We’re going to the boot! Join Somm School Insider host and sommelier-in-training Carole Mac on a trip to one of the most extraordinary wine destinations—Italy.
In episode five, Carole dives into the country’s three noble grapes: Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Aglianico, some of the highest quality grapes in the world. Yannick Benjamin, Head Sommelier of New York City’s University Club and Co-founder of Wheeling Forward, teaches us about what makes them so special and leads Carole in a game to blind taste her way through wines made with each grape. Here’s a little cheat sheet:
Nebbiolo, from Northern Italy. The age-worthy grape found in Barolo and Barbaresco. Rose petal, tar, black licorice, and cherries. High acidity, good amount of tannins, and a slight orange hue.
Sangiovese, from Central Italy. Makes wine like Chianti Classico, Chianti, and Brunello di Montalcino. Notes of tomato, tarragon, black cherry, fennel and leather. Earthy and translucent in the glass.
Aglianico, from Southern Italy. Its wines are full of rusticity, smokiness, depth and spiciness. Think wood, beef jerky, raisins, dates, and prunes, and a pretty dark purple color.
Can Carole identify these wines? Can you? Next up, we take you to the New World to sip wines from the US, New Zealand, Chile and beyond. Sign up here to get notified when it comes out! We will be releasing all seven episodes over the next few months.
Series glassware provided by Stölzle USA.