In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take you into one of Italy’s most iconic wine rivalries: Barolo vs Barbaresco.

We break down everything from grape variety, regional differences, aging laws, price, aromas, palate structure, and why—despite their similarities—one of these wines consistently demands 30 to 40 percent more at retail.

And yes… we revisit the infamous first attempt at this episode, where a $500 bottle of Barolo turned out to be faulty. Cork taint. Wet cardboard. Pain.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAmb5p34Q-I&t=20s 

If you’ve ever wondered:
– Why is Barolo more expensive?
– Can you actually tell them apart in a blind tasting?
– What aromas define Nebbiolo?
– Which wine should YOU be buying?

…this is your episode.

Watch Carlos Blind Taste this Barolo before we recorded the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Sawb7Elp4&t=5s 

SPONSORS

Grays.com
Where we sourced today’s beautifully aged bottles
→ Buy well-stored, premium wine (and avoid the faulty disasters we once had)

https://www.grays.com/search/wine

RIEDEL
We are tasting from the RIEDEL Performance Pinot Noir glasses—perfect for Nebbiolo’s aromatics.

https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller

(Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off)

KEY MOMENTS & TAKEAWAYS

1. Barolo vs Barbaresco: What’s the Actual Difference?

Both wines are made from Nebbiolo, grown in Piedmont, but come from different sub-regions:


Barolo: Southwest of Alba, slightly cooler, higher altitude


Barbaresco: Northeast of Alba, warmer, more perfumed

Even though the geographical distance is small, the microclimate differences lead to two very different personalities in the glass.

2. Aging Laws That Drive the Price

Barolo DOCG


38 months aging (At least 18 months in oak)


Reserva: 62 months aging minimum (at least 18 months in oak)

Barbaresco DOCG


26 months aging (9 months in oak)


Reserva: 50 months aging (9 months in oak)

Holding wine for 3–5 years before it earns $1 dramatically affects price—and explains why Barolo is typically more expensive.

3. Appearance: What Nebbiolo Looks Like

Both wines show the classic:


Brick/rust rim


Light colour intensity


Transparent core

But today, the Barbaresco is noticeably lighter at the rim than the Barolo—something even Carlos says isn’t always the case.

4. Nose: The Aroma Clues

Barbaresco


More perfumed


More lifted red fruits


Floral (rose, dried flowers)


Slightly softer aromas

Barolo


More rustic and powerful


Leather


Tar and asphalt


Tobacco


Darker, deeper aromatics

Carlos also explains why Nebbiolo often shows “tar”—a hallmark of the grape and winemaking style.

5. Palate: Similar DNA, Different Personalities

Both wines show:


High tannin


High acidity


Elevated alcohol


Intense structure

But the Barbaresco presents as more elegant and delicate, while the Barolo pushes toward intensity, rustic tannin, and power.

As Angus puts it:

“They’re identical twins wearing different outfits.”

 

FOLLOW GOT SOMME

Instagram and TikTok: @GotSomme
Studio bookings: SessionInProgress.com.au

In this episode of&nbsp;Got Somme, Angus O&rsquo;Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take you&nbsp;into one of Italy&rsquo;s most iconic wine rivalries: Barolo vs Barbaresco.
We break down everything from grape variety, regional differences, aging laws, price, aromas, palate structure, and why&mdash;despite their similarities&mdash;one of these wines consistently demands 30 to 40 percent more at retail.
And yes&hellip; we revisit the infamous first attempt at this episode, where a $500 bottle of Barolo turned out to be faulty. Cork taint. Wet cardboard. Pain.
Watch here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAmb5p34Q-I&amp;t=20s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAmb5p34Q-I&amp;t=20s</a>&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered: &ndash; Why is Barolo more expensive? &ndash; Can you actually tell them apart in a blind tasting? &ndash; What aromas define Nebbiolo? &ndash; Which wine should YOU be buying?
&hellip;this is your episode.
Watch Carlos Blind Taste this Barolo before we recorded the episode here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Sawb7Elp4&amp;t=5s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Sawb7Elp4&amp;t=5s</a>&nbsp;
SPONSORS
Grays.com Where we sourced today&rsquo;s beautifully aged bottles &rarr; Buy well-stored, premium wine (and avoid the faulty disasters we once had)
<a href="https://www.grays.com/search/wine">https://www.grays.com/search/wine</a>
RIEDEL We are tasting from the RIEDEL Performance Pinot Noir glasses&mdash;perfect for Nebbiolo&rsquo;s aromatics.
<a href="https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller">https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller</a>
(Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off)
<hr data-start="2562" data-end="2565">
KEY MOMENTS &amp; TAKEAWAYS
1. Barolo vs Barbaresco: What&rsquo;s the Actual Difference?
Both wines are made from Nebbiolo, grown in Piedmont, but come from different sub-regions:
<ul data-start="2760" data-end="2886">
<li data-start="2760" data-end="2827">
Barolo: Southwest of Alba, slightly cooler, higher altitude
</li>
<li data-start="2828" data-end="2886">
Barbaresco: Northeast of Alba, warmer, more perfumed
</li>
</ul>
Even though the geographical distance is small, the microclimate differences lead to two very different personalities in the glass.
<hr data-start="3025" data-end="3028">
2. Aging Laws That Drive the Price
Barolo DOCG
<ul data-start="3133" data-end="3219">
<li data-start="3133" data-end="3152">
38 months aging (At least 18 months in oak)
</li>
<li data-start="3183" data-end="3219">
Reserva: 62 months aging minimum (at&nbsp;least 18 months in oak)
</li>
</ul>
Barbaresco DOCG
<ul data-start="3243" data-end="3311">
<li data-start="3243" data-end="3262">
26 months aging (9 months in oak)
</li>
<li data-start="3283" data-end="3311">
Reserva: 50 months aging (9 months in oak)
</li>
</ul>
Holding wine for 3&ndash;5 years before it earns $1 dramatically affects price&mdash;and explains why Barolo is typically more expensive.
<hr data-start="3444" data-end="3447">
3. Appearance: What Nebbiolo Looks Like
Both wines show the classic:
<ul data-start="3530" data-end="3608">
<li data-start="3530" data-end="3552">
Brick/rust rim
</li>
<li data-start="3553" data-end="3583">
Light colour intensity
</li>
<li data-start="3584" data-end="3608">
Transparent core
</li>
</ul>
But today, the Barbaresco is noticeably lighter at the rim than the Barolo&mdash;something even Carlos says isn&rsquo;t always the case.
<hr data-start="3740" data-end="3743">
4. Nose: The Aroma Clues
Barbaresco
<ul data-start="3848" data-end="3952">
<li data-start="3848" data-end="3865">
More perfumed
</li>
<li data-start="3866" data-end="3892">
More lifted red fruits
</li>
<li data-start="3893" data-end="3925">
Floral (rose, dried flowers)
</li>
<li data-start="3926" data-end="3952">
Slightly softer aromas
</li>
</ul>
Barolo
<ul data-start="3967" data-end="4068">
<li data-start="3967" data-end="3995">
More rustic and powerful
</li>
<li data-start="3996" data-end="4007">
Leather
</li>
<li data-start="4008" data-end="4027">
Tar and asphalt
</li>
<li data-start="4028" data-end="4039">
Tobacco
</li>
<li data-start="4040" data-end="4068">
Darker, deeper aromatics
</li>
</ul>
Carlos also explains why Nebbiolo often shows &ldquo;tar&rdquo;&mdash;a hallmark of the grape and winemaking style.
<hr data-start="4171" data-end="4174">
5. Palate: Similar DNA, Different Personalities
Both wines show:
<ul data-start="4253" data-end="4328">
<li data-start="4253" data-end="4268">
High tannin
</li>
<li data-start="4269" data-end="4285">
High acidity
</li>
<li data-start="4286" data-end="4306">
Elevated alcohol
</li>
<li data-start="4307" data-end="4328">
Intense structure
</li>
</ul>
But the Barbaresco presents as more elegant and delicate, while the Barolo pushes toward intensity, rustic tannin, and power.
As Angus puts it:
<blockquote data-start="4493" data-end="4547">
&ldquo;They&rsquo;re identical twins wearing different outfits.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="4549" data-end="4552">
&nbsp;
FOLLOW GOT SOMME
Instagram and TikTok:&nbsp;@GotSomme Studio bookings: SessionInProgress.com.au

'Got Somme' is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in their glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.

We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. Carlos will aim to teach radio announcer and novice wine enthusiast Angus O'Loughlin how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over. 

Fully accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing with each episode filmed and posted online with captions at Got Somme

Cheers 🍇 

'Got Somme' is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in their glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.
We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. Carlos will aim to teach radio announcer and novice wine enthusiast Angus O'Loughlin how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over. 
Fully accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing with each episode filmed and posted online with captions at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme/">Got Somme</a>
Cheers 🍇

Wine Podcasts for enthusiasts hosted by a Master Sommelier 🍷

Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

Got Somme is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in the glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.

We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. 

Carlos will aim to teach a novice wine enthusiast Angus how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over.

Fully accessible for people who are hard of hearing or deaf with each episode being filmed and posted on Instagram @GotSomme and YouTube with captions.

Got Somme is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in the glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.
We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. 
Carlos will aim to teach a novice wine enthusiast Angus how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over.
Fully accessible for people who are hard of hearing or deaf with each episode being filmed and posted on Instagram @GotSomme and YouTube with captions.