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

September 21, 2006

TimF
In
September 21, 2006

Italian Stallion
GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK GARY!!!!!

STALLION
September 21, 2006

Mitch
Uhhh, why all the white wine when it’s getting cold here in the Midwest and East Coast. Chill is in the air. Bring on the reds-Gary, sir, you promised me a review of some of the ‘03 Burgundies. And just for fun, if you still have the ‘03 La Cadeau pinot in stock, how ’bout throwing that in too.
September 21, 2006

Tony
#4
September 21, 2006

Mike E
#5?
September 21, 2006

TimF
Susan asked you to try Ting. Were you trying to say umami?
September 21, 2006

TimF
I relistened to it and now I’ve got it: edamame (soy beans)…
September 21, 2006

Tony
Funny you should ask that QOD. After our last wine tasting trip and meeting so many couples that tossed their careers and started making wine, my wife and I talked about doing the same thing. One out the first questions we talked about was what to call our winery. I wish I could say we came up with some amazing name that was a marketing coup, but alas I’m really allergic to fake and pretentious names. “Chateau” or “Daomaine” anything would be fake because I’m in California, not France. Anything French or Italian would seem fake and pretentious to me. I’m not into cutesy names (e.g. Roshambo) either.

There’s a winery called “Toogood” here in California, and I thought that was the worst fake and pretentious sappy name for a winery until I found out that Toogood was the real family name.

So I have no idea of what to name our winery. Can’t be Dunn Vineyards, because there’s already a top end Napa producer by the name of Randy Dunn. Probably try to name it after the vineyard or the location if we ever get the guts to do it.
September 21, 2006

kidseyemd
TING is awesome stuff-1st had it when i lived in Brooklyn form a little Jamaican store-meat patties and ting-yah mon!!

Is that a poster of the Babe- i guess he preferred Beam over Bordeaux??
Gotta think about that winery name….maybe Orthophoric vineyards….
ask me and i’ll explain that

Hugh
September 21, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
top ten?
September 21, 2006

TimF
I think a wine/winery should have a name that reflects where it’s grown somehow. I’m going to call the stuff I’m growing in my backyard: arriÃ¨re-cour.
September 21, 2006

Mike S.
11? (just like my rugby position)

Domaine Schieffer – because I’d be in Burgundy.
September 21, 2006

TheGosling
Sorry but I have never had the pleasure of seeing or tasting the Ting.
My personal wine would be called “Darth Goslings Jedi Elixir”

May the Force be with you Gary,
Geoff
September 21, 2006

Gene Mishkevich
Hey Gary, I am back with another wierd question. I’ve noticed that you often have indigestion (almost burping) after you taste wine. Is it because you do WLTV after lunch or is it from tasting wine all day. What’s up with that? Just curious.
September 21, 2006

Gene Mishkevich
oh yeah, my winery name would be “Glorious Grapes”..
September 21, 2006

wey
Wasabi beans?

I love the Alsace
September 21, 2006

Tampa Steve
Maybe BrandonM just slacks off at work too much…lol

Gary, lost my interest on that episode…but hey that was just me. All whites and no red makes for a lack luster play date.

I did love how you silently trashed the Sylvaner.
September 21, 2006

Tampa Steve
Opppsss…QOD

It would be called
PRIME!
September 21, 2006

kidseyemd
GV,

Does that TING reference mean you are off to Jamaica soon??
September 21, 2006

PattyO
Gary-Are your WLTV wines always at room temperature, regardless of their best “serving temp.”? I think tasting your 4 picks today at room temp. would be like tasting milk or… vegetable soup at room temp. Ick. Though I’m sure, with your palate, you’re able to easily rise above such influences as temperature! Nevertheless, don’t you think that the proper, intended chill on an Alsace white would enhance certain qualities (sugar for example) and subdue others (possibly chlorine…gasoline/petroleum…). Just wondering.
QOD-Probably the whole “winery name” and “label” challenge would be one of hundreds of reasons why I would never get into the business. All the good names are taken – which I guess is the reason that many of the newer players have those wacky names.
However, I will say that we drank a bottle a few days ago by the name of “Red Flyer” – had a pic of a red space ship on front and on the back, a picture of a little alien-guy and the claim that their vine stock came from a “higher source”. AND, to our surprise, it was really good – and only $9.50!
September 21, 2006

Julius
Three points I thought I would mention.

1. I personally have not found a Pinot Blanc to be much more than what you experienced.
2. I was surprised that you did not smell or taste the classic element of Gewurztraminer – Lychee.
3. The pronounciation of Sylvaner is “sihl-VAH-ner,” not “SLAH-vi-ner.”
September 21, 2006

George Fornadley
Did you say Pat Benetar? She is old enough to be your mother. Born 1953, does your wife know about your fantasies for older women or is she an older woman?
September 21, 2006

Sam Zen
Red Rocks… hmmm, maybe not.
September 21, 2006

Matthew L
Wow. No sooner do I ask about wines being scored 79 or lower than Gary comes on today and completely pans the Barmes-buecher with a 75.

QOD…Maybe Lyons Mouth Vineyards

Question(s) for you Gary. Perhaps I missed this on an old episode, but what do you do with all the remaining unconsumed wine you taste for the show? Do you let you staff sip some on lunch break? Do you take it home? Also, do you write off the cost of the wines used for the show as a business development/marketing expense? I think we all know how you feel about the value of marketing.
September 21, 2006

PeterT
My winery name would be â€œImaginationâ€

Hey Gary; if you like Ting, I’m sure you’ve had Squirt. It’s been hanging around since 1938.
September 21, 2006

Mary
Gary I can’t wait until next week to see Chris Stan’s spreadsheet.

Chris Stan – I know I will appreciate your hard work. I’m also a novice drinker and wanted to try some of the wines that Gary rated highly. Thanks again to both of you for making this happen.

Mary
September 21, 2006

Italian Stallion
If I were to name a wine it would be called: Rocky Cabernet…(Rocky is to me, what the JETS are to Gary)

Gary, I have the perfect name for your wine : Two Buck Vaynerchuck ( a pun on trader joe’s, two buck chuck)

Stallion
September 21, 2006

Brandon M
Well Tampa Steve…since I own my own company and have to answer to clients…I guess slacking off would kill my business, and hence not allow me to buy wine. Do you really think I’m gonna let THAT happen?

Can’t say that I listen to Pat Benetar, allthough that name reminds of an all time classic movie: Fast Times at Ridgemont High!

My winery would be called: Chalk Lines
The marketing on it would be Phenominal, I got all kinds of slogans. If someone can have a winery called Bad Fish, then I can have Chalk Lines!

Thanks for the mention Gary!

B
September 21, 2006

Tony
Matthew L, Gary would be nuts if he didn’t write off the wines he tastes on WLTV! He’s got the best evidence the IRS could want – him tasting the wine on video and the boost in sales that each wine gets after he reviews it. If I remember correctly, in the WSJ article (or maybe it was the interview), Gary even said that a wine he panned had a 5% boost in sales after it was on WLTV. I’m sure to the IRS, Gary presents WLTV as an advertizing expense, pure and simple. I’m not saying that’s what Gary thinks of WLTV, just how he presents it to the IRS. Gary is nothing if not a businessman, and I’m sure he knows how to play the IRS like a fine instrument.
September 21, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
well, i live in alabama….so i understand the lionel richie thing….we get that in the mail the minute we’re born around here. anyway…i am not sure what to tell you about your pat b. problem…i have a strange obsession with michael mcdonald….does that count for anything?
September 21, 2006

Dan R.
I would call my wine “95 Points” any higher number might be to presumptuous!

I assume this has not been already taken?

Dan R. in Kansas
September 21, 2006

Marc Mc
The name of my winery would be the location of my 25-acres. If the property was located on or near say “Settlers Hill” that would be the name.
September 21, 2006

MarcT
Winery name…Most likely Bon Vivant…but I also might keep my primary company name of Halcyn.
BTW…edamame are soy beans and that means “beans on branches”…usually steamed at Sushi joints but great from the grocery too. Get the frozen bag and poke some holes in it. Straight into the Nuke. Times vary depending on modles but 2-3 minutes twice will do the trick. Sprinkle with GOOD olive oil and some course celtic grey sea salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. BOOOYYAAAAHHHHHH!!!
I am a HUGE sushi fan and look forward to the Sake episode.
Glad you are back safe.
September 21, 2006

Brandon M
Italina Stallion…Classic…Two Buck Vaynerchuk, He could put two Deer on it and charge $45 a bottle.
September 21, 2006

JimB
My winery will be named Boat Mountain Vineyards. The only grapes growing there now are wild possum grapes. Maybe a pinot la possum would be my first 90 point wine. Boat Mountain is located in the Southern Ozarks(Newton County, Arkansas)
September 21, 2006

Rick
Gary is checking her out! http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tingliu/

Thumper’s mother says, “If you can not say anything good about a wine give it a seventy-five.”

Shahtow Mahrgo Chais
September 21, 2006

Rick
Gary

Our ?????????????? ripples from the glass with juicy strawberries, subtle hints of cranberries and a subtle sweet rosylicious finish on the palate. Great for sippin’ with veggie polenta, fish tacos or seared ahi.
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!!!!!!!!!
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MaryS
Smart Ass Vineyards
September 21, 2006

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

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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TimF
Who the hell is this Pat Benatar everyone is talking about?
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

Tampa Steve
Cool Brandon, you need a partner;)
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

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

Julia
Thanks for the shout-out, Gary! This week I attended a talk by Roy Danis from WJ Detusch & Sons, which produces Yellow Tail, and it was a total eye-opener to hear about how they accomplished a marketing coup. I personally wasn’t into the wines he brought for tasting, but I can see why they’re great at making wines accessible. He mentioned the copyright infringement suits they’re involved with over their labelling style, design, etc. So, if I wanted to make a wine that sold masses, I’d take a Spanish monastrell blend and get Marc Jacobs to design the label, and then I’d do a godello, and get Tom Ford to design the label. If I had my own vineyard, it would be called QWERTY, and I’d do biodynamic and organic wines from all over the world made with some lesser known varietals, and the labels would be all in old-fashioned type faces (no animals!).
September 22, 2006

Italian Stallion
HEy Brandon M….thanks for the good words…..I mean come on, think about it….”Two buck, Vaynerchuck” is the Perfect name for Gary’s wine. It’s hilarious.

Gary, you should market this wine, it could be a cabernet…then make a merlot called “The Vaynernod”

Stallion
September 22, 2006

E
So you’re not wild about Alsatian Pinot … how about Austrian reds, Blaufrankisch and such?
September 22, 2006

Eugene
Another good one! Thanks a lot for addressing my comment regarding white Bordeaux.

QOTD:

I have several label designs in mind. Actually I developed a concept for several wines and I would like to share one of them with you. One day â€¦

The name of the wine is â€œBrooklyn Bridgeâ€ that would be depicted on the front label.
The back label would have a nice story, some kind of romantic crap as well as explanation of the varietals composition.

The wine itself would be a nice red blend with retail price around $12-$15 and it would go great with all kind of food from pizzas and pastas to stakes. This wine would be easily recognizable on the wine list or in the store-the peopleâ€™s wine.

Eugene Â© 2006
September 22, 2006

Julia
BTW, if you really do want to make your own wine, check this out: http://www.crushpadwine.com/
September 22, 2006

Vinacull
Gary,
I horked my drink out my nose when you did the silent passsss on the Barmes-buecher — hilarious! Absolutely LOVED the tribute to TING. In an earlier EP when you asked viewers about their favorite non-alcoholic drink I noted along with Susan that Ting is one of the best. During the years I worked on St. Kitts, we would get bottles direct from the plant there, and I swear it tasted even better than what you get in the stores here in U.S. Don’t forget to try it with a splash of bitters over ice, if you haven’t already. QOTD – Without over-thinking it, I’d probably call the wine something that tries to give back the passion that keeps enthusiasts coming back for more: “Rapture”
September 22, 2006

TimF
Vinacull — Any drink with sugar usually tastes better overseas than in the US. In the US we use high fructose corn syrup rather than sucrose in almost all soft drinks. That’s because the US sugar lobby works with Congress to get our sugar prices to about 2x to 3x the average world price. It’s a total scam…
September 22, 2006

Matthew L
I forgot to mention that I have Pat Benetar’s greatest hits. She is/was great. I think you definitely appreciate her more if you’re mid-30s and over.
September 22, 2006

MarcT
TimF…Good Point on the sugar thing…What a rip. Now go and download a few Pat B songs and wallow in the goodness. I was young but remember the HOT stage.
BrandonM, what is up with chalk lines? Also…it sounds like you have a similar company to me…I have two. I’m a Network Administrator by day (like you maybe) and a Personal Chef by night and weekend (when my clients don’t need me for computer work that is). So what do you do that keeps you in front of a computer all day watching old WLTV episodes and posting so damn much? I’m into watching everything but I don’t post like you!!! Keep it up.
Tony, Thanks for the advice on my trip to San Fran. WL has hooked me up too. I’m looking forward to the awesome weather and the Red Bull Air Race as well.
September 22, 2006

SeanM
My winery would be named “Runs Redd”.

I’m a fish biologist, so since trout and salmon have ‘runs’ and spawn in ‘redds’, I’d name each wine for a fish:
Bull Trout redd would be a cab,
Coho redd would be a syrah,
Steelhead Trout redd would be a malbec,
Cutthroat Trout redd would be a merlot,
Sockeye redd would be a Tempranillo,
Brook Trout redd would be a Pinot,
Chum redd would be a cab franc,
Rainbow Trout redd would be a Meritage.
September 22, 2006

TimF
GaryV — Isn’t Karen McNeil visiting the Wine Library soon? She always does this thing where says what movie star a wine is like. You should ask her the other way around – what wine is like Pat Benatar? I predict she says Cab Sauv: an iron fist inside a velvet glove…
September 22, 2006

SeanM
Oh, I forgot the 80’s music support group:

Hi, my name is Sean, and every group that’s been mentioned here is on my iPod.
September 22, 2006

Eugene
Julia,

Thanks for the link!
September 22, 2006

Arnold
You mention viewing past episodes, I’ve been doing that too but you need a better way to navigate. It took me seven clicks to get to episode 31 and I had to wait for each page to load. A drop down menu with episode numbers would work. They could also include brief descriptions. Yeah, I’m a web designer.
September 22, 2006

Tony S.
Mmmm….Alsacian whites. Nice. It’s hard to think of a winery name, cause so many sound pretty lame. I’d be tempted to name it after my family name, but sometimes that seems ego-driven. So I’d name it after my late grandpa’s middle name: Olaf.

But, a winery here in the middle of Chicago probably wouldn’t do to well anyway…probably get a lot essence of meat packing plants in the wine. Hmmm…maybe it would do well then.

Wow, Pat Benatar. I’m sorry.
Go Bears!!
T
September 22, 2006

Jason R.
QOD – I would go with “Uno Vino Reno” Catchy huh!!!
September 22, 2006

Rick McQ
Gary:

My wine would be called the PEEK A BOO PUNCH – So smooth and silky in goes with little effort, each glass is like a fantastic date that you never want to end. Hints of black current,asian spice, coffee, mocha. After you finish the bottle BAAAAHHHMMM – You get hit with the PEEK A BOO PUNCH and your lying face down on the floor.
September 22, 2006

Rick McQ
You could call your wine: Patriots Suck
I hate that Team -Vineyard
September 22, 2006

Julius
I would call my wine Pentagon, the five sides representing the perfect balance of Sweetness, Acidity, Tannin, Alcohol and Body.
September 22, 2006

TimF
Tony S. – You forget about Glunz. They make a decent port and had an incredible value Zin last year.
September 22, 2006

Julia
More DIY winemaking: http://www.urbanwineworks.com/syow.html . Seems to be a trend!
September 22, 2006

Paul
Sylvaner is also grown in Germany.
September 22, 2006

Tampa Steve
Almost 6PM and no WLTV…..I CAN’T TAKE IT ANY MORE……………………….
September 22, 2006

Mike E
QOD: hmmm probably something irreverent like “Good plonk wines”, “Various varietals vinum” or “Back seat cellaring wine company”. Maybe even an obscure Jersey reference “Die, Die my darling wines”…
September 22, 2006

Al Diaz
Great episode. I would call my winery “Parnita Back At The Ranch” Let me know if you can figure that one out being from Russia. )))))))))))))))
September 22, 2006

Jason
My dream wine name:

Beer.
September 22, 2006

Matty Van
QOD –

Happy Trails Merlot

Jesus Juice
September 23, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Great Episode! I give it a 97!
I do like Pat Benatar! I also like Lionel Richey.
I ABOUT FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR!! I had no idea anyone knew that I suggested the TING!
Thanks for trying the TING!
I think it is IRONIC you are doing the Alsace Wines and the TING in the same episode.
My relatives are Germans who fled to Alsace to get away from religious persecution and I am the one who used to live in Jamaica and suggested the TING. When you get a chance eat some Jamaican food also! I am glad you like the TING.
My day started off bad but has just turned out to be FABULOUS!:)
Keep up the good work Gary!!!
September 24, 2006

Bob
Gary, Thanks for doing this episode on Alsace region, it’s one of my favorites. I’ve had the Domaine Barmes-Buecher Sylvaner and agree, I was underwhelmed. However I’ve had the Riesling Tradition, Cremant and a wonderful Sept Grains (a blend of Muscat, GewÃ¼rztraminer, Riesling, Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Chardonnay, yum) from Domaine Barmes-Buecher and they were all of the finest quality. So I’ll need to find another Sylvaner to compare.
p.s. I’m always watching your episodes on the weekend, it’s my favorite TV show, after Monk (produced by a couple of Jersey guys BTW
September 24, 2006

Brandon M
Sorry guys…was gone for three days….Chalk Lines
Old world baseball on the label. Think The Natural. Dusty old gloves, cheesy spikes. But no pictures, just an old base bath with an old style base at the end. I would wrap all the wine titles around the game. Pinch Hitter for your every day middle of the week wine. Bases Loaded or Reserve Pitcher for the good stuff….and on and on.

B
September 29, 2006

Vinacull
Thank you TimF for the information on the difference between soft drinks in U.S. versus elsewhere. Very interesting…
September 29, 2006

Brandon M
Whats the deal with the different spit buckets? Can I buy advertising space on the front of them?
Product placement is where it’s at baby!

B
September 29, 2006

ed r
Is
September 29, 2006

ed r
this
September 29, 2006

ed r
better
September 29, 2006

ed r
Gary
September 29, 2006

ed r
you’re
September 29, 2006

ed r
welcome
Ed
September 30, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Ed made sure there is 100 comments.
Now will you do episode 100?
Just curious!
October 17, 2006

the Count
just a note. the adjective is Alsace…not Alsacian – thats a breed of a dog. nice work!
March 3, 2007

Alos Diallo
I would just call it Alos after me haha.
July 18, 2007

Dave Canada
QOTD – I would probably call my winery Veit’s Vineyard after a town in Austria that I lived in.
October 31, 2007

Alex
I have started drinking wines from this region recently, although the last one was corked, more often than not they have been really good.

QOTD: My winery would be Long Lake Point… Its a very special place for me, my father would understand, but really hard to put into words.
December 11, 2007

Josh in Burgundy
QOTD: My winery would be called La Grosse Dinde (which is french for the large turkey)

Great episode, I’m heading to Alsace this weekend for the christmas markets and wanted to do a little research before to see if there are any must haves while I am there.
February 8, 2008

Chris
QOTD: Independence Bear Cellars (which I use for my homebrew)
February 15, 2008

thefanjestic
Now I get it! Pat Benatar sings Hit me with your best shot! It all comes together in the end!!

I wonder if Brandon M ever makes it on the show.
March 8, 2008

Deeve
wow.

Ting.

That was a surprise. Havent had that since I was in Jamaica 20+ years ago.
April 20, 2008

Chris
This is one of the best episodes you’ve made. You say some hilarious things in this one.

“I get a little oregano as well, and not the kind you smoke.”

“Albert Mann, you da mon.”
November 1, 2008

Ray Barnes
I was hoping somewhere in the Video Library archives would be a tasting of anything made by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. I would say Gary’s overall assessment of this producer’s quality is absolutely correct. I have not had one bad bottle from this Domaine and several that have been of exceptionally high quality. In my view Z-H is one of the few bargains out there in the elite category.

I also hope to find some video of Domaine Weinbach, which is very reliable as well…even their allegedly humble Sylvaner, one of my favourite guilt-free “basic” wines. Great episode.
September 20, 2009

John J.
qotd: Chateau Grapey.

Saw you didn’t like your pinot blanc on this one, but did like the Albert Mann gewurtz. Albert Mann’s pinot blanc that’s out right now is great.
Great epsidoe Gary, ever gonna do one on vin jaune’s, don’t think you’ve done one of those yet. A tasting of charbono’s would be cool too.

Wines from Alsace. – Episode #95

Wines tasted in this episode:

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