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EP 979 Blind Tasting Chianti

Gary Vaynerchuk blind tastes 3 different Chiantis with some interesting results.

Wines tasted in this episode:

Carpineto Chianti ClassicoChianti Classico
2007 Felsina Chianti Classico RiservaChianti Classico
2007 Ricasoli Chianti Classico BrolioChianti Classico

Links mentioned in todays episode.


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luca bercelli

90/100

Line of the day – ‘This I pretty much drilled in my opinion. I’m happy where my palate is at.’

Nice episode that tells a lot about Chianti – ie avoid!

Tags: Blind Tasting, chianti, red, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • Anonymous

    #1 maybe?

  • Anonymous

    Used to drink a lot of Chianti Classico 11 yrs ago when I came back from Italy, have not had much of it in the past 8 yrs, not a big fan of Sangiovese.

  • Not a huge chianti fan in general but am not offended by it. I just think it’s boring I guess. I have never been blown away by one.

    loving the brown bags as always. Sorry to see that it didn’t go to well.

  • Anonymous

    Top whatever/whoever/whenever.

  • Anonymous

    Ah..finally some fave beans and a nice Chi-An-Ti….!!!!

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: Used to drink more of it, but less in the past couple of years. I think I run into the same issue with general overpricing.

    Interesting episode- always love the blind tastes. But the episode had a bit of a, you know, kinda rushed / doctor rushing through seeing as many patients as they can and not stopping to ask me more questions component.

  • Anonymous

    So many wines. I have little time for Chianti. I would prolly like the Californicated version.

  • hey, hey

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: I like a good Chianti….but only with a good pasta. Otherwise I can’t drink it alone unless I’m at a wine bar in Venice Italy

  • Anonymous

    Did I make It? 😉 9

  • ALLAN

    Top 10!

    Gary, you old crowd-pleaser. . . .

  • Anonymous

    A lot of people around me are all hipped about the Nipozzano from Frecobaldi and have been for a couple of years, I had it again on monday and I thought it was ok, not upset at the person who bought it and I did drink it but nothing exciting for me.

  • David M Roberts

    Dah! Would have made Top 10 but I was digging out of the snow…

  • Rufina is the ultimate expression (Selvapiana, etc.). Il Poggione is bringing it with sanjo.

  • Anonymous

    Haven’t had one in awhile. Usually a little too dry for me.

  • Anonymous

    Not drinkin much Chianti, guess that’s why!

  • Anonymous

    It seems that the Cab/Merlot on the Barolio probably brought down the acidity too much. Kind of gets away from drinking a chianti.

    QOTD: I drink Morellino di Scansano now. Better value and quality. Chianti really is loosing its way unfortunately but I think they can turn it around if everyone lets them know they aren’t happy with the direction.

  • Fast action Gary–tight show.

    QOTD: Used to love it. I started my wine journey on Barbera and Chianti. Have really tried to cruise the world via my wine shops of LA and explore new stuff. I really like the drying tannins on the old world style Chiantis. But… I agree maybe a hair too high in price. Still drink them occasionally.

  • Nick

    I am not drinking too many Chianti. I like it with a pasta/pizza from time to time but i prefer other italian wines over it. Never realized tho that Chianti was overprized. Interesting point. Anybody can name me a similar grape variety ?

  • Anonymous

    Decent show, did not feel the energy as much as the last few. Perhaps it was the underwhelming Chianti that did it. I do enjoy brown bags, keep em’ coming!

    QOTD: I have found it is dependably undependable. The Chianti’s I have liked I continue to go back to, but unfortunately it is one of those varietals for me that I hesitate to branch out on. I am a fan of Sangiovese, however I am going to have to jump on the bandwagon (surprise surprise) and say it is blended with many other varietals all too often. That being said, I will not stop drinking it anytime soon. Prost!

  • Anonymous

    Not a big fan of chianti. I’ll have one once in a while with serious Italian food – meat sauces, lasagne, etc. But I just don’t like sipping it on its own.

  • Anonymous

    Entry Level Drrrek!!! Gotta love it! Solid show, very quick and easy. Definately not “Straight Czar”! Would love to see some “Straight Czar” wines from you soon. Bring It! Bring Me Some “Thunder”

    QOTD: Chianti, Mehhhhh!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Lots of stuff coming out of italy that is not too exciting right now. You might try California. The prize goes to Altamura sangiovese. Seghesio makes a refined sangiovese as do a lot of smaller wineries on the North Coast.

  • Anonymous

    I enjoy from time to time. Have always liked the Felsina and it is a common mid-day wine for myself.

  • ALLAN

    Oh I’m down with Chianti.!

    And I don’t agree with you in regards to overpricing of the wines. There are lots of good deals out there, but it’s all down to the name of the producer. What I probably agree with you on is “The Sense of Place”-thingy-thing. But hey, that globalisation for ya & it is a dirty rotten shame that wine in general is becomming more alike. But you can’t stop it, I can’t either.

    Qotd: Look above.

    Have a couple of recommendations for the Vayniacs out there in regards to Chianti. Please check out Castello Di Ama. Great, Great wines. A little bit pricey, but totally worth the buck.
    Second; Il Grigio from San Felice, got it for about 10-12 bones, in my country. Superb value. Check it out ya’ll.

    Well that’s me……

  • ALLAN

    Let’s all bow down………

  • In my view one the most underestimated skills is your palate. Many folks think you are really good with funky and totally different wine terminology, but your palate is sharp, trained and serious. Just saying…

  • ALLAN

    Well you beat me, so I guess you could say; YEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    I haven’t had a Chianti I’ve liked much since I spent 2 weeks in Pisa in 1983. The ones I’ve tried since then have seemed a little rustic and not very interesting; useful with pasta but not for much else. Good show but a little too concise. I always enjoy the brown bag shows. I think kmurph needs to challenge your palate a little more, your hat size is increasing a bit too fast. ; )

  • ALLAN

    Don’t mess with us hard-core Vayniacs. 😛

  • Anonymous

    Gotta love the brown backs, but hey, U have KMurph right there and Mott does not even tape her for a second. Come on, give us KMurph lovers a little something 😉

    QOTD: I’ve got a friend and he does not like merlot. I think he is crazy with a statement like that, but I just realized that I do the same. I DO NOT LIKE CHIANTI. Well, I have not had one yet that I liked.

  • Matt

    Not a fan of Chianti. For sure, almost every vintage of Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo are quite exciting, but need some time in the cellar. I think the last one I enjoyed on a more value play is Nipozzano 2004 from a magnum last year. Good show Gary!

  • ALLAN

    Love Il Poggione. I have tasted their 2004 offering from Brunello Di Montalcino. Only the standard, not reserva. Will last for decades. Cheers!

  • Anonymous

    What? Barbera is amazing and if U are just talking about sangiovese, I don’t care. why drink that when U can get barbera 😉

  • ALLAN

    Will there be a Gary Action-figure out on the market in the future????

    We will have to wait and see. ;Op

  • Anonymous

    Not drinking Chanti; I find it overpriced. I’d rather spend my dough in Piedmont.

  • Anonymous

    Agreed! Kmurph needs more face time. Mott too!

  • Anonymous

    “I have little time for Chianti”- he he classic.

  • Anonymous

    BARBERA. BARBERA. BARBERA.

  • ALLAN

    With everybody MEH-ing Chianti I’m happy…. This means that there’s more for me…. hi hi hi. 🙂

  • Anonymous

    always love the brown bags, but have never loved Chanti.
    Sadly, or maybe not sadly, not even thinking about trying it anytime soon.

  • Great job Gary on nailing these wines !!!

    At the pricepoint of least expensive wine on today’s show, I heartily recommend the Villa Pillo Borgoforte – Sang with Cab and Merlot but not Californiaized. At less than 12 buck, this is a steal with real tuscan character

  • KAHUNA

    QOTD: I am drinking Sangiovese from outside the Chianti category- LOVE LOVE LOVE Vino Nobile’s thats been getting most of my Sangiovese play these days- Also really enjoying the Sangiovese coming from the Molise region also – very rustic wines and great prices-

  • Anonymous

    Thank you very much 😉

  • I buy it, drink it and enjoy it. I am a fan of the old world, rustic style with tweaky acidity.

  • I drink more chianti than any other wine and I don’t really know why I just love it.

  • Anonymous

    Almost threw his arm out of socket patting himself on the back! ;-]

  • Alex Truelove

    Gary, I’m also disappointed with where Chianti seems to be. I used to live near a great little BYOB Italian place, and I’d see people bringing random new world wines that probably pair terribly with oven-baked pizza or homemade pasta. I know a great Chianti would probably blow them away in comparison, but I have a hard to finding ones under $20 that I’d even feel comfortable recommending (RECOMMENDATIONS WELCOME, VAYNIACS). Hence, I’ve been exploring other Italian varietals more recently.

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: I haven’t been able to find a reasonably priced Chianti that I enjoy, so I tend not to buy them. I think Kahuna’s got the right idea.

  • Anonymous

    I’m with you. Like any varietial, there are some pretty vile wines out there with “Chianti” on the label, but there are some that are outstanding. Like every other region in the world, the really great producers are not cheap. As for blending, this is allowed under Italian law (as it is in California), and in some cases, especially the cheaper bottlings, it can marginally improve the flavor. There are a FEW domestic producers who make very good examples of this varietal (and they ain’t cheap, either), but in general, if you’re gonna drink Sangiovese, plan on buying Chianti. And unless you LIKE simple flavors, plan on spending a bit more for the best.

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