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I have used the following glass in this video:
SPIEGELAU Hi-Lite Universal Glass – Get it here: https://www.spiegelau.com/en/shop/hi-lite/universal-glass-1750161?mtm_campaign=2025_cont_ec_baum20&mtm_source=ig&mtm_medium=afp&mtm_content=workshop&mtm_group=bgw&mtm_placement=link
I have tasted the following wines in this Video:
2022 Feudi di San Gregorio Cutizzi, Greco di Tufo DOCG, Italy
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/feudi+di+st+gregorio+cutizzi+greco+tufo+docg+campania+italy/2022?referring_site=KSB
2022 Chateau de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc, France
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/de+beaucastel+coudoulet+blanc+cote+du+rhone+france/2022?referring_site=KSB
2023 Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/pieropan+la+rocca+soave+cls+veneto+italy/2023?referring_site=KSB
2023 Chateau Lafitte Sec, Jurancon, France
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/lafitte+sec+jurancon+south+west+france/2023?referring_site=KSB
2024 Jermann ‘Vinnae’ Servus Cella Ribolla Gialla Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/jerman+vinnae+servus+cella+ribolla+gialla+friuli+venezia+giulia+igp+italy/2024?referring_site=USB
2021 Castro Ventosa ‘El Castro de Valtuille’ Godello, Bierzo, Spain
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/castro+ventosa+el+de+valtuille+godello+bierzo+castilla+y+leon+spain/2021?referring_site=KSB
2018 Ivan Katunar Zlahtina Ambra, Croatia
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/ivan+katunar+zlahtina+ambra+croatia/2018?referring_site=KSB
I use this wine key: Forge de Laguiole Ebony
The 100 Point Scoring System (from www.robertparker.com):
96-100: An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume.
90 – 95: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
80 – 89: A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
70 – 79: An average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
60 – 69: A below-average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor or possibly dirty aromas or flavors.
50 – 59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.
What is your favorite grape variety? I get that question A LOT. My answer is usually: My latest discovery. That grape variety I recently came across, that blew me away. There are many grape varieties on this planet, but most people focus on a few well-known ones: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, etc
Those are usually the safe choices: the varieties that deliver what you expect. But if you keep an open mind—if you’re willing to experiment and venture beyond the safe shores—you’ll discover other grape varieties that may surprise and delight you.
You’ll also find wines that cost less than the well-known, premium grape varieties, as even the finest examples of these underdog grapes are often still surprisingly affordable.
I asked my team to buy exciting white wines that taste delicious and are made from lesser-known varieties. Let’s dive into the ocean of unknown varietals …
25 Comments
personally I love fiano and also some rieslings (for instance Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Trocken Gelblack).
The Pieropan is delicious! My local wine store carries it, and it's a banger for the price.
I just came back from Le Marche and I have become a huge fan of its verdicchios. The Castelli de Jesi DOC might be quite well known, but the verdicchios from the lesser known and much smaller Matelica DOC are in my opinion often better. Absolutely delicious and almost insanely cheap (the one my local wine shop offers – from Tenuta Colpaola – is great and retails for slightly less than 14 euro).
Kindred spirit here. Love ribolla gialla, still and as a brut spumante.
Blatterle ✌!
Back to the basement —- love it!
As you said, Godello is delicious! The 2020 Bodegas Vilano La Baraja Godello was my first time with this varietal (I know this thanks to Vivino 😁). I'm hoping an underrated red wine video is in the works – maybe including Saperavi, Rară Neagră, and Rubin? 🍷🥂
Picpoul! The example I’ve had, had a buttered popcorn thing going on. So good.
Based on your impressions, I'm going to need to try a Soave. I don't know about availability in the US, but I'm sure it's out there. I would really enjoy a video on Spanish Whites. I sampled a white from the Basque region, and also from Galacia, both were phenomenal. Thanks for another wonderful video.
Favorite unknown white: hands down, it's Treixadura from Spain, as exemplified by Vina Mein (yes, it's a blend, mostly Treixadura). Even my wife, who only likes chardonnay, thought this was the best white ever! But you're right that Italy has an essentially infinite number of obscure white varietals to explore, and I'm still working on that.
Favorite lesser known white wine grape are Torrontes from South America 😊
Definitely knew one of those wines.
Pieropan La Rocca is such a great value for its high quality and elegant, fresh flavor.
My pick is Listan Negro. Fuentes del Marques does an absolutely stunning job with it.
Mencia and Godello are two grape varietes that deserve a whole episode by themselves
Kisi Georgian orange wines are my jam!
I like wines made from Aglianico of Italy and Tavkveri from Georgia – talking about red wines.
Fie gris, dry Furmint, Orange Traub, Bianchello, I've been geeking out on these varietals lately!
Aragonez and Trincadeira
Recently had an Schiava from Alto Adige in northern Italy, from 90 year old vines, and it was stunning, tonnes of crunchy strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and some incredible flinty, smoky minerality, so fresh and bright, really opened my eyes
I love Ribolla Gialla. To the list, I'd add Carricante from Sicily. 😊
15:40 yes I agree natural wines can all sorta taste similar.
Soave should be very nice and high quality otherwise it is below average wines.
Please include the prices in all your presentations
Until recently I used to live in Verona so it's weird to consider Garganega an underrated wine.
Pieropan makes two "cru" Soaves: La Rocca and Calvarino. La Rocca is more oaky and smooth, Calvarino is more fruity and acidic – that's the one you want if you prefer that.
There are other very good producers in Soave, my favorites are Soavia, Zambon and Inama (but Inama goes a bit crazy with prices of some bottles).