Corvina Grape and Why Gary Vaynerchuk Loves It.

Corvina Grape and Why Gary Vaynerchuk Loves It. – Episode #193

March 5, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Bussola Valpolicella Bg
2003 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre
2003 Le Ragose Valpolicella Classico Superiore Le Sassine
2002 Bussola Amarone Bg
2000 Bussola Recioto Tb

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The Introduce Yourself Forum (Remember you have to register before you can post)

Gary Vaynerchuk is a little late today but don’t worry and thank you for caring. Corvina is the grape that makes Amarone and Valpolicella sing, sit back and watch Gary sing about Corvina.

92 Responses

March 5, 2007

Corrado
First??
March 5, 2007

CW
Gary unlike mikey loves everything
March 5, 2007

garyv
1st? YESSSSSS
March 5, 2007

garyv
darn I never win
March 5, 2007

KenP
4th?
March 5, 2007

Corrado
Hey, Gary, you got 2 top 5s; that a kick ass in my book!

Looking forward to this episode. I love Valpo and I’m dying to get my hands on an Amarone.
March 5, 2007

Nathan L
Nice top 10
March 5, 2007

Kent I
top 10?
March 5, 2007

CampingLisaB
I want to say thanks…I’m watching while commenting…You have completed me today Gary! SMILE
March 5, 2007

Badger Ann
Top 10!!
March 5, 2007

Kent I
Who’s this garyv guy who took up two spots in the top 10? What a jerk.
March 5, 2007

chayut
I love it too!
March 5, 2007

Dom
I’m watching now AFTER dinner. I’m psyched!

As for “Free Agency” which I did not take advantage of since my computer went down, the Redskins still make me laugh. London Fletcher and Fred Smoot? Geeze. Stupid Dan Snyder. They get what they deserve.

Now on to the show!
March 5, 2007

KAHUNA
nice hair -Herbie doesnt want to be an elf, Herbie wants to be Wine Taster
March 5, 2007

KAHUNA
I have the Decantor with the Vacuum pump top- It rocks – well worht the $70 Bones http://www.wineenthusiast.com/E/results.asp?Ep=N/354+231&uid=SE
March 5, 2007

wildebeest
dang! I thought I might make the top ten today.
March 5, 2007

hinrgman
Late one tonight

thanks Gary
March 5, 2007

SoCal
G,
Great to have you back.
Have the any of the Allegrini Amarone 1998?
It was my first introduction to Corvina.

QOTD: Free shipping my friendâ€¦free shipping.
March 5, 2007

waibeans
Great episode.. a little loopy but still great. Glad you took the time off to give us a pumped up romp through Corvina country. Although I agree with Kahuna, you should switch barbers, seriously looks like a bad piece.

jk
March 5, 2007

Shir-Az
So the J-E-T-S get Thomas Jones for a swap of second round picks….What do you think Gary? Pretty nice deal for your team IMHO!
March 5, 2007

mczinger
Still don’t understand the numbers in the background
March 5, 2007

glenn
i love me sum Amarone so why does this episode keep starting over spontaneously?
March 5, 2007

Dom
Jets get Thomas Jones? You have got to be kidding me. I remember there was a rumor the Colts were going after him during the pre-season. I would be excited. VA boy.

With regards to the wines, I’ll need to try them. “Eating a fly without wings” I’ve only had them with wings so I can’t figure out the analogy.

Great show. Keep up the good work and thank goodness we had a show tonight.

Cheers!
Dom

BTW, the Delille Red was wonderful. Man o man.
March 5, 2007

NY Pete
top 25 ?
March 5, 2007

Jennifer
comment #15… Herbie…HA HA HA HA HA! ~sigh~ That was a good one (but I like Gary’s hair). Excellent show, Gary. It kick-started my sweet thooth, though, and I have no sweets!
March 5, 2007

Dom
QOTD: What am I seduced by? Hmmm, a Dominus ‘88, heck most Dominus vintages, Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Salma Hayek, but most of all, a Colts victory!!!!

As for sweet wines, I just love Moscato di Asti. Great stuff.
March 5, 2007

KAHUNA
QOTD: any woman that will say “yes” wife included!
March 5, 2007

Badger Ann
QOTD: Right now, it’s a big bowl of chips and salsa. Not very romantic, I know…
March 5, 2007

Harley Stan
Sweet, I am in the top 40, Michael Jackson has not done that in the US for quite some time. Anyway another great show. I appreciate the insect taste as I can relate.
QOTD My wife ( she is standing right behind me)
March 5, 2007

brooklyni
great episode Gary. about the decanting … what if you decanted to avoid sediment, as I usually do. I wouldn’t recommend pouring it back into the bottle, which would splash up all that sediment. Do you ever put foil and a rubberband over it? I’ve done it. But, this, of course, is all IF you don’t drink all the wine. That’s a big if.
March 5, 2007

mas
Thanks Gary – love Amarone – had the ‘99 and ‘00 Allegrini Amarone with Thanksgiving last year – have the ‘01 in the cellar and am going to wait on that one a few years.

QOTD: my wife, any other answer will just get me into trouble …
March 5, 2007

E-Rock
Gary, No gel?? Nice show I love Italian wines esecially Amarone. I’ll be trying the Della Torre and the La Ragose.

QOD = Food and wine
March 5, 2007

CollegeFootballisNumberOne
GV-
Will shoot video for samples of Bussola Recioto Tb…

I have to agree with Kahuna (hair), Dom (on the Dominus), Glenn (the loopy episode, playback probs a-go-go), and Kahuna again (”wife included”). And can we get the web editor to spell Amarone correctly in the episode description? I wish you would have given some time talking about the “amarone method” of drying the grapes, etc. prior to pressing for those not familiar.

Just to add to GV’s commentary on Palazzo Della Torre: until this year (’06) it was on WS Top 100 list 5 consecutive years. Don’t bother looking it up, I’ve already done it. 88pts WA, 87 WS (I think). GV nails the taste profile–chocolate covered cherry, leather and cedar box have been my tasting notes from previous vintages as well. Cali Cab/Merlot drinkers $10-15 range take note, this is a nice familiar but different selection and a nice choice for parties or the daily drink.

Since Spain and Portugal are so hot, and as spring LURKS around the corner, how about an ep on alvarinho/albarino? To free shipping and white burgundy!
March 5, 2007

stewart l
enjoyed the episode! Yep, you seemed like you were on steroids! My 16 year old daughter watched it with me and laughed throughout and said “he’s crazy”
QOD I’m seduced when I am at the beach late in the afternoon enjoying a glass of wine and food with friends. It’s like peace on earth.
March 5, 2007

Alos Diallo
Thankyou for the email Gary Great show!!!!!!!!!!! I will have to try some of this wine I have not had too much Italian wine and I should.
March 5, 2007

aktormedic
Is it just me or is the server REALLLLLLLY slow for this episode?
March 5, 2007

Lil Luce
QOTD: I can definitely be seduced by an Amarone, and all things Italian…
March 5, 2007

Randy B
Gary,

Your server is whack and no one on the West Coast can view the show without 50 or so restarts. Hopefully, we can view the episode tomorrow.

Ciao
March 5, 2007

Justin
Holy hell this download is slow!!!! I tried watching this and now am downloading through Itunes. It is taking forever… The download started in itunes right away and it still isnt complete! Lame!!!

GV I am looking forward to watching this episode, which at this rate will be done next week!
March 5, 2007

JavaMonkey
As for decanting, if I know I’m only drinking one glass, I will pour just one glass worth into the decanter, then immediately vacu-vin the rest of the bottle.
March 5, 2007

ken
Gary, I hope that this episode will eventually load so that I can watch it. I’ve tried at least 5 times. Your website is the only one that I am having issues with and I know it is not my ISP. It’s too bad because I love Amarone & Ripasso.
March 5, 2007

Dave Canada
I agree with Kahuna and Weibean…..time for a new weave buddy!
QOTD – I’m seduced by 2000 Chateau Palmer, 2000 Weinert Cab (Argentina….lovin’ this now!) and also my lovely wife.
March 5, 2007

AndrewP
Great episode today.
I like the Jones pick up… hopefully another 1,200 yard season in ‘07.
QOTD: My fiancee, of course.
March 5, 2007

JonE
Sing with me G-Man-

Ground control to Major Tum, mr. server is dying as we speak. …..This is ground control to Major Tum you really are so slow, and we’re trying to watch your show this very day. and we can’t even get the #$%ing thing to playaaaaa!

Just thought you should know.
QOTD:coy smiles, from girlie girls. And recently Brancaia Illitraia. A little huh, huh.
March 6, 2007

BV
QOD: Voices. Distinctive voices. Can be male or female, speaking, singing or laughing. An unusual voice has the power to mesmerize me.

Bill V.
March 6, 2007

stevo
QOTD: I’m seduced by my wife (she’s standing over my shoulder……ok…she’s gone….half Japanese half American girls – vintage 1987-1977)
March 6, 2007

DaveyDonut
Busted! Thanks for the episode, Gary! Dang, looks like I picked some losers, though. I’m really disappointed you didn’t like the Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Bg… I just picked up a bottle of the ‘05 myself, though I haven’t had it yet. Also really disappointed in the Bussola Amarone Bg. I’ve been reading that many people are saying Bussola is approaching Dal Forno in quality. Too bad you guys don’t have the 2001 Bussola Amarone Tb, cause I would have suggested that one! Tanzer’s boy (Daniel Thomases) gave it 95 (same score he gave Dal Forno 2000, at 5x the cost), and everything I read says it’s totally amazing. Glad you at least like the Recioto… I have the ‘03 Bg sitting here, but haven’t tried it yet.

I’ve enjoyed the 2001 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre, but haven’t tried the ‘03. One thing you didn’t mention (and was part of the point in suggesting it) is that this is done in a Ripasso style. Had the Zenato ‘03 Ripassa or the 2001 Tommasi Ripasso? I love ‘em both! (though I don’t like the ‘03 Tommasi)

The Le Ragose Valpolicella sounds great. Too bad I already just placed a massive order with the free shipping over the weekend! I’ll have to get some of this at a later date, though… BTW, I did pick up some ‘05 Bordaeux as part of the free shipping deal too! Now I wait… Well, thanks again for doing the episode. Wish I had picked more wines in the 90’s, though! I really do love these Corvina creatures… They are the answer to the QOTD.

David
March 6, 2007

Brian
insects? flies? I can’t say I know what that tastes like. I think it is time for another random-stuff tasting episode, this time with a whole Fear Factor theme.
March 6, 2007

Panoca
Thanks Gary for another great episodes. Very instructive…
I became a huge fan of dessert wines and the notes you gave on the Corvina were very intersting.
Keep up the good work. Seems like every episode you get better and better (precise) with the tasting notes. We fans here adore and enjoy each episode like the last one. Cheers!
March 6, 2007

Nico
Great episode, Gary! I keep learning! And thanks again for the free shipping!

-Nico
March 6, 2007

YoungDave
Fantastic Ep, Gary- muy informativo (…I’m not even sure if that’s actually Spanish, but I gotta mix it up sometimes).
Top 50? That’s actually pretty good for me!
GARY– I work at a “Desserterie” restaurant in Boston, and we sell a HUGE selection of dessert wines and Ports, so this episode was great because we actually DON’T have any Amarone wines on the menu, so I’ll have to make a Vaynerchuk-inspired suggestion to the higher-ups.

–Gary does some of his best work on a sugar high…maybe a swig of Amarone before every episode from now on to maintain this type of energy??

QOTD: What seduces me? Lately- piercing blue eyes, long fire-red hair, and a cripplingly seductive smile (Read: the new hostess…danger.)
March 6, 2007

wildebeest
lol! I know just what you mean about being turned off by sweetness, and needing to run to the fridge for a pickle. I keep an assortment of hot peppers and strong cheeses on hand just for such occasions. Lately, pickled chileno peppers have really been doing the trick. Do you have a favorite pickle?
March 6, 2007

J Crazy
On decanting. I usually decant any wine I drink for about four hours in the Reidel Sommelier Series Borgogne glass which can hold about 4 litres and that way I keep myself to the doctor recommended “one glass for your heart” school of drinking every night. Seduction for me is Mexican food (which you can’t get here in Japan), big sizes (which you can’t get here in Japan) and organic/biodynamic/lohas/whatever/ecofriendly wines (which…that’s right, you know where I’m goin now), and of course life in general. I mean c’mon everyone’s gotta try to live a life where everyday is seducirific!!
March 6, 2007

Matthew L
Nice episode Gary. I love learning about new grapes and varietals. It’s interesting to see the presentation and large price band with these wines. ($12-$95…Wow!)

You often mention a wine being young. Can you tell us how to detect or determine a young wine? I suspect that some of my tastings include wine that’s too young. I want to be able to identify this particular aspect of the flavor profile. Furhter I always want to learn about terms that I don’t really understand. Thanks.

QOTD: I’m seduced by my wife, music, wine, chocolate and photography. Sure they are many more things that draw me in, but these things are at the top of the list.
March 6, 2007

Matthew L
Speaking of free agency…how about your J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets picking up Thomas Jones from Chicago. He’s a good hard-nosed running back. What does that mean for your star rookie from last year, Leon Washington?
March 6, 2007

dadobs
The Swiss Army knife descriptor was a good one; will steal it and impress my friends someday in a future tasting of Eurowines! Not so sure about the “pixie ducks” reference. :^)

So with the diet and weight lifting, how long before Gary chooses to do a shirtless episode? Not that I’m suggesting, but my wife might enjoy it.

Assuming Eric doesn’t drink all the Recioto, it would be great to see you come back to this wine a few days (or weeks) from now and see how it holds up. Is the staying power like that of vintage port?

QOTD: New TaylorMade driver and Cleveland wedges. And the free shipping on the two cases ordered last weekend (Thanks GV!).
March 6, 2007

ecola
Eating flies without the wings and then stuffing a pickle in my mouth seduces me.
March 6, 2007

TimF
QOTD: Mrs. Robinson.

Great episode — an epic!
March 6, 2007

Brian Parsons » Blog Archive » Valpolicella
[...] Click Here for the episode. Filed under: Wine [...]
March 6, 2007

Deano
Nice episode Gary. I wish i could afford 100 bones for a bottle of wine. That sounded really tasty.

QOTD: My Harley Davidson seduces me lol
March 6, 2007

Leatherpalate
Great episode-learned a ton!

QOD:Food and wine together,trout rising,flying
a spinnaker in July with a cold beer in my hand.
March 6, 2007

Adam
Great Show Gary. What’s up with the yellow brick road? Are you the wizzard of Oz?
March 6, 2007

NathanN
Great show! Thanks for introducing me to another new grape. Just wanted to remind you about the announcement for Chicago Party date.
March 6, 2007

Tommaso de BoBo of WI
To Brooklyni—- decant, rinse out the bottle, let it drain in the sink, pour back what you don’t drink and vacuseal. I do this (double decant) when I’m taking a bottle to a resturant or a tasting,, no reason to bring a bad bottle.

QOTD: this dessert wine will be a good seduction of my wife// she loves Kracher and Sauternes and getting into port,,, “lucky” me.
March 6, 2007

John
I love the Italian wines. Great episode!!!
Another bottle coming up…..
I’m into “Rooster” Classico’s…
March 6, 2007

Susan
Gary-
My nephew Mark(17 months) is watching this with me.
He loves you Gary!
March 6, 2007

Luckybecky
Great episode, Gary!!

What seduces me… chocolate lava cake — the kind that is so overwhelming that you simply have to close your eyes when you taste it, otherwise the sensory overload would be too much to handle. You just have to close your eyes, and shut off your hearing too, and just marvel at the incredible explosion of richness. Not ordinary chocolate. I’ve had lots of chocolate, but only had this pure chocolate experience twice in my life, and it was awesomely, indescribably delicious and seductive. Talk about making a gal melt!

Your description of the Recioto is driving me nuts. I want to try it, but it is way outside of my price range. What is the matter with Erik? He spit it OUT? Is he crazy?

However, I do have to admire Erik for tasting the wine after you had drunk from the glass AND stuck your finger in it. And we caught a glimpse of his thumb. Maybe one of these days we will get to see his face? How about it, Gary? How about an episode where you introduce all the people behind the scenes? You are always hammering on us to introduce ourselves….
March 6, 2007

mbannon
Ah, I LOVE the wines of the Veneto, thanks Gary! $95 for 500mL is a little steep for my blood, but I dunno…sounded pretty tasty.

QOD – Wine and women. You can keep the dancing. And the food.
March 6, 2007

E
I’ll have to try that Palazzo again … I liked the ‘01 well enough (although frankly I thought the La Grola was a little more interesting) but I don’t remember it bringing Skittles into my hizzy.
March 6, 2007

yowens44
I always wondered what valpolicella was. Thanks for another stong show!
March 6, 2007

Lb in KS
Jeepers G, why not Forest Gump?
Ok, question….. Say you’re following the yellow brick road (nice touch by the way), and you get to the Emerald City, you have only 5 grapes to wish for from the great and powerful Wizard…. In no particular order, what 5 vino grapes would those be?
QOTD…I can only tell you what DOESN’T seduce me…flys w/o their wings, I prefer my flies wing-ed?
March 6, 2007

cyrock1
Glad to see you introdice so many people to Corvina.
This is a top 5 style of wine for me plus its a great wine for new red wine drinkers.
QOD The wife when she tells me to NOT take a good bottle of wine to a friends house because she doesn’t want it to be wasted.

Anthony Thomas in the backfield is gonna free up Coles and Cotchery … expect good things.
By the way Gary, I too hate the Patriots.
Keep up the good work.
March 6, 2007

dadobs
LuckyBecky (great name!), Erik’s been seen in at least one previous episode; go to #174 (right at the end) if you’re curious.
March 6, 2007

DaveyDonut
For everyone liking the sound of the Recioto, there are a few others to try… namely one by the same producer, Tommaso Bussola Recioto Bg (he has two lines, Bg entry level, and Tb the high end). The Bg can be had for around $45-50 for the 500ml bottle. So for half the cost, check it out. Here’s Tanzer’s notes for the 2003 Recioto Bg:

92 POINTS STEPHEN TANZER “As impressive as the TB version is, I always prefer the BG Recioto(I’m in the minority), as I find it much easier to drink. Deep ruby-purple. Lovely perfumed nose offers cherry, bitter chocolate and herbs. Luscious fruit complicated by balsamic vinegar, prune syrup and delicate herbal accents, framed by sound acidity and firm tannins. Very concentrated, long wine whose alcoholic warmth demands a few years patience.”

There’s also the Tommasi Recioto which is around $23 for a 375ml bottle… which is just about as low as you’ll find a Recioto Della Valpolicella for, and Tommasi is a good producer.
March 6, 2007

CW
Pedro Ximenez also tastes like steroidal raisinettes with Grey Goose.
March 6, 2007

koenraad
I want to be the lurker’s birdman
March 6, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Yeah pickles and bugs. Do know what bugs taste like as when I road a motorcycle many years ago the helmets had no face masks. Ate a lot of bugs that way. What seduces me, the standard answer is supposed to be your wife but while that is true wine is seductive in all of the different tastes and styles. I have several Amarones and Valpolicellas but none of these. While I knew about the Corvina isn’t the majority taste of Amarone Nebbiolo grape?
March 6, 2007

Jimmy Neutron
Nice hair it looks like you stole Davy Jones’ wig. Seriously you had the 2002 Bussola Amarone in 1999? Did I hear that right?
Finally QOTD: I really love the early 60’s vamp look. I don’t know what it is maybe it’s the big hair being a Jersey Boy.

Just kidding-please don’t fire me.
March 6, 2007

gnarlyoak
Another great, hilarious episode Gary. How bout’ instead of not talking about color or saying “great color” describe the color in terms of the color wheel, and what the color is saying about the character and age of the wine. Just a thought… I also agree with LuckBecky about meeting some of the behind the scenes people. We love Erik! Sorry if it is spelled with a “C”.

QOTD: Nakedness. ; ) I guess i’m a little loopy too.

Cheers!
March 6, 2007

Like 'em Rounded and Aged
Will be opening a Mag of 1964 La Mission for my wife’s birthday in May plus a 1964 Amarone. Will let you know how the Amarone turns out.

You got me thinking about different wines/grapes.

I’ve seen the Port episode. How about one explaining why Tawny Ports are so brutal as compared to Vintage Ports (or even non vintage ports like Fonseca’s Bin 27) and what makes them different?
March 7, 2007

cyrock1
Lawrence Leichtman, to my knowledge Nebiolo is almost never seen outside of Piedmonte in Italy. It is also much heftier in the mouthfeel and much more tannic than Amarone.
March 7, 2007

TR
Anyone wishing to throw away their Ch. Y’quem can give them to me. Interesting observation that the dessert wines seem to be graded on a curve. Even the 2nd or 3rd tier quality wines regularly are scored north of 90 points. Whereas tannic monster wines don’t seem to get much cred til they’re 20 or 30 years old then they’re upgraded to 96+. Perhaps reading between the lines Garys saying that wine critics like stock gurus/analysts are a bunch of numbnuts.
March 8, 2007

JimVarney01
Bad hair day? Great ep, I haven’t left a comment in a while… what’ the heck is wrong with me?!?

LOVED THE 2 VAYNERCRACKS!!! INSECTS… !!CRACK!! HA I have a terrible habit of cracking my knuckles, and drinking wine, glad to see we’re kinda on the same page lol!

QOTD: Black n White photos, great red vinos, and a long cool woman in a black dress (or skimpy undies)lol.
March 10, 2007

Steve R.
Thanks for the return of Italian varietals! I like Valpolicellas with food — I usually pick up a pleasant bitterness on the finish that gives them a clean taste. Anyway, I enjoyed the change of pace.

QOTD: Wine-wise, I have been seduced by Brachetto D’Acqui. It’s dark pink, bubbly color and floral raspberry flavors have won me over in a decadent kind of way.
March 12, 2007

NY Pete
GaryV can you get me any of 2001 Allegrini ?
March 15, 2007

DaveyDonut
Aaghh…. so I finally cracked open my ‘05 Bussola Valpolicella bg tonight, and you’re right… it’s terrible. It tastes like rotten lettuce! You know the kind… it’s sitting in the back of one of your fridge drawers and you totally forgot about it. A few weeks later, you’re hunting for a tasty treat when you open the produce drawer and there it sits… a bag of wilted, black lettuce, and half of it has some how turned to liquid form, and it’s just sitting there decaying like a rotten tooth! Yeah.. yeah.. that’s what this wine reminds me of. I love Valpolicella (and I love lettuce!), but this is definitely the worst one I’ve ever had. And Bussola is supposedly one of the greatest producers in Veneto! Maybe I should try sticking to his TB wines… the Recioto bg I have better not be as bad as this Valpolicella and the bg Amarone in this episode! Ugh…

David
March 16, 2007

ThomasS
At last Gary, but only just a start with the Italian grape month … grrrr. Still waiting, yearning for it!
I am also that sour, pickly kinda guy, but then I mist admit that a good Coteaux du Layon Chaume, a SpÃ¤tlese or more German Riesling, a good Sauternes, a Banyuls, a Vin Santo, a Recioto, a Picolit have e go nuts everytime when they cross my palate. I love them with some Pandorlo (if you don’t know that, seek it out), a fluffy chocolate cake, or just on their own … .
QOTD: seduced? Literally nothing or no-one you nee t
March 16, 2007

ThomasS
grrr, dropped my glass of beer …
so: …o know about. Figuratively or virtually? Everything knew and exciting, the feeling of that smth ‘beyond’ and of course every gob of good food or every decent glass of wine …
March 19, 2007

Malarkey
great ep. QOTD: LOVE and am totally seduced by dessert wines. Stickies take the place of food desserts, IMO. Much more satisfying. Some I could just sit and smell all night.

Your description of the Recioto is intriguing… and while it’s pricey, I’d go there in a “I deserve this” sorta moment.
March 19, 2007

Fiorentina!
Great Episode…very interesting and descriptive analogies…you really have a way with words. Being an above average fan of Amarone..one that I would say is a must try is the 2001 Masi Amarone. I would say that isn’t fully at it’s prime (yet), but is very drinkable.

Just curious, would it be possible for you guys to try some Madeira or Duoro Porto OR could you tell me the main differences between the CA Barbera, Barbera D’Asti, & Barbera D’Alba? I’ve never had a Barbera from CA and have noticed the D’Asti to be lighter in body than the D’Alba…is this the difference in body common?
November 1, 2009

John J.
qotd at the moment vin jaune’s and how hard to find and unique they are. Which btw would be a good wine to see you do an episode on Gary