Barbaresco, the truth behind these Italian wines.

Barbaresco, the truth behind these Italian wines. – Episode 85

September 6, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Watch today as Gary responds to his viewers and tastes and reviews four Barbarescos from Italy. Arguably, not as well known as other Italian wines it’s still one of Gary’s favorites. More viewer questions answered and a new QOD.

72 Responses

Pages: « 3 2 [1] Show All

September 6, 2006

joe
Gary:

I agree with Ronguy that your scoring system, one that factors price as a varible for scoring, could cause dissapointment and confusion. I have commented on this at least twice before. I, for one, would much prefer that 90 points = excellent (no matter what) and 96+ points = “Out of this world, once-in-a-lifetime” type of experience. Let the consumer decided if the absolute ranking is worth a certian price. I know that if a “real” 85 point wine, costing $6, was ranked a 92 by you because of the low cost, and I drank it expecting a REAL 92 point experience….I would be very dissapointed that I wasted the evening with it. And when I see a 95 point ranking – I expect a blow-away experience….I’ll judge whether I want to spend a certian $$ on it.

Net, net: if we keep price out of the scoring – - we ourselves can judge value on our own – - and have dissapointments erased.

What do you think?
Joe
September 6, 2006

ronguy
Gary, I have been a fan of Italian wines for a while now. Enjoyed the episode. But….You really scrambled my mind when you said your ratings depend on the price. Does that really mean a 90pt $10 wine is maybe an 85pt $50 wine? Now I am really lost. Please explain in more detail. A sign off—Tah Tah from your head in the TOON.
September 6, 2006

Tony G.
Gary,

Loved the excitement level today!! Also excellent use of descriptors, like Joe mentioned, I gotta try this wine and experience that “walk in the woods”. Keep it up Gary and you will be changing the world of wine.
September 6, 2006

Rich S
Another great episode GV. It was pretty apparent that you were really into today’s tasting and it seems that you are really big into monster Italian reds (you have noted your love of Amarone and Barolo in the past). That being said, I would love to see an episode on some other great Italian reds that aren’t in the big 3 or big 4. What about some rosso de montefalco or teroldego or maybe even some super tuscans or primitivo? I am a really big fan of Italian reds and I think that in order for everyone to truly fulfill your motto (try every wine out there at least once), that these would be great to do in a future episode.
September 6, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
yeah GOL, that is what i am talk ing about…mystery…romance…that is what i enjoy too…a little escape from my day to day
September 6, 2006

GOL
To answer today’s QOD from zerokreap… simply put, I drink wine for the medley of flavors a particular bottle may or may not have and the mystery that is each varietal, region, vintage, and individual bottle. What other food or drink is such an enjoyable puzzle?
September 6, 2006

saul
I love Italian wines how bout doing a show on 01 brunello’s i still remember joe willie on that fateful 1969 day i was a johnny u guy was a tough day to go to school when they have on line personality awards you’re a winner
September 6, 2006

GOL
Did GV use the word “romantic” 3x in this episode? Hmm, he has a meeting later today… I’m thinking he has a “meeting” tonight… he has a mid-week date with his better half!

GV, Great detail on the tastings today!
September 6, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
i meant to remark that the bordeaux i referred to was an exception, not the rule, as my previous statement suggested
September 6, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
i would really like to see what these wines would do with 18-24 hours of being open–seems like the dry tannin would dissipate…perhaps revealing something different. as for storing reds, well we (viewers) discussed this the other day. most (90%) of red wines that most people watching this will be drinking will taste like crap the next day if you simply cork and leave on the counter…i have done this by accident with a very complex bordeaux before and it was amazing how well it tasted after 2+ days!!! anyway, you want to vacuvin, throw in the fridge, then break out 1.5 hours before you are ready to drink the next day and do not open until you are ready to pour. this works beautifully…however, if the wine is not showing well to begin with (not a bad wine, but a bad bottle) this will not help and you might as well just go ahead and drink it.

QOTD: oh wait, there was no question!

my QOTD: (to everyone) do you like the “stuffy” nature of wine as gary put it…do you drink wine because it makes you feel as though you are part of something sophisticated…or does it make you feel high brow…or is it simply something you enjoy drinking and wouldn’t mind as a completely casual occurrence as gary proposes?

well, to answer my own question: i don’t think wine should be snobby, but i like the ‘art’ of wine. i like the fact that different people like and see different things that they like in wine. i like the fact that wine is most often an acquired taste…and the careful dissection and discussion of wine is a skill that comes with experience and practice. i like that there is a lot to know about wine…from how it is made to tradition to terroir. in short, i kind of like the stuff, high brow nature of wine…perhaps that is because i am a very normal guy, making a VERY normal salary…like chess, i think wine is for the sophisticate, and like to feel as such when i drink it. wow, that was long…
this is zerokreap, signing off….gary smells!
September 6, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Thanks for challenging all of us to try so many wines!
We all can use a good drink outside the box lecture now and then.
I think your hair was much better today!
I already suggested one sign off, on the original episode that you asked for suggestions for a sign off.
STUFF SOME FUN INTO YOUR WINE.
Here is another:
KEEP THE FUN IN THE WINE.
September 6, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
top 10?
September 6, 2006

Rick McQ
Gary:

Great Show! I love the Italian wines from Piedmont.
September 6, 2006

damon
thanks for the great episode. You’re gonna take over the world like Pinky and The Brain. I promise I will try a Barbaresco, I feel like an idiot…
September 6, 2006

joe
Gary, Thanks for the the Old World wine tasting. “A walk thru the European woods of 1500″. That Gary is why I keep coming back. That is more meaningful and illuminating than any Wine Spectator review. A walk thru the woods of old europe of 1500? I have to have that experience. Drinking the Cantina Vignaioli Elvio makes living an adventure. Thanks for bringing this kind of insight and education to your viewer’s lives. Like you said, many who watch, had never tasted or even heard of Barbaresco. A walk thru the woods of Old Europe. Now they know.

Joe
September 6, 2006

Dan
Hey Gary,

Are you planning on transcibing the WLTV reviews onto the written reviews of the wines in your catalog? I know you have a link to the WLTV episode, but sometimes I want to just zero in on a particular wine.

Thanks,

Dan (in Houston)
September 6, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Love this episode!
I give this one a 98!
Is that a dressy jacket I see? WOW!
I feel important:)
September 6, 2006

Steve B
top 5?
September 6, 2006

Gene Mishkevich
go gary!
September 6, 2006

lizv
missed it by one!
September 6, 2006

Dan
I love those italian wines
September 6, 2006

Ferrigno
first?