Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Nebbiolo
How Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Nebbiolo has more floral character; Cabernet Sauvignon has more herbal / green character; Nebbiolo has more earthy character.
Choose
Cabernet Sauvignon
Choose Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something more herbal and green, fruitier.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Nebbiolo is more floral: medium-plus against low.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Cabernet Sauvignon is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Nebbiolo is earthier: medium-plus against low-medium.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Nebbiolo is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Nebbiolo is more tannic and structured: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Cabernet Sauvignon is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Spice: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Cabernet Sauvignon | Nebbiolo |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, graphite, tobacco | sour cherry, rose, tar, dried herbs, truffle |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
The world’s most planted red wine grape: thick-skinned, tannic and blackcurrant-scented, and the backbone of Bordeaux’s left bank.
Grape
Nebbiolo
The grape of Barolo and Barbaresco: pale in colour, ferocious in tannin, and among the most perfumed reds in the world.
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