24 Responses

1. March 30, 2006

   Jester

   Well, the first logical question for any wine buyer would be “What are the wines in the 6-pack?”. Tasting along with the video sounds great, but I’m not going to simply fork out cash for wines about which I will know absolutely nothing until they arrive. I could have tried and hated 4 of the 6 wines already. I know that you are marketing this to many people new to the wine world, but I think you could also include more of the wine saavy buyers if you at least listed the wines that we would be buying. Actually, I’m somewhat insulted that you didn’t even bother to tell us what they were in the first place since it pretty much insinuates that most of your buyers are far too ignorant to have any prior knowledge of the included wines. So, in essence, they are not buying the wine so much as they are buying the chance to learn about the wine by watching the video. I know that many of the people who shop online at WineLibrary and watch these video blogs are beginners in the wine world, as evidenced by many of the good, but obviously inexperienced, questions asked in the comments section of each video. However, keep in mind that there are many of us out here who watch these videos, not for the knowledge that we glean from each episode, but simply for enjoyment and to hear another person’s individual tastes and preferences regarding a variety of wines. So, as someone who is likely fairly, if not extremely, familiar with most of the wines offered in this 6-pack already, I hope that if you are going to make offers like this in the future, that you please include the vintage and producer so that some of us might make an informed decision about whether we want to buy the wine and not the lesson. I hope I’m not coming off too harsh. I think the video blog is a great idea and I also think that selling wine to taste in conjunction with the video is a great idea, as well. I know that $126 is not much, but I just think its somewhat pretentious to ask people to buy these wines and not even list what is it that they are buying. Good luck to you in the future and keep up the good, fun work!

2. March 30, 2006

   garyv

   Jetser I see your point. I think I just wanted it to be fun and a surprise. I got carried away and I apologize! I promise that the wines are all very interesting and in the future we will show the wines.

3. March 30, 2006

   Adam

   Gary, c’mon… I don’t think an apology is necessary. What are you sorry for? Some people like the idea, some people don’t… you don’t have to apologize for the people that don’t. I didn’t participate because, what will I do with the bottles after the tasting? Oh wait… a party. Alright, great idea!

4. March 30, 2006

   W

   Gary,

   The blind $126 bundle is a great, fun, promotional hook for your show. It is original, intriguing, and does not need an apology. I think it could have been enhanced by perhaps listing the varietals or perhaps details on the mystery bottles like (all are 90 pt wines or better)which might have encouraged more people to join in the fun. Right now, it is a big leap of faith. Would love to know how many people participated and actually made the purchase. The success of it c

   I think you can do a version of this where you disclose the wine ahead of time, but that’s just a different approach. Keep giving us your natural style, enthusiasm and heartfelt critiques and we’ll keep tuning in.

   All the best!
   W – http://winecentric.blogspot.com

5. March 30, 2006

   Jester

   I wasn’t asking for an apology at all. I think Gary seems like a great guy and I personally love this website and am thrilled with the idea of a video blog concerning wine tasting. It isn’t that I don’t like the idea. As I said, I think it is a great idea. I just think it is logical and would be more productive if the actual names of the wines were included. In fact, if you can go ahead and list the names now, I’m sure there are a few people who will buy a 6-pack now…….myself included. Thanks!

6. April 3, 2006

   Tony

   I have been a faithful viewer of the vblog for several weeks and introduced my wife to it last week and we have been enjoying it together. We ordered the 6 pack along with some other bottles last week. We considered the point that we were buying blind and not even sure if these were wines we would pick independently but quite honestly that was not our primary concern. If it was we would have waited until after the shows posted and purchased this wines through the WL or locally. We have come through previous purchases or through the web site to have enough confidence in how our taste is calibrated against Gary’s to view this as a fun and interactive tasting event that we wanted to be part of. Also, I must say in complement to Gary and the WL team, this blog does not come across at all as a commercial attempt to sell more wine at the WL but is extraordinarily independent and educational. I have marveled at how little direct commerce has entered this blog and that has added a great deal of credibility to the program. It is along with other satisfied purchases which added to our confidence in the 40 % value we were receiving. We cannot wait until our order arrives and are looking forward to future special purchases for the bllog community. Keep up the great work.

   BTW on other topics:
   I think that describing the colors works best, at least as what I could expect to view on my screen
   I vote to keep spitting

7. April 3, 2006

   Tony

   Can you let us know how many of us are participating in the blind tasting?

8. April 4, 2006

   garyv

   112

9. April 4, 2006

   DaBear

   Gary,

   Jester is right, WL should have what wines are being offered on the 6pack order link. Also,
   in the vblog, how about a couple of seconds focusing on what will be discussed in future episodes. Lastly, will you be doing a episode on local wineries in NJ/NY/PA? Or a general guide to the wineries in the Mid Atlantic region or the New England area?

10. September 21, 2006

    Brandon M

    Gary…I think you should do the blind tasting…some, like JEster will never fork out the cash to do it, but some (Like me), in the interest of refining our palettes will jump on the chance.

    It may be the mood I’m in, but I may be getting a little bored with Napa Cab.
    I reserve the right to retract this statement at any time.

    B

11. October 1, 2006

    Mike F.

    Napa shnappa! One day I’ll have the patience to seek out the gems that are worth the Napa price tag. Not today though. I’ve had too many Napa offerings that just weren’t that special. When I have more patience (and money) I’ll re-visit Napa.

12. June 1, 2007

    David Canada

    Had a 2001 Dominus a couple of weeks back and really quite loved it but am not sure about the QPR’s on these wines anymore. I think I can find better Bordeaux for half the price most of the time. Clerc Milon, Domain De Chevalier for example routinely kill some serious Napa cabs in tastings for me. What do you think?

13. June 7, 2007

    vibemore

    Napa Cabernets…mmm. I think you should bring back the “buy beforehand taste with me” 6-pack and have the wines last over the course of a week (which is maybe what you have already done in the past). If I could pre-order a six pack and then plan on opening one of them a day that would be killer. Make sure to also include how long they should be open before the tasting. Thanking thee.

14. August 18, 2007

    carol troy

    FYI

    Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Announces
    “Celebrate Sustainability”, 5th Annual Benefit and Auction

    Napa, CA – On Saturday, August 18th, 2007 the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group (NSWG) is staging its 5th Annual Benefit and Auction at the Silverado Resort, located at 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa Valley. The event runs from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and features wine tasting from sustainably farmed grapes and a gourmet sustainable dinner buffet prepared by Silverado Resort’s Executive Chef Peter Pahk, recipient of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival’s Peoples’ Choice Award (2006 & 2005) and the Critic’s Choice Award 2006. Also enjoy educational exhibits of sustainable agriculture and local environmental efforts , a superb silent auction, and live music featuring Lauralee Brown & Company..

    Proceeds of the event will support NSWG’s educational outreach, annual English and Spanish speaking workshops and publications promoting sustainable agriculture locally and nationwide. Advance ticket purchase $70, or $ 80 at the door. Children under 10 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.nswg.org, and at http://www.Localwineevents.com. Or contact Astrid Bock-Foster at 707-252-4188 x113. Tickets can also be purchased at Umpqua Bank at the main branch in Napa. Get your tickets early, this event will sell out.

    Enjoy wine tasting from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. All wines are produced from organic and/or sustainably farmed vineyards, from some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious growers and vintners. The sustainable and organic gourmet dinner buffet will be served from 7:00pm until 9:00 pm. An extraordinary silent auction featuring rare wines and related offerings from Napa Valley’s most celebrated producers is a must for wine collectors.

    NSWG was formed in 1995 by a group of winegrowers and local agencies to identify and promote winegrowing practices that are economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound. Specifically, NSWG promotes viticultural land stewardship through educational outreach. NSWG has been true to its mission and successfully promoting sustainable agriculture for over 10 years. For more information on the group, its activities and publications, visit the NSWG website at http://www.nswg.org.

    For information: http://www.nswg.org or
    Contact: Astrid Bock-Foster, nswg@naparcd.org
    Phone: (707) 252-4188 x113
    # # #

15. August 30, 2007

    WA Ambassador

    I’m sorry that I didn’t find this site sooner such that I could participate in this tasting. This is just the thing that I have wanted to do, taste a wine with somebody that knows more about wine than I do to help me train my palate. I’ll look forward to more of these in the future.

16. November 7, 2007

    Alos Diallo

    This is great to know because I was going to buy the stags leap haha! Thanks Gary

17. December 7, 2007

    Linda Blakely

    My husband and I were fortunate to be able to visit Kuleto Estate last year on a tour of Napa. We got to have lunch with Dave Lattin, the winemaker, and taste several of the wines. I agree 100% that the cab is great!

18. February 3, 2008

    The Fanjestic

    I’ll have to seak out the Norton Ridge – never seen their wines in Kansas City.

19. February 28, 2008

    Dale Cruse

    Gary is definitely loosening up at this point.

20. July 8, 2008

    Dan Leavy

    cool start to the blind pack offers

    word 22 “one”

21. October 9, 2008

    san diego car insurance company

    san diego car insurance company…

    inaugurate:pouts installers …

22. November 6, 2008

    Yimosan

    Gary,

    I am with you on the Artemis, I bought it a while back and was very disappointed in the effort, no length whatsoever…kinda diluted actually; as to the nose,I think Welch grape juice has more bouquet.

    I wish I had watched this episode before I spent the $30 something bones!

23. July 6, 2009

    Tom A.

    I live about an hour away from Napa Valley, it’s really great. It’s sort of like California’s slice of Italy.

24. September 13, 2009

    John J.

    Great episode Gary. I love when you do tastings like these and rate them at the end. It’s surprising for me to see a wine like stag’s leap artemis which is pretty well known, and the most expensive of the bunch, score they way it did. Especially in comparison to the rest. Would love to see a tasting on Napa’s long forgotten, junkyard dog it seems, charbono. A grape which deserves a bit more exposure.

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