀 very well made!

[@꾸자-p6x]

오랜만에 고생하시는 모습을 보니 좋네요! 남아공 때가 생각나요😂

[@AShiga]

Now it's time for some Brazilian sparkling!😏😃

[@gianmarcobusso5840]

Hi Konstantin! Not to correct you but just to share and discuss so first of all a big thumbs up for this video and your whole project. That aside, I think that it was proven that Meunier is not related to the pinot family so now it is just called Meunier!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thank you 🙏 are you sure about that? I find mainly contradictory information in the literature

[@WarChortle]

Never in my wildest dreams I thought I would learn about ball shaving in the middle of sparkling wine discourse. 😂

[@privatprivat9213]

😂😂

[@nicomeier8098]

Next time throw in a sparkling wine from England.

[@brianmadsen9536]

With all these wines that you open what do you do with all of them? I wouldn’t think you drink all of them before they go bad. Maybe?

[@williamrobinson7435]

WHOOPS! Breuuk.. Forgive me, If I ever move in the lofty realms under advisement, I will be happy to join forces with The Sillery Brigade, as fizzy wine is for me to be avoided; fascinating nonetheless. In Christmas mitigation for our dear Konstantin, I also think the bubbles are sometimes deceptive. The Champagne looked v dark, but I have seen wine that's been on the lees being hoovered up as the genuine article. Nice one Konstantin! ⭐👍

[@Nova234432]

Would you do a tasting of BC wines?

[@mattestilo8841]

Champaign can sometimes reign king. There are some english sparkling wines tho that have trumped Champaign in blind tasting competitions

[@lutomson3496]

as expensive as these alternatives are I think I would stick with what I know, I like them all though!

[@lionelbonini6593]

Konstantin you forgot the best: Blanquette de Limoux!!!

[@kinimod99]

Where can i find these nice “Winesocks” for blind tasting?🍷

[@terryhsiao1745]

Do sekt typically have less alcohol than champagne ? Or depends on the producer and grape ?

[@paulhalt1102]

Depends

[@garethdavies1125]

Please do a blind tasting where Method Cap Classique from South Africa make up your choice? Include Vergelegen MMV - interested to know your thoughts. G in Cape Town

[@Neurability]

Great video, K. I immediately went to buy some German sparkling and it seems there is precious little imported into the US and none of the bottles in your tasting. Lufthansa, here I come!

[@floriandietrich3032]

Hey Konstantin, Hast du schonmal den Brut von Patrick Adank (Weingut Familie Hansruedi Adank) probiert? Der Top Schaumwein aus der 🇨🇭

[@EddieS95]

I like the turtleneck

[@Ildskalli]

Wow, this tasting was really tough. Too bad that Champagne won, I'm pretty sure most wine enthusiasts are looking for something just as good but without the price tag 😅

[@danielplainview4778]

Arnt we all looking for something just as good for considerably less lol

[@pyewackett3822]

Never tried a German sparkling wine.... Will have to change that.

[@patrickdemarcevol]

I've had tried some very good Sekt from the Czech Republic I was offered by a Czech supplier. I asked him to send me more!

[@lt9133]

Ich würde mich einmal sehr über ein tasting der Kessler Sekte freuen, z.B. der Georges. Die Historie der Kellerei ist ebenfalls sehr interessant!

[@BHommard]

Sorry, Kessler Sekte benutzen mittlerweile Grund Weine von überall in Europa zugekauft und sind nur noch ein schlechter Abklatsch ihres ehemals guten Rufes, hat mit deutschem Sekt eigentlich nicht wirklich mehr zu tun. Absolut austauschbare Groß Kellerei, ohne erkennbares Profil. Schade, sehr schade diese Niedergang...

[@Torben.TL1993]

Grisel macht gute Schaumweine, aber auch Karanika aus Griechenland macht sehr gute Schaumweine aus Griechischen Rebsorten wie Xinomavro und Assyrtiko!!

[@psychotropicalresearch5653]

I do not know what temperature your tasting cellar is, nor what temperature do you served those wines at? I couldn’t see any condensation on the glasses suggesting maybe closer to room temperature. I start with that comment. Because I find that quality sparkling wine doesn’t necessarily show well when it’s cold and bubbles are prominent. Sometimes it shows differently when you come back to it after a little while, and the bubbles have subsided. So maybe you’re being a little unrealistic, or unfair to yourself, by not waiting to give a final opinion, until after you’ve tasted them second or third time, and after an interval?

[@QualeQualeson]

Sie trinkt in Nachtclubs immer Sekt (Korrekt!)

[@Ruirspirul]

so, is it safe to say, uniqueness of Champaign is tad bit overplayed? I guess ocean deposits and chalky soils is not that unique after all😅

[@joantrendafilov7963]

but aged in the ocean is unique :)

[@Robin.w.]

Well the champagne scored the best points so guess the uniqueness is not overplayed at all. Also the Gatinois is not an expensive champagne, it’s priced as an Moet or Bollinger

[@joantrendafilov7963]

​​@@Robin.w.champagne is champagne for a reason. Would be interesting blind tasting with best of Cava and Franciacorta vs champagne

[@Ruirspirul]

@@Robin.w. I dont think it getting the highest score has anything to do with uniqueness, its more about the fact that they have been making it form longer than most and have gotten better :)

[@Robin.w.]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@RuirspirulIt’s true that champagne is an old region but it’s not the oldest, not even for sparkling wine. So by that logic champagne would not be the best quality sparkling wine in the world. The uniqueness of the champagne region is very real and even some very average winemakers can make great wines here, thats unique. I do however belive that english sparkling will be king some time in the future due to climate change. This may take a 100 years or so but I firmly belive it Will happen. I discussed this with one of the leading sparkling wine experts in the world recently (you migth know who it is) and he confirmed this but added that, no other sparkling wine will ever be as complex as top champagne from today

[@saschakamionka5399]

Raumland war mein leckerster aus Deutschland, bis jetzt 😅

[@AndreasGramlich]

BurkhardtSchür-Sekte gehören gehören für mich zu den besten deutschen Schaumweinen.

[@terryhsiao1745]

Peter lauer sekt

[@Rocall]

…and Bairrada !

[@garganega]

We know American sparkling wine producers are competitive. Their French owners keep their products from the European market.

[@scandic24]

...and Spumante.

[@danielmagg6096]

Which holidays?

[@spongeofsteel01]

The holidays

[@Mr_Stanley888]

I don't believe you've ever had sekt before.

[@hydenshribby]

Was soll denn das heißen, der Mann ist Master of Wine😂

[@clydeblair9622]

It all boils down to bs.

[@coladosep8776]

Kessler Sekt sehr unterbewertet

[@dr7246]

I’m pleased with myself for thinking “Pinot” as soon as I saw “pi-no”,