A Wine Tasting Video – Episode #195

March 7, 2007

Having trouble seeing this video? Click here for the Quicktime version

Wines tasted in this episode:

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Vlog Hot Semifinals Heat 1.

Sometimes you just grab different wines and taste them, thats what our host and pal Gary Vaynerchuk is doing today.

154 Responses

March 7, 2007

tampasteve
WaaaHHooooooo!!!
March 7, 2007

CW
uno?
March 7, 2007

Nick H.
#1….
March 7, 2007

TheDumbPhase
#1 maybe…
March 7, 2007

YoungDave
3rd!!
March 7, 2007

TheDumbPhase
or not
March 7, 2007

YoungDave
Damn! Top 5 is still a personal best!
March 7, 2007

YoungDave
…and now to actually watch the episode.
March 7, 2007

Michael
love free shipping
March 7, 2007

bradyt
luv it
March 7, 2007

ken
“Video No Longer Available”?
March 7, 2007

TimInFL
Almost!
March 7, 2007

CW
my QOTD: Who asked if cork floats ?
QOTD: Personally? More GV blind tastings. I can think of 4 wines pining for your attention right now….

PS Forget Vay ner chuke , rhymes with a synonym for vomitus.
March 7, 2007

cgf
umm, “video no longer available”?
March 7, 2007

stevek1510
QOTD…throw in a blind tasting once in a while
March 7, 2007

TheDumbPhase
QOTD- Stop pining for the Jets every 30 seconds! It ain’t gonna happen!
March 7, 2007

bradyt
QOTD…more hot chicks
March 7, 2007

FTBoomer
Damn, TS gets the millions again. Gravatar testing,…..still!
March 7, 2007

FTBoomer
HA HA!!! GRAVATARS ARE FINALLY WORKING! WOOT!!
March 7, 2007

cyrock1
Top 20. New mark for me.
March 7, 2007

mikeyrad
Gary Vay-ner-chook?
March 7, 2007

flavasauce
QOTD: a) Naked WLTV!!!!
b) let everyone pick one wine they want you to taste (mine is 2001 White Rock vineyards Claret)
c) more free shipping!
March 7, 2007

flavasauce
My Gravatar went away! Oy!
March 7, 2007

Brandon M
Buffering SUCKS!!!!
March 7, 2007

hinrgman
Great episode

upgrade working fine here
March 7, 2007

YoungDave
Great Ep, Gary– I like the variety of wines and prices.

QOTD: I agree with all of the requests above for more blind tastings once in a while, and a DOUBLE BLIND episode would be something to see–PUT YOUR PALATE WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS FOR REAL, GARY!! (Ooo- that was indeed a challenge…and it’s only ‘cuz I have faith in your “Vaynerskills,” shall I say.)
March 7, 2007

Shir-Az
I agree with Brandon M. I am having MAJOR issues with the video going into “buffering” every 5 seconds. It totally annoying. I vote to go back to Quicktime.
March 7, 2007

waibeans
QOD:

1) bring WL on the road, maybe take the crew to some of your insider tastings, spice it up a bit with different locations once and a while.. remember London?

2) guests: instead of producers why not some of the other wine ratings guys.. have a taste-off

3) have to agree w/flavasauce.. more freebies
March 7, 2007

Snarf
As many have stated before me, double blind tastings on WLTV!
March 7, 2007

mbannon
QOD – I’d like to be able to see the color of the wines, get that lighting thing figured out, will ya? Also would like to be able to view in full screen instead of the little window, or is that a settings issue on my end? And yeah, the buffering is not so hot.

Other than that, it’s all good!
March 7, 2007

cgf
nice, it loaded after a couple of failed attempts and looked great. nice job colin.

interesting episode. after the nytimes wine column today and the first wine, i have to go out and discover south african chenin blanc.

the last image of today’s episode with the glass in the foreground with a cork floating in it and you in the background was really cool looking. you should use a freeze frame of that for promos. check it out.

QOD: weekly blind tastings and a FINGER LAKES episode.
March 7, 2007

Russ J
Yes, blind tastings, double blind tastings, and definitely more hot chicks!

Interesting wines. Enjoyed the episode. Would have been a great one for a DOUBLE BLIND TASTING!
And some HOT CHICKS!

New format working great for me.
March 7, 2007

Stridey
Great episode Gary (Vaynerchuk chuk chuk). I really had fun watching this – your good mood was contagious, and made your tasting notes even better than usual.

PS. I’m not digging the move away from quicktime
March 7, 2007

Denman Dave
I concur CW, definitely more blind tastings. Perhaps start with some Malbec?
March 7, 2007

RayJ
Another great episode with this new player. It’s playing back great for both me in New York and my daugther in the Philipinnes!
March 7, 2007

Andrew G
QOTD- Definitely more blind tastings…much more fun
March 7, 2007

Shir-Az
Now that I have been able to watch the episode after all the freakin “buffering”…….I must say that Clarendon Hills wines are some of my favorites. I have had one of the 1998 Syrah’s and some of the 2001-2002 Syrah’s and Grenache’s and they were all incredible.
March 7, 2007

organicguy
Really like the new format and agree with most that a blind tasting has to happen SOON….
March 7, 2007

mikeyrad
QOTD, how about free shipping for wines featured on the most recent WLTV episode? I’ll bet that TampaSteve concurs.
March 7, 2007

John P
I agree, blind tasting would be nice.
Also, some “on the road” episodes, maybe at the Jets
stadium(fall). How about specialty wines? (Ice)
Ok, maybe not!
The new format works great for me!!!
March 7, 2007

PattyO
Vaniacs (our do I need to say Vani-UKEs…) – better go vote… gv has slipped to 3rd place (out of 4!). It’s a super fast link and a super fast vote – 18 seconds total time investment! Do you want Jonathan from GEEKSCAPE to beat out Gary?!
March 7, 2007

gnarlyoak
I’m buying the Qupe right now. I think that was the most subtly, yet effectively excited I have ever seen you get about a wine!

QOTD: I love the show and everything you do. Thank you so much for all your hard work!
March 7, 2007

Jim Walker
Gary, very informative show. How can it be improved? Other than free shipping for every episode, you’re doing great. But I do have one minor suggestion that pertains to your web site.

When I was going through all of your episodes, I found the color of the visited links vs. the color of the active links so close, that it proved difficult for me to distinguish them apart and I found myself missing some of the shows. If your web designer could make the visited and active link colors further apart, we could better tell which ones we had visited.

I got my order yesterday. I came quicker than I expected. Thanks!
March 7, 2007

AlisonD
The 2005 Qupe Bien Nacindo Cuvee sounds great, can’t wait to try it! Sad news about Ernest
March 7, 2007

mikeyrad
How about another shot at WLTV Live? If you do it, please announce the wines a couple of weeks in advance so we have time to buy them. I’d love to taste the wines at the same time as you and have live commenting. I know that was the plan the first time around…
March 7, 2007

Caren
Raw Garlic? Try flaxseed oil capsules, your friends and family will thank me.
(and so will your cholesterol level)

QOTD- Love the idea of remote tastings during your travels.
March 7, 2007

KAHUNA
Bambi’s Grandfather stuffed with leather socks! Nice- I was Bambi in my third grade play!

QOTD: Do about 20 episodes of wines that suck so I can pay my mortgage this month!
March 7, 2007

Adam
Take us on a trip to the vineyards next time you take a trip. I took the tour at Pine Ridge in Napa about a year ago and learned so much from it. Most vineyards you go on the tour and they take you into the fermentation room, show you the big stainless steel tanks and maybe see some barrels–big deal (I’m talking about you Cakebread). At pine ridge they take you into the model vineyard they have set up there and show you the various types of trellising systems they have and the pruning that is involved, the results gotten from all of them (in a nutshell) and even have valley vs. hillside vines. They you go into the caves and do a barrel tasting, there is a wine and cheese pairing in the caves. There are so many episodes that you can do. I wouldn’t trash their wines as a guest but there are many other episode ideas to be had. Besides, the reason this is a good idea is because you would have an excuse to visit wine regions! come on! (BTW, we have a wine region in Arkansas; we could be the inaugural episode.)

You’d be like a cool Bob Villa. “What’s that you’re doing with those barrels there John? Well Gary, I’m transferring the wine from the fermiter to these new American Oak barrels. See how this oak is charred? That’s where we get that toasted oak flavor. (insert Gary’s Oak Monster imitation here)

Take us to your favorite restaurant. Talk with the Semolier. Do a food and wine paring. (Preferably with wines you have in stock) Basically, mix it up if anything, just for yucks.

Just some ideas. I love the show btw.
March 7, 2007

Michael
QOTD: Free shipping would make this show much better.
As for you Gary you are doing a fine job and I have not
missed a show since I started …. thanks so so much.
March 7, 2007

Like 'em Rounded and Aged
Do a completely blind tasting episode. Have each of your buyers pick a wine and then arrange the tasting order for you – poured from decanters. Then the buyer will present the empty bottle to you after you tasted his/her selected wine.
March 7, 2007

Brandon M
QOTD….How many times do I have to say it?????

On location, in cellars. Make this about wine not just tasting wine.
On location at wineries!
LIVE LIVE LIVE!!!!
MORE guests (Even though you just did)
BLind Tastings.

And start taking some of the Vayniacs suggestions and doing them.

You have obviously been working on FLV and Tagging the show, but what about all the suggestions from the past?

Just checking….
March 7, 2007

Celia
Blind tastings would be awesome, and a live show with wines announced in advance.

Are all fizzy wines champagne? If not, can you do a tasting with wines that fizz? I can remember having a fizzy white many, many years ago..(I think it was a Georges Duboeuf?) that I really enjoyed.
March 7, 2007

Matt
Wow, I hope it is just my computer, but this new video player stinks. I just couldn’t take it stopping buffering, stopping buffering. Interesting selection of wines though.
March 7, 2007

StÃ©phane
QOTD – I’ll concur on the blind tastings. This episode also made me think it would interesting for you to pull out some older vintages (10+ years) for the show once in a while.
March 7, 2007

CampingLisaB
I would love to do the Live winelibrary tv again!

Love ya…

Did you smile today…I did when I voted for Gary at work AND at home~
March 7, 2007

KenP
You nailed the Villa Creek Mas De Maha. Just as with the 2003, the 2004 gagged me. I’ve bought earlier vintages of their entire catalogue. The 2001 Granacha, High Road, Willow Road, and even the Mas De Maha (!) were far better. The alcohol was integrated, shall we say. But later efforts have shocked me. As has the Garretson. (’Purple paint’, you’ll recall.) Scary stuff. Ugh.
Loved your take on the Brookman Merlot. Good lesson, for an ‘Old World’ guy like me, in the aging potential of fruit bombs.
Lastly, perhaps you could do a series of shows on importers. Would it be difficult to get Neal Rosenthal in the house? Great guy.
Can’t wait for the S.F. visit. But I must.
March 7, 2007

Jonathon M Chicago
QOTD:

Let’s be more interactive, plus you might sell more wine I suggest you have Vaniacks seek out wines you are going to taste in a few days. Perhaps you give a list of wines- even only one a day- on a friday, we get them over the weekend, and taste them ourselves while watching episodes. I’m sure every Vaniack would agree with me the most frustrating part about watching is not being able to taste what you’re tasting.

Nice rape on the Thomas Jones deal- watch out for Sedrick Benson though!!!!!!!!!!!
March 7, 2007

mike l.
stuffing bambi’s great grandfather with dirty leather socks? im sold!
March 7, 2007

Colin
QOTD: blind tasting would rock….also, more wines that are widely available to those of us without the luxury of ordering from the WL?

Keep up the great eps….
March 7, 2007

Caren
What was on the table at the beginning of the episode? Plastic wrapped rhubarb?
QOTD: I second Adams comment #48
March 7, 2007

Lynne
Great episode….I don’t seem to have any problems w/ the video.
QOD: I agree with BrandonM and others:
1) Remotes from wineries, cellars, heck, your local wine bar. TimF could help you with Chicago remotes. Love his sense of humor.
2) Blind tastings
3) I’d REALLY love to be able to buy the FREE shipping wines without having to dump my cart.

I voted….GV isn’t that far behind. Shouldn’t be a problem.
March 7, 2007

Orion Slayer
Cool and diverse selection of wines today. If I had had a daughter, I would have wanted her to be just like viogner. (You have the best anaologies!) I have had a viogner blend before, and now I know what I was experiencing!

QOTD: If you could do a few more shows for those of us just starting. For example, you could do a tasting where you compare and explain the basic differences between styles in wines. For example, buttery (maloactic fermentation?) Chardonnays and non-buttery.
March 7, 2007

Harley Stan
Another great episode and I have had no issues with the new format.
QOTD- Free wine with paid shipping I am sure even the locals will pay the shipping. I also like the guests and episodes in othere locations.
March 7, 2007

Dom
“Hurry Springtime” Amen

Yes, the gravatars work and thank goodness, you are reviewing the Mulderbosch which I’ve walked by at least a million times and never bought. And I really like the idea of two reds and two whites. This was a really good show. 100x better than yesterday. Sorry, yesterday was not my cup of”tea.”

Boysenberry in the Qupe? Interesting.

Again, congrats on raping Da Bears! Love it.

QOTD: Improve WLTV? Hmmm, I guess I sometimes look for verticals or horizontals when it comes to tasting wines which I have yet to experience on WLTV. You may have had them, but not during my tenure. For some reason, Dominus comes to mind with regards to a vertical tasting; 2000 Bordeauxs for the horizontal?

Redonkeyulously!
March 7, 2007

brooklyni
QOTD: Well Gary, the show’s great. Don’t change anything. As others have suggested, it would be cool to see some vertical and horizontal tastings.
March 7, 2007

Neil
Love the show’s evolution….

QOTD:
1.) More special (cool) guests.
2.) Fieldtrips
3.) Food Pairings
4.) Blind Tastings
5.) A House Band
6.) Tweaking the wine/color evaluation
7.) Do you think that spitting into a Jets bucket is bad Karma?
March 7, 2007

wannaBconnoiseur
Great episode!

QOTD: More blind tastings would be great. Also, maybe have a list of upcoming wines, not all of them but some, so that maybe we could have a few of these upcoming wines on hand and be able to taste one with you from time to time. I think this makes more sense, than doing a “tasting show” where you name the wines in advance, because it’s not realistic for most of us to open 4 or 5 bottles of wine on a week night.
March 7, 2007

Dom
C’mon guys. Gary is only 13 votes away!

P.S. I had to also vote for that hottie Kristin. Yikes

Go Gary!
March 7, 2007

JavaMonkey
Gotta break out my leather socks to see what they smell like.

QOTD: Do more regions. I know you’ve done this sometimes, but I’d like to see more. Maybe some regions in Bordeaux, or Rhone, etc.
March 7, 2007

mas
I’ll pile on – love the idea of blind tastings – also liked the idea of some older vintages now and then – maybe a few from “hyped” vintages against less heralded vintages? (’96 vs. ‘97 Barolo, ‘97 vs. ‘01 BdM..) – would like to know if some of these “vintage(s) of the century” that got the big press are aging well in your opinion, or did we just pay too much?!?

Great job, Gary, as always you are fun to watch ..!
March 7, 2007

SS Chris
Have some Vaniacs on including:

-Brandon & Tampa Steve as reward for being top 2 posters
-GeneV for a Rielsling/Alscace episode
-Julius & Paul as experts
-don’t forget Kahuna, Barbotus, Brooklyn Paul & Stallion
-Steve B & Jaye too

These guest Vaniacs would set up the theme of the shows, you’d just need to drink & interact.

I’m not kidding….I think many would love it.

Also, as mentioned previously many times….one with your POPS with you interviewing him on his journey.
March 7, 2007

BV
Always dangerous to start naming names, SS Chris — ’cause we’ll have to add Lars to the list!

Bill V.
March 7, 2007

Rob
Few ideas for the show:

How about you list the wines you tasted in a still at the end of the show. That way the people who watch your show on I-pods can fast forward to the end of the show and have a list of what we are looking for at the wine store.

How about whole episodes devoted to specific food and wine pairings? What does well with Tacos or something like that.

FYI, I like the new formats online.

And are those carrots on the table? Go bears!
March 7, 2007

Canuckchuk
Would love to see wines from countries and regions that are not the usual suspects. Lebanon, Israel, Hungary, Texas, Missouri, Virginia, Canada, China, India etc.

Thanks,

Canuckchuk
March 7, 2007

Jeff M.
How can watching Wine Library TV become better for me? If I can taste the wines right along with you! How about offering a mixed case of single bottles of “value” wines tasted (no passes)so we can go to the archieves, pop the corks, and taste right beside you. Put a tee shirt in the package so we can lead complete lives. It would really enhance the experience. Ya, I know- we can order a bottle of each ourselves, but remember- TV watchers are basically lazy!
March 7, 2007

Jon B.
Love the new format plays very well for me. loved the episode.QOTD free shiping on your highest rated wine in each episode.
March 7, 2007

Dmjperc
Hey Gary!!!

Thanks for tasting the Viognier/chard. blend. It looks very interesting.

QOTD: Please do more live shows!!! And maybe taste a fan suggestion every friday or something fun for the Vayniacs.
March 7, 2007

SS Chris
BV (#72), You’re so right about my comment #71!!

Yes….need to add Lars and I forgot TimF as well.

I’m sure I’ve missed others as well.
March 7, 2007

BV
Cheer up, Brandon M (Comment 24) and Shir-Az (Comment 27)!
I felt as you did, until I learned to Look on The Bright Side of Buffering!
In the first place, the buffering happens pretty quickly, from 0 to 90%, wouldn’t you agree? I mean, we’ve all had slower buffers, haven’t we?
Then, when you get into the rhythm of the buffering, it’s kind of like the pause that refreshes, no?
And as the show progresses, the buffering seems to tail off, and then it’s clear sailing all the way to the end, where there might be a little buffering flurry.
I can only speak for myself in saying that for me, the wine glass isn’t half-empty – it’s half-full — of buffering!

Bill V.
March 7, 2007

JonE
QOTD: Mud wrestling with James Laube and Robert Parker, Green Peace style militant protests against YellowTail and Almaden, Jorge Ordonez and Eric Solomon dueling it out in a no holds bar sword fight, monkeys, Paris Hilton, monkeys. Gosh Gary there’s so much you could do to make this show better. Think outside the box brotha man, maybe you should consult Rosie O’Donnell. She’s obnoxious, pitiful and full of good advice on how we can all live our lives to the fullest. Give it some thought G-Man. May the force be with you.

PS: I would love to see a series of shows on Hawaiian Pineapple wine. Cuz yah know what I say: Wine, its not just for grapes anymore.
March 7, 2007

wildebeest
REAL licorice? Do you mean licorice candy, licorice root, or some form of anise? Or maybe you’re talking about Jaagermeister, or “green death” NyQuil, or even ABSINTHE. Well, I love ALL of these (except for the absinthe, which I’ve never actually tried — though I definitely like it out of principle) because I’m CRAZY about licorice. Sadly, good licorice is hard to get these days. Even Panda isn’t what it used to be (though it’s still great if you buy it in Finland). The best licorice candy I’ve ever had was made by Bearitos. Various foods of theirs can be found in health food stores across the country, but I’m sorry to say that they don’t make the licorice anymore, which is a shame because there nothing else even remotely like it. And I remember the days when the American Licorice Company actually produced licorice that was worth eating. I used to buy at least a box a day. But one day in the mid-nineties my fresh new box of licorice tasted different, and it wasn’t a fluke. Soon every box on every shelf had been “Twizzler-ified” and the expensive Panda stuff became the only good option. IS LICORICE GOING OUT OF STYLE??? What the hell’s wrong with everybody?

QOD: Today, looking at your site, I noticed that you improved the vids by adding chapters and tags. I’m impressed, and I’m having a hard time coming up with any revolutionary ways of making the show better. I do wish, from time to time, that the listings for the wines on the site that have been featured in the show were directly hyperlinked to their entries in the spreadsheet.
March 7, 2007

Sarah L
What was stacked up in front of your spit bucket during the episode? Was that part of the Texas Longhorn reference? Also the stack of whatever it was got smaller during the episode. Please answer.
March 7, 2007

Colin Devroe
Hey everyone! Great show Gary, I’ve already voted for you twice, and will continue to do so.

To everyone: About the buffering. Viddler and the WLTV crew are working together closely to work out these little kinks. Yesterday we had a hiccup in the encoding, today we almost went down thanks to the enthusiastic Vayniacs. Every day we continue to work out more kinks and we should be getting better and better as we go.

I really really really appreciate you commenting and letting us know exactly what your experiencing. It helps us figure these things out and as we move forward, I think you’ll begin to really enjoy the Viddler player. Tomorrow we’re going to through you a few new features for the show, so look forward to that.

Keep the feedback coming! Thanks for your understanding. We’ll get there!
March 7, 2007

Dave Canada
I love the older clarendon hills….I just had the 1998 pigott Range syrah and it rocked!
QOTD – Bring a Vayniac to NJ and have them come on the show with you. Better yet bring your most loyal Canadian Vayniac!
March 7, 2007

SS Chris
Colin, I haven’t had ANY issues. Nice work!!!

Love the TAGS (chapters)….especially helpful for me with my SS duties.
March 7, 2007

Colin Devroe
SS Chris: Glad you’re enjoying the timed tags. We’ll have more integration for this feature tomorrow.
March 7, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
Hell GV, You do even 20% of what these Vayniacs have suggested, you’ll have 4-5 more years of material to work with,,,by then we’ll be enjoying your episodes via the holideck! WITH Smellavision!
March 7, 2007

Kent I
Man, after being a naysayer yesterday, I have to say that these new tags are awesome, and I’m now a total convert!
March 7, 2007

Jan Wicher
love the new look but i’m still d/l so that i can watch the ep’s on my ipod. I carry Gary with me at all times

QOD: More blind tasting.
March 7, 2007

OttawaB
Great show. I have been enjoying my 1998 Aussie wines (Shiraz, Cabs, and GSM’s) for over a year now (consumed about 2-3 cases of them so far). Outstanding (they do lose that fruit bomb aspect). If anyone has a chance to get some 1998’s, do so. Unfortuneately I only have 3-4 bottles left of the 1998’s.
Clarendon Hills is a great winery, tends to be expensive on the upper end. I’d love to try one from 1998.
QOD ; wishing we could order from you up here in Canada. But unfortuneatly there this little thing called the international border and our government run monopoly wine stores. Free the people GV!!
March 7, 2007

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary. Love the episode, as always. I have had real licorice, somewhere from Scandanavia, I think, and it was booyah!!! QOD: I love the episodes the way they are. Think about it Gary…look how popular you’ve become…BECAUSE the episodes are the way they are…
March 7, 2007

Sarah L
QOTD: I’d love to see more of the single varietal tastings of different terriors. I’d also love a tasting with the same varietal, same terrior, same vintage and include what you consider a benchmark of that particular varietal. Maybe a benchmark episode of different terriors?

What was the orange stuff in those packages in today’s episode?
March 7, 2007

Herm
I like the new format….keep doing what you are doing ….I am learning so much and trying wines that I would not have tried if not for your program….keep up the good work and thanks!
March 7, 2007

NY Pete
The new WLTV format is working great…kudos…QOD…come up to my neck of the woods, we could do a tasting right on the river at my friends restaurant !
March 7, 2007

Lil Luce
QOTD: Don’t go changin’….really. I mean it. I think most people’s comments about content (blind tastings, Vayniac guests, on site/live shows) all speak to your “anything goes” atmosphere that is already present in the show. Throwing a few more of those events in here and there would be great, but it is just more of what you are already doing. In particular, I like SS Chris’ suggestion in comment #71. If the banter present on the boards is any indication, I think those could be really fun episodes!

In response to Colin, comment #83, I like the new format. The first time I tried to view (around 6:30pm est) I was having buffering issues, but it is just fine now.
March 7, 2007

Todd English
Hey VChuk the glass is as bigg as you are
March 7, 2007

Susan
Gary-
“Hurry Springtime”!!
You read my mind!
I can’t wait!
Great ep!
Were those carrots you had sitting in front of the spit bucket?
Shall we call you Bugs?
March 7, 2007

Susan
Gary-
QOD:
1. Blind Tastings
2. Blind Tastings
3. Blind Tastings
Is anyone seeing a pattern here?
March 7, 2007

SacramentoCharlie
Great episode. Is it me or is there a Viognier blend trend ? Seems I’ve had more in the past year than I can recall…and they must know what they are doing as it’s definitely chipping away at my red bias where Chardonnay and Sauv Blan didn’t….2003 Treana a few days ago chipped a few more away.

I had no problems with the viewer and I love the tags for indexing. How cool is that ?

QOTD: More region specific episodes to learn more about the specific region characteristics as well as the wine: e.g. Willamette Valley, Paso Robles, Burgundy etc. (or maybe I just need to watch more older episodes)
March 7, 2007

manual
thanks for the option to click for a quicktime.
i tend to save it the epissodes to my desktop to watch full screen.

bought three bottles of the Clarendon Merlot. very intrigued by the tasting notes.

QOTD : yep… blind tastings
’cause looking with your mouth closed would… be… boooring!
March 8, 2007

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March 8, 2007

Nico
QOTD: the show is great!!!!!!!!!!!! And I also support the efforts for more blind tastings… episode 131 is the one that hooked me!

-Nico
March 8, 2007

cyrock1
Great show Gary, you gotta a way with words, and it is better that the flowery language of most Wine Critics.

Qupe Bien Nacido Cuvee rocks hard. A customer actually told me about it and after coming to the same conclusion as you, I’ve been pushing it onto all the customers who lean towards the ABC way of thinking (thats anything but Chardonnay to you newbies.

QOD … Blind Tastings, Blind Tastings, and maybe some more, like a blind tasting of three wines, one just opened, one opened and decanted for an hour, one opened and decanted for four hours – all done blindly (some one pours them into glasses before you sit down and then you go to town on ‘em!
March 8, 2007

Dave H
Since everyone is interpreting the QOTD as show suggestions, I might as well delurk and offer some:

1. Along the theme of “unusual” regions: Slovenia. Obviously Movia is the big name here but I’ve also enjoyed the Dveri Pax Sauvignon Blanc in the past and I’m interested to try their Furmint-based stuff. Oh, and Jura wines–crazy stuff.

2. More food and wine pairings. I know you’re not a big one for overthinking pairings, but it does seem a bit unfair that the food-friendly stuff tends to get lower points/$ when it’s more relevant to the way lots of people actually drink their wine. So get a bunch of wines together that you might drink with, you know, sea bass…and eat some sea bass! And drink the wines! And rate them! Or get a bunch of wines that might go well with a pork chop, and eat a pork chop! Or, spicy food is a particularly useful one. You already slurp and spit into the mic, now we’ll get to wait for you to finish chewing, too! Would this make for bad TV? Maybe!!

And more on wine and cheese. Which wines go with which cheeses, and why? (Not to mention beers, ports, sherries…) IMO an area where the pairing can actually matter a great deal but might be harder for a novice to figure out–how do you pair against a really salty blue; how a really milky creamy cheese interacts with wine tannins. Ep. #98 is great–more of that!

3. Getting about time for another 15-wine tasting explosion ala Ep. #110, isn’t it?

4. Sake. I know zilch about sake.

5. More dessert wines
Sherry
Tokaji
You seem to love white Rhones (with good reason, of course)–so do a show on them!
Vins du Pays. Lots of bargain everyday food wines being imported, at least to the NYC area.
And some of the dozens of obscure French appellations. Maybe have an importer on as a guest, a Neal Rosenthal or someone. It might not be quite as uncomfortable to pan wines in front of the people who chose them as it sometimes is in front of the people who made them?
Keep it coming with the tour of Italian varietals. A good knowledge of these (and the little
French appellations too) is really useful for the wine lists at a lot of great moderately priced NYC restaurants which are full of cheap, off-beat food-friendly Old World wines, especially by the glass.
Wines from volcanic terroirs (personal fav of mine; have had one white and one red from Ischia in my life and both have kind of blown my mind)

6. And of course another vote for more frequent blind and even the occasional double-blind tastings.
March 8, 2007

Dmjperc
Have some Vaniacs on including:

-Brandon & Tampa Steve as reward for being top 2 posters
-GeneV for a Rielsling/Alscace episode
-Julius & Paul as experts
-donâ€™t forget Kahuna, Barbotus, Brooklyn Paul & Stallion
-Steve B & Jaye too

These guest Vaniacs would set up the theme of the shows, youâ€™d just need to drink & interact.

Iâ€™m not kiddingâ€¦.I think many would love it.

Also, as mentioned previously many timesâ€¦.one with your POPS with you interviewing him on his journey.

Good Suggestions SS Chris!!!
March 8, 2007

TR
No problem with the birds thing I watch your show with my two dogs and my wife’s three cats. Toby (my dog) and I did a big high 5 when you pazzzd on the NW fruit bomb even though its from the appelation of my namesake. FYI Toby’s IQ is 20 points higher than his namesake Toby Keith. Is there an appelation Vaynerch-(ook)in Belarus? Perhaps someday you can make one. Start looking for terrior. I’ll have to try the Clarendon ‘98 since I am partial to gym socks stuff’d deer ass. Thanks for another great on the fly, off the cuff, stream of conciousness show.
March 8, 2007

TR
Oh, to jimwalker comment 43…TMI on what you did after your order arrived yesterday. Thanks.
March 8, 2007

SoCal
G,
Good to see your having a good day.
Not to bash the new format but buffering does suck.
QOTD: It would be great that when the 2005 Bordeaux hit the shore, you tasted some 2-label values.
March 8, 2007

SP
Blind tastings but also, more battle episodes, for instance take the most popular wine of a region, grape, etc. and taste it along side a less common or even “unknown” wine from the same region, grape, etc. Ie. E. Guigal 2003 Cote de Rhone versus Berthet Rayne 2003 Cote de Rhone or like a $50 Cali Pinot versus a $50 Bourgogne.
March 8, 2007

Colin Devroe
SoCal, could you email me at cdevroe (at) chancecube.com and let me know the following:

1. What problems you are having.
2. Your geographic location.
3. Your computer system details (hardware, software, and internet connection)

This would help us make the experience better for you.
March 8, 2007

FTboomer
What’s up with the bag O’ carrots? Is this a WOOT-OFF reference?
March 8, 2007

EricB
QOTD – Agree w/ blind tasting suggestions. Episodes “in the field” (wineries, restaurants, etc). Food & wine pairings.
Stay with Quicktime!
Mulderbosch is the best South African chenin I’ve tasted so far (vs. Ken Forrester 04, Raats 05). I had the 04 and the flavor was slightly thin and it was slightly too acidic, but overall it was pretty good. Not a competition to the Loire’s I’ve had.
March 8, 2007

Elliot Essman
Very astute tasting and commentary today. As to suggestions, I wouldn’t tinker much. The best shows are those where you get a good range of wines and get — often by chance — at least one good rave and another solid pass. I like it that some shows have geographic diversity like this one while other concentrate on individual regions.

I truly believe that “if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it.” More of the same please. That said, I can really go for the free shipping that has been so often mentioned in these comments.
March 8, 2007

VinoVixen
QOTD-blind tastings & maybe invite some vayniacs to do them with you!
March 8, 2007

TimF
QOTD: More cowbell.
March 8, 2007

Englishman
Weird. Went in from email and something called Viddler came up with your vlog. No place to submit a reply. Played around with things and got back to the real realm.
Enjoyed. Qupe sounds like a real Vanerbuy!!
March 8, 2007

Englishman
PS. Tried to get back into the voting area and they won’t let me vote for you again. Will keep trying.
March 8, 2007

Lars
Nice one Vaynerchook!
March 8, 2007

Bill
Great comments on the Clarendon Hills, especially exploding the myth about these big Australian (and other) “fruit bombs” not having the structure to last. As an Aussie, I have seen Australian winemaking change markedly over the last 15 years or so in particular. As a young guy growing up just about all the best Australian reds were NOT designed to be drunk young (5 years min, 10 min better). That has slowly changed, but recent experience has convinced me that whilst the style has changed the longevity hasn’t. I recently (last year or so) have had the chance to taste some mid-90’s reds from Australia that would all have been classified as the “fruit bomb” style (Mitchelton, Orlando Lawson, Clarendon, Gemtree, Kay’s, Luddite, Yalumba Menzies blah blah). They have all been AWESOME, and WAY more complex and fascinating than when young.

So Gary – my suggestion for WLT: taste some more of these much maligned wines at the 10-year stage (if you can get any), maybe from California, Australia and Spain (which seem to be the three that do this the most), and then maybe leave room in the minds of people that the rewards for keeping these are pretty damned amazing!!
March 8, 2007

MaryS
Video seems to be working OK now. Seems a bit dark though. How can I vote for you as best looking vlogger if I can’t even see your face clearly??? Just kidding, of course I have been throwing you my vote .

QOD: I agree with most of the Vayniac suggestions for the show, EXCEPT for the “hot chicks”. It would do nothing for me and I would guess most of the other female Vayniacs. It’s bad enough we have to read all of a certain Vayniac’s sex related comments over on the forum. The dude must take a lot of cold showers
March 8, 2007

JasonJDP
Man, I’ve been working too much… I live in Modesto and didn’t even know that Ernest Gallo died.
March 8, 2007

aktormedic
Gary – You are STILL scoring new world wines CONSISTENTLY higher than old world! You are a closet new world freak arentcha! You have to find some more old world wines that you like so that all the folks that only drink cali and Oz wont be scared by the rotten bambi’s grandpa and sweaty cabbage lines!

The shows great…don’t change a thing
March 8, 2007

NathanN
QOTD: why don’t you film an show at the WLTV parties that you are having. I also vote for blind tastings.

Keep up the great work
March 8, 2007

ChadB
QOTD: http://www.bottleroom.com/?p=41

Like the new video player, works well and very quick on my machines.
March 8, 2007

Live from SXSW in Austin, TX | Colin Devroe
[...] Right now I’m waiting on the WineLibrary TV crew to get their latest episode completed. I’m helping them integrate their show with Viddler’s system so that they get the most benefit out of it. Yesterday’s show was a huge success and today we’re hoping to add even a little more value for the Vayniacs. [...]
March 8, 2007

cyrock1
I’m with TimF, gotta have more cowbell!
March 8, 2007

Leatherpalate
Great Show GV. I just went back and watched episode’s 57 and 58 and I urge everyone to do the same. The way the show has evolved over the past year is amazing. I’m confident that it will continue to get better and better as we all move forward.I would love to see some double blind action once a week like Monday.
March 8, 2007

ken
Once again, I enjoyed the episode. Iâ€™m not surprised by the strong showing of the Qupe. Qupe has been one of my favorite â€œRhone Rangersâ€ for some time now. Iâ€™m also not surprised by the showing of the Villa Creek when Parkerâ€™s descriptors are taken into consideration. This wine appears to play to RMPâ€™s palate in spades. He really goes for the over extracted stuff.
QOD: Earlier in the episode you said something about going to a blind format. Give it a try once or twice a week just for fun. Let the readers pick the wines by sending an email to somebody you work with. That person receiving the emails picks an email at random and then bags the wines for you before you taste them. Overall, you are doing a pretty good job.
March 8, 2007

eugene
QOTD:

Gary,
Show is great as it is. Weâ€™ve learned a lot.
A few things would be nice to add.
1. You already talking to Eric but we canâ€™t see him. Bring him in from time to time so you can exchange tasting notes (Fridays couch episode would be good for that).
2. More guests and not only winemakers but other people in the business- writers, critics, sommeliers, stock room boys, buyers, etc. Tell us ahead of time who is coming so we can send questions to this person.
3. More informative episodes, like the one where you talked about corvine. Sometimes you just taste wine without telling us the story-when you tasted Haza, you couldâ€™ve mentioned that this is the wine from one of the most famous winemakers in Spain-A. Fernandez, whoâ€™s other wine Pesquera WL has as well.
March 8, 2007

Susan
Everyone!
Please
KEEP
VOTING!
There is a link to the right
of the video for
this ep!
We need ALL to vote and vote daily!
March 8, 2007

Bill mondavi
Rate more wines that are under $10.
March 8, 2007

Joyce
You know with all the leather note references, I just had to buy Yankee Candle’s ‘leather car air freshener’…..I thought it would be nice to smell that leather aroma while in the car. Afer just one day, I had to throw it out…..smelled so bad…overwhelming…ugh…..now it’s all just a bad memory for me…..:(
QOD: Tours thru vineyards and wineries would be nice, but something comforting to know when you log on, Gary’s sitting there ready to share his wine world knowledge. Maybe best to leave well enough alone.
March 8, 2007

cub rudy
More guests and prizes to get the lurkers out. Definitely more guests.
March 8, 2007

Shotgun
QOD– Keep doing what you’re doing. You’ve been on fire for the past few weeks.
March 8, 2007

gordoyflaca
QOD: I love the show. Some suggestions (though I wouldn’t be upset if you didn’t change anything): how about a few more “educational” style programs? such as the “train your palate” episode and the “decanting” episode… help us to educate ourselves…. for example, try 4 red wines of different varietals… from the same producer if possible.. and then focus on the different characteristics between the varietals.
March 8, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Yup, blind tastings would be great about once a week. But even without that it’s still lot’s of fun listening to your take on wines.
Went to Qupe last month and bought half a case of the Bien Nacido after tasting it there.
Really like the upgrade.
March 8, 2007

DOCG
New playback is working fine from Toronto. I like the bookmarks within the file so that you can jump forward or back to a particular wine.
March 8, 2007

Justmarsh
Everybody knows Windows Media Player sucks. I’m sick of the buffering too!

QOD: Gary please NO naked WLTV. We all know you’re vying for “sexiest” vblogger, but thats not going to help.

Gary, I want to be able to see what everybody has in their cellars, what they’re drinking, and see their personal wine reviews. If we could all have our own accounts that other users could browse and comment on it’d be damn awesome. Can’t we make some combination of cellartracker and myspace here?
March 8, 2007

TagWorld Brian
Gary, blind tastings are a good idea, but how? Would another specialist pick the wines for you, and you don’t know what any of them are before filming? Or would you know the wines, but someone wraps them up and shuffles the order for you, so it’s sort-of blind?

Can’t get enough of free shipping. Definitely makes it easier to try some of the wines you taste.

I have another related idea, but I’ll email it privately. Won’t matter though. You’ve probably already thought of it.

By the way, you know I was in Santa Barbara tasting last weekend. Now I wish I’da stopped at Qupe too. Oh well, there’s always next time.
March 8, 2007

PattyO
Colin Devroe – I hope the crush of sxsw humanity doesn’t kill you! If you need any recommendations for off-the-beaten-track (local secrets) restaurants or wine bars while you’re here in Austin, let me know!

I will have to put in a vote for the episode suggestion of GV mud wrestling with Robert Parker… or maybe it could be grape-crush wrestling… or even arm wrestling – and let’s include Steven Tanzer

So Gary – you’re the Grape Radio sponsor right now??? Sponsoring – of all things – the cave digging episodes?? I guess maybe it’s a boy thing. In any case – it’s pretty clear the Grape guys haven’t watched much WLTV, based on their ad-lib commentary while reading the “word from our generous sponsor”!
March 8, 2007

K Spengler
Gotta say too, that buffering is a real pain to sit thru…QOTD, more blind and less buffering. Great job as usual.
March 8, 2007

tp
Great episode chuk . . . .anything that makes Chardonnay taste better is ok with me!!!
March 8, 2007

Hank
GV

Stumbled upon WLTV a few weeks ago and I’m totally hooked. Super informative, accessible, great show.

QOTD: Honestly, I didn’t review all 140+ previous posts, but in case nobody mentioned this:
I’d like to see a frequent Mixed Bag episode that incorporates wines that are relatively readily available.

The show is super entertaining, but right now there’s a dynamic where you talk about wines that most of us will never try – and a lot of that is because of availability. It seems that more than 1/2 of your reviews are for wines you no longer have in stock, and even though i too am from the Dirty Jerz, I rarely see the wines you’ve mentioned for sale elsewhere much less all from one show.

Basically I think it would be more fun if the show felt more interactive: what if once a week or two, a show was devoted in part to makers/vintages with a wider distribution? Viewers will have a better opportunity to taste a number of the same wines reviewed and compare their experiences with the Chukker. Think about it: ‘Do I get Laffy Taffy?,’ ‘So that’s the difference between Washington and California Pinot Noirs,’ ‘I guess I do like sweat-socky wines.’ The element of wine tasting that most people like the most – the tasting – is what’s missing from the show. Not only that, but it would help the less experienced out there – myself included – refine their palates, their vocabulary and their ability to be good customers and consumers.

Anyway, like I said I’m hooked. You’re doing a great job.
Hank
March 8, 2007

boyd
What’s up with the new video format? I can’t decide if I like it or not. Why did it change? Just curious.

QOTD: Maybe more free shipping? Really, just keep on drinking! That’s all I need. Oh, and getting the shipping laws in Georgia changed. Can you do that? Damn the Georgia wine laws. Damn them straight to hell. Oh, and damn FSU for ripping my heart out today.
March 8, 2007

John
Hey Gary
The Qupe Bien Nacido Cuvee sounds f’in awesome! I have noticed a slight increase blending of Viognier with Chardonnay here and in the states and more frequently even here in Virginia. More along the lines of 5ish%, but 50% sounds rockin. I can’t wait to pick up a couple of bottles.
Love the show man…don’t change a thing, 5 shows in (yes I know I am late comer) but I am becoming a Vayniac.

By the way, I didn’t comment last video but thanks for the shout out to the Vegetarians in the house.
VEGGIES UNITE

SEe ya
JOhn
March 9, 2007

lou from downunder
Gary, The hair doo was looking a bit flat today somewhat like the Chardies, why don’t you try the Sting look of old? Keep up the good work.
March 9, 2007

Julius
The show content is fine, but on the technical side, you need to do something to improve the lighting.
March 9, 2007

Slick Nick
QOTD: Agreed, more blind tastings; Pick one day out of the week where you taste wines you’ve identified a couple of weeks in advance so people have enough time to buy them and taste with you;.. and more Gary Gone Wild episodes!!
March 9, 2007

Fred C.
You’re close to perfection…just kidding ! Your concept is unique and working well (Not like those poor imitations from your competitors ie Zachys.May be you could do (Live) interactive and educational tastings once a month for ex(you pick 1 wine only,ask people to buy a bottle and a week or 2 later you give a tasting class via WLTV)

More free shipping would be very nice too to reward your faithful viewers.

Question for you : Are you getting the 2004 vintage Chinon les chiens-chiens anytime soon?
Curious to see it will be as good as the 2003 which was my top wine of 2006(To finish with the cab franc, I was a bit disappointed with the St nicholas de bourgueil Mabileau 2005..good but far form the greatness of the Chinon)

Cheers – Fred
March 11, 2007

wayno da wino
Gary,

Great episode as usual. Just trying the comment for first time. Now a non-lurker.
You done good in the double-blind (epi 197). The Qupe sounds HOT, thought you were
gonna eat the glass.

Long live WLT,
wayno da wino
March 11, 2007

Corrado
QOTD: Already watched the “Blind” show and agree that you need to do MUCH more like that. Preconceived notions suck.

If you really want to test mettle, have another winemaker guest on and blind taste two of their wines vs. competitor wines.
March 20, 2007

TSchampaert
This was great, really great, not great as I everytime say (oh man … now I realize), but really. Should do more like that: different things, underrated grapes, … . And, eh, you nailed it: combo V-C giving British pees. I had a very quaffable Louis Latour VDP de l’Ardeche, V-C blend, nothing special, just nice and there was some particular smell I really couldn’t home. I still remember it (I hate it wen I can’t say what I actually smell/taste). So, green pees, indeed.
QOTD: blind tasting and have that Italian grape month plzzzzzz.
C ya.
September 25, 2008

jimmyd tx
I found some of Qupe chard at a local store for 7 bucks. It was the first time I tried and, when I went back to get more, it was all gone!! I think it was a misprint. I live in LA so, thankfully, it’s only two hours to Sta.Babs. Love this episode!
November 1, 2009

John J.
qotd its already great, but vin jaune episode would make it better