Episode #49: Today Gary goes to South Africa.

June 7, 2006

2004 Dornier Donatus White

Watch today as Gary Vaynerchuck tastes an up and coming South African white wine.

14 Responses

  1. June 7, 2006

    GeneV

    Hmm…., this is an interesting Gary vs. the Wine Spectator test. WS rated this a miserly 78. I wish I were near enough to the Wine Library to pick up a single bottle to try it out.

  2. June 8, 2006

    Sam Zen

    Ditto.

  3. June 8, 2006

    gary

    I got this one WON! :)

  4. June 8, 2006

    Bruce

    Hi Gary,

    Glad you mentioned at the end that this wine would go well with Thai food. I have found that wines similar to this, which are blended white wines, like Conundrum, are great with Thai food!
    I look forward to the episodes about Spain!!

  5. June 10, 2006

    GeneV

    WS consistently underrates Albarinos–even compared to other reviewers–so it is not inconceivable that they are missing the boat on this summer white as well.

  6. June 13, 2006

    Jon

    Bruce — interesting that you mention the Conundrum. That was immediately the wine that sprang to mind (I believe Chenin Blanc and Semillon are the primary grapes in it as well). If this compares well with it, I would definitely be interested in trying.

    As an aside, while at BLT Fish talking with the Sommelier, we mentioned that we very much liked the Conondrum (which they had) but were interested in trying something new. She pointed us to a Westerly W Blanc, which was excellent (similar price point to Conundrum). Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find the wine anywhere for sale — WL has their Sauvignon Blanc (I believe), but none of their other wines…

    Gary — have you tried any of the other Westerly wines and will you carry any others?

  7. June 14, 2006

    Julius

    Gary – I have a couple of questions about this wine. Is the wine blended before or after barrel aging and since there is a dominance of apple do any of the varietals undergo partial or complete malolactic fermentation?

  8. July 21, 2006

    Raphael Dornier

    Reply for Julius
    The wine is blended after fermentation. Chenin undergoes malo.
    RD

  9. September 25, 2006

    Brandon M

    I only get Spectator for the wine news these days. They seem to miss the boat on a lot more than Albarinos. After the Georges De Latour drubbing, I lost all respect for the system. It’s unfortunate that many wineries fortune or lack there of hinges on a couple of rating from a handful of tasters.

    B

  10. June 26, 2007

    David Canada

    I have had a few whites…mostly chenin and they have been great wines.

  11. August 31, 2007

    WA Ambassador

    I found it interesting that you thought that this would go well with Thai food. That’s usually some strong food, especially if you get it Thai hot (as opposed to only 5-star). I may have to try that sometime.

  12. February 9, 2008

    The Fanjestic

    Quick episode – South African White gets it’s own show. Pretty cool. It’s weird to see old episodes that are this quick with only one wine tasted. The Vayniacs would riot – but maybe one episode a week like this would help you and not be so frustrating.

  13. March 3, 2008

    yowens

    QOTD: why is Gary so reserved in this episode?

  14. July 9, 2008

    Dan Leavy

    word 49 “started”

Leave a Reply