99 Responses

1. December 12, 2006

   dougiefresh

   hopefully my wife is checking this board, she thinks I’m stalking you dude.

2. December 12, 2006

   Beetz

   Hey I’m #2

3. December 12, 2006

   AnthonyS

   Gary, thanks having an episode ready for today so we could all get our daily dose. Dougiefresh, lots of us are experiencing the same speculation.

4. December 12, 2006

   Brandon M

   Italian is gonna hate this episode!

   SAWEEET…great job with the shirt Gary…Thank You Thank You Thank You
   Got one for Denyce too!

   VAYNERCLANK!…I think any wine that get’s a Vaynerclank should be 79 points or lower!

   I once got on my Har Horse, but it was very Citle!

   QOTD – 2005 Sebastiani Russian River Casa De Sonoma Un-Oaked – $13.99 after club discount! AWESOME

   Great segment today in Atlanta Gary, your BLOWIN UP!

5. December 12, 2006

   Rob B aka robnmo

   top 5!!!!

6. December 12, 2006

   dougiefresh

   slow day at the office. ; )

   Just watched the Atlanta show, hilarious. The urinal comment was great. She did look freaked. Although I think that comment was in reference to a particular wine that smelled like a urinal at a carnival rather than tasted like one. haha!

7. December 12, 2006

   hinrgman

   Did a great job in Atlanta

   Congrats

8. December 12, 2006

   MiamiDolphins

   Nice show

   QOD: Catena Alamos Chard

9. December 12, 2006

   Italian Stallion

   NIIIIIICE

10. December 12, 2006

    jon777

    Nice ep – loved the topic, although disapointed that there’s not a QPR homerun in the bunch…

    QOTD: Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay

11. December 12, 2006

    Chad D.

    Wow, a former lurker…now top 10?
    Great episode, I personally dislike Chard, my wife won’t drink it either.
    QOTD A friend who likes chard gave me a bottle of Chateau St. Jean Sonoma that wasn’t bad so I’ll go with that, since I’ve hated everything else in that price range that I’ve tried.
    Can’t wait to get the shirt
    Also your mood greatly improved between episodes…must have been the Oak..I mean Grenache!

12. December 12, 2006

    EricS

    I would LOVE to buy a shirt…
    I would LOVE to buy some wine from WL…

    but alas….NO SHIPPING TO MICHIGAN…bummer. You can’t even ship a shirt to MI?

13. December 12, 2006

    dougiefresh

    QOD: That’s an easy one, the Full Boat Chard. Great recommendation from one of the reps on the WL floor. never would have bought it from the lame label design. hey, you can’t judge a book… well you know.

14. December 12, 2006

    Bruce S

    Top end of the price range you mentioned, but Morgan makes great chards for $15 per. Both the regular and the metallico are excellent. The regular for oak fans and the metallico for the old world fans.

15. December 12, 2006

    Italian Stallion

    Nice Vaynerchuckle when trying the SIMI….SS Chris, thats a new Vayner-term for you

    I hate Chardonnay

16. December 12, 2006

    ML

    Nice TV segment in ATL. I was hoping you were going to do a little tasting with her.

    Before New Years, how about an episode on California (or maybe just US) Sparkling Wines?

    Lastly…QOD…I like the Kim Crawford Chardonnay…and have also enjoyed MadFish…but haven’t had the most recent vintage.

17. December 12, 2006

    Matthew L

    Great episode Gary. I like the shirt.

    A weekend kicking it with you?! Man…let me get the creative juices flowing.

    QOTD: Travis Unfiltered Chardonnay

18. December 12, 2006

    waibeans

    excellent show both here and ATL.

    and GREAT idea about the t-shirt contest. That’s the way to get the internet 2.0 audience involved.

    beware the “Oak Monster”.. another Vanyerquote.

19. December 12, 2006

    Joyce

    Gary, think they loved you in Hot’lanta!

    Good show.

20. December 12, 2006

    Italian Stallion

    Your right Brandon…..I said NIIIICE because there was a new episode, but I hate Chardonnay, so this wasn’t one of my favs.

21. December 12, 2006

    Matthew L

    I just watched the clip from the show in Atlanta. Good job Gary. I think being on camera for WLTV made you aware of where the camera was and you panned well from one to the other. They gave you a good amount of airtime, and you talked EXACTLY about the thing that has made me share your store and site with everyone I know–demystifying wine. Kudos!

    BTW: I’m with Stallion about Chardonnay. Definitely not my favorite varietal, but I dislike it for the very reason Gary as pazzing on a few of these bottles…OVER OAKED. Yuk!

22. December 12, 2006

    Uncle Josh

    My favorite inexpensive Chardonnay is probably the Taft Street Sonoma County Chardonnay. It is only 25% oaked. Nice tropical fruit on the nose. It will not overpower your meal, so drink it and eat.

    This is not to be confused with the Taft Street Russian River Chardonnay (also from Sonoma County) which is akin to drinking oak tincture. The wine maker told me that he thinks this wine can bring about world peace. I suspect it is much more likely to bring about global deforestation.

23. December 12, 2006

    Brandon M

    Cmon Guys…don’t fall into that “Wine Snob” rut. Overoaked CA Chardonnay is such a small part of the overall Chardonnay production. You have got to broaden those horizons!

24. December 12, 2006

    Lars

    QOTD: None. I prefer Sav Blancs

    Bought a shirt–even though it has green in it. I hate green. Go Vikes!

    Lars

25. December 12, 2006

    ChadB

    Nice episode, Gary. Like to see you review the everyday plonk that we all drink too often.

    As for your requests, I’m not sure when one’s lurker status is automatically converted to “Vaniac”, but I’ve been watching since episode #125 thanks to a link from Fermentation (fermentation.typepad.com/fermentation) on November 13th titled, “Embracing Your Inner Wine Geek”. I knew I had to click to see what was going on.

    QOD Chardonnay: La Crema Sonoma Coast – I don’t drink much Chardonnay, but I remember this one being pretty decent.

26. December 12, 2006

    Richard

    Personally I really don’t like Chardonnay and if i drink white I perfer a nice Pouilly Fuissé instead.

    (OK now go and laugh with the boys).

    Actually I really don’t drink Chardonnay, I think I skip it because everyone who knows nothing about wine always drinks chardonnay. Did you ever go to a bar in a nice restaurant and ask, “what kind of white wine do you have?” They say chardonay. Most people say great and order a glass. I ask, “what kind?” Hell it could be Yellowtail for all I know!

    Last week this happened to me with a red wine in a expensive restaurant in Oakland, New Jersey, the lady at the bar read off a list of reds ranging from pinot to zin, I asked, “Yeah but what kind?”, then she rudely handed me the wine list.

    Stubborn bastard that I am, I looked and replied, “it’s all crap” and ordered a Negroni.

    OK, if I win the wet tee shirt contest can we go to my favorite wine region, the Santa Ynez Valley? It’s so hard to find a bottle of Andrew Murray in New Jersey.

27. December 12, 2006

    Ken

    Gary,
    My heart was breaking and my stomach churning when I saw the Chardonnay line up. Then your faint praise for the Clos Du Bois worried me. (After all, you had pledged during the Atlanta TV thing to rehabilitate Merlot! God help us.) But as your show progressed I was relieved. They Gary we know and admire shone through. They are simply awful wines. Quite right. Oak, full malo be damned. America’s palate is often seems still stuck in the post-prohibition era when anything made in a bathtub was pretty darn special. Though, truth to tell, my grandma, god rest her soul, made better elderberry and Thompson seedless wines than those featured today.
    To cleanse your palate I would suggest something from my beloved Pouilly-Fuisse or sublime Saint-Veran. Beautiful, unmanipulated Chardonnays. They deserve a show.

28. December 12, 2006

    Steve R

    QOTD: Three Families Chardonnay — small Mendocino winery with cool serial comic strip labels and NO oak! I admit that it loses some complexity without the oak and malo, but the crisp citrus, pinapple, and apple more than makes up for it.

29. December 12, 2006

    stewart l

    Enjoyed the show! Looking forward to a new shirt! I don’t buy chardonnay anymore except to serve to guests at parties.

30. December 12, 2006

    Justin

    Gary,
    Good episode. I’ve been a lurker for a while but I’m not after the t-shirt so i’m not going to tell a long story. Anyway, you hit California Chardonnays today and someone else asked about California bubbly so I thought I would add a link to my other favorite wine vlog http://www.winecountrytv.org/whatlukkalikes. They do all Sonoma County wines. Pretty cool. Keep up the good work Gary!

31. December 12, 2006

    TJS

    Gary,

    Lurker – looking for T-shirt

    In my work, a couple of times a year a drive through wine country in Washington State. I bought some 2000 SNOQUALMIE MERLOT RESERVE at the winerey at a pretty big discount (something like $12 a bottle) I got home and drank one and was impressed and laid down a few – gave most of them away as gifts – months later I discovered I still had one and drank it. I had forgotten how good it was and so I googled it to buy more and your site came up. It was something like episode 5. I am claiming to be the longest existing Lurker – (since episode 5!) (now a recovering lurker) that you just yanked out of hinding with the promise of a free T-Shirt.

    TJS

32. December 12, 2006

    joe

    Gary: awesome, valuable episode!

    QOD, my favorite (house wine since 1997 vintage) chard under 15 is Bernardus out of Monteray. Most retailers price this at $22, but Wine Library has year over year priced it at $14.99 (Library code 8248). I have blind tasted this against Talbot and Ramey with friends and it WON. It is year in and year out, great juice. Some Oak – but with a ton of rich pure fruit to stand up to it. Here is the description from the WineLibrary.com site:

    “We blend Chardonnay grapes from several extraordinary vineyards in California. The result is a complex nose of honey, melon and hazelnut. The mouth feel is amazing with a deep, rich, creamy texture that is reminiscent of Cream Brulee. The long lingering finish seems almost endless as you enjoy the subtle notes of vanilla and butterscotch.” -Winery

    Joe

33. December 12, 2006

    joe

    Bruce (post 14):

    Good call on the Morgan. I am with you. Try the Bernardus and let me know how you think it compares.

    Joe

34. December 12, 2006

    cgf

    Great show in Atlanta today!

    QOd: Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay. Not overoaked, great price, and widely available.

    Q for Gary, do you think America’s palate really is oak and sugar, or that the average wine drinker is just responding to marketing? Simi is easy to say and people know it so they buy it. Same with yellow tail, ck mondavi, etc.

    Which is why your approach to wine is so refreshing. You need to repeat you mantra/thesis/mission statement when you go on these shows like in Atlanta (1) trust your own palate 2) Try new things.)

    That is what WLTV is all about.

35. December 12, 2006

    Eric

    QOD: Best Chardonnay I’ve ever had was the 2005 Fox Run Vineyards Reserve out of the Finger Lakes region of New York. Never had a California Chard I liked. Here’s what their webisite says about it:

    Aromas of peach and lemon are supported by vanilla and spice notes from barrel maturation. On the palate, this wine shows rich flavors of lemon custard and baked apple.

    Not a whole lot of info, but it has that nice tongue tingling acidity that I like in white wine.

36. December 12, 2006

    GOL

    “Oak Monster”… for a minute I thought GV was referring to Charles Oakley

    QOD – One year Bogle made a great Chard for like $9… the next year it wasn’t good… I think it was ‘01 or ‘02 vintage… otherwise many pouilly fuisse’s in that range i find to be of good value

37. December 12, 2006

    QueSeraSyrah

    Good overall intro to wine on the Atlanta and Company… really hit the important keys for those new to wine or looking to bring a wine to a party. Looked very comfortable and I thought you all were actually going to taste… but I guess it was more for decoration… *sigh*

    QOD- At one part in my wine journey I did close my mind off to chardonnay as I did not enjoy the extremely oaked flavor profile that I got from the few chardonnay’s that I’ve tried. More recently I’ve reopened those doors and with a little guidance have come to enjoy some chardonnay. So to answer your question:
    Montes Alpha Chardonnay ($12.99) – A nice balanced chardonnay with all the fruit elements that I’m looking for when I drink a chardonnay – tropical fruits, pears, apples with subtle (or citle) oak and vanilla flavors. Good acidity and balance. Overall excellent value IMO.

38. December 12, 2006

    canadian-kid

    Great episode Gary…love the energy and humour…keep it up yo!!

    QOTD: Im not a huge white drinker, so my experience is limited, but my personal favorite was the Trinity Hills chard. i beleive 2005 vintage

39. December 12, 2006

    E

    QOD: Terres Dorees Beaujolais Blanc. Not a toothpick of oak to be found … it’s the anti-Chardonnay!

40. December 12, 2006

    Dan C.

    QOD- Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay from Australia or Novellum (10% oaked) from Languedoc. I can’t say I have found a California $10-15 char yet that wasn’t over-oaked. Are there any?

41. December 12, 2006

    boyd

    Gary, enjoyed hanging last night. Hope we can do it again next time you’re in the ATL.

    I don’t have a favorite Chardonnay because if I go for a $10 – $15 white, I usually go with a GV.

    Peace up, A-town down. (That’s right, I am a dork.)

42. December 12, 2006

    E-Rock

    Great Show… Pow how you like me now?? I’m wearing a Vayniac T-Shirt right now!! You know I had to gets me one!! Any other Vayniacs wearing one right now??

    QOD = Sonoma Cutrer Russian River

43. December 12, 2006

    Brandon M

    Once it gets here I will!

44. December 12, 2006

    Jason G.

    Great episode, and the ‘tastes like urinal’ comment led to such a great reaction shot from the show’s host.
    Can’t say I have a “favorite” under-$15 Chardonnay, but my wife and I recently tried a Chilean Chard for $14 that was pretty decent. It was the MontGras Colchagua Valley Reserva 2005, from the Rapel Valley area. I think it only scored 82 points from WS, and it certainly didn’t have any incredible depth, but we both liked the green apple, pear and moist cheese rind nose, and thought it went well with a spicy Asian salad. Some of the best Chardonnays I’ve had actually came from the Walla Walla region of Washington state, specifically from Dunham Cellars.

45. December 12, 2006

    ChrisR

    Gary,

    Nice job on the Hotlanta show. I saw your face cringe and then shrug it off when she mispronounced your name as VAN-er-chuk. Oh well. You rolled with it and it was great promotion for your show and the site. Nice job. Too bad they didn’t give you any time to talk through the wine bottles and give recommendations.

46. December 12, 2006

    Paul

    Gary, GREAT episode. One of your top in terms of being pumped. Also enjoyed the Atlanta TV segment. Very cool, calm.

    QOTD – The La Crema and Morgan offerings have been good over the years. T
    Joe (Comment 32) – I will try the Bernardus. Saw it in the store, pondered, left without it. I’ll go back and get one.

    E-Rock – picking up my shirt tomorrow. Will be wearing it home!!

47. December 12, 2006

    Little Lou

    i learned about WLTV from you GV… cause ur the man!!!!!!!!

48. December 12, 2006

    Wine-o

    Lurkamania is running wild, YEAH. What ya gonna do when the LURKSTER comes down on you!!!!
    UH, I couldnt even think of a story to make up to get a free t-shirt (size xxl)so I will tell you the truth. You see, I have always been a fan of wine. A CIA trained chef (thats why I need the xxl)who worked his way through the trenches of the NYC restaurant scene, got hooked on wine from my man Kevin Zraly. Windows on the World wine school. Then my life has been cosumed with work and wine took a back seat for a couple of years, I still enjoyed it although not as much as I would have liked to. Then you came into my life and I’m back baby. I now also make my own wine which I would love for you to try. I drink wine and lurk every day. Oh, I almost forgot.I heard about WLTV from an advertisment on 880 am radio while listening to the Bronx Bombers takeing a well deserved beating. You were offering free shipping. (use code yankees or yanks sux) Lets Go Mets. Sorry for the babble…I got to go…Got someones chicken in the oven….

49. December 12, 2006

    M-Squared

    Another long-time lurker drawn out of hiding – not by the t-shirt but by the QOD – like several others, I HATE most chardonnay but recently tried some Olivier Leflaive Les Setilles 05 white burgundy and thought it was surprisingly good – very well done – definitely worth the $12 or $13 – Special note for all Vayniacs: my in-laws live in Maplewood, NJ, not far from Gary’s store so I’ve been shopping there for a very long time – way before the remodel that made it really look like a library – if you haven’t been to the store, you really should try to get there – I travel and shop for wine all over the country and WL is my favorite store, bar none – this TV stuff is icing on the cake – Gary, keep the hammer down – nice job (in air quotes) on the ATL show

50. December 12, 2006

    Tom T.

    Gary,

    My favorite $10-$15 bottle of chardonnay is: Raymond Reserve.

51. December 12, 2006

    Rick "The Model" M

    Cool episode today. looking forward to tomorrow when you get back. I am surprised about the cambria, I heard good things about it.

52. December 12, 2006

    KMANN

    Recently ousted lurker KMANN (#143), but as stated b/f /s/ Tim F /s/ tipped me off via his link to your spoof “2$ Chuck” review episode. Unreal he warrented that much face time! Had to watch an episode or two of a regular episode to get the jist, but a solid effort…which is more than I can say for his Lost Vayniac spoof…gimme the T!

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wine+library+spoof

    Can’t wait to see what he comes up with to join you in Sunny Ca-li-for-ni-a!

53. December 12, 2006

    GeneV

    Boy, does this take me back. In the early 80s we drank these with chicken or fish meals constantly, and they were about what we could afford. Clos Du Bois was our favorite as well.

    Currently, if I feel the need to go to a cheap chard(like for a big party), St. Francis is my favorite. Its fresher and less oaky than most other $10 chards.

54. December 12, 2006

    barclay

    QOTD: Wente Chardonnay Riva Ranch Reserve. You can catch it on sale at safeway down the road sometimes for $13 or so.

    As for a lurker, coming forth… I actually think i stumbled across the site from 9 rules. Nothing spectacular, just killing time. I’m not a big fan of pod casts (or video logs or whatever you want to call them), but i thought, “ok, i’ll see what this dude has to say…”

    My first reaction was “Who in the hell is this yahoo?” But I started clicking around, and watching more and more. After watching the champagne episode from the “Best of”, I reckon I was hooked.

55. December 12, 2006

    Jeff

    Great Dual show today. IT really helps to see you taste things you don’t like. Helps me voice my likes/dislikes. The atlanta chic almost lost her eyeballs on the carnival urinal. Keep it up

56. December 12, 2006

    Mike F.

    QOTD- Casa Lapostolle Casablanca Valley Cuvée Alexandre.

57. December 12, 2006

    shea

    ~ My first time with you ~ You left me smiling! ~

58. December 12, 2006

    mike p

    another great episode! Favorite $10 chard has to be PUMARI (tasted in episode Wines with weird labels or something like that) I hane a question of the day Did you get a Lolly Pop? Have a great day

59. December 12, 2006

    Capt M

    QOD: my favorite Char is KJ, for the moment, I’ve got to admit. I’ve never liked Simi too much, while I think Clos Du Bois is ok. Glad we coincide there. We’re getting our Vayner-t-shirts, and thinking already about what to do. WE WANT TO BE THERE, NEVER MIND GETTING THE RIDE PAID FOR!

60. December 12, 2006

    JeffyJeff

    Time for me to stop lurking, I guess…

    QOTD: Like many here, not much into the whites. If pressed to choose a Chardonnay in that price range, I usually go with one from Oregon that makes Pinot and sparkling that I really love: Argyle. When I really want a white in that price range, though, I grab a bottle of Naia – a lovely Spanish Verdejo.

61. December 12, 2006

    Jaye

    Gary — you were fantastic on the Atlanta show. I could see you becoming a regular on the Today Show like “Produce Pete”. Wouldn’t THAT be a gas?!!

    Time is tight this week, and I have never liked a single CA cab that I have ever tried, so I will wait till later this week to watch the WLTV episode. Looking forward to a new episode tomorrow! I will stop in the store Thursday afternoon to pick up my WLTV 6-pak. Any chance I can try some from your open bottles?

62. December 12, 2006

    ChrisR

    QOD: My favorite is Catena Chardonnay from Mendoza. Nothing even comes close.

63. December 12, 2006

    Kai

    Chardonnay….yuk !

    Will drink a Viognier over a Chard any day not unless I can afford a Kistler everyday.

    Still watching everyday from Hong Kong.

64. December 13, 2006

    DJA

    I’m not a big Chard fan, but for inexpensive chards, Washington State makes some nice ones. Chateau Ste Michelle in the Columbia Valley is a good American choice. A Joseph Drouhin Macon-Villages offers a nice QPR.

65. December 13, 2006

    Ryan

    Gary-
    Thanks so much for coming by the Murph last night we all really enjoyed poping the juice we love with you. You really got all the guys pumped up! Also, well done on Atlanta & Company. Lets pop some more killer stuff next time your in the ATL. Keep up the Hype!

66. December 13, 2006

    Ryan

    2005 Vasse Felix Chard

67. December 13, 2006

    mr. francophile

    Gary,
    The results of this tasting were not a suprise(shocker) i would lovw to see a more serious chard tasting. Just my 2 cents.

    Best chard under $20 by far that i have ever had is the Brett Brothers Macon Villages. It drinks like a $60 wht burg with great acid and minerality. Are you familiar with this producer?

68. December 13, 2006

    Darlene O.

    Firstly, the shirt is great!!! Second, watched the Atlanta spot, and YOU WERE GREAT!!! QOD: Gary, sorry, but I can’t think of any Chard that I like under $15. I do like Calera chard, the Far Niente I had was lovely, and the $20 Edna Valley I like.

69. December 13, 2006

    Matt from Barossa

    GV,

    I just bought one of your shirts on line. I’d have to say your sight isn’t very friendly for us international buyers. I had to put my state down as Alaska or Alabama or something just to get through. I’m sure you’ll honour the free shipping of your shirt to Australia. Might even send in an intro. Please ask your team to keep a close eye out for my order to make sure it is sent to Australia and not some random state in the USA.

70. December 13, 2006

    Matt from Barossa

    Sorry I mean your site not sight!~

71. December 13, 2006

    DomTheSomm

    Clos LaChance Santa Cruz Mountain Chardonnay…..loved the Atlanta show… and the T-Shirts are Awesome!!!
    DomTheSomm

72. December 13, 2006

    dave from Osaka

    Another lurker comes out of the cellar…we’re lovin WLTV over here in Japan. Just made a Costco wine-run today…gotta have that Stag’s Leap for the holidays!

73. December 13, 2006

    eugene

    Nice schwag! I can’t see it well from far but looks like it was inspired by Rolling Stones symbol.

    QOTD:
    Favorite California inexpensive chardonnays

    Gloria Ferrer, Concannon.

74. December 13, 2006

    Bill T.

    Gary, some honest feedback on the Atlanta show…
    The show was good and I’m sure those that don’t watch you everyday on WLTV probably enjoyed it. But
    I was a little disappointed, you weren’t the same Gary from WLTV! Although you were very informative, it seemed a little scripted. You seemed a little nervous or tired and lacked your normal enthusiasm. On WLTV you come accross as very passionate, emotional and honest about wine. Your energy level is usually high and that makes for a great episode. You seemed a little uncomfortable, a little unemotional and a little distracted on the Atlanta show. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll give you props for just getting in front of the camera. Just don’t change your style to conform, it’s what makes you special!

75. December 13, 2006

    rich loughrey

    TMhere are NO American Chards worthwhile under $15!!! Catena is fine but stick to the French whites. The contest second prize should be a week with Gary etc. Caffeine, cocaine and Speed should be included to keep up with the man. Gary could evolve into the Thomas Haden Church character in Sideways.

76. December 13, 2006

    mbw1024

    QOTD
    don’t know the prices off hand but I like (in no particular order) Toasted Head, Frie (or is it Frei) Brothers and Casa LaPostelle from Chile

77. December 13, 2006

    TimF

    Wow! Gauntlet has been thrown down! What is the submission deadline?

78. December 13, 2006

    Grasshopper

    GV,

    Very nice job on TV, especially with the host being a little tight and trying to sound like she knew what she was talking about….

    Are you able to track how many new viewers you get to WLTV from the viewing area of the show? Are you able to tell us how mnay veiwers you get daily?

    QOD – My Wife and I like Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay from Chile for a good weeknight wine under $20

    Keep up the great work Sensei!!

    Grasshopper

79. December 13, 2006

    MTZ

    QOTD: Travis Unfiltered Chard. Without a doubt.

80. December 13, 2006

    Lawrence Leichtman

    I’m with the others here. Most Chardonnays from CA suck for me. In the price category you mention I have not had one I would consider good. Calera is about the lowest priced along with Chalone for commercial. My wife likes Chardonnay from CA so we have Ramey as our standard but that is expensive stuff for every day drinking. There are so many other good whites than Chardonnay and most are value priced. Got to get a t-shirt but will have to order after the first of the year. Thanks for a great year so far Gary, keep up the good work tasting bad wines so we don’t have to.

81. December 13, 2006

    East Village Wine Geek

    Excellent!!!!!!!!! Way to get the word out about wine man! That appearence on the Atl show was spectacular. Wine is for everyone. By the way the $8 dollar la roca you talked about is f’n amazing. I’m actually giving my father-in-law a case for X-mas this year. Bloggers Unite! Good job man just doin it for the cause. I feel the bloggers out there doing a collective wave.

    EVWG

82. December 13, 2006

    Sam Zen

    G- I’d be all over the contest, and the tee shirt… however, (in a Spinal Tap voice) how much uglier can ugly be? These are outrageously haneous. Sorry dude, I’m out!

83. December 13, 2006

    Brian

    Great job on the the show.

    QOTD – This past summer I tried kali Hart Chard. To be had for around $14 a bottle. I felt it was a great offering from a fantastic chard producer.

    Brian

84. December 13, 2006

    AlisonD

    Good episode..I do like Chardonnay, and was happy that you tasted some for us. Now I know what NOT to buy! Thanks!

85. December 13, 2006

    TimF

    Lotta love for GV on the Parker board today (thanks to my bump)…

86. December 13, 2006

    Tim Tamblin

    Gary- I am the lurker extrordanaire. My wife Kathy recently emailed you with the Bob Parker “What’s the best wine you have to offer at Fieldstone”story. The reason she went to the trouble to relay this story was because she hears you in the background as I diligently listen to your opinions on the multitudes of fine and “otherwise” wines out there on the market. She has been known to laugh out loud from across the room at your joyful diatribes and occasionally lurkes over my shoulder to see who this “zaniac” guy is! This is quite unusual for her to stop her work to be temporarily side tracked for anything, let alone being interested in one of the hundreds of websites, wine and otherwise, that I visit on any given day.

    At any rate, in an effort to sport one of your beautifully designed shirts, I came across your site while doing a google search for a wine that alludes me at this moment,however, what I like best about your show and you is your joyful delivery of an arena I have been engaged in as both a hobby and on occassion a profession since 1975. I live in the SF bay area and have easy access to multiple AVA’s so needless to say, enjoy many trips of the type you suggested for late 2007. Your show is a delight and will do wonders for the industry as a whole and I have yet to find a sight that does this in the animated fashion you have so boldly captured. I look forward to each episode and when you come to our coast, feel free to look us up as there are a few verticals that we are losing will power over keeping in there sealed state and would be honored to share with you…

    No longer lurking,

    Tim

87. December 13, 2006

    Brooklyn Paul

    Great job all around Gary!

    I’m just shocked how many commenter’s hate Chardonnay. Wow…

    QOD: I really like the Roshambo Imago and the Mayo Family “Unwooded”. But my real favorite is one most probably have never heard of. Channing Daughters Cuvee Tropical from LI. I’m telling you, they do Chardonnay right out there.

88. December 13, 2006

    Tim Tamblin

    P.S., give the 04 Buehler Russian River($9.99)and the 05 Logan Sleepy Hollow Chards($12.99) a try if you can get your mitts on them…

    Tim T

89. December 13, 2006

    Rooney

    Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw Blend $2.99 in NYC. Boo ya.

90. December 14, 2006

    Jeff

    I just don’t get how one can hate/dislike Chardonnay as a catagory. There is such a range of different styles. People write them off too quickly IMHO… but to each their own opinion.

91. December 14, 2006

    Karl B.

    I like the Macon Village Chardonnays in the $10-$15 price range. Great discernable fruit and the use of seasoned oak barrels. Interesting that you tasted a mix of years. I would like to get your comments on a comparison between these different years.

92. December 15, 2006

    Redhawk

    QOTD: It’s been a long time since I had a chard under $15, but Meridian was decent–probably more like under $10. I always liked Ch. Souverain (and not just the chard), but their chard had been hovering over $20 when I gave up on it a few years ago. Good to know it has come back down in price. Hopefully that is more related to the relative overabundance of Chardonnay juice than to a drop in quality. Maybe they’ll go back to those distinctive multifaceted bottles again.

    I am also surprised to hear how many people “hate” chardonnay. Good–all the more Jean Laurent Blanc de Blancs for me!

93. December 15, 2006

    David

    There are a lot of good Santa Barbara/Central Coast Chardonnays that are very good. They seem to be lower in alcohol. Napa Chardonnays are higher in alcohol, maybe too much sun? I am not a big fan of Chards anyway. thank you Gary, you are great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

94. December 15, 2006

    Rich S

    Not a big chard fan at all. I would much rather have a riesling or a dry Italian white or even a zesty sauv blanc. But I am also not one of those ABC folks who will refuse to drinks chards at all. The absolute best chard that I have ever had was the Generations of Sonoma – Abandon Chardonnay. It was actually one of the better white wines in general that I have had recently. It was really well balanced with hardly any oak and had great citrus and grassy tones (mostly pear and even a little lychee). Seek it out!!!!

95. December 22, 2006

    Joe

    Fantastic job in Atlanta…offers should be pouring…IN!

96. March 25, 2008

    T. Reasoner

    J. Lohr is really the only chardoney I can stand or maybe a KJ reserve… But I am more into the loure valley Sancerre’s.

    aloha

    Tracy

97. June 28, 2008

    PsychoI3oy

    w00t! first ‘oak monster’ reference!!!

    I’d have to go look but I think the first ‘thunder’ reference was back in the 120s or 130s.

    It’s really fun to start from the beginning and see the show evolve into what it is today.

98. April 25, 2009

    Pangaea

    Finally! I have a reference point between GV’s and my palate.

    I have a 05 Souverain here and I thought the oak was a little less subtle on the nose than GV thought. Matter of fact for me I knew it was a oak monster right from the sniffy sniff. I totally agree on the lingering oak taste though.

    QOTD: State side I’d have to go with Bogle. While French Chardonnay I’ll go with Red Bicyclette & Fat Bastard.

99. September 27, 2009

    John J.

    qotd: dont usually spend money on chard’s. but last one i got i can remember that i liked under $15 was the Jean Paul Brun ‘Terre Dorres’ Beaujolais Blanc.
    So long as you keep rewuesting we send in requests Gary, i’ll keep giving you mine.
    How about doing a vin jaune episode, or a charbono tasting episode?

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