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

August 14, 2006

Tony
First!!!
August 14, 2006

joe
Gary I’m the first repsonder? Loved the comeback

Joe
August 14, 2006

Gene Mishkevich
top 3.. )
August 14, 2006

Jason R.
4th is o.k. – I will keep trying.

Are you Anti-Bordeaux now that 05 pricing is out of control? I have made a few suggestions about doing something with giving us an update on 2000 / 2001 / 2002 – where they are at? – Are they closed down yet – are they getting better, awkward, etc… Seems like a logical segment for the continuing education of all..
August 14, 2006

joe
Gary, you said it perfectly: wine is to have fun. Don’t let some grouches who couldn’t have fun with episode 69 keep you and the rest of us from having fun! There is scotch for those guys. Keep having fun Gary. That is why I come here everyday.

Thanks for the Reisling education.

My favorite reviewers are:
* Parker in Bordeaux
* Meadows in Burgundy
* anyone but Laube in Napa
* anyone but Parker in Austraila
August 14, 2006

Tony
Gary,

Some people just don’t have a sense of humor. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, though if you ever EVER do that again I’ll leave and go watch those two boring English guys review wine instead.

My favorite reviewer? Easy – you. I’m not just brown nosing here. You’re the only reviewer that has never recommended a wine that I didn’t like. Robert Parker is generally reliable – at least in a ballpark manner – but sometimes he’s spectacularly off. The various WS reviewers are the same.

But every wine that you’ve been enthusiastic about has been exactly what you’ve said. Now, I’m holding on to a lot of bottles that you’ve recommended, so we’ll see in a few years when I open them if your batting average stays so high.

I think you’re going to find that virtually everyone gives the same answer here. Why do you think we watch WLTV? Sure, you’re entertaining and a really likeable personality. But the bottom line is that you know what you’re talking about and make solid recommendations.
August 14, 2006

Bill T.
Gary, You da man! …You’re my favorite reviewer. I think your scores are right on!

Enjoyed the episode on Rieslings but I was really looking forward to the aging episode!

By the way, what happens to all those opened bottles of wine? Floor tastings? If so, please let me know next time you sample Amarones and Barolos!
August 14, 2006

John Coyne
I find that my “ratings” closely parallels the ratings from Wine & Spirits magazine. Very reliable.
I find that The Wine Speculator very unreliable. I used their ratings as a guide for a number of years but quit three years ago.
And there is a wine critic in the Las Vegas paper who is a shill for a wine and liquor store chain who cannot be trusted at all.
Not like you Gary.
Keep up the good work.
August 14, 2006

damon
Can’t anyone have a little fun. I thought the episode #69 was hillarious. I can take a little joke once in a while. I look forward to the next one.

I’m a big German riesling fan, so I enjoyed today’s episode today.

I trust you Gary, who else. I quit paying much attention to mainstream wine reviewers a while ago. I rely on friends and people I have built some kind of relationship at my local wine shops. Any good salesperson surprisingly remembers the kind of wines I like and tend to buy. Those have been some of my best reccomendations.

Another observation is that if you buy a highly rated wine, based on that alone, and don’t like it, you can almost convince yourself that its good when its really not your cup of tea. This is a horrible rut to be in. Buy what you like and don’t judge other people for buying what they like. Try something different once in a while, you just might like it, even if you hated it before.
August 14, 2006

Rick McQ
Gary:

I must say your reviews have always been on target for me!
August 14, 2006

Edward H
Favorite Reviewer: Clive Coates (no offense, Gary, you need another 30+ years of age)

Least favorite: Rovani.
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
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

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

K Spengler
….by the way..your the best reviewer ever…honest…
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Coffey
Great episode!

Favorite critic – Rovani
Least Favorite – J. Robinson for California
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russ J
Put me in the GV bandwagon. Your comments have been insightful enough that I think I have been able to discern the wines that I would and would not like from WLTV. Some of the ones you have raved about I have passed on because you made it very clear what it was you liked and it was not something I have enjoyed in the past. The ones I bought (and drank) have worked out quite well. I also find James Suckling from WS pretty good and I saw him interviewed on TV (I think on the Today show during the winter olympics) and he seemed like a cool guy. I also love my “Oz Clarke’s Pocket Wine Guide”. He is definitely “old school” but has not led me wrong yet. The only reviewer who I remember being burned by was Parker with some of his cheapo Spanish picks. I recall other viewers with similar comments from an episode a few months ago.

I’m glad you did Episode 69 like that. It weeded out some of the crybabies in the crowd. Now you have to do an episode on aging and answer all of my previous questions or….WAAH, WAAH, WAAH! (Please?)

Two more: Was that autograph legit? Is Curtis Martin finished?
August 14, 2006

garyv
Autograph was VERYYYYYYY Legit and the answer to if he is done is….YES
August 14, 2006

Scott Stutz
Gary, Don’t take the #69 reviews to heart. You are blazing new trails here. Go with your instinct. We are all learning much from you. The average wine guy like me can get behind your approach. Let’s have fun and learn. You are my favorite wine reviewer. Your taste are right on for me. Ok, How about reviewing Pierano Estates. This little winery is excellent. How about the 04 Cab and the “Other White”. Both serious value to price.
August 14, 2006

GeneV
The Haart was mildly corked. Your cardboard description is nothing like the ones I have had, some of which I bought from WL, and everything like cork. If you didn’t get orange from an ‘03 Haart Piesporter, something was wrong.

My favorite reviewer is me. However, if I can’t find a review of my own, Joe’s ranking is pretty close.

Parker for Bordeaux or Rhone
Meadows for Burgs
Sanderson for German Riesling
Vaynerchuk for new world merlot and chard
Miles Raymond on central coast pinot
Tanzer for most everything else

To avoid:
Parker on cheap Spanish wine
Laube on Calif wine south of Napa
Parker on Aussie Shiraz (94 point cough syrup)
August 15, 2006

asr2021
Hi Gary et al.,
Yeah, I gotta admit I was disappointed w/ #69. The whole time I was hoping that you’d get to at least one wine; I literally said “Oh Man!”, but I knew it was a joke. It just left me wanting more. I couldn’t wait for #70. Please, STAY FREE with regard to style and WLTV.

Hey Steve,
Gary addressed Mary’s issues big time. Along with mine.

Let me be the first to say: (ahem)

“GREAT EPISODE GARY!”

I don’t yet have a favorite reviewer. I am skeptical of the points system at times. I really value tasting notes; that’s all I really look for. I am trying to develop my palate and haven’t really found whose matches mine. I absolutely hate when salespeople simply say, “yeah, its a good wine; it got 91 pts.” It takes away from the experiential heart of wine; you can’t judge it without having tried it. Keep doing what you’re doing Gary; myself and others need it.
August 15, 2006

asr2021
O, i didn’t notice Bill et al. had said it, but great episode anyways.
August 15, 2006

Roofie
Well, I would have to say that you Gary, and the two “boring” English guys (according to Tony ) are both my favourite wine reviewers, and my least favourite are all those boring “serious experts” that canned your Episode 69.

Great approach to have a bit of fun with wine Gary (although you might need a better scriptwriter on your jokes).

German Wines – an interesting topic – the best review I ever saw was at http://www.virtualwine.co.uk/virtualwineblog/?p=137
August 15, 2006

davidb
Thanks for turning a light on Germany. Serious, but a little too simplistic, as it will probably not convert those who still think all German wines are sweet and fruity. I look forward to more exploration of Germany, Austria, Alsace, and Loire.

Favorite reviewers: Peter Liem (W&S), Antonio Galloni (Piedmont Report). and Robin Garr (wineloverspage.com)

Least favorite: Parker, the whole WS team (except for Matt Kramer).
August 15, 2006

Baja
I donâ€™t know that I have an absolute favorite reviewer. The two that I seem to go to the most are WS and Parker. I do find you the most entertaining. However to be honest and fair, I have not tried many of your recommendation. Italian wine are a favorite of mine and I think that James Suckling at WS covers them best (even though his attitude is as pompous as it getâ€™s). A previous poster mentioned how it is dangerous to get caught up to much into the rating thing as it can alter your wine choice. I have to agree with this. To often I have found myself chasing ratings. This past weekend I went to a very large Pinot tasting where there were close to 100 wines. The choices I made fell mostly into the 86-90 range according to WS and Parker. However these were the wines my wife and I liked the best. We tasted many higher rated wines but they just did not do it for us. I found this a valuable lesson. Gary, I asked a question on shipping in heat last week, would love your answer….thanks!
August 15, 2006

thep
Glad you had a great time at the wedding. I thought infamous episode 69 was what it was: a chuckle. I’m surprised that the merchants and makers (OF WINE) don’t recognize a little fun. Too bad.

Your German pronunciation sucks. GV is my favorite wine reviewer because he’s the only one I read/see. WLTF is convenient, entertaining, and fun. Keep telling me what you taste and I’ll be happy to agree or disagree as my pallae dictates. De gustibus non disputandem est.
August 15, 2006

MaryS
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the Riesling lesson. I’m going to start sampling some different ones. BUT, I will still keep drinking the Beringer white zin. I like it and the price is right. Do you like any of the other white zin’s? I don’t care for Sutter Home but I haven’t tried many others. Also, will you ever have the free shipping within NJ offer again? That’s when I usually buy multiple cases. I’m only about 25 minutes away but driving routes 78 and 24 are a hassle. Thanks for any info!
August 15, 2006

Craig K
Gary,
Great episode – informative and interesting. It reminded me in a positive way of the reason I watch in the first place. It is apparent you took some hits over the weekend, and I suspect the content was worse in the emails than in the blog. Hang in there. When you can, I look forward to the return of the Gary who deftly mixes lightheartedness and irreverence with wines that may or may not be serious. Most trusted reviewer is Parker, mostly because of his descriptions (not ratings) for wines from Rhone. I agree with other comments here that his reviews of the Aussie wines are overblown and he has taken much heat (pun intended) because of it. Having followed his predictions for twenty years, he tends to overestimate the longevity of some wines as well, especially CA Cabs. Least trusted is Laube because more often than not I just don’t agree. Gary you rank way up there, and gain trust with the more wines you review and dare to tell the truth about. Hats off to you, CK
August 15, 2006

Bill Ipp
GARY – don’t apoligize … it’s YOUR show

FAVORITE – Parker … I tend to like the same style of cabs that he does

LEAST FAVORITE – Laube … at times, he is all over the place
August 15, 2006

stewart l.
I don’t have a favorite reviewer. I have noticed that some wines that you think are ok, you will give a high 80 rating which is supposed to be for “very good” wines, instead of what sounds like a 80 rating. As evidenced by Parker, everyones taste is different,so the true rating is your own palate. Ratings can provide some guidance.
August 15, 2006

SeanM
Great episode(s) Gary, ignore the negative crap, blast the wineries and distributors, if they want to complain tell them to make better wine.

I just got back from OR and WA where I got to taste a bunch of 300 case production pinot’s as well as some great reislings, zins, and syrahs. I had a great time. My friend was laughing at me in the tasting rooms, I was lining up glasses of wine infront of me and going back to them in order to see how air was affecting them. He thought I should be ‘drinking’ faster. I pointed out that if his glass was empty he couldn’t be enjoying the wine as much as I was.

Am I off base, was I tricking myself into thinking I was getting anything new from the wines?

What kind of glass are you using most of the time for tasting on the show?

If I ever get the chance to drive up to the store from MD I’ll be the big guy wandering through the store with a RedSox cap on.
August 15, 2006

Bill
Good show Gary. I like your reviews and am suspicious of Parker in particular. He really loves Grenache lately, and some of the cheap Spanish wines that have gotten 90+ from him are pretty ordinary really. Similarly with Aussie wines. He is almost single-handedly responsible for the demise of the long-term cellaring red in Australia!
Just one note on today’s show: you really maybe should have a 10 minute session with a German speaker to get those terms a bit better!! No big deal, but it does make one squirm a little – especially the final ‘e’ on words like ‘Auslese”, which is actually pronounced!
As for complaints about WLTV. Jesus Christ people, it is not as if you are paying for this service! If you don’t like it don’t watch!! I have enjoyed every episode – to varying extents sure – but every one! Keep it up.
Now, two quick questions, especially after todays email note on Chianti: will you ever stock the Pacina Colli senese again (from maybe 5 years back): the best chianti I have ever had; and will you do a wltv on Heathcote shiraz (you have a few wines from Carlei) – this stuff is the real deal and not Parkerised!
August 15, 2006

Ed R
Question about ratings, it seems to me that WA and WS scoring systems are not exactly the same. So I was wondering when you say 87 do you mean very good WS or barely drinkable WA ?
Thanks,
ED
August 15, 2006

BigBob
I want the old Gary back…. to hell with the distributors and wineries…

I want my WLTV!
August 15, 2006

Nick
Gary

I, and I’m betting many others, enjoy WLTV because YOU enjoy WLTV. Don’t let a bunch of spoilsports (viewers, vintners, or distributors) change what you want to do, and how you want to do it.

To those killjoys who were so incensed with Friday’s episode, perhaps you can go produce your own wine video blogs and let WLTV stay fun?

Nick
August 15, 2006

joe
Nick: Yes! Right on. Gary, keep it you – keep it fun – Most of us in the Blog family Love a little joke and smile.
August 15, 2006

Paul
Good intro to German wines. There is much left to be said, particularly with regard to the differences in areas within the country and, even more importantly, character of vineyard and the VINTAGE. After all, most of these vineyards are pretty far north and small changes in weather can have profound effects on ripening. But that’s another episode.

Which brings me to the question posed by cgf in Reply 33: the classifications within QmP are based on must weight, i.e., sugar content in the juice. It usually translates into the amount of residual sugar in the finished wine, but that is not always the case, particularly at the Kabinett on Spatlese levels. By the time one gets to BA or TBA, the sugar content is very high in the finished wine. Additionally, in the not-too-distant past, the German quality review board that evaluates wine and determines whether a given wine is appropriately representative, expected wines to have some residual sugar. Not long ago, two classifications were added to finished wines – halb-trocken and trocken (half-dry and dry) because the German people wanted dry wine to go with food. You will occasionally see that on the bottle in a place separate from all the other info on the bottle. A trocken wine (not to be confused with Trockenbeerenauslese) is simply one that has been fermented to driness, usually with a higher alcohol content than traditional German wines, which are around 8-11%.
August 15, 2006

Christopher
Hi, Thank you for the German Wine.

To make the pronunciation easier, there are new classifications that aim to make it easier for consumers to orientate themself with German wine:

Old = SpÃ¤tlese / New = Classic
(Late Harvest)

Old = Auslese / New = Selected
(Selected Harvest, usually hand picked).

In the Q.m.P classification, (Quality wine with Distinction) the 6 subcategories reflect the time of picking and also the “must weight” (German = Ã–chsle, France = Brix, USA = specific gravity) both of which are strictly regulated.

Cheers
Christopher
August 15, 2006

cgf
thanks paul!
August 15, 2006

bob pederson
favorite wine writer / reviewers who aren’t Gary Vaynerchuk

Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher @ Wall Street Journal – same kind of all around view / look at wine and seem to understand more than almost anyone I’ve read that wine is about how it fits into your life as opposed to fitting your life around wines and wine scores.
August 15, 2006

asr2021
Hi All,
I don’t get it. What’s wrong if the wines are a little on the sweet side. Does that imply lesser quality? To my understanding it is somewhat intentional; it balances the wines natural acidity. Some vintners even add unfermented grape juice to the wine, resulting in a sweeter, more balanced wine.

Also, Auslese, BA, Eiswein, and TBA are all made, either in part or as a whole, with botrytised fruit, hence their sweetness.

Q: Does “must weight” necessarily refer to the risidual sugar left in the finished wine or only to that in the fruit? Does one necessarily follow the other?
August 15, 2006

ronguy
Re: vblog #39 from Scott. Check wltv #13 for review of two Pierano estate wines.
August 15, 2006

TimF
Americans talk dry but drink sweet. White Zin alone makes up 10% of US wine case sales and 6% of US wine dollar sales…

Personally, I love sweet wines if they are made correctly. Port, eiswein, noble rot wines are some of (if not the) best wines on the entire planet. I’m the type of guy who won’t let sweetener touch my coffee or iced tea, but if a sweet wine is well made I’m in heaven. Heaven! Still waiting on that port episode…
August 15, 2006

karl satirev
Liked your slightly subdued demeanor in this episode. You came across as more professional and knowledgeable. I liked that a lot.

Best reviewer – Tanzer
Most inconsistent reviewer – Parker
August 15, 2006

Rob B
Gary,
First time…long time…
you have got to be kidding….your episode 69 was hilarious! People have to lighten up…Please don’t go serious (because some critic or uptight suit can’t take a joke)
I have been buying wine at your store over the past 2 years and have become a huge fan of your WL TV. I am in Global Marketing and your company is as good as it gets when it comes to selling value! I love the fact that you are passionate about what you do!!!! Keep up the TRUE blog and please do not lower yourself to the boring suits, critics or people without a sense of humor. Keep it real and fresh…you have truly opened a door that the old farts did not want to be opened.
August 16, 2006

Lawrence Leichtman
Another great episode. I took the last one as a joke so don’t worry about the negative comments. As to who is my favorite: Stephen Tanzer though you are coming up rapidly in my opinion. My least favorite is Robert Parker. His palate and mine rarely agree.
August 16, 2006

Jim Vandegriff
Hey Gary,
I appreciated this episode on German rieslings. I’m a wine collector, and about 70% of my cellar stores German (mostly middle Mosel) wines. I thought you did a very good job with the categories of wine. You could have used a bit more descriptor language on the wines to give people a better idea of the typical flavors found in these wines. My favorite reviewers include Jancis Robinson, Michael Broadbent, Clive Coates, and a number of German experts who post on the erobertparker.com wine bulletin boards.
You are doing a great job with winelibrary tv, and I thought the earlier episode on “wines that had been open a few days” was hilarious. Keep having fun, and informative. All the best, Jim
August 16, 2006

SeanM
This is actually from my comment yesterday, seems more appropriate today:

I just got back from OR and WA where I got to taste a bunch of 300 case production pinotâ€™s as well as some great reislings, zins, and syrahs. I had a great time. My friend was laughing at me in the tasting rooms, I was lining up glasses of wine infront of me and going back to them in order to see how air was affecting them. He thought I should be â€˜drinkingâ€™ faster. I pointed out that if his glass was empty he couldnâ€™t be enjoying the wine as much as I was.

Am I off base, was I tricking myself into thinking I was getting anything new from the wines?

What kind of glass are you using most of the time for tasting on the show?
August 18, 2006

Christopher
Hi asr2021

You asked: Does â€œmust weightâ€ necessarily refer to the risidual sugar left in the finished wine or only to that in the fruit?

For a wine to qualify for a certain Q.m.P classification, the grapes have to be picked at a certain time and have a “must weight” within a certain range. The time of picking and “must weights” vary from region to region.
August 23, 2006

BEN
Jancis Robinson.
August 27, 2006

P. Hig.
Meadows for Burg
Tanzer for rhone and bordeaux are faves though their palates stray from mine and interesting moments so I trust myself more than anyone in the final analysis.
Least fave: Parker who should stick to rum (that way every vintage can be the vintage of the century) and anything from Speculator because I think they smoke before they taste. By the way, anyone read the parker bio? Very good (and ballanced in its presentation).
October 16, 2006

mr skin
I am a big Damon fan. I loved the Bourne movies and I just heard that there will be a third and finally movie. Anybody know when that will come out?
November 17, 2006

Dan
A good refresher for our German Riesling dinner next week…. Thanks for sharing.
January 26, 2007

ThomasS
Yuw Gary. Don’t have to say I like this ep, do I? You know I’m berserk on German Rieslings. I think that the Von Hovel makes out a tremendous QPR. Even when he year is not that great he manages to make decent wines. But, I have a question to you: did you ever try those other white varietals planted in Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Pfalz or Rheingau? I’m not talking of GewÃ¼rz, but of grapes like Elbling, Schuerrebe, Ortega, Weissburgunder (Pinot Gris)? I have always the idea that they are used to make vinegar or bulk wines or something like that, and so, I never feel like trying them (even most producers I regularly visit don’t have them). But, is there maybe a producer over there that actually makes good wines of these?
QOTD: Best: in general: Steven Tanzer (Rhone-varietal wines), Decanter reviewers, Luciano Pignataro (South-Italian), Veronelli guide (Italy in General). Oh yes, and Hugh Johnson, I have lots of respect for what this man did and still does.
Belgian reviewers: Herwig Vanhove, you know the man has a tendency for right bank Bordeaux style for his reds and Montrachet style for his whites, but he doesn’t hide that and he can write interesting and profound articles on wine, winemaking, varietals, … . Dirk Rodriguez: always careful in his judgement, without pretending and does not talk about things he does not know.
Worst: I’m sorry, I know it’s a clichÃ©: RP. Why? I have been disappointed several times (i.e. a 94+ wine that turns out to be complete crap, even different bottles and different shops) I don’t like his style (not the wines, the man himself and his writing) and I certainly don’t like his idea of ‘democratizing the wine world’, because he just did not (it’s a superfluous and ridiculous idea anyway).
A whole bunch of Belgian wine critics. Let’s name the worst two: Alain Bloeykens and Frank Vander Auwera. I don’t know what those guys think of themselves and what they are doing: they clearly pretend to be great wine journalists, yet, everytime I read something they wrote it’s like: ok, that’s wrong, this is superfluous, this is a clichÃ©, … etc. Not that I know everything about wine, I certainly do NOT, but when you read just a little bit and keep your eyes open and your palate unpredjudiced (which is almost impossible), then it is so clear that they just write away like that. And hen I’m not only speaking about their reviews (I certainly recognize the fact that they can discern a good from a bad wine, that’s not my point – yet FVdA sometimes really goes off the track for me: recommended wines of make a good impression at the start, but have a hollow mid palate and a mute aftertaste), but just imagine this: when they write something about a certain wine region, a new phenomenon in the wine business or a cultivar in a two page article they do not manage to say as much as you do in a 10 min. ep! See, … ? And what worse: they are so terribly predjudiced on the inside, while they act as if they are the new wave journalists. Grrrr, … hate that, I tell you smth: I have learnt to read between the lines and I do it for my job, so … give it a rest. All that crap: they pretend to be critical on the NW-wine mindless fruitbomb style and what did they chose as their best wines of a tasting on a fair a few months ago (I was also pt that jury): flabby, fruit forward, structureless and subdued sugary wines like the Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz-MourvÃ¨dre or the La Mogarba Priorat (that did not even taste like a Priorat).
And yes, you are also somewhere out there, not only because you’re unny, but because I like some anarchism and debunking. Keep up the good work!
February 1, 2007

Tim Halberg
Thought 69 was hilarious man!!! seriously, good comedy! Some people just don’t have a sense of humor!

I was looking forward to hearing your thoughts on wine that had sat for a few days… (being a newbie, maybe I’ll find that somewhere as I sift through all these episodes!!)
May 25, 2007

Tom
Please, please, please, take a podcast course in German or something. Your pronunciation is horrendous. Really, you’re raping the language.
June 13, 2007

Mark L
Gary, I wasn’t going to be as harsh as Tom, but I second the motion – Learn some basic German pronunciation. 85-90% of my cellar is German wines. Also, you didn’t comment on longevity. Yes, it’s fun to taste and drink young wines, but some wines that were marginal when young aged into truly regal beauties. Other than tastings, I seldom drink a Riesling until it is 5-7 years old.
July 1, 2007

James Leviton
I have enjoyed the episodes I have watched so far.

However, I think you concentrate on wines that are too expensive.

I sure cannot afford $50 to $100 bottles of California cabernet; I cannot afford $35 bottles of German Riesling either.

What I am interested in are bottles of wine priced at $20 or less which taste like a much more expensive wine.
July 3, 2007

David Canada
I love seeing you pronounce all of the german names….killer
QOTD – Favorite – Neal Martin
Least Favorite – Parker, specifically on California and australia. I have tried more parker 90’s from those areas that were overoaked fruitbombs then I care to talk about. he needs to stick to Bordeaux and Rhone.
August 29, 2007

Eric Nyeste
We were half-expecting another scavenger hunt. To answer your QOTD:

You are perfect to trust for many reasons. Primarily: You profit from wine sales (clean motive) and you tell us not to trust you (and trust ourselves).

Robert Parker is a sham.
August 31, 2007

WA Ambassador
Riesling is my favorite white wine. Thanks for doing an episode on it. My favorite riesling that I have ever had was a 2005 ST. M. It’s from Chateau St. Michelle, but it was imported from Germany. I brought it to Christmas dinner along with one a 2005 riesling from Columbia Crest. There was no comparison! The St. M was off the chart and was massively a better wine than the CC. I couldn’t believe the dramatic difference that you could taste between them. The St. M was smooth, fruity, and sweet, while the CC was dry, lots of tannin and not very good flavor. For about $12, you can’t go wrong with the ST. M.
December 27, 2007

Kristen
I was always confused by the German ratings. Really informative episode.

QOTD: I really don’t listen to reviewers. I only bought my first Wine Spectator magazine this weekend. And I listen to your tasting notes, not just your scores. I preach the Gary gospel- trust your own palette!
December 27, 2007

Scott
Great episode: highly informative. I knew all the terms before but did not really realize their significance. Thanks.

I think the similarities are far more common than the differences between different reviewers so I don’t have a favorite or least favorite. You’re not too bad I guess.
February 10, 2008

The Fanjestic
Trust WS & GV the most and WE the least. But if used as a guide, the reviewers are great, used as the bible – well that’s just horrible!
August 18, 2008

Georges
Dear Gary,
Please take a master class in German wines before going on air again; it’s not only your pronounciation that needs polishing, by the way. If you intend to educate, make sure you know the subject inside out. You clearly shy away from trying to explain the essence of German wines. You might be a celebrity but that doesn’t make you a wine expert, although you will convince many a wine novice who will fall for your assertiveness. Pity – we can help.
September 15, 2009

John J.
great episode Gary, but 1 thing, and I’m sure you’ve heard this by now but:trockenbeerenaulese comes After eiswein, not before. The oechsle [sugar ripeness scale} for eiswein is the same as beerenauslese, which is 110-128 degrees. the difference is, beerenauslese has been affected with edelfaule [noble rot] where as the eiswein grapes have not. Trockenbeerenauslese is even higher on the oechsle scale at 150-154 degrees, courtesy of further sugar concentration due to edelfaule. Although, I expect to see in a soon future episode, you bringing up this fact or mentioning that you received emails telling you this already. Still a great episode thoough, thanks Gary.
so the qotd: never really followe ratings even tho I will read the magazines that use them. Just like I never cared what was the most popular record or tv show out. So, I guess it would be you without kissing ass, so long as you keep seeming to not kiss any companies or wineries ass but your own. & while I’m here, How about a vin jaune or charbono episode/tasting, really wondering what you would have to say.

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

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