German wines and the Rieslings that make them.

German wines and the Rieslings that make them. – Episode #70

August 14, 2006

2004 Von Hovel Qba Riesling

2004 Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett

2003 Johann Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese

2004 St.urbans Hof Ockfener Bockstein Auslese Riesling

Today Gary talks about the QMP,QBA and many other things that have to do with German wines. Watch as Gary goes through the wines and gives you his thoughts.

86 Responses

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August 14, 2006

Wino4Life
Nobody mentioned TANZER….he is v solid….he never over-rates & there is something to be said for that…….so many times WS gives 95-98 pts & Gambero Rosso will give only Due Bicchiere……..it is all subjective as we all know….
August 14, 2006

WLTV Fan
least favorite reviewer, by FAR james suckling. his last name says it all. Does he even like old world wines? it seems he avoids tasting so many kinds of Italian wines outside of the “big b’s” and super-tuscans. I really feel like he causes his readers to miss out on a lot of wines that would give a “true” taste of Italian wine making.
August 14, 2006

Bill Nelson
Gary,

Thank you for the educational episode today although the best advise was not to take wine or life too seriously! I thought it was great the way everyone turned the comments after episode 69 into a wine chat room. Mary should be pleased! You have become my favorite reviewer; my least favorite would be Wilfred Wong; he seems not yet to have found a wine he doesn’t like. Thanks again for the great episode today!
August 14, 2006

cgf
Dear Gary Somberchuk,
Great episode! I hope your solemnity was a result of being tired and still feeling the effects from the weekend, and not because some people can’t take a joke from a service that is free and highly valuable.
I love rieslings. I got introduced to this grape going to school in the finger lakes, and have recently been exploring german and alsatian ones.
Question: Do the ripeness levels of the german classification system correspond to the residual sugar levels in the wines? Does it follow logically that if they pick later when the grapes are riper, that the sugar levels are higher, and therefore the residual sugars are higher as you go from kabinett to tBa?
Favorite reviewer: I like reading all of them. While the numbers can be misleading, reading the tasting note really helps me figure out the style of the wine i am buying. That is why it is so fun watching you drink and describe a wine firsthand, because i feel like i know exactly what im buying.
ALSO, the fact that your store includes the tasting note of that bottle under the wine instead of most stores that just say RP90 or WS92, is great.
Keep up the great work! and have some more fun tomorrow!
August 14, 2006

garyv
Stew- I will I will answer 4 to 5 questions per episode, I just skipped it today, will be back answering tomorrow!
August 14, 2006

JohnM
Juck’em if they can’t take a foke. I was looking forward to the topic when you announced it 69, but the progress bar moved so quickly, I knew something was up. Still look forward tot he aging episode. Today’s was a great episode – learned a lot and will look to try a German Riesling, although all my experiences so far have been mediocre. I trust your ratings most, because you give the commentary that allows me to listen for what I enjoy. Least, Parker on general principles – I don’t think the 100 point scale has been beneficial, merely artificial.
August 14, 2006

Cesar
That was a serious episode, I ‘ll have to watch that a couple of times to digest that info. You taught me something new. I conciderd Reisling to be desert wines and all of them sweet and expensive, at least the good ones and they were from what I’ve experienced. I’ll have to try some of the reasonably priced dryer Reislings.

I enjoy reading about wines, I like WS, Laube, and Suckling, and Robinson and I’m psyched to find new writers , I hadn’t heard of Zraly. But I don’t buy on ratings as you suggest. I go to saturday afternoon tastings at different wine shops, taste and buy if I like. Or I buy on someones’ recommendation I respect.
August 14, 2006

Diego de la PeÃ±a
dont worry gary, you looked somewhat depressed today
hope to see happy gary tomorrow and forever :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
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August 14, 2006

Stew
Hey Gary. Very informative segment. Got a question. You said to post all questions here and not e-mail you with them anymore since you will not respond. However it seems that you have not been responding to the questions posted here either (at least not for the past 2 episodes). What’s up?
August 14, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Another fabulous episode!
Thanks again for all of the education. I have never tried German wines, but I will soon!
My favorite wine reviewer is you!
My least favorite is anyone at Wine Spectator. Wine Spectator is TOO SERIOUS!
Please keep up all of the fantastic work on the podcasts and everything you do for Wine Library!:)
August 14, 2006

Adam
I would have to say my favorite critic is James Suckling. I don’t think he inflates his scores as most of the others do. Also, he just comes across as an honest and “regular” guy.
My least favorite has to be Robert Parker; only due to the fact he has priced me out of tons of wines I used to buy at reasonable prices. Now, anything he rates over 90 points for more than a year automatically goes up in price by at least 50%-75%, sometimes the price actually doubles in less than a year.
Keep up the good work Gary!
August 14, 2006

Chris Coffey
Great episode!

Favorite critic – Rovani
Least Favorite – J. Robinson for California
August 14, 2006

TimF
Gary – Great episode. Great job educating us on German wine today. My favorite reviewer of wine is myself. I read as much as I can but put little stock in what other people like and dislike. I very, very rarely have a bottle of wine I don’t like. The reason I do like to read what reviewers have to say is that it pushes me in different directions, pulling me out of a rut now and again. I’ve been buying Chilean Sauvignon Blancs like crazy this summer because of a WSJ article a couple of months ago. I would never have tried a Chilean SB if it weren’t for them.
August 14, 2006

elron
Yeah Gar, don’t take the last episode comments to heart. I think some people were ribbing you back for clowning on Friday(although, it might be hard to tell when it’s written). Like some suggested, be yourself. Still love the show!
August 14, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
wow, you sounded bummed today….sorry you received so much negativity over the weekend….cheer up buddy! as far as my favorite reviewer it would have to be gary vaynerchuk….not to blow smoke up your butt….just really, i think you like the same styles and tastes that i do, so i find that when you rate something well, i tend to like it….i don’t know many other reviewers, but tanzer seems good for my tastes as well…
like i said, keep you head up…great episode, but honestly….too somber! cheer up, get loose again….thanks gary for what you are doing!
August 14, 2006

Rich S
Gary,

Definitely don’t take people’s comments so seriously. Even though I was a little disappointed, I still thought it was pretty funny.

I loved the Riesling episode as Riesling is by far my favorite white varietal. Good stuff!!!
August 14, 2006

Karen
i enjoy your approach, i enjoy reading zraly’s stuff on wine. both are educators, i ignore the number systems, they seem to be relatively meaningless. and for both you and zraly the message seems to be “try it for yourself and enjoy”. anyone who can make me think about wines using such original and frank communication has my vote, so as glib as it will sound, that makes you my favourite. where else can i ignore the number and still come away with the crazy taste metaphors that always surprise me when i find that you were right?

i enjoyed friday’s vid. truly, i laughed out loud. curmudgeons are everywhere. this is a public vlog afterall…when you start making us pay for this service then they may have a right to complain.

and i enjoyed today’s vid. i’m learning a lot still. i’m confident that you’re finding your voice. it’s perfect to start us off easy with broad terms about how riesling is categorized. later you can get more specific. one suggestion: you’re a teacher now gary so you have to start organizing your growing curriculum so we have easy reference back or a starting point for someone new who comes in and needs some background when you do get into specifics…..so maybe your web page maintenance person/custodian could come up with a new category search rather than this ever sprawling mess to the left of this comment?
August 14, 2006

Jaye
By the way — awful pronunciation (I’m german). If you ever need help with those german pronunciations, let me know. Good try though!
August 14, 2006

Jaye
Hi Gary,

Did I think episode 69 was your finest hour? No. Did I still “get it” and understand you were trying to be light-hearted and just have fun with your WLTV family? Yes. Poo poos to all those people who took the wind out of your sails. I would love to see happy Gary back tomorrow!

Anyway, German Riesling rocks (as one might gather from my 82 bottles of various varieties in my cellar). Love, love, love it. And will now have 88 bottles since I just bought 6 of the Kabinetts you reviewed. $10.99 is an AMAZING price! I know that wine retails at $20.

As far as reviews go, I like James Suckling for Italian wines and Bordeaux. And I have been very satisfied with your picks. I stay very far away from any Parker 90 point picks under $25, I have just been so dissatisfied. I usually look for “consensus” when I buy wines on futures, and otherwise I listen to what you suggest, as well as a few other key local wine merchants.

Stay strong Gary — there are so many out there who love what you do!

Jaye
August 14, 2006

NATURA
Thanks a lot for the insight into these wines.
This helps me a lot!

Don’t worry about the bad comments of the last show.
This only shows how much they enjoy to watch you tasting wine!

Best reviewer? The guy who seems to have no plants in his working room.
August 14, 2006

johnb
i just want to say that i thought episode #69 was funny.

this episode was very informative and definitely cleared up some things as far as classifications go. thank you.
August 14, 2006

K Spengler
….by the way..your the best reviewer ever…honest…
August 14, 2006

K Spengler
Unbelieveable. I was shocked at the apparent negative reaction to your last episode. How pompous can some people be? Your blog is an educational, fun, enlightening OPTION for people to enjoy or not to enjoy. But to berate you for your style is ludicrous.

Lighten up people. Gary hit the nail on the head. Wine and it’s experiences are to be unique and fun….shut up and enjoy.
August 14, 2006

Jim J.
Gary:

Great stuff, again. I learned a ton today.

I always thought that appreciation of wine went hand in hand with a sense of humor. Going to have to rethink that one . . .

Favorite reviewer — you (for presentation — haven’t tasted anything you’ve liked yet); Parker for cabs and merlots; Laube for pinots.
August 14, 2006

Brandon M
Are you kidding me? WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! This is a free service. Gary….don’t get so serious, it has been a great ride for 68 episodes and I don’t think ANYONE should dictate how you do your show? If they are going to start, then you should have signed the TV deal!

I miss the light hearted, ram it down your throat Gary!

B