California Chardonnay’s

California Chardonnay’s – Episode #112

October 20, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today Gary tackles oaky, over the top Chardonnay’s. Watch today and see how Gary reviews these three Chards. Gary then answers more viewer questions and has a new QOD. Have a good weekend and we’ll see you next week.

283 Responses

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October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Miguelo…living or visiting?
October 20, 2006

Tony
QOD – I’ve never been a big white wine drinker. Did like a Leveroni Chard that I tasted a few weeks back at a tasting, but overall, I haven’t really explored chards.

Hey, I’m just now getting into Italian reds – I can’t drink everything at once! But I’ll take your advice and try something good in the $20 range.

Suggestions anyone??
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
Hey, Brandon, I’m already here!
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
I agree Patty. I’ve been down to the local Goodwills and there have been some GREAT GLASSESS, though not always even a set of 4 (a few probably break in the transfer), but up until now, I thought I only needed 2. –That’s two ‘total’ of the same size/shape, but I will return to look for more now.

You could probably dig up an interesting set of different brands of the same type if you don’t have to have that consistency at the table – would contribute to an interesting dinner party: a different story behind each glass used!
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Ed R…I was thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to jump everyone into a frenzy….
Liz? Gary? AJ? Papa Vaynerchuk? Who will tell us?

Jason R…no worries…but if ANYONE is ever making a trip to Nor Cal from out of state…let me know and we can make it wine stop on your way throguh!

B
October 20, 2006

PattyO
Pete B (#96 yesterday) – I have the same thoughts about washing wine glasses. I suggest everyone take their glasses off the shelf and check out the “nose” of the empty glass. It’s likely not scent-less. Especially if you use a dish soap with “sheeting action” – to reduce spotting – it purposefully leaves chemical residue. Then, add wet, alcoholic beverage to that chemical residue and you get add-ons to your wine aroma. Other than shape of the glass, I think washing probably makes way more difference than the glass or crystal itself. And, by and large, restaurants wash their wine glasses in a dishwasher so you’ve got the soap issue there all the time.

Tim F (#120 yesterday) – I have the Jonesy Port but haven’t opened it yet. A trusted wine store sommilier suggested it because he knows I like well-aged, high-alcohol Barossa Shiraz and he said this is right along that same profile – for under $10.

Buying glasses – I make a regular pass through the “houseware” section of the Goodwill stores in the old parts of our town (folks die, their whole kitchen contents to to the Goodwill). I have found FABULOUS vintage wine glasses, French crystal, and amazing vintage wine decanters (usually stuck in with the glass vases) for $1 – $3. They’re just stuck in with all the cheap glassware and it’s always priced the same as the junk. The treasure hunt is a blast!

QOD – Watts Casa Azul Reserve Chardonnay – 2003 – Lodi. Butterscotch, round, butter. $13.99 (have never had a $40 Chardonnay).
October 20, 2006

Ed R
Gary a “lot going on” does is that code for a “little gary” is on the way?
Ed
October 20, 2006

Tony
Gary, Ive said it before, but I’ll say it again: We all sincerely appreciate the time you take out of your life to do WLTV. And I personally would rather see you take a few days off when you really need it rather than burn out from trying to do too much.

In fact, why don’t you take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off next week? I’ll be at a conference in freezing cold, rainy Rochester until Thursday, so that’d work out great for me. I haven’t missed a single episode for months, and I know I’m going to feel terrible when I get back and see everything I missed.

Taking the red eye out tonight. I can’t believe that snow is actually a possibility in the forecast. It’s 85 degrees out here in NorCal right now and not a cloud in the sky. Man, that’s going to be a shock to the system!

Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to hit the Finger Lakes. Looking forward to that.

Don’t have too much fun without me!
October 20, 2006

Jason R.
Chardonnay can beat any expensive bottle of Chardonnay. Albert and Remy is this DeJaVu??? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS???

B- Sorry – not going to make it to N. Cal this trip in 2 weeks. Just doing LA & then up to Seatle & Vancouver. Will let you know when I plan on being up there. I will also see what kind of hook ups I might be able to do.

Gary – You ever tase the PGA Tour Wines??? http://www.pgatourwines.com

I bought the Commisioners Private Reserve Cab, but have not drank it?? Anyone – any comments on any of there wines???
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
–Not a whole lot of experience with Chardonnay since I’m not a girl, but the one I recall from a work function that was quaffable is the –La Crema– that WL sells for $15 ($20 MSRP).

After yesterday, maybe we should all buy some stock in Reidel, but one thing that wasn’t addressed: —>> Is there an effect in drinking from a plain glass and one with a noticeable percent of Lead Crystal?? —>> And why do they have the health warnings posted where the Crystal is sold (in California)?? Is that in case you want to eat the glassware?
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Jason, I hear you – maybe it was her name that was Champagne.
October 20, 2006

garyv
HUNA who’s been talking here at WL?
October 20, 2006

Jason R.
Kahuna – I have had a similar experience at Scores in Chicago on a work outing…. I dont remember the name of the Champagne, but I do remember it being quite tasty!!
October 20, 2006

Jason R.
Brandon – Dont get all upset. My wine just left WL today. They had to get a couple more bottles of the 2003 Ch. Marquis for me to complete out. No worries that it took a couple extra days… All the wine is going to sit for at least 3 years anyways. (Unless – That damn D’Arche Sauterne – I have promissed myself that I would pop a Sauterne and drink one young sometime in my life!!! – I have several and actually I have never actually popped one – god thats sick – I keep drinking my fathers stash with him and we are still enjoying his late 80’s stash. Only bad part is that my dad did not purchase any 2005 Bordeaux Futures as he said that he would never be around to enjoy them.

Which leads me to a question – Did anyone get the Wine Spectator in the mail today? There is a suppliment 2006 IWA Holiday with all sorts of toys that make all of us wine A-Holes go weak in the knees. Anywauys on page 5 they have a Gizmo for “maturing” wine in 1 second=1Year for the mere price of $100 bones. NO WAY IN HELL AM I BUYING THIS!!!! I would like to know if it works though. I think that I could make my own if it does for about a Buck 95.

So much to say – so little time…. Poker tonight – No wine – just Beefeater & Diet 7 – wedge of lime – tall glass… Standard issue for me – other than Bordeaux
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Gary, is it true like Ripken that they had to keep switching your position due to declining skills?
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
There’s Gary…where you been man?
October 20, 2006

joe
Agoura Hills, it neighbors Malibu and Calabasas
October 20, 2006

garyv
JOE ALMOST EVERY!…I broke Ripkens record!!!!
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
What part of LA?
October 20, 2006

joe
Brandon:

I am not FROM LA, but I live here now. Originally Jersey-born, and shopped Wine Library when it was a relatively unknown small store and Gary worked the floor almost every Saturday.
Joe
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Lev M
I have had champagne out of cleavage at SCORES- does that count?
October 20, 2006

Albert and Remy
According to our taste, it is hard to find a good Chardonnay, but we think that Sanford Winery (Santa Barbara County) Chardonnay can beat any expensive bottle of Chardonnay. And Brandon, by the way, we haven’t received our order either. We were looking forward to taste the Pieve Del Vescovo Piovano this weekend. Why hold it!!!
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Hey Joe…are you from LA?
October 20, 2006

Lev M
Gary, how do you feel about champagne out of saucers? I think it tastes better.
October 20, 2006

joe
Gary:

Kesner, Hudson vineyard, is my favorite California Chard. It is life changing.

Question: What is the best order to drink Pinot and Cab. In Epiosde 111, You drank the pinot first. Often, I find that drinking the relatively sweeter/smoother pinot before a more dry and tannic red, like Cabernet, makes the Cab seem excessively bitter by comparison. I wonder if the prefered order should be cab before pinot?

On Thursday night, in LA, we drank a 2004 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot before a 2002 Hourglass Cabernet. The Hourglass seemed bitter by comparison and I am sure did not show as well if the order was reversed. We almost got into a fight over the order to drink the wines. Can you provide guidance?
Joe in LA