92 Responses

1. December 29, 2006

   Louisiana George

   HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU GARY, AND TO ALL WLTV VAYNIACS!!!

   Louisiana George

2. December 29, 2006

   Glen

   Pats Rule!!!!

3. December 29, 2006

   Ann B.

   top 10??

4. December 29, 2006

   AndrewB

   Top 5 Byaaaa!!!!

5. December 29, 2006

   Steve B

   Welcome back GV, we missed you……..

6. December 29, 2006

   grilljockey

   Yeehaa!

7. December 29, 2006

   cgf

   top 10 nice!

8. December 29, 2006

   Eric S.

   Top 10 maybe..now ship to Michigan or Indiana!!

   QOD: Not sure where we are going and I have no idea what we are drinking yet. Happy new year to all vaynernation!

9. December 29, 2006

   metsfan13

   Happy New Year – and good luck to your Jets!

10. December 29, 2006

    Herm

    Have a happy new year….we will be home drinking martinis….

11. December 29, 2006

    cgf

    Gary-
    Nice Ep. Loved the AJ cameo. Did he say you EAT vodka? I have some friends who eat vodka as well.

    QOD: I’ll be in the city. My buddy rented out a bar. I will prbably be drinking Jack and Gingers, and whatever champagne they are pouring.

    HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR’s Eve. You are the man.

12. December 29, 2006

    waibeans

    THX Gary and the Anti-Chris for the look round today. Had a great time! Getting to see where it all happens was a lot of fun.

    QOD.. The wife and I will be leaving Peurto Rico on the first day of a Carrib Cruise. As far as what I’ll be drinking, it’ll probably be “whatever’s available”!!

    Great show today, see you in 2007! Happy new year’s everyone.

13. December 29, 2006

    Nathan N

    Happy New Year
    QOTD: Not sure but probably a 2000 Ciacci Brunello Di Montalcino. I hope it taste better than the 01 that you tasted on WLTV

14. December 29, 2006

    Ann B.

    Happy New Year!

    I’ll be on Long Island at my best friend’s house for a quiet dinner with her family. I’ll be bringing a bottle of D’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz, but I don’t know if we’ll open that or drink something else.

    Gary – I am in full agreement with your stance on screw-caps. I cannot think of another industry that would tolerate a failure rate that approaches 5 to 10% (depending on what you read).

15. December 29, 2006

    Eric Anderson

    ALmost top ten!!!!! Oh well. I will be working in DC this weekend so will have to dip into the cellar when I get back. Happy New Year to you Gary and all the Vaynerchucks and Vaynerchicks out there.

    Eric

16. December 29, 2006

    Chris

    New Years at home. We will be drinking 1998 Schramsberg Reserve. Happy New Year to all!!!

17. December 29, 2006

    Tony S

    Dinner will be at “La Piazza” – a quaint little b.y.o.b in Nutley.

    The wine we’ll be enjoying is 1997 Eraldo Vieberti Barolo.

    Happy New Year!

    T

18. December 29, 2006

    stewart l

    Bring your sabre next time! Our family will go out for chinese food. We will be drinking Zind-Humbrecht Gewuzt and Yalumba Viognier. Later we will drink Duval-leroy NV brut.When you have your fortune cookie, always remember to add the words “in Bed” after reading your fortune.
    Happy New Year! I look forward to a full year of WLTV.

19. December 29, 2006

    Taco John

    QOD… Not sure. I should get some plans though, and a good bottle of wine since New Year’s Eve is my birthday.

20. December 29, 2006

    Rich S

    QOD: Going to a house party at a friend’s house for NYE and will be bringing a nice selection of wine with me for all to enjoy:

    2002 Solanera (monastrell/cab blend) from Spain
    2002 Chateau St. Michele Reserve (cabernet sauvignon) from Washington
    2003 Cantina Rotaliana (teroldego) from Italy
    2005 Nora (albarino) from Spain
    2004 Bennett Family Reserve (chardonnay) from California

    I think that is pretty much it unless something else strikes me. Happy New Years everyone!!!!

21. December 29, 2006

    Jack:)

    Staying home and going to bed early. The kids ave been sick for a week and have been tag teaming the parents to keep us sleep deprived.

22. December 29, 2006

    Hugh

    G-

    Not sure about NYE, but New Year’s Day going to a friends’ “Southern BBQ”- he’s a local guy but the Mrs. is from South Carolina…and she’s an accomplished Opera singer….i’m thinking some big shiraz (maybe Marquis Phillips S9 2002), and Madrigal Napa Petite Sirah 2001….i’ve had both and they’re awesome and hearty enough for a big BBQ.

    Best of everything in 2007

23. December 29, 2006

    Jack:)

    Staying home. Going to bed early, hopefully, and sleeping all night, hopefully. The kids have been sick and are tag-teaming the parents to keep us sleep deprived.

24. December 29, 2006

    Wine-o

    I’ll be in the Grand Ballrooom feeding 500 people… Maybe a toast at midnight with the waitstaff that hates my guts. Love the casual Fridays and the Q+A session is cool. Sharpen the blade on your razor buddy, I like the JETS chances but am afraid they will be taking them a little to lightly.
    Healthy and Happy 2007 to all.

25. December 29, 2006

    PattyO

    Happy NY Gary and the WL family! I’ve been lurking for the past month or more because I don’t have time to watch – so I’ve been listening on my i-pod.
    The plan is Piper Heidseik Champagne with some crab legs followed by something special and decadent in the Napa Cabernet category (have to check the wine closet) with a RARE beef tenderloin roast!
    Bought the Piper because my grocery store had it as a lost leader at $24 (retail near $40) and we’re trying more bubbly than we used to – due to Gary’s obsession with it!
    BTW Gary – did I miss something? What happened to the 3 New Year parties (Cali., NJ and Chicago)?

26. December 29, 2006

    ChrisR

    Happy New Year, Gary!

    Love screw caps, but is there any knowledge that they stand up to long term cellaring? From what I’ve read, cork allows air in and out of the bottle at incredibly small amounts over years which is what allows the wine to age. In theory, if a screw cap is a perfect closure, wouldn’t 2005 Bordeaux in 2020 taste just like it did in 2005? That might not be a bad thing either?

27. December 29, 2006

    Tony S.

    Hey man…IT’S FRIDAY–AND YOU HAVE JUST ONE WINE—WHY, OH WHY ARE YOU SPITTING???? OK, I got that off my chest. I started a Bears Beard, but cut that off after week one.

    I love these laid back episodes (except the spitting…that makes it less laid back) AND I absolutely love the cheese pairing. I know nothing of cheese, except that I love it.

    As for the QOD: My wife and I always hang out with her 2 sisters and their husbands, and all 6 of us watch some sort of trilogy marathon and base the food/wine (if possible) around it. Last year was the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. We had ring-shaped food. This year is The Godfather Trilogy and we’re having Italian food and I’ll bring the Italian wine. I have a Gaja I’ve been saving, but I’ll save that for last (if at all) cause everyone else isn’t as “all-about-wine” as I am.

    Have a safe and happy new year’s Gary. But you need to tell us how you spent your New Year’s Eve.
    See you later man,
    T

    GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!packsuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

28. December 29, 2006

    Portland Guy

    When did you say you will start growing that beard??

29. December 29, 2006

    Dominus

    I agree with your opinion on the screwcaps. I can only hope my old Dominus is not corked.

    QOD: The little woman and I are going to a new restaurant (an annual NY event) called Comus Inn in the foothills of Sugarloaf Mtn in western Maryland. I plan on having the wine tasting menu so I don’t know the selection of wines.

    Of course, I will begin and end the night with a glass of champagne. Yum.

    Happy New Year to All!

    Cheers!
    Dom

30. December 29, 2006

    Josh S

    Happy New Year Gary

    I bought a ton of Mumm Napa Blanc de Noir, why no Dom? Although I can afford it my taster will be shot by midnight so why waste it. The Mumm was like 12 bucks and I’m bringing a half case to the party I am attending. (plus a couple nice bottles for dinner but who cares about that wine snobbery). Remember wine is a beverage not a lifestyle. Keep up the good work

31. December 29, 2006

    Andre

    Nice ep. Gary. Gotta try some of that Beringer; always looked at it with a jaundiced eye. You know what I’m doing on New Years. Nice to see AJ.

    Have a Happy New Year EVERYONE!

32. December 29, 2006

    Sherri

    Gary,
    Liking the playoff beard! I’m going to root for your Jets this weekend just to see the playoff beard make it another week (since the Pats are already in the playoffs)!

    QOD: Heading down to NJ for the weekend to hang out with some friends! Hoping to fit in a stop at Wine Library to check it out!!

    Happy New Year!

33. December 29, 2006

    joe

    Going out with a couple to The Ahamnson Theater in LA to see the new Musical, “Edward Scissorhands” and then back in time for midnight at my place to celebrate with 1995 Pommery and 1995 Laurent-Perrier.

    Happy New Year Gary – thanks for a great 2006!
    Joe

34. December 29, 2006

    joe

    By the way, the episode touched on two inter-related things, Screwcapping and aging. Gary, you made a sweeping blanket statement about Screw-capping for all. Gary, are you so convinced that wine will postively evolve with screwcap? I know that my Leoville Las Cases and Latours age gracefully and positively for 25 – 50 years in cork. Will they age similarly in screwcap? The cork allows for some oxygen breathing……..will our 2005 Leoville ever be ready to drink in Screwcap?

    For the majority of American wine drinkers, who consume their wine within 5 years of purchase (I am sure most consume it within a year) screwing is fine. But for we few who purchase the top pedigrees, put them down to grow into magnificence, I cannot so willingly throw out the cork. Have you tasted a 15 to 20 year bordeaux in screwcap?
    Joe

35. December 29, 2006

    Karen Lorentz

    Bringing Pierre Morlet Grand Reserve (thank you, Jim Gorman) and 2001 Chateau Filhot Sauterne to party around the corner in Jersey City. Guests all live in walking distance so no one has to worry about driving. How thoughtful.

36. December 29, 2006

    Bill

    It’s been great getting to know you this year, Gary —
    appreciating your down-to-earth Everyman appeal;
    shaking hands across the Hunterdon/Warren County line;
    winning an Official Vayniac T-Shirt.

    May your TV empire experience exponential growth in 2007.

    QOD: New Year’s Eve? Probably staying at home for a reflective, romantic evening of wine and cheese – sipping Lancer’s Sparkling Rose, of course – and on this special night, popping Laughing Cow Low-Fat Mini-Babybels.

    Happy New Year, Gary!

37. December 29, 2006

    johnm

    Thanks for WLTV and a Happy and Safe NY to all the Vaynernation! QOD – spouse is out of town, so I’ll be going out for dinner and allowing the Drappier blanc de blanc to chill in anticipation of midnight EST.

38. December 29, 2006

    StanVH

    Gary,

    Happy New Year. I hope your beard gets longer.

    QOTD: I havn’t quite decided what wines I’ll drink on New Years Eve, but it will be a champagne (maybe one of your family winery recommendations), a Pinot Noir (Sanford?? – I got the Sideways DVD for Christmas), and for a white — I’ve been rediscovering
    Gruner Veltliners this Fall, so maybe one of those.

    Thanks for a great year of wine tasting videos. I’ve got my Vaniak Tee-Shirt so I’m all set to watch your 2007 efforts.

    Changing the wine world . . .

39. December 29, 2006

    Jon E

    Good review on the 02′ Beringer Napa, but for my money the 01′ Beringer Knights Valley Cab was far superior. But then again it was drank with a dynamite rib-eye, and who can really concentrate when faced with a good steak. All the saem the Knights Valley is still lurking around some places and is well worth the green.

    And bravo on the screwcaps (or should we get into that whole Stelvin enclosure system thing). Australia’s putting us all to same as Kay Brothers, Marquis Phillips-( and just about everything Chris Ringland is involved with),and so many other quality producers take a stand for non-tainted bottles.

    QOTD: Friends party. Vall Llach Embruix maybe, Green & Red Chiles Mil Zin probably, and to toast Cava, since i have to share. Happy New Year Everybody.

40. December 29, 2006

    David Canada

    Love it Gary….I’d love to take you on in some old school Nintendo…a little Double Dragon.
    I’ll be at home with my fam drinking some Deutz NV

    DAve

41. December 29, 2006

    Ben N.

    Gary,

    I just bought The 2002 Beringer Private Reserve Cab.
    Gary, you shoud do an episode on both the Reserve and Napa, side by side.
    I am staying home with my wife on New Years Eve.
    We are having rib eye steaks and a bottle of Sterling 1994 Diamond Mountain Ranch with dinner.
    At midnight we will open a bottle of 1996 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. It will be a lot of fun.
    Don’t know if I like screw caps but we will see what happens with that.
    Happy New Year, see you in 07.

    Ben

42. December 29, 2006

    Denise

    When your VaynerSON wakes up?! Very impressive use of the VaynACULAR, Gary!

    Good health and good wishes to you and your family in 2007!

    My best,
    Denise

43. December 29, 2006

    Dave-from-Katonah

    Gary-
    Thanks for the shout – looking fwd to seeing those Eastern European wines on WLTV…
    QOTD – New Years’s beverages: 1996 Chateau laTour Pomerol and 1996 Lenoble Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru.
    Sending off the year with wines from the last decade…too bad there won’t be a screw cap!
    Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year to you and to all the Vaynerchuks and to all the Vayniacs,
    Dave-from-Katonah

44. December 29, 2006

    E

    Not a big fan of the Шампанское, I am guessing.

    QOD: hopefully upstairs with the neighbors (ain’t those 12/31 birthdays convenient?), so instead of having to drive home I can run downstairs for anything I might need (Moncuit, extra Gruet and Cava if there’s a crowd, and probably something from the ‘cellar’) … now if I could only remember which box my saber’s in …

45. December 29, 2006

    PJ

    Been on hiatus. My Fins let me down against the Jets on Christmas day but I’ll recover. Good episode. I really want to find some good American Cabernet’s so this helped. Cabs are my favorite without a doubt but I am partial to American grown (that ole red, white and blue thing) but they seem to be hard to find. A South African or Australian good cab seems much more accessible than the same made in the States.

46. December 29, 2006

    Genghis

    QotD: Drinking at my friend’s apartment here in Chicago– what we’ll be drinking will have nothing to do with wine, though we may want to spit it. Jager just lacks the appeal once you’ve started paying attention to wine, I’m tellin’ ya.

    If you do play the Bears in the playoffs, you’ll need to post a mailing address. There’s a Schick Quatro with your name on it, here in the Chi.

47. December 29, 2006

    MaryS

    QOD: Since the little ones came along we just hang out at home. Probably some filet mignons along with my favorite BWZ! Then a decent bottle of the bubbly at midnight. Hope to stop in to the WL tomorrow to pick one out. Will you be there for advice Gary???

48. December 29, 2006

    Eric Opheim

    Gonna have some friends over and do a tasting. Haven’t nailed it down yet, but probably a variety of German reisling, Canadian Icewine, and maybe a port or tawny. See ya next year!

49. December 29, 2006

    Rafa from Mexico

    Happy new year to all of you here at Wine Library TV. I am going to Scottsdale, AZ with my family for the new year, one of my favorites places on earth. Gary I wish you also a great 2007 and that all of your wine and football wishes come true. The only thing that I don’t understand is how are going the jets beat the Cowboys on the Super Bowl. Sorry you are going to have to wait another year.

50. December 30, 2006

    HomerJ

    Agree with TimF, Michelle Roland would be a treat.

    Also, the question after about the fruit disappearing after the tasting. It happened to me once when I was tasting some of the heavier and more intense wines at the end and it actually minimized some of the taste from the first wine when I went back. Now, the first wine that I had was mellow and didn’t “punch me in the face” when I first tassted it. I would go with Gary’s explaination first, but if that isn’t right, perhaps it is because the later wines?

51. December 30, 2006

    Mike C

    Another great episode Gary, loved the cheese…goat cheese has to be my favorite. QOTD: ummm probably trying to sleep in the hours between 10-midnight when the baby is asleep. Then wake up around midnight to help the wifey change a diaper and then rest while mom takes care of the rest…phew being a dad is tough….not as tough as you are on the cork industry though! Hey…have you seen those new glass corks? What do you think?

52. December 30, 2006

    Tim

    I am heading to Daniel’s Broiler in Bellevue, WA and a party afterwards at the Hyatt Regency. We will be drinking two bottles of 1997 Clos Du Val Robert Porter Cabernet Sauvignon.

53. December 30, 2006

    Trish Da' Dish!

    I already know where I’m going to be on NYD…for I just arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, and have started celebrating it! I’m only 1 block from the Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Hotel, where MLK was killed, and I’m only 3 blocks from Beale Street! Will be celebrating the new year with my boyfriend Jason who flew in from Guam to bring in the New Year with me(he’s the love of my life) and a couple of his friends. We have all committed ourselves to a veritable food and drink orgy/mission for the entire New Year’s Day weekend by going to all of the top eating joints we can stand. We are NOT going to worry ourselves about weight gain, lack of exercise, possible premature death, or any of the mundane stuff we normally sweat ourselves about. One of my boyfriend’s free-spending and very rich college friends (who loves champagne, and calls it “cham pag knee”) has put himself in charge of the bubblies and he has promised that we will have either Dom or Cristal for New Year’s Eve (among many other spirits)…tomorrow we’re all looking forward to a barbequed shrimp skillet dinner for 6 at the Rendezvous (best rib joint in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD). We just came back from Memphis’ top place for buying wine (it’s called Busters–hi Tiffany!). I normally like Zin with my BBQ, but the folks at Busters said that even with BBQ’d shrimp, a red could be a bit overwhelming, and so they suggested a Sauvignon Blanc instead. So that’s what I ended up getting for us to take to the Rendezvous with us tomorrow (yes, Gary, it does has a screw-cap opening . I am sooooo psyched about all the good food and drink I’ve already had here in Memphis so far, and about what lies ahead. This is the absolute, most idealized, most perfect way for me to celebrate a new year, for I do love good food and drink so very much!

54. December 30, 2006

    Sakas

    Hey Gary,

    I’m with you about enjoying cheese as much or more than wine! I don’t think i’ll be able to find it; but i’m going to be on the lookout for that Leonora!

    Have a great new year!

    ~Chris

55. December 30, 2006

    Suzanne

    We will be playing our annual NYE poker tournament with the fam. When you live in Florida, the house becomes a “Holiday Inn” this time of year. I am about ready to kick them all out, so my husband and I can enjoy our nice bottle of Gosset without having to share!!

56. December 30, 2006

    Miguelo DiMarco

    New Years: crashing parties in S.F. drinking whatever the hosted bars are serving; will prime the night with Paringa Sparkling Shiraz and Le Grotte Sparkling Lambrusco (something charming about red and bubbly and the girly girls love it).

    I can’t get past the Beringer association with their White Zinfandel; will probably never purchase anything by them — that’s their fault, not mine: there’s no government regulation that says you gotta make White Zin if you have a winery. . .

57. December 30, 2006

    Vinacull

    End of year is a great time to extend a major THANK YOU for all you do in bringing passion and fun along with a little bit of you to the wine world. This was a nice little episode. I agree with the former comment it would be great to see a mini-vert on same wines different vintages same producer (e.g., Knight’s Valley 01, 02, 03). Or perhaps easier to arrange would be different wines from same vintage same producer. QOTD: Not at all sure what we’re doing New Year’s Eve. I never drink on New Year’s day because I’ll be forty feet up in the air taking down Christmas decorations. I was going to open my last 90 Dominus for NYE but then got worried it might be corked so I opened it Christmas night. The cork was fully saturated but the wine turned out to be fine. Better than OK, it evolved fabulously in the decanter and in the glass over the course of about six hours. Absolutely beautiful mix of cherry, herbs, tomato, tobacco, and later on, fresh bell pepper. It reminded me that not only do we tend to be impatient about how soon we drink wines, but many many times we drink them way too FAST, robbing ourselves of the potential to experience different stages of what you call “the moving target”. Best to you and your family for the new year Gary, CK

58. December 30, 2006

    Dan C.

    Happy New Year to Gary and all the Vayniacs!

    QOD- Root beer or ginger ale for the kids and 2001 Justin Isosceles for me and the wife.

    PS- Those plastic/rubber/fake cork corks are the worst. Nearly impossible to remove and completely impossible to re-cork. I much prefer screw caps.

59. December 30, 2006

    Bill Ross

    Think I’ll hang up the car keys and drink some wine. Actually, a group on another forum I was participating in (before advent of WLTV Forum) decided at the last minute to do an impromptu online tasting, for the sake of “togetherness”. Wasn’t time for many guidelines and zeroing in on a single wine we could all drink together, so it sounds like we will either pop a Barolo or a good Chianti CCR, or both. I plan to try the Virna Barolo Cannubi Boschis 2000 (I know, you panned it on Episode #116, a couple of days after it was an e-mail special). I had already ordered three. (BTW, I’m always glad when you tell us what you really think about the wine you are tasting, whether it’s good for sales or not). For the Chianti, either Castello della Paneretta ‘01 Torre a Destra CCR or Felsina ‘95 Berardenga ‘Rancia’ CCR. Happy NY and Happy NYJ.

60. December 30, 2006

    Joe Po

    Gary, Nice two-color shirt. Is it Michelle or Michel? I think the corkscrew industry is behind the agitation to keep cork. You know, another Big Business conspiracy! Thanks for enlightening and entertaining us. A very happy New year to you and your family. I’ll be at dinner with friends and then to a house party with me bringing Duval Leroy Brut.

61. December 30, 2006

    eugene

    I will look for that cheese.

    Me like Spanish cheeses.

    QOTD
    At the diner, I feel like drinking something like California cab.

    Haven’t decided which one yet.
    Champagne at midnight.

62. December 30, 2006

    Large Format Fever

    G to the V… As luck may have it, I have to work. Yup thats right. Hopefully the Krug will be flowin’ My wife and I are popin a ‘89 D’Armailhac New Years Day to celebrate. Cant wait. Holla’ Back, CB

    P.S. Thanks for the shout out!

63. December 30, 2006

    Jason G.

    My wife and I are driving up the coast to Santa Barbara and staying at a b&b over New Years. The plan is to wine taste New Years Eve day and on January 2nd, and have some nice ad hoc dinners in our room with some of our purchases. New Years Day will see most of the wineries closed, so we’re hiking in the mountains to work of all our holiday glut.

64. December 30, 2006

    iphilgoood

    Hi

    New listener here. First comment ever. First of all, congrats for this great educational AND entertaining machine that is WLTV. Keep up the good work.

    I watched a couple of old episodes and really liked the blind tasting one. How about a part II to that?

    QOTD : Probably a Minervois РLe R̩gal du Loup 2004. I also have a generic 2000 Burgundy (Croix St-Louis) that begs to be opened.

65. December 30, 2006

    Ricardo Ganc

    Hey Gary,
    Thanks for all the tips and tricks.
    Have a fantastic year….

    I’ll be in Rio de Janeiro at the beach and drinking a Paul Roger-Winston Churchill 1995

    Seeya next year

66. December 30, 2006

    Skol

    Going to spend some quiet time with friends:

    Drinking:
    Drappier NV Blanc de Blanc “Signature”
    Eric Rodez Blanc de Noir Grand Cru Brut NV

67. December 30, 2006

    Mark Block

    To Joe, who is positive that his Leoville Las Cases and Latours will “age gracefully and positively for 25 – 50 years in cork,” I say: Maybe not. Yes, the cork will let in some air, but it will also let in the smells of the cellar. If you have an expensive, custom cellar to hold the wine at the right temperature, then the wine has a good chance to age well, but I’ve tried many older wines that smell musty and taste oxidized.

    One anecdote. I organized a tasting with six couples about 10 years ago, the organizing principle being: bring a great, ready-to-drink bottle of red wine. I brought a Margaux, someone else brought a Latour. All the wines were between 20 and 30 years old. Of the six wines, all were over the hill — some undrinkable. Four of the six came from basement cellars and two of the six had been purchased at high-end wine stores a few weeks earlier.

    Since that experience, I’ve been very cautious about holding wines too long. As I’ve gotten older (I’m 55), my taste buds have become less sensitive to tannins, so I don’t mind young wines — as long as they’ve had time to breathe in the glass (or opened bottle). And anyway, I can’t count on being around all that long even if I had a fancy cellar.

    All this reminds me that I have an ‘85 Lafite in my basement, and that tomorrow would be a perfect time to pop that cork when friends are over.

68. December 30, 2006

    Aamer

    Great episode. I enjoyed the questions and your responses. Is there a rule of thumb that a novice like me can use to tell how long a wine can be cellared and when is likely a good time to pop a bottle open to see how things are going?

    I realise it depends on vintage but simple rules of thumb based on grape variety or wine type & quality of vintage (good, fair) would help newbies a lot.

    -Aamer

69. December 31, 2006

    KMANN

    The sound of the cork is akin to the ping of a golf ball off the tee right down the middle of the fairway, the crack of a Ryne Sandberg home run, or the swish of Jordan fade-away jumper…ok, pull the natural, but what’s wrong with synthetics? Graphite racquets ruined tennis, don’t let twist caps ruin wine in similar fashion.

70. December 31, 2006

    Paeonia_9

    Hi Gary!

    Longtime lurker here, must say I really love and look forward to WLTV.

    As far as New Years, the hubby and I will be spending it at home together in front of the fire. He’s demanded my Chicken Kiev. I’ll be making a vanilla bean cheesecake with blood orange curd as well.

    Sofia Blanc de Blancs was half price at the grocery store so I thought I’d give it a shot. I did see your WLTV episode on this one, and I’m not feeling hopeful. Doesn’t sound like my style of bubbly (I always look for descriptors such as “brioche”, “cake batter”, and “bread dough”, then I know it’s up my alley) I’ll probably get a back up split of something more reliable just in case.

    Anyhow, a “Wine”derful (ta-dum-dum!)New Year to all! Keep it rockin’ in 2007, Gary!

71. December 31, 2006

    Paul

    Staying at home with my wife. Eating a nice lobster, which I will boil here (I never hear the screaming). Drinking a Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle “La Cuvee”.

72. December 31, 2006

    nop.bot

    well gary i’ve been a lurker and fan for a while now, and thought i’d pop out of the woodwork just to congratulate you on your big W with the jets today. i’m a college football fan myself, but found myself rooting just a little bit that the jets would win today.

    enjoy the playoffs!

    oh, and lets celebrate by getting winelibrary to ship to arizona! woot!

    qotd: new years includes mumm napa blanc de noirs NV

73. December 31, 2006

    Joyce

    Happy to spent New Year’s Eve home with my family…..having a nice dinner by the fire, ringing in 2007! J-E-T-S won big this afternoon—gotta keep the Playoff Beard alive!!!!!!!!! 2006, a very good year, the birth of WLTV….here’s to all the Vayniaks……..best to you 2007!

74. January 1, 2007

    Mark Block

    So we drank the ‘85 Lafite that had been in my basement for god knows how long. It was perfect. Maybe corks aren’t so bad.

    For the bubbly at midnight I opened a charmat method brut that I brought back from a winery in Chile last month. I paid $4.50 for it. I didn’t taste brioche — or stars, for that matter — but it was refreshing. No one complained.

75. January 1, 2007

    GeneV

    Spent the evening at a dance party, drank a little pinot gris, and I’m now on four hours sleep.

    Happy New Year, and thanks for WLTV!

    Goat cheese and cabernet is usually a pairing from H***. That’s white wine country. Albarino rocks with that cheese.

    IMHO, the New World winemakers are losing a big chance when they go to the cork. True, a wine with a cork will be a different wine from the same wine with another closure. There is so much tradition with the wines which have been produced for more than a century, that I’d like to see a good portion of the old world traditional wines stay the way they are. Better yet, let’s see some wine sold in skins.

    However, New World wines were always destined to be different. I’d like to see everything in California, Oregon, Washington, Australia and New Zealand in a screw cap or other modern closure. It may age somewhat differently (maybe better), but there is so little of these wines aged, that we won’t be missing a traditional flavor.

76. January 1, 2007

    Ken

    QOTD: Dutschke God’s Hill Road Shiraz, Jacques Billot Brut Reserve Champagne, Johann Hart Riesling

77. January 2, 2007

    JayZee

    QOD: Okay, this is after the fact. But I just had time to watch the video after watching a stunning Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma. Wow! I hope you got to see it. Great game! Anyway, New Year’s Eve we have a dinner party for 8 of our closest friends. With the amuse bouche, which was a deconstructed Guiness and shallot spicy sausage ragout with asiago cheese on top, we served the NV Napa Mumm Cuvee M. Nothing special, but it went well to greet the guests. The first course, was grilled shrimp basted in a chipotle butter over a green tomatillo salsa. We served a 2003 Alsatian Pinot Blanc. The main course was a rotisserie-grilled, herb crusted veal loin roast served with saffron risotto and baked asparagus with prosciutto and Herbs de Provence. This was served with 4 bottles of 1995 Sociando-Mallet which I decanted for 3 hours or so beforehand. It was smooth as silk. We then served a chocolate course (some 70% cocoa dark chocolate and a couple of truffles) with a nice 1977 Quinta do Noval Colheita Port. Dessert was a Bailey’s Cheesecake with dark chocolate swirls (my creation). At midnight, we toasted the New Year with a couple of bottles of NV Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Premiers Crus Champagne. All in all, it was a fantastic evening. I hope all of yours were equally good.

78. January 2, 2007

    Matthew L

    Happy New Year to all! My wife and I were in NYC for the holiday, and we HAD to stop by Wine Library on the way. All I can say is WOW! Gary met us when we arrived and is just as humble and folksy in person as he is on the show. He took time to walk me around to pick a case I needed for a party. He also helped me build a case for myself. I thanked him and we said our Happy Holidays and good bye. Just as we were heading toward the checkout, Gary’s dad Sasha walks by. I introduce myself and my wife. Sasha then invites us on a tour of the entire store. WHAT A TREAT! I have been talking about the store all weekend long to any one who will listen. A friend of my wife’s met us at the store and she was telling all her friends about the store. People can say what the want about Gary’s motives for doing WLTV. I say, “To hell with them.” Gary, his dad, and the entire staff at Wine Library are the real deal. I can honestly say that I have found my favorite wine store. I will now buy all my wine from WineLibary.com, and will, without reservation, tell anyone to do the same.

    Thank you Gary, Sasha and the staff at Wine Library for capping off my 2006 with a great memory.

    FYI…here are the two cases

    For the New Year’s Eve party:

    Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Setilles 2005 (Library Code: 8877)
    Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Library Code: 7686)
    Gravity Hills Tumbling Tractor Zinfandel 2004 (Library Code: 9738)
    Lemelson Pinot Noir Cuvee X 2003 (Library Code: 27784) — This wine disappeared fast!

    My wife bought a huge assortment of cheese, spreads, olives, meats, and other goods from the gourmet department at the store. They were great!

    For myself:

    Clos Mimi Petite Rousse Syrah 2004 (Library Code: 8815)
    Whistler Black Piper G/S/M 2005 (Library Code: 29157)
    Giant Steps Jones Block Sexton Shiraz 2004 (Library Code: 28508)
    Clone 5 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Library Code: 29687) — This is Gary’s Cab. I can’t wait to try it!
    Luna Beberide Tierras De Luna 2001 (Library Code: 5123)
    Massena 11th Hour Shiraz 2004 (Library Code: 1930) — This is outside my normal price range, but Gary said I needed to treat myself.

    QOTD: Our hosts had a lot Champagne. There was Clicquot (brut and rose), Tattinger, Moet Imperial, and Roederer. A guest brought a gift bottle of ‘93 Dom P. I brought a bottle of Jean Laurent Blanc de Blanc, but it was left in the card. I guess I will get to savor that one another day.

    Oh…while in the city, we had dinner with some friends at La Giara (on Third Avenue between 33rd & 34th). (www.lagiara.com/)I’ve been there a few times, and they serve great Italian food with really friendly service. We had a Mionetto Prosecco (nice) with appetizers and Puglia Primitivo (okay) with dinner.

79. January 2, 2007

    Matthew L

    Ooops. Please excuse some of the typos.

80. January 2, 2007

    Mike Goldberg

    I drank Castell Roig Brut and some Killibinbin Langhorne Blend 2004. Good stuff.

    Nothing better than offering the ladies my champagne compared to the guy with Korbel. Thank you Gary. Giggity Giggity.

    Where is the love for the Giants? I do believe both NY Sports teams will be in the playoffs this year. I am growing a Giants Playoff Beard. YEAH! What would be a good wine to send to Tiki Barber so he doesn’t retire?

81. January 2, 2007

    Mark Block

    I just want to second the opinion of Mathew L, who says, “Gary, his dad, and the entire staff at Wine Library are the real deal.”

    Gary is as maniacally (or Vayniacly) devoted to his customers as he is to the Jets.

82. January 2, 2007

    Lb in KS

    What an awesome Sunday for football….my #1 AND #2 are in!!!! Yes, Lb there is a Santa Claus!

83. January 2, 2007

    Steve R

    Great episode and I envy the beard… I can’t grow one that thick on my best week.

    Just an FYI: I was at the Jets team hotel the night before they trounced the Dolphins — I tried to send a positive vibe to them while they were there… I think that did the trick.

    QOTD: (and I know I am late) I had 40 people at my house, drinking everything that wasn’t locked up and helping me blow through a Cava-based punch and a case of Mumm Napa Blanc de Noirs — very pretty salmon color, nice strawberry flavors — a real crowd pleaser. Thank GOD they didn’t find the 1990 Palmer….

    Happy 2007!

84. January 2, 2007

    Chad M

    Gary, I hit the club in Waikiki… And I had tons of Vodka! Exactly the kind of Vodka in your vid, Grey Goose!

85. January 2, 2007

    Jerry the 2THDR

    Gary, Had New Years in Vegas. Place to eat; Fleur Da Lye at Mandalay Bay. Opened a 1998 Ovation by Joseph Phelps. The color was golden. The consistancy was like light olive oil. The flavor just kept coming. Its match up with Fois Gras was orgasmic. Tell me you have some of this stuff laying around up there for sale (1998). Happy New Year Jerry. PS Don’t forget you promised me a Corton Charlemagne taste off on one of your shows. Jerry

86. January 3, 2007

    Jtk

    Great episode Gary. Okay, I must be last on the sign up list cause i just got this email with the episode link today. QOTD: At Home, drank a few bottles of the 1985 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie. Cheers ~ Jtk

87. January 3, 2007

    Mitch

    Thanks for the heads up on the Beringer. We’re heading to Napa MLK Jr. weekend and will skip Beringer (again).

    NYE wines (20 people dinner/wine party). 5 bottles 1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires. 2 bottles 2000 Angelus (decanted at noon for 9 p.m. tasting and still tight). 2 bottles 1986 Pichon Lalande (showed well after just a couple hours of decanting – little sediment). 2 bottles El Nido Clio (70% Mouvedre/30% Cab was very interesting). 2 bottles 1997 Casanova di Neri (decanting for 6 hours did nothing, closed and dumb – wine finally opened for brunch the next day). 1 bottle 1986 Rieussec and 1 bottle 1988 Rieussec (for the Foie Gras course). 2 bottles 1992 Dunn Howell (after 9 hours decanting it finally came through). 2 bottles 1991 Chateau Montelena Estate (lovely after just a few hours of decanting). Mag of 2002 Chateau Montelena (new California style, preferred the 1991, but still a great wine and showed well after just 3 hours decanting). Double Mag of 1995 Caymus Special Select (think RP was more on the money about this wine than WS). Mag and 1 bottle of 1995 Insignia (think Tanzer and WS was more on the money about this wine than RP). 3 bottles of 1997 Venge Family Reserve (still a baby after 6 hours of decanting). 2 bottles of 1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis (wow!) Finished the evening with Montecristo No. 4s (Habana from a 50 stick cabinet box).

88. January 6, 2007

    Brandon M

    Iron Sheik?…Brutus the Barber Beefcake’s Barber Shop was the REAL DEAL

89. January 6, 2007

    Bexter

    Loved the episode. The beard…not so much. Also, I’d take a 76 Sauternes over a riesling any day!

90. March 9, 2007

    Alos Diallo

    New Years 2006 I was in Bangkok Thailand. Great episode, I have thought about trying that wine now I will have to.

91. February 13, 2008

    thefanjestic

    Good ending to 2006! Would have liked to seen that Sabre!

92. October 8, 2009

    John J.

    qotd drinking a sparkling of course

    Gary how about doing a vin juane episode?

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