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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

    I used to only order Chianti when going out to pizza, but have switched to Primitivo. Chianti is not something I ever drink at home.

  • NJ Big Chris

    Lol. When K-Murph came in and you thought you were in trouble. Priceless.

    QOTD: Chianti (in my family) has always been a simple, easy drinking Italian food wine. My grandfather and father drank it frequently with meals and I have had many of them. They can be really bad at there worst and really pretty good at times. I have had very few of them I would rate highly. But I wouldn’t spend much on them either. I guess my Italian family kind of ruined them for me. But I still enjoy them quite a bit and I think Chianti is the best pizza and pasta with marinara wine.

  • Anonymous

    Always like the brown bag shows.
    QOTD: I don’t think I’ve ever had a good Chianti.

  • QOTD: It’s my new goto, flavor of the moment, wine.

  • Matt, a later commenter (someone with UK in the alias) points out that the book has Amarone where the movie has Chianti. Clearly, the film’s producers were hoping for a PG-13 rating.

  • DaveAll

    good show. thanks. I am seeking Chianti lately – had about 4 so far in the past 2 weeks.. so this show was nice timing. Had one with chicken Alfredo (sp?) spicy sauce, it paired nicely. Just not a great wine by it self.
    I get confused on brown paper bag shows – watching to see what is listed versus what you rate. just me, i’m sure.

  • Anonymous

    Agree with your thoughts about Chianti in general. Unless you’re talking a $40-50 bottle, I’d just as soon have a Monte Antico “Super Tuscan” for $9.

  • QOTD: Haven’t had one I’ve loved in a while. About 15 years ago I LOVED it. In fact, it might be the wine that got me looking at other wines once I moved into other Tuscan wines. I’d like to find a good one now that’s not exorbitantly priced. I really would.

  • I’m not Kahuna, but I’ll weigh in on this. To me, “rustic” means something similar to what you describe, but not in an unpleasant way. The acidity is present but not strident, the tannins are firm but not aggressive and there are some earthy tones filling out the wine’s overall profile. One example of this from my experience has been Vinsobres (at least the two of them that I’ve tried), an AOC in the Southern Rhone.

  • Anonymous

    As an Italian I shouldn’t be saying this, but Chianti never was my favorite wine. I did have some good Chianti in the past but nothing that blew my socks off. I’m still hoping to find one that makes me fall in love with this Italian classic.

  • Anonymous

    Just a note.. Chianti is a food wine just as many other Italian wines. Too high in acidity to be enjoyable without food..

  • Curls_CDN

    Oh Chianti… I think I’ve had a nice Chianti here and there, but I tend to agree that the category is a bit hit and miss and often overpriced. Quite frankly, I struggle a lot with Italian wines in general – the whole IGT vs DOC vs DOCG business it quite daunting… some iconic producers make wine under the IGT denomination and charge ridiculous prices for their wines, and some DOCG producers are churning out… for lack of a better word… plonk! Gary… I’d love to see more shows that help to debunk the perceptions and truths of Italian wines. Cheers 🙂

  • Anonymous

    Hey Allan! We are much improved, thank you, and looking forward to spring!

  • Anonymous

    Chianti Classico is going to rock in the 2006 vintage period. At the more premium levels (think Felsina Rancia, Isole E Olena Ceparello, etc at about 30-40 bucks a bottle) it will be a far better wine than most at that price point.
    Sit on it a year or two, and enjoy.
    TIme to come back to Chianti Classico.
    Also, 07 RossoDM is great now, if you can still find it.

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: Presently have been drinking other Italian varietals, but will always keep a Chianti or two in the cellar. Used to drink more Chianti’s in the past such as Villa Cafaggio and Fonterutoli. Haven’t abandoned them by any means.

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: Gary, I wholeheartedly agree with you about this. It is so frustrating to watch friends and family buy the same old same old. Though, I would like to see some less rigid blending laws (say, 80 to 85% sangiovese instead of 90%) and encourage growers to blend with grapes typically grown in other parts in Italy, such as Aglianico, Teroldego, or Negroamaro if they are looking to beef up the body of their wines instead of Cabernet/Merlot. Not to say there aren’t any good examples, but most are well over $25.

    For a similar price point, I would much rather go south to Tuscan Maremma, where the wines are much more intriguing.

  • Nice and tight show and you nailed it on the head. I have had other Berandenga vintages in the past and they were very good.

    QOTD: Ho-hum, inconsistent is my take on Chianti Classico. I love them generally but nothing has hit me lately.

    Cheers!

  • Antico is a major bargain.

  • That was yesterday’s episode I believe.

  • Alex Truelove

    Thanks MattB!

  • Anonymous

    Don’t forget,Brunello is Chianti made by strict rules. I think the problems are too many producers dumping mediocre made wine. If they make it well it can be excellent!

  • QOTD: I have drifted off Chianti a bit, but I used to like the Gran Riserva Ducale from Ruffino, it was always on the list at a local merchant and always on sale.

  • Anonymous

    Felsina is my house Chianti, hands down for years my favorite producer in this price range

  • Good concise show, Gary. I’m generally bullish on Chianti Classico. My fav is Fontodi: very elegant classy and flavorful. One that underperformed was Isole e Olena (I think the 06) so I can relate to the sketchy showing this evening.

  • Anonymous

    Couldn’t agree with you more. Overpriced for what they are, especially for the selection at my LWS. Nebbiolo brings a lot more to the table for the $, IMHO.

    John D.

  • So, you like any wines of d’arenberg?

  • John__J

    qotd: I’ve had them, but it’s certainly not a wine I seek out often. For the most part I haven’t been that bowled over by them. Plus there’s way too many Italian grapes out there that fit the bill better than a Chianti at a better price.

  • enjoying 2007 Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico Fonterutoli — inexpensive — good Thursday kinda wine got it from Hooked on Wine: http://ow.ly/3PjSq – yeah they’re in Washington State — was buying Pinot and looking to round out a box…worked out good

  • John__J

    And keep those blind shows coming Gary

  • Pirata Cofresi

    Great show bro! I had, from your thoughts put them in that order as well, before you unveiled. Short and sweet as expectations and anxiety starts setting in for the BIG 1K episode!

    QOTD: I am a huge chianti classico fan. I have been there 3 times and visited most of the top producers. In my humble opinion, the best producers are Fontodi, Fonterutoli, Felsina, Isole e Olena, Villa Cafaggio, Antinori and Castello di Brolio. Very familiar with the DOCG and I have in the past few weeks had some excellent ones, like: 2006 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico and the Castello(Riserva), 2007 Siepi also from Fonterutoli, 2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico, 2007 Vigna del Sorbo and the fabulous (not really ready to drink yet) Flaccianello della Pieve and the 2005 Felsina Riserva Rancia was phenomenal e buonissimo!

    Ciao il mio amico!

  • Mauricio Rauld

    I associate Chianti with really cheap (jug) wine that they serve at those Italian family restaurants. Should probably seek out some higher quality ones, although much more interested in other areas of Italy right now. BTW, is the Thunder Cruise ever coming back?

  • Anonymous

    I struggle when ordering chianti off the list at a restaurant – price points can be very deceiving and I can’t say I’m comfortable yet with my wine knowledge in this area. Thanks for doing this episode!

  • QOTD: Nothing never had it no knowledge…

  • QOTD: I have not been a fan of Chianti because I don’t like how bland Sangiovese is on the nose and on the palate. I only start enjoying it when it IS blended. However, I do like Sangiovese from the Washington State area. I know this probably reflects my palate still being somewhat immature but it is what it is.

    Phil Anderson

    http://www.generalwinethoughts.com

    P.S. I am sending these links where you are reviewing Italian wines to my daughter who is in Italy for three months and has a wine and food pairing class. She is young and wanting to learn about wine. She is writing a blog at http://ciaobellllla.blogspot.com/ and I am quite impressed at her writing ability. Thought I would let you know.

    PA

  • Jeff, isn’t Primitivo one of the best values right now? We use it as our house Red because it is so easy to drink and I can get a magnum for around ten bones!

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: I really like both styles of Chianti. It depends upon what type of food I’m eating. Italian I’d go with the old world style and with a steak I’d go with the new world style. New world like the Brolio is actually liked a little more than the Old world styles like Querceto by most people at the tastings that I do for the public. (I’m at Wine Rep for restaurants)

  • Don Simpson

    Tight show but meh wines.

    QOTD: I drank a lot of Sangiovese when I first got into wine so I definitely enjoy the varietal, but… I’ve also been underwhelmed by Chianti over the past several years. In fact, I think I bought maybe 1 bottle of Chianti in 2010 and only because it was highly recommended at the wine shop. I was not impressed. I will give it a PAZZZZ for now.

  • Bummed they didn’t bring the THUNDER…

    QOTD: I drink Chianti quite often… pasta freak… I never get a bad bottle from Fontodi, my go to producer… Antinori Peppoli is good as well…

  • Anonymous

    As I recall this is the second or third episode where Chianti has struck out or at best a weak grounder that does not impress. I have tried a few and find them to be one dimensional. Not bad but nothing to write home about. Maybe one day there will be one that can least get to second base.

  • Have to say it has been a while since I had a Chianti that I really enjoyed and felt was worth the $$. It seems like they are resting on some enviable cache. Interesting because I can’t think of another region that enjoys something similar. Bordeaux perhaps but very different category. Kinda of a shame because with today’s technology they could be creating some incredible wine.

  • BuffaloLou

    QotD: Really haven’t had a Chianti I liked, and I do agree with GV that it’s an overpriced wine, in general. I hope to find one I like…

  • Indeed! Just read an interesting blog about Robert P struggling in a blind event. Love the bags!!

  • Anonymous

    IMO – Chianti’s are too overrated. I keep trying them and they keep disappointing. Not worth the money….at any price.

    Love the brown bag shows!

  • Yeah Primitivo is definitely great value

  • Playing devil’s advocate: (you didn’t bring up grape varieties but this is an example) if a Merlot in Tuscany tastes different than one from Pomerol and one from Washington isn’t that expressing a sense of place regardless of the non-indigenous variety? What is indigenous? How much history must an indigenous variety have to be “authentic”. I don’t know but I don’t worry so much about the variety as I do the farming: traditional and organic or even biodynamic. If the variety is farmed naturally and the varietal thrives in the transplanted locale who am I to quibble with that?

    That said, I LOVE variety and would be majorly depressed if all reds became Cab Sauv and all white Chardonnay!

  • One more comment, I promise! Gary, please educate us about the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Everyone is dissing Chianti but you drank Classico!

  • Anonymous

    QOTD – Used to like chianti when i was about 15, then I got into super tuscans and never looked back. Every once in awhile i’ll pick one up, and despite wanting to like it and hoping that it blows me away, it disappoints. They are definitely overpriced for what’s in the bottle.

  • Anonymous

    That wine #3 Is too dark to actually be Sangiovese.. boo

  • Anonymous

    I like some chanti.. like Monsanto.

  • Could you suggest a Sangiovese-Negroamaro blend?

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