Sauternes Tasting Including D’Yquem

Sauternes Tasting Including D’Yquem – Episode #121

November 3, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Links mentioned in todays episode.

WLTV Forum Posting.

Today Gary tastes three wonderful Sauternes and in the mix is the classic Chateau D’Yquem. Gary also points out a great thing going on in the forums and asks you a pretty cool question. Hope you enjoy this classic Episode.

90 Responses

November 3, 2006

Brandon M
Anyone tired of me yet?
November 3, 2006

Brandon M
I know I am
November 3, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Wow top ten!
November 3, 2006

Brooklyn Paul
Barndon… you… are … everywhere!

Great intro Sean… and also Gary and team!
November 3, 2006

JoeSwirl
Post quickly, make the top 10
November 3, 2006

Paul
Never tired of you, BrandonM
November 3, 2006

Steve B
Borak!!!!!!

Steve B
blog.thegrapenuts.net
November 3, 2006

Brandon M
Thanks Paul
November 3, 2006

Dan G.
Cool intro. Now that brings back memories. Whatcha talkin bout Gary!
November 3, 2006

Steve B
Gary, Have a safe trip…….

Should you have completed the desert wine episode before doing the other 2 episodes? How will you recalibrate your palate for the other 2 episodes?

Steve B
blog.thegrapenuts.net
November 3, 2006

Paul
So when was the last time you (I mean you posters and lurkers) had a d’Yquem? Tell everyone here about it.

I’m afraid it was a long time ago for me, probably over ten years, but it was a 1971 – classic, powerful, great vintage. Can’t find the tasting notes but they’re around here somewhere.
November 3, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Corked!
And someone tasted it before you and didn’t tell you!
What do folks think you’re doing in front of that camera, talking to yourself?
November 3, 2006

cgf
Yegshemesh!
I can’t believe you chugged d’yquem out of the bottle. Wawawiwa! You are my new hero. You should have finished it in one gulp and then broken the bottle and chanted “Ole! Ole! Ole!Ole!” afterwards.
QOD: alive: my fiancee. dead: my grandma. she was an awesome lady and into wine, but passed away before i was able to drink.
Anyone else going to see Borat tonight?
November 3, 2006

Brandon M
I’ve never had it, but have contemplated MANY MANY times.
November 3, 2006

Julia
What you talkin’ ’bout, Borat?
November 3, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
QOTD – Dead – Julia Child
Alive – Jancis Robinson
In both cases Gary would be picking up the check.
November 3, 2006

Brandon M
I am rollin over here on that begninning. Darth Vayner needs to stop drinking the product before taping….where was Earl of Kastner?
November 3, 2006

Brooklyn Paul
QOD:

Alive? My wife… we do all the time, but it never gets old
Deceased? My Grandfather… just because…
November 3, 2006

kidseyemd
Love love love the stickies from sauternes.

In fact, my father-in-law (soon to be “ex”….) has served some monumental wines to me over the years (Cheval Blanc 89, Lafite 85 and 88, Mouton 86, Latour 61, Petrus 70), and the first sauternes i ever had-59 D’Yquem-it’s been downhill ever since-i mean that’s like starting atop Everest!!
It was phenomenal. So, i would have to invite him if i only had one seat to fill…as far as deceased??…….not anyone i personally know…..maybe John Lennon or JFK??

Bon Voyage a Paris!

Hugh
November 3, 2006

Dan G.
One question for Gary or everyone out there; if one has a case and one bottle is corked whats the chances they all will be?
November 3, 2006

Dan G.
Oh forgot QOD. deceased–Ronald Reagan alive–Gary. Hows that for azzzzzzz kissing
November 3, 2006

Joe P.
Alive: anyone who loves wine
Dead: anyone who used to love wine
There’s nothing like good company and good wine. jp
November 3, 2006

Italian Stallion
Here’s my list of people that I would love to drink with.

Living – Actually Gary, you. Not to be a kiss ass, but I can learn so much from you.

Deceased – One of my closes friends Ben that passed away 6 years ago.

-Stallion
November 3, 2006

garyv
What about that 1980’s sitcom intro? huh?
November 3, 2006

garyv
Stallion well make that happen buddy!
November 3, 2006

Brandon M
Alive…My Uncle Jim. He got me into wine on a serious collector level and I would share my best with him anyday!…future alive, I hope my son and daughter enjoy the industry as much as I do, but we’ll see.

Deceased…Every wine I ever drank that I liked…I would like to sit down with them again!
November 3, 2006

Brooklyn Paul
Begining was awesome! You should do a different sitcom opening every other show. Happy Days? (Who’s gonna be Potsie?) Laverne and Shirley? (Lots of possibilities…) Cheers? (need I say more?)
November 3, 2006

Brandon M
That would be unreal…Gary flying in with a red-cape with “Believe it or not I’m walkin on air” playing in the begining
November 3, 2006

Jason
QOTD:

Alive – Gotta go with Gary Vaynorchuk. Not creative, I know, but he’s the reason I’m drinking great wine along with my great beer now.

Dead – Oscar Wilde
November 3, 2006

AnthonyS
Another great intro with the whole Diff’rent Strokes theme. Enjoy your trip Gary.

QOTD:
Deceased, definitely my grandfather. I never had a chance to share a drink with him.
Deceased celeb, Frank Sinatra
Alive, I would host a Royal Rumble and the winner would get to go to dinner with me
Alive celeb, same thing, Royal Rumble, but it would be all female and throw some jello in there.
November 3, 2006

JoeSwirl
Have fun in Paris.

I alway thought it would be fun to drink with Robin Williams… no, wait, that’s blow. I guess my friend Gilian Handelman from Wine and Spirits is one of my favorites.

For the dead folks: I have often wondered what lunch with Albert Einstein and John Belushi would be like. Picking one would really be dependant on the wine.

Love the chugging move. QOD – what’s the best chugging wine?
November 3, 2006

StanVH
Dead (unfortunately): R. W. “Johnny” Apple
Alive: Jancis Robinson (Gary — can you get her for a book signing? She has a new edition of the Oxford Companion).

Note: The December issue of Consumers Reports has an article on wine and uses a 5 level scoring system (Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent). See my comments # 73 and 74 in Episode 119 regarding a 5-point system. They limit their tasting to “. . .producers who did well in previous tests” and “. . .have bottled enough wine for you to find it easily.”

Gary: Why don’t you try some of these and see how CR rates?

Have a good trip to France.
November 3, 2006

joe
Paul (Post 11): This was a good year, had D’Yquem twice so far (both times at resteruants), the 1995 and 1997. It was infantcide both times – - but what the hell, they still wonderful, and my agency picked up the tab on one.

QOD: Living: Jancise Robinson, over an old Burgundy of course. Deceased, My Dad, wine wouldn’t matter. Not that he was a wine guy, but I miss so terribly much.

Joe
November 3, 2006

ML
Great intro! And thanks for taping a few more episodes today so we have something new to watch on Monday and Tuesday.

QOD – Alive: Borat

Safe travels to Paris.
November 3, 2006

Ken
QOTD:

Alive – Bill Clinton
Deceased – My grandmother
November 3, 2006

SeanM
Thanks Paul, My 15 seconds….

Gary, dude, having just gone through it I don’t envy you the flights, I’m still on Europe time myself, up at 3 am for no apparent reason. It was fun to bring the bottles home with me though.

Alive: my wife any time
Dead: can’t choose.
November 3, 2006

KAHUNA
GaryV,
Love the music – That was great- Have a great trip in Paris- I was in Caanes and Nice this year and loved it-

Anyone who chugs in my book is A-OK!

QOD- Dead – Michael Angelo and Raphael- Raphael love to party he died in his youth from well too much Wine & Women!

Alive- anyone who picks up the tab
November 3, 2006

CameronP
Great intro, Mr. Drummond. Too bad about the D’arche. QOTD:

Living- David Byrne. He seems like he’d be interesting and entertaining on a wide variety of topics.

Dead- Miles Davis. He was so endlessly creative that I’m sure just being in his presence would provide a lifetime of inspiration.
November 3, 2006

Jeff S. aka Opus None
Alive: Louise (with the D’yquiem)
Dead: My Aunt Julie (with any wine from South Africa)

Thanks for the QOD – made me think, and feel….
November 3, 2006

GeneV
If you are going to share a bottle with a famous wine critic, Robert Parker is a much nicer guy.
November 3, 2006

KAHUNA
GeneV,
Very nice – Now “Get to the Chopper”
November 3, 2006

Rob M
Have had Chateau D’Yquem on two different occaisions, same person’s house, both times with Foie Gras (also the only two times I have had that). Amazing match. Sad thing- I did not know enough about Sauternes to know what vintage. Tasty juice.

Sorry to be a copycat, but Gary, dinner would be with you.
Deceased: My grandfather who died before I was born (but whose name I have- I am the third, and my son, who is the fourth).

Enjoy Paris!
November 3, 2006

Jason R.
Gary – I picked up the 2003 D’Arche in the Free Shipping (Slotted it in due to the VaynerNation screwing me out of the E. Giugal CDP . This may be the time???? That is to try a Sauternes young. I have been wanting to do it for a long time. I have had many 70’s & 80’s, but the most recent vintage I have had was probably 88. I was dying to try something very young so I know how they develop and evolve. I know where they go, just dont know how they start. I may crack it and hope that it is not corked too… Either way – I can still replace it. Hell I may finally be able to pick up the 2003 Latour Blanche which is what I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT ANYWAYS – I have been patiently waiting and I think now is the time!!!

Alive – My Wife
Dead – My coon dog of 19 years while growing up – I would pour some 82 Latour in his bowl and we would share it on a fall evening… ahhh
November 3, 2006

Jason R.
Gary – When you get back – Please try the D’Arche again and maybe the Latour Blanche and a couple other 2001 & 2003 – I think that there is some screaming values in the Sauternes arena.. Possibly next Friday???? hint, hint….

Upon your return – I expect some Champagne being popped – I am sure you will discover a couple sleepers while there…. While in Europe I always found some good value – But I always found some CRAP too!! France & Germany has their Gallo & Yellowtails as well. Not that they drink the piss – they send it to USA… LOL (OH Yea – Along with Australia – They send all that high ALC. Shiraz to USA and keep most of the “Good Stuff” at home…
November 3, 2006

Kai
Gary,

Another great episode. Thanks for all your hard work.

I beg to disagree with your assessment of pazzz on Chateau D’yquem…..no one should ever pazzz on Chateau D’yquem.

With that said….a recommendation to the Vaner Nation to try Chateau de Fargues…a next door neighbor to Chateau D’yquem at 20% of the price.
November 3, 2006

TampaSteve
Your an animal Gary…and I mean that it a good way.
QOTD alive…man that’s tough one, but I would have to say my neiphew, we can do some dining damage.
Dead…no question about it….my brother
November 3, 2006

johnm
Bonne journee! QOTD: Alive- James Suckling, because we’d drink wine and smoke Habanos; Dead: My Dad, so I could see him again after 25 years.
November 3, 2006

Jaye
How many hours does Randy work? I picked up my order after 8 p.m. tonight and he was still there at the store!

QOD: Living – My friend Allison. No longer walking the earth – Jesus of Nazareth (He did, afterall turn water into great wine).
November 3, 2006

the professor and....
Gary, haven’t been around for awhile, but I like the new, harder edged, buck the system, Gary. And the new tag line at the end of the shows.

QOTD – Dead first, My mentor and friend, Tony Episeno. He loved his wine, and I was too young to fully appreciate him. I miss him dearly.

Living, I would say you, but that would be too obvious, so I chose Julie Bowen from the show “Ed”. My wife is gonna kill me, but lets face it, she’s hot!
November 3, 2006

Jim Vandegriff
That’s right, chugging Chateau D’Yquem! How funny. My goodness, that QOD. Alive, I’d say Nelson Mandela because being around him would inspire me to work for change. Deceased, I’d say Agoston Haraszthy who did so much to establish northern California as a wine grape growing region, and whose larger than life exploits were legendary. It would be fun to sip some Napa and Sonoma cabs with him, find out what he knew about the importation of the Zinfandel grape from his native Balkan countries, and toast him with European wines as well. Hope you enjoy France, Gary. Jim
November 3, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
I should have spotted the corked bottle a mile away…..maybe I can blame it on bad intelligence….as I am “Head of the Department of Corked Bottle Prevention”
November 4, 2006

garyv
Just saw Borat, there was a part that almost made me throw up from laughter!
November 4, 2006

MarcT
Great episode Gary!
Awesome intro by you and SeanM.
QOTD:
Living…The Stupid Kingdumb
Dead…Even though my grandfather didn’t drink, I still wish he were here more than anything or anyone else…Here’s to you Granddaddy!
November 4, 2006

JimB
Getting ready for another football weekend. QOD Living: Warren Buffett Dead: Robert E Lee
November 4, 2006

Jack:)
Dead: Ben Franklin.
Living:My wife and kid so I’m truely blessed to have them every day.
November 4, 2006

Rick "The Model" M
The question you asked regarding, who I would like to have dinner with dead or alive.

Dead: Chris Farley
Alive: Sasha Vay-ner-chuk
November 4, 2006

Italian Stallion
HEy GAry,

We should definetely make that happen. It truly would be an honor to go through, drink and analyze a few bottles of wine with you. I plan on seeing Borat sometime this weekend. Have a great trip, and for God sakes, enjoy some wine…lol
November 4, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
We should also say which wine we would share with this person, no?

Dead: J.F.Kennedy — 1997 Dal Forno Amarone (a big, classy wine for the coolest U.S. President)

Alive (barely): Mikhail Gorbachev — Bellavista Franciacorta (Italy’s best sparkler for some good ole political chit-chat)

Alive (2nd choice if my wish doesn’t come true soon enough): John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols) — Fonseca Port (full-on body and flavor for the world’s biggest anti-poseur poseur; though I remember seeing him in concert with P.I.L. slugging off a bottle of Remy Martin)
November 4, 2006

Andrew B.
QOD: Alive – Bjork and Harmony Korine With the best Archery Summit Pinot Noir or 2001 D’Yquem
Dead – Van Gogh and da Vinci, I’ll let them pick
November 4, 2006

Rich T.
I would love to share a bottle with Hugh Hefner(entepreneur), think he might know a thing or 2 about fine wines, and the eye candy with him ain’t bad either
November 4, 2006

Capt M
QOTD: Alive: Mr. Hugh Heffner. He’s Mr. Lucky Guy. Would love to sit for a half hour and enjoy an old oaky french cabernet while I listen to what he has to say. Dead: My grandfather. His name was Carlos, like me. He died in 1991 at age 105. I figure that he and I did never share time together as adults. In 1985 he turned 100 while I turned 18. I wish that I could sit and have a bottle of any wine with him while he is about 55 years old. I was not born yet when he was 55. But he sure as hell was an interesting dude. BTW, Concepcion is sitted here next to me, and we pledge to do another and a much nicer intro video very soon. We would like to attend the New York 2007 WLTV party. We watch this podshow daily, and we love it, and learn a lot from it. We just got ourselves a bottle of Michele Chiarlo “Asilie” BARBARESCO 2000. I had never heard of Barbaresco before, until I learn this through WLTV. We’re currently buying and trying many Pinot Noirs, mainly.
November 4, 2006

Capt M
I’m stoned to notice that Rich T, who posted just before I did, also mentioned Hugh Hefner. Dejavu!!
November 4, 2006

Jack:)
Two questions, Gary.
Who opens your bottles of wine before a show?
For the first bottle, which was “corked”, would the wine ritual step of inspecting the cork have revealed any defects which would have made you suspect the contents?
November 5, 2006

lizv
WLTV WON ‘THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE’ FOR:

BEST EDUCATIONAL VLOG
BEST COOKING VLOG

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR VOTING!!!!!

CONGRATS GARY & WLTV TEAM!!! XO

http://scobleizer.com/2006/11/04/best-videobloggers-list-from-the-vloggies-the-peoples-choices/
November 5, 2006

AnthonyS
Awesome job Gary & team. Please keep up the outstanding work. Way to support Gary and the show Vayniacs.
November 5, 2006

jarvid1
Easy question Gary,

Jesus Christ.

Hello from New Zealand! Wine Library TV is great fun to watch, keep up the good work
November 5, 2006

JayZee
QOD: Alive – Robert P… No, it has to be Gary V!

Dead – Winston Churchill, I’m not sure why other than I think he was a termendously interesting person.
November 6, 2006

Don S.
QOTD

Alive: Tony Gwynn (soon to be Hall of Famer from the San Diego Padres)
Dead: Nostradamus (He could tell me the 2013 vintage will be one of the all time greats)
November 6, 2006

Eugene
Gary,
Although I loved the 80â€™s intro, I am disappointed.
It abruptly ends and most likely there will be no continuation.

I am still waiting for continuation of episode 100. What is the destiny of the tasting glass? Have you ever found it? Did you have to fight it off that villain? :=))

Great episode on sauternes. Iâ€™ve chugged Muscat from the bottle before too and and it was good.

QOTD:
I would like to have dinner with:

Living:

Marisa Tomei-the greatest actress. (and yes I saw her half naked on the stage and it was great).

Deceised:

Why would I want to have dinner with a dead peson?

Instead I would like to take a rain check and have a dinner with another living earthling:

Paris Hilton
November 6, 2006

Sam Zen
First, teh Doplphins curse continues with the Bears. But things continue to be right on course for a repeat of the ‘84 SuperBowl. NY and NJ watch out… the Beasr are in need of a major bounce back.

Living: My father
Dead: Thomas Jefferson
November 6, 2006

Lawrence Leichtman
Good argument for screwcaps Gary. Last D’quem I had was 1990 that I still have in the cellar. Still have 3 375 ml bottles plus 1995 and 1999. Gary wouldn’t mind haveing a glass of wine with you. Would have liked to enjoy a glass with James Beard.
November 6, 2006

Tom
Gary,
I heard you say initially you would not be spitting today and you did with the Dâ€™yquem. Guess that was the way to say “pass” without talking.

QOD
Excellent Question – not to exclude my wife, father or mother, they are not into wine like I am.

Dead – Thomas Jefferson – one of the Founders and huge winehead.

Alive – Max Schindler (NBC Producer in Washington) whom I know. Huge winehead, has been to many places where recent history has been made, and excellent conversationalist. I have had dinner with him before and it is always a pleasure.
November 6, 2006

JayZee
By the way, Gary, what was with the Alfalfa-look hairdo on Friday?

- JayZee
November 6, 2006

Tony S.
Mmmmmm……….Sauternes…….You scored extra points today by drinking the d’Yquem out of the bottle. Kudos to you Gary. As for the QOD: I really don’t care about famous people, I’d rather have dinner with my wife or good friends. I know that’s a lame answer, but I’m serious. Famous-shmamous.

See you later…
GO BEARS. I hate the Dolphins now, by the way.
November 6, 2006

Louisiana George
QOTD:

Dead (in a manner of speaking)- Jesus Christ (the ultimate creator of all wine)
Alive – My lovely wife, with whom I enjoy every bottle of wine we drink

Louisiana George
November 6, 2006

phig
Great Show.
Yquem yum. When I was working in the restaurant business (many moons ago) they had yquem on the cruvenet and my best bud and I were working in the kitchen. I went in to ask the dumb bartender for a large glass of white wine to cook with (I was carrying on of those 24 ounce plastic coke cups). She turned to the dispenser and emptied half a bottle of yquem into the glass and said “here, nobody ever orders this and it has been opened for two days”. I rushed into the kitchen with my prize, put the glass under the counter and we did not cook with white wine that night. At about one in the morning when everyone had left and we had done the cleaning and prep for the next day we took out a couple of duck breasts and some fresh apricots and had duck with, as the wine, yquem. One of the best meals I can remember. It is overpriced (particularly in minor years) but man is it good. Next time, my first experience with Absinth at the same restaurant under similar circumstances.
Living: Nelson Mandela
Dead: John Coltrane
November 6, 2006

mikep
With out question My Dad Vince Palmieri who passed away Oct 30 2006. He loved good food and wine and as an old italian (neopolitan) saying goes “A true neopolitan would sell his matress for a feast” my dad was a true neopolitan and a great man
November 7, 2006

Rafa from Mexico
Another excellent episode Gary. Have a nice trip see you soon here in WLTV.
QOD Aliv: My wife.
Dead: My father
I have never had any d’Yquem, as a matter of fact I am a litle biased against white wines of any kind. I don’t know why, I think is because when I was in 6th grade we had a camping trip, and all my frieds and myself, each stole a bottle of whatever we could get from our houses, I took some white wine and it really tasted bad, so after that I allways say no to the whites. I think I have to change my mind set about that, and I hope I can change it with some nice bottle of white wine asn with some nice dessert wine as the d’Yquem.
November 9, 2006

MikeMe
Alive – GaryV
Dead – Bob Hope
November 19, 2006

David
I really enjoyed your episode on Sauternes. your presentation is much more informative when you include a food pairing like you did in this episode. please do this more often.
January 19, 2007

Kirk
Well…first off let me say I was lucky enough this August to have a friend open up a 1976 Chateau d’Yquem for both myself and another friend. Being that it was our birth year…it was simply an amazing experience. Ok…ot to the QOTD

Living: Maynard James Keenan – The owner of Merkin(google this word and start laughing) Vineyards and winemaker behind his Caduceus Label. He is a serious wine lover…and the wort of person I’d love to share some of my wines with.

Dead: I’m gonna go with Jim Morrison (wow…both musicians) I hear he was a huge merlot fan. I’d hope like hell he could bring along a Chateau Petrus.
January 25, 2007

Elliot Essman
Who would I invite?

Living, my son, who lives in Australia and can bring the wine.

Dead, Sinatra, and I will drink whatever he’s having.
March 20, 2007

Alos
Alive it would have to be my dad, he is a recovering alcoholic and I have never had the opportunity to share a glass of wine with him, so it would have to be my dad but sadly it would have to be in a world where he was not addicted to alcohol. Ok as for dead Plato I am a big fan of philosophy and would love to share a glass and some ancient Greek with my hero.
July 27, 2007

Palmer
QOTD: My dad, hoping that he would share a bottle of his 1967 Chateau d’Yquem with me…
September 1, 2007

Brendan L
Gary’s shirt in this one always gives me a great laugh. Kick ass.
February 2, 2008

Chris
Great WLTV intro!
November 4, 2008

Ray Barnes
I loved the introduction, that was classic. Excellent episode too. When Gary drank the d’Yquem straight from the bottle, I laughed out loud. Needless to say, I’m more than a little jealous too.

Living – I guess my favourite wine maker in the world (for now), Olivier Humbrecht. Especially if he brings at least a half case of every wine he makes.

Dead – ideally, Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi along with a large selection of wines they have worked on individually and collectively.
May 25, 2009

Caligula 1981
May I quote Oscar the Wild(e) one? Here it comes;
“For the bloody sweats and the wild regrets none knew so well as I,
for he who lives more lives than one, more death than one must die!”

and I have died so many times in a world so fine, the world of wine,
for when the bottle is empty and the wine is all gone,
it’s the end of a story and the start of a song
about a wine so fine that it blew up the mind
because it leaves only good memories in our mind behind!

Bothuyne Carl (Belgium)
September 24, 2009

John J.
Gary great episode and great qotd.
A suggestion if I may. It seems that unless you have a guest who has brought wines, you’re predominantly choosing wines from your library. With that being the case, why not have a backup ready for the wines your tasting ready off camera? That way if you get one thats corked, you have one right there ready for another taste. I know, if you’re doing say a Barolo episode, may not work, since that sucker’s gonna need to breathe. But if say your doing a fresh vinho verde maybe it wouldn’t hurt.
Or even better, and no offense, but are you smelling the wines after you open them, before you let it sit for a few hours before taping? Pretty much all corked wines I’ve had you can tell by the nose (or sniffy sniff), or at least have a really good idea that it might be. I do really like how you do it live however and don’t edit.
Speaking of ideas, may I suggest doing a vin jaune episode, or a tasting one on the different charbono’s out there?
oh yeah qotd: a tough one, may change if I gave it some thought. For the dead guy, Thomas Jefferson, knew he loved wine, I’m into history quite a bit, I think that would be great. Alive, don’t think I could pick just one, maybe a small group.