Wines from Alsace. – Episode #95

September 21, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today Gary tastes and reviews wines from the Alsace region of France. Watch today as Gary tastes these four wines from a region known for it’s quality white wines. More viewer questions and a new QOD.

112 Responses

Pages: « 5 4 [3] 2 1 » Show All

September 22, 2006

TimF
I was saddened to read about the passing of Henri Jayer. I think it would fitting to do a tribute episode.
September 22, 2006

GregK
Only “old guys” can well remember Pat Benetar in the 80s when she was H-O-T, HOT-HOT-HOT and rockin’ people’s asses off! Then she went weird somewhere along the way… But I digress. I can leave the whites, sometimes a Gewurtz is called for, BUT, my wine would be called “Snarf’s Pleasure”. Snarf is my college (after still sticking in some circles) nickname. It would be a HUGE kick ass syrah or a mostly syrah blend that would leave people talking positively for a long time.
September 22, 2006

Tampa Steve
Cool Brandon, you need a partner;)
September 22, 2006

TimF
I just looked up Pat B on Wiki and saw all the songs she did.

I thought that all those songs were just made up by some guy so people had the option to yell during karaoke.
September 22, 2006

TimF
Who the hell is this Pat Benatar everyone is talking about?
September 22, 2006

Dan G.
Just heard Pat Benatar on the radio. Almost forgot right now Im OD’ing on Judas Priest (like usual) and trying to like Iron Maidens new album.
September 22, 2006

Nige C
Hey GV

Im out this sunday morning picking grapes for a local vineyard here in the uk……i know i guess you didnt think we made wine here.The grapes are very ripe as we have had a good sunny dry summer for a change.The types of grapes are typical northern european with mainly white but some rondo….pinot noir…reds.
The wine made is called Pebblebed after the terrior of the land the vines are on.
Thought this might have been of interest on the forum.

Cheers
Nige….Apprentice Wine Geek
September 22, 2006

Rafa from Mexico
Gary, great show as all ways, so so wines, none of them actually gave you some nice explosive reaction, but it is good to know the diferent regions of the world.
Hey there’s nothing wrong in playing some Pat Benatar, I’m an 80’s kid so I am hooked with that kinf of music. Lionel Richie have some great songs also at least it is better that the Macarena the worst song af all time. Weird music I have heard: Carly Simon, she has a great voice, but I am a 80’s rock guy, so it is a little strange but I like it a lot.But almost everybody goes to strange music at diferent points on there lives.
For the QOD my name would be “Casa San Rafael” Casa=House, San= Saint, Rafael= My late father’s name, mine as well and so is my son’s. It is a no brainer for me.
September 22, 2006

diego de la p...
gary great show today
how about an episode on rhone wines?

I would name my winery… “St. Rollox Adieu”
September 22, 2006

GOL
Fell off my chair when GV gave the silent treatment to the Sylvaner (definitely pronounced with emphasis on the “Vane”, nice work Julius)!

Here is a Sylvaner that makes the grade… this is how it is recorded in Cellartracker (very confused about the region/appelation in this part of Italy, but anyway)… 2004 Garlider Sylvaner Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler (Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler)

And to follow up on Patty O’s comment, I have had the Red Flyer (not awful) and the back of the bottle tells a great story about how a winemaking village in France made flying saucers illegal!

QOD – Time to go political, midterms are but weeks away… how bout a wine called “My Pet Goat du Rhone”?
September 22, 2006

Chris Stanisci
To All WLTVer’s,

By the way, the reason I was in the store today was to buy wine. I brought a copy of the SPREADSHEET which made it soo easy to buy VERY GOOD wine. Gary did the choosing for me…I just read.

I think that most of you (especially novice’s like me) will get great value from this once it is up and running (hopefully early next week).
September 22, 2006

Chris Stanisci
Gary, As you know, I’m slowly but surely watching back-episodes for the SPREADSHEET. I have one SUGGESTION. In the end of those early episodes, you would always take a 20-30 seconds to provide a little re-cap saying, “OK, Let’s rank ‘em up”. You would proceed to rank the wines lining them up from our right to left..going over your scores again. I really like that approach at the end.

By the way, this “ranking” portion is where price and QPR WILL matter(i.e. if you’ve scored 2 wines as 91’s, but one is $25 and the other is $40, you would likely rank the $15 bottle higher overall).

Sta-KNEE-see
September 22, 2006

Dan G
Wow only 47 comments so far as of 12:45am. Must be the whites. I dont care for them much myself, but I had to comment because I like the poster. Jim Beam is the best, especially the Black. Dont know if I would want a winery but I have seen an unusual bottle of red. Ever hear of Firestone Jarhead Red? Owned by some Marines. Ting sounds like the beverage Lilt in Scotland. Very delicious.
September 22, 2006

Chris Stanisci
WLTV Viewers,

As Gary said, we met today. You can not believe how different Gary is from his “facade” on WLTV. He’s a poser. I came off the elevator and he was berating, borderline abusing, several employees. Then, when I was introduced, he waved me off and walked away. It was as if I was “NO SOUPED” (my 2nd “no soup for you” reference).

Just kidding of course. Gary was as gracious and approachable as you all imagine he would be and it was great to finally meet him after many emails.

Whomever has not had a chance to visit the store…YOU NEED TO. WL is an amazing store and I’m not just speaking about the esthetics. Usually, retailers are strong in some areas(great selection), but weak in others (poor customer service)….there is almost always some kind of trade-off. Not so at WL. Here are the attributes IMHO:
-The store is beautiful
-The climate controlled “Wine Room” is “off the charts” gorgeous–see Ep #4 for a Tour)
-The selection is incredible
-The service is truly remarkable-there are like 30 people on the floor..all with GREAT attitudes…all very helpful..and all with great knowledge.
-AND, with all of this “VALUE ADD”, the prices are the BEST!!!

I live about 20 miles away, but will NEVER go to another store for wine.

GARY, I congatulate you and your father on a remarkable achievement…you both deserve all your success!! (please forward this note to your Dad).
September 22, 2006

KristaD
Thanks for yet another informative and entertaining episode. And, Iâ€™m sure youâ€™ve heard this a million times, but your style is fantastic! Itâ€™s nice to see someone sincerely enjoying wine without the snobbery and pretension. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
I was wondering, are you a self taught wine expert, or have you actually had formal training of some sort?
Are there any books you would recommend to help foster oneâ€™s knowledge of wine?
Any advice for someone in the early stages of their wine education?

Ohâ€¦Cedar Stand or Laughing Demon for the Question of the Day.
And don’t feel bad about the Pat Benatar thing, I caught my husband burning an entire CD of old Van Halen songs.
September 21, 2006

nancy
Pat Benetar is really good in concert. She’s as old as my mom, but she still rocks.
September 21, 2006

MaryS
Smart Ass Vineyards
September 21, 2006

Dennis
The review on wines from the Alsace filled a gap. Thanks for covering it. Again, nice variety of selections. I like the idea of a number of wines from one country with a mix of grapes. Italian whites would be fun.
As for music, generally listen to a lot of The Band, the Dead and Jerry Garcia.
One comment above about Squirt. Didn’t think anyone else remembered it. That reference was a “blast from the past.” Do they still make and sell it?
September 21, 2006

PeteB
GV – Pat Benatar & Lionel Richie???? You are worrying me! If I were to rate them, they would be an absolute pazzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!

QOD: My winery would be called: Maceo
September 21, 2006

Picktown
So Gary, now that you’ve covered Alsace, will Lorraine get equal time?

A couple episode ideas. Don’t think I’ve seen these…
1) Port wines (maybe compare Portugal to Spain & Australia)
2) Wines from up-and-coming American regions outside of the West Coast and New York. Maybe some from places like Ohio & Minnesota.

QOD: Well, we’re already considering whipping up a few carboys with the neighbors. We both have daughters named Grace…so…”Two Graces”.
September 21, 2006

Chris from NY
Hey Brandon, where does that name come from
(chalk lines)? We thought the sniffles you had were from allergies. I also have a guilty admission to make, Hi my name is Chris and I listen to Hall&Oates. There i said it, i feel better already.
September 21, 2006

Kimo von Oelhoffen
Hey Gary.
I just watched yesterday and today’s episodes. Both episodes were great. But, were you a little gassy in yesterday’s episode? I am pretty sure you squeezed one out in the middle of the Arrocal tasting. Go back and look – and listen. I think your eyebrow even raises a bit and it looks like you’re fighting back some laughter. If I’m right, I love the fact that you didn’t tape that one over again. Maybe too much yoo-hoo in the earlier episode.
September 21, 2006

Lynne
Hedonist Vineyards (with a cool logo)

We all know that the first glass is for “medicinal purposes” as put forth by the FDA or MDA or
whomever..(a glass a day keeps the doctor away). What is consumed after that is purely for the enjoyment of the consumer. Right? I will confess to being a “wine hedonist”, among other vices.

If being born January 1953 makes someone old enough to be Gary’s mother, then Pat Benatar is old enough.

BTW, I googled GV and I got a NY Times article stating that WL ships wines for about $1.00 per bottle. Is this true? I’m paying $2.17 per.
September 21, 2006

johnm
If my wife and I opened a winery, we’d have the initials to support S&M Vineyards as a name. Bottles with subtle whip or boot heel imagery would be fun if BATF could stand it. Our slogan: “We whip our grapes into shape”. Gladyo are back and thanks for pre-taping several so we didn’t go into WLTV withdrawal.
September 21, 2006

E-Rock
As embarrassing as it is to say it, Barry Manilow…. Great show, Besides the fact that that lunch box turns my stomach being the hard core Dolphin Fan that I am. Chateau E-Rock baby!!!!!!!!!