Compare › Nebbiolo vs Sangiovese
Nebbiolo vs Sangiovese
Nebbiolo has more body (full vs medium); Nebbiolo has more tannin (very firm vs firm); similar acidity. Both are usually dry.
| Nebbiolo | Sangiovese | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | red | red |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | full | medium |
| tannin | very firm | firm |
| acidity | very high | very high |
| oak | little | some |
| Aromas | rose, tar, red cherry, cranberry, dried herbs | red cherry, sour cherry, plum, dried herbs, tomato leaf |
| Classic regions | Barolo; Barbaresco; Langhe / Roero / Gattinara | Chianti Classico; Brunello di Montalcino; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano |
| Food | braised beef, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto, aged hard cheese, game | tomato-based pasta, pizza, bistecca, salami, roast pork |
| Beginner-friendly | less so | less so |
Which should you buy?
Choose Nebbiolo if you want full body with very firm tannins and rose, tar, red cherry; it suits braised beef, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto. Choose Sangiovese for medium body, firm tannins and red cherry, sour cherry, plum; it suits tomato-based pasta, pizza, bistecca.
Top Nebbiolo
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2020 Luciano Sandrone · Piedmont | £101.62 | |||
| Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi 2020 Pio Cesare · Piedmont | £118.84 | |||
| Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2021 Bartolo Mascarello · Piedmont | £234.64 | |||
| Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montefico 2021 Produttori del Barbaresco · Piedmont | £53.29 | |||
| Ca' del Baio Barbaresco Asili Riserva 2020 Ca' del Baio · Piedmont | £75.47 | |||
| Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin 2018 Domenico Clerico · Piedmont | £98.77 |
Top Sangiovese
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Pianrosso Santa Caterina d’Oro Riserva 2019 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona · Tuscany | £102.00 | |||
| Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2021 Valdicava · Tuscany | £80.76 | |||
| Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Pianrosso Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona · Tuscany | £53.34 | |||
| Mazzei Siepi 2023 Mazzei · Tuscany | £75.62 | |||
| Siro Pacenti Vecchie Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2021 Siro Pacenti · Tuscany | £84.98 | |||
| Siro Pacenti Vecchie Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2017 Siro Pacenti · Tuscany | £92.59 |