South African wines – Episode #218

April 17, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

Gary Vaynerchuk takes the advice of over 20 viewers and does South African wines today!

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

159 Responses

April 17, 2007

Dude Man
#1??
April 17, 2007

C. Werneck
first?
April 17, 2007

RandyB
To 5?
April 17, 2007

RandyB
Top 3, not bad.
April 17, 2007

flavasauce
4!!!
April 17, 2007

waibeans
good call on the dry erase board GV.. our thoughts are with them
April 17, 2007

Norcal
Thanks, GV! Went to South Africa in November and really loved the wines, although we had an abbreviated time in Stellenbosch.

South African wines and a new Nine Inch Nails album on the same day? How can you go wrong?
April 17, 2007

Hinrgman
South Africa is a great bargain wine
April 17, 2007

Hinrgman
Top 10 maybe
April 17, 2007

RandyB
Gary,

I think it’s Sugar Pops.
April 17, 2007

CindyW
Could they be Sugar Crisps? Can’t get enough of those sugar crisps. . .
April 17, 2007

Harold
Nice! Now I’ll know what to drink at the 2010 World Cup.
April 17, 2007

Ben N.
Top 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17, 2007

cgf
Golden Crisps or Honey Smacks
April 17, 2007

cyrock1
14 new high for me
April 17, 2007

cgf
the frog was the honey smacks logo
April 17, 2007

cyrock1
15 new high
April 17, 2007

cgf
Smacks
This also had a name change around the early ’80s. It was originally called Sugar Smacks. It was very similar to Super Golden Crisp (puffed rice), but had a frog mascot instead of a bear.

http://www.inthe80s.com/cereal.shtml
April 17, 2007

KAHUNA
RandyB – I agree Sugar Pops
April 17, 2007

flavasauce
smack smack sugar smacks…gimme a smack and I’ll smack you back. Fun to eat those puffs of wheat…kell—gs sugar smacks!!
April 17, 2007

flavasauce
I don’t know where in my brain I store all this crap!
April 17, 2007

burritto
I am visiting the finger lakes next weekend. Can anyone reccomend a must visit winery? What is gary’s E-mail address? The link does not work for me.
April 17, 2007

Randy
OMG! The HUGE glass as big as your head!
April 17, 2007

organicguy
QOTD…count myself to be among the luckiest people on the planet earth every day. Great wife, great kids, great dog and a wine cellar……oh..and retired.
April 17, 2007

RandyB
Thanks Kahuna. Sugar Smacks and Sugar Crips are wheat puffs and I’ve never had wine with that flavor profile.
April 17, 2007

Matty Matt
I am a huge fan of South African wines so I am very excited about this episode.

I went there on my honeymoon so it will always have a special place in my heart.
April 17, 2007

lifestooshort
good choice; going to S. Africa by the end of the year. cheers.
April 17, 2007

brooklyni
my wife’s gonna be living in south africa over the summer. but not me! i’m so jealous! QOTD: We are very lucky … but we definitely need to address how nuts about guns and shooting people we are as a culture.
April 17, 2007

flavasauce
it’s easier to buy a gun than a six pack of beer if you’re under 21…totes nuts!
April 17, 2007

Eric
QOTD: Pretty damn lucky!
April 17, 2007

Matty Van - Tampa,FL
I did not know that shawn merriman makes wine

the VT shooings – it never ceases to amaze me how messed up some people can be, what are the odds his parents are some how to blame for him being as screwed up as a person could ever be

QOD – I am lucky not to be in iraq or afganastan, I am lucky to have a great family and friends, I am lucky that women find me so darn attractive, I am lucky to have a great life
April 17, 2007

RandyB
We are pretty damn lucky to be fooling around, talking about wine, speculating on what kind of cereal Gary is trying to remember while families are grieving about their lost love ones in Virginia. Pretty Damn Lucky!!!

Ciao
April 17, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
Nice ep, Gary. Touching intro to which I concur.
April 17, 2007

Pauly
After traveling through Europe several times, I found it difficult to find a decent wine shop in some towns. Living in New York, I have come to expect every wine shop i walk into to have a wide spectrum of labels, featuring the best from each country. Has anyone else had this experience or am I the only one? It was difficult to find a Napa wine in many places I visited, even in some big cities.

We are so lucky to live in a country where we willingly open our doors (and palletes) to products from around the world. Not only do we welcome diversity, we hope that these countries/entrepreneurs learn how to do “it” bigger and better each and every time. Apply that to any and all products we import including wine.

I dont think the problem is the guns … the problem lies in the relatively small mind pulling the trigger.
April 17, 2007

Ben N.
QOTD- Vary lucky!!!
April 17, 2007

Andrew
I’m gutted! I saw the Rustenberg on the listing and was stoked to see what Gary thought as I have several bottles of this as it’s a favourite of mine, but then it’s corked! Tomorrow please! SA has a superb number of top notch wines, I was lucky enough to visit a few this summer. Paul Cluver makes a great Pinot as does the Meerlust vineyard. Anyways, first post up so I’m no longer a lurker, hopefully I’ll keep it up!!
April 17, 2007

Neil
The Virginia Tech tragedy reminds me to enjoy every day with friends, family and loved ones. One never knows when something random can change everything he takes for granted in an instant.

QOTD: Even in light of the tragedy in VA, we should be grateful that we live in the USA.
April 17, 2007

John Blue Label
Gary,
Nicely done sir. Appropriately somber beginning given the events of yesterday. Makes the QOTD easy: we are lucky to be alive. There but for the grace of God…

And then there was the fun! Yet another new varietal. I am learning so much from WLTV. Problem is, I am spending so damn much on wine!!! Thanks for the education.
JW
April 17, 2007

jonochicago
QOTD: I’m so lucky I have my own online wine taster!!!!!!!!
April 17, 2007

Norcal
BTW, hate to bust you, but Rumble in the Jungle happened in the DRC, Zaire at the time, not South Africa.

QOTD: Every new day is a new day to appreciate, wherever you are.
April 17, 2007

SoCal
G,
Thanks for doing a SA episode.
I had been asking for so long I had given up.

QOTD: How lucky are we? ….. unbelievably…..the horrible tragedy that happened in Blacksburg is stunning.
Hell I am in Texas and it makes me ill just thinking about it…I can even fathom what it is like to be on the campus of VT….I consider myself very lucky to be enjoying a glass of wine……watching a Vblog about Banana and a rusty nail…
April 17, 2007

Davdef
I think in honor of the pinotage review I’ll stop lurking to say thanks for the SA reviews
April 17, 2007

Randy
Gary, we are SO lucky. You, to be able to sit in front of a camera five days a week and give us our daily dose. Me for having two gorgeous healthy kids and a loving wife, a roof over my head and food on the table. Everyone else for being who they are. We’re lucky for being able to experience opportunity, to be free to live each their own life the way he or she wishes. We’re lucky to be able to wake up and know that it’s a new day and that we’re alive. Nobody can say they will be on this earth tomorrow, so plan for the future, but live for NOW.
April 17, 2007

Andrew G
SA really has some great bargains…good everyday drinking wines. Gary–have you ever tasted the 2001 Jamieson Canyon Napa Cab? Any thoughts?
April 17, 2007

njbabs
Great great great choice for wines. These were huge when I was over in Denmark last semester – everyone there seems to know what we’re just learning: South Africa is where it’s at in the near future.

QOTD: It’s not luck, but the grace of God And we are truly blessed.

*Oh and aluminum doesn’t rust… it does corrode though. When aluminum oxidizes it forms aluminum oxide which is an even stronger metal that protects it from further corrosion. Old steel cans (and iron in cars) will rust a plenty though. [putting my Chemistry major to use]
April 17, 2007

stevo
Thanks for the shout-out GV!!

QOTD: We are so lucky that we often forget just how lucky we are. Every day should be treated as a “big glass” day.
April 17, 2007

sfgiants55
Oak Monster’s Date?? Must be Gary. Now that would be a lucky pull. I also love the fact that you rinsed with the Tokara and then filled with the Kanonkop. Great episode. It’s always great to learn some new info. I’ll have to re-watch this in 3 years to get ready for the World Cup!
April 17, 2007

RandyB
One final jab at you Gary. Meritage is not pronounced meritahj, but ryhmes with heritage. It’s an American term combined from the words merit and heritage used to describe wines made from a Bordeaux-style blend. A winery must be a member of the Meritage Association before it can legally use the name on its label.
April 17, 2007

tarheel17
Not corn pops? i’m pretty sure that frog cereal was the aforementioned Honey Smacks mascot.
But what do I know – my mom never let me eat any sugar cereals.

THANKS for doing South African wines! I would have suggested it, but I figured I had done so so many times in the past, it was getting repetitive to the point of nausea. I will have to go back just to taste that kanonkop!

QOTD: I’m lucky to be living at the end of the earth where shootings like that at VT are rarer than most other places. But it still scares the beejezus out of me. And I’m lucky to have found WLTV and all the good folks here.
April 17, 2007

Dominus
You listened to the Vayniacs and we salute you. Great show on SA wines and yes, we all concur that we are oh sooooo very lucky. We can sit back in the comfort of our homes, enjoy this show and to live in the great ole USofA. The rest of the world can bash us but it doesn’t get better than this.

On a more somber note, our hearts and prayers go out to the friends, family and especially to the parents who lost their children to a ruthless, barbaric and senseless act.
April 17, 2007

geespot
Good episode, and BTW I love Smacks. How can you not love a cereal with a slickster frog as mascot?

QOD: Man, I work in the only county-run emergency room in Las Vegas and the stuff that routinely rolls through the door is often enough to scare the s*** out of you. I am lucky everyday that I have a good life, a good job, good health and plenty of love in my life. I am lucky I am not a victim of the ’system’ as much as so many of the folks I routinely care for day to day. My heart goes out to all of the people affected by the VT tragedy, may we pray for a day when we don’t have to fear things like this happening…ever.
April 17, 2007

mas
Haven’t tried much S. African wine other than Mulderbosch – have always found those wines to be good values.

QOTD: we are definitely fortunate to be where we are in life – I cannot even begin to imagine what the families of those poor folks are going through – thoughts and prayers are with you, VT.
April 17, 2007

Jennifer
QOTD: Gary, we are so lucky, and blessed beyond, aren’t we? Puts everything in perspective, for sure.
You weren’t thinking about honey bunches of oats, were you? Or honey nut cheerios? Or… SUGAR SMACKS! I’ll bet that’s the one.
April 17, 2007

Jennifer
A little late on the gun. Woops.
April 17, 2007

Caren
QOTD-Beyond words…
April 17, 2007

Winodontist
Nice episode, I knew nothing about SA wines.

QOTD: We are lucky to be wine drinkers and vayniacs. Our kind are too busy catching a light buzz and spending hours watching wine videos online to be out shooting innocent people.

Marshall Faulk is the best #28 of all time.
April 17, 2007

J Crazy
Yeah, it was definately Sugar Smacks. With the cracked out Frog. Don’t dip in the product. Someone should have told the poor frog that. How blessed are we? Shoot, where to begin? I just hope that people change for the better after these types of events: change how we live, how we treat each other, how we treat ourselves, etc. The list is infinite. And to be blessed with a community like this where open minded people can share freely their ideas on wine. Mad props to GV and everyone else on WLTV and only the best vibes and thoughts to the people in VA.
April 17, 2007

Jon K
Super lucky – my daughter jamed her finger up my nose during a diaper change and drew blood!

Jon
April 17, 2007

JonE
QOTD: Words can’t describe somedays.
April 17, 2007

Harley Stan
Gary, is “zingy zangy tangy wangy” a techinical term? Interesting episode, a little local restaurant that we frequent hosts monthly wine dinners, the theme for next month is
Sout African wines and we are thinking about going, this month is Australian and I am all australianed out for now.
QOTD We are so lucky to live in the greatest country and society that has ever thrived. We are allowed to achieve what ever we want with no limits, we have businesses that make more than some countries because we are free. We are also allowed to fail and try again. Tragic events like yesterday let us know that our freedom is not without a price but there are millions of people still trying to sneak in for a small piece of what we have. I was not born in this country but I proudly call myself an American with great pride.
April 17, 2007

wm mole
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Yeh we’re lucky!
April 17, 2007

kingfunk
way to be harley, most people born here take it all for granted and don’t appreciate what we do have, even in times of tragedy.
April 17, 2007

JustinD
Touching intro, count me among the lucky.
April 17, 2007

gordoyflaca
SUPER LUCKY
April 17, 2007

amgryger
QOTD: Gary, great question of the day.

In 3 weeks, I will be graduating from architecture school, which has literally been my life for the past 5 years. It has been an amazing experience and I have found myself reflecting upon it quite a bit recently, so eventhough I have no direct connection to VT, I found the whole incident pretty upsetting. It really made it hit home how lucky I have been. A professor at my school lost his college-age daughter to a skiing accident two years ago, I think, and it devastated him. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be a family member of one of the victims. My thoughts go out to them.
April 17, 2007

portman
QOTD: I am very lucky. Everyday I am reminded as to how lucky I am to have a loving wife (20+ years, baby!) two great kids, a job I like, and discovered wine recently. I am very grateful to all those who endeavor or sacrifice to make this a great country. Even to those I do not always agree with. We all want the best end result, we just disagree at times on how to get there.

South African wines? My experience with SA has been very dull. Very little thunder. With so much to choose from out there, it may be a while before I returen to a SA bottle.
April 17, 2007

E-Rock
Smacks kid… I’m sure i’m not the first one to say that.

QOD = Extremely Lucky
April 17, 2007

dublin
QOTD – Every time I go home to my wife I have a moment that reminds me how lucky I am. Everytime I try a new wine that kicks ars I have a moment that reminds me as to how lucky I am. If you’re living and breathing and have people around you that you care about and care about you, you’re a very lucky person. Cheers GV!
April 17, 2007

holgi
Very.
April 17, 2007

Kelly
I just bought a bottle of Goats do Roam YAYY, haha. Can’t find many good South African Reds at the shops around me.
April 17, 2007

Mark J
I had the Rustenberg Merriman when in London at Xmas, it was available at the Thresher (chain of small liquor stores) on the corner. We go through lots of food and wine each year when visiting family there, but from what I remember it was big, complex, with lots of tannic structure…nicely paired with lamb. Enjoyed by all at table.

QOTD: Lucky to be still kicking and able to reflect on and enjoy the small wonders in each day. Like Daffs finally blooming after a nasty early spring in Chicago.
April 17, 2007

AngioRanger
QOTD: Incomprehensibly fortunate. Blessed and thankful for it everyday, every moment.
Wasn’t this the first “corked” wine caught on WLTV?
P.S. Gary, the aluminum bat to the mouth/teeth reference took me way back, although my personal experience was wood bat to mouth and lost some teeth for it (fortunately they were “milk/baby” teeth at the time). I still haven’t come across that “blood, enamel, wood, tears” flavor profile in a wine yet (and I’m not sure I want to).
Our family’s most sincere prayers for the families affected by the tragedy in VA.
April 17, 2007

JustinL
Re: the scent that you couldn’t identify in the first wine, was it juniper? That’s pretty common in Chenin Blancs (and air fresheners).
April 17, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
QOTD- so very lucky are we, that we should all just sit and think about all of those things in our lives that makes each one of us feel lucky. We should all take the time to kiss our spouses and tell them “I love you” everyday. We should sit down with our kids and talk to them about what is important in their lives and spend quality time with them despite our busy schedules. We should say “Thank you” whenever someone holds the door open for us and look them in the eye. We should stop at a stop sign and occasionally give up the right of way so as not to rush all the time. We should all know the name of the person we buy our morning coffee and paper from, and thank them by name. We should tell our parents “thanks for everything”, for all they gave us throughout their lives. Yes, we should all just sit and think how very lucky we all are.
April 17, 2007

Mike W.
“I feel like a frog was involved.”….Has to be THE most wackiest statement I’ve ever heard on WLTV!
April 17, 2007

H-Why
I guess that I need to add an aluminum bat to my palette training kit.

QOTD: We are extremely lucky to have the time to watch a great podcast. What is scary to me was how easy it seems that people are recovering from the VA Tech shooting. When Columbine happened, it felt like the whole country stopped for several days. This time it feels like we are starting to accept this insane tradgedy as commonplace. That is scary and humbling.
April 17, 2007

Maria B.
Gary, Great South African episode- I was rootin’ for it. Dude, your totally talking about sugar smacks! Corked? How the _ did you put a corked wine in your mouth? Iâ€™ve smelled corked wines before (like you said, wet paper, cardboard, basement, etc.), and man I would never put them in my mouth- your brave! ICK!
QOTD: very lucky

To burritto: If your in the Finger Lakes region, go to Seneca Lake (has 53 wineries)- you can’t go wrong. Iâ€™ve always had a good time on Seneca. I will actually be touring the east side of Seneca this Sunday. Although, Keuka Lake has a couple of good wineries that shouldn’t be missed like Bully Hill & Dr. Konstantin Frank.
Website of Finger Lake Wineries: http://www.newyorkwines.org/winecountry/fingerlakes/index.asp
April 17, 2007

Bobinnati
QOTD – Damned lucky. We live in the best country in the world and we have basically whatever we need and then some. We are truly blessed and fortunate and we should NEVER forget that.

Pinotage, eh? Something new to try. I had told myself that I was on a SIWBM, but then I went and bought some anyway. Now I really have to settle down, especially after forking over the remainder of Uncle Sam’s portion the other day. This will have to go on my wish list.
April 17, 2007

Russ J
God ep, GV. I thought for sure you were thinking of Golden Grahams, until you mentioned the frog! This was maybe the third (?) corked wine on WLTV. One was when you had the winemaker as a guest, back in the early days and I seem to remember at least one more.

QOTD: Extremely lucky. Imagine being in a place where this type of thing, or worse, happened every day…..
April 17, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
Lucky? Hell yes, and we should all stop bitchn’ and pickn’ on each other and pull together as a country and as citizen of the world and get something done!

Pass me the Pinotage!
April 17, 2007

CC_HTown
I often do a little “bad-bad” in the bathroom.

Another great episode, G.

We are truely lucky to have family each day in our lives. Don’t ever forget to give them love!
April 17, 2007

Dave Canada
haven’t tried too many South African’s and hardly any pinotage so this was really good for me.
QOTD – I say it everytime I get to hang out with my son….it’s the greatest!
April 17, 2007

Rink Man
great call from the comments above with the Sugar Smacks. I was watching this ep with my daughter and she called the smacks. Smacks were good but the left over milk had the smack dust which I didn’t like.

Great Episode. Now I need to try the Pinotage.

QOTD. We are the luckiest generation of humans ever. Hug your family now and everyday.
April 17, 2007

H-Why
Very nice episode as always. BTW, thanks for the description of “corked” wines. Definitely helpful.
April 17, 2007

GregL
QOTD: Healthy kids,a great wife and Wine Library about 15 minutes away……..Damn Lucky!
April 17, 2007

tomatyork
Another nice and informative show. You often speak of the “mid-palate” as an area where alot of taste profiling takes place. Is there a “fore” and “aft” palate that also is used in the profiling or is most of this taste at the mid palate area? I ask because sometimes we spit and sometimes we swallow. I’m just wondering if you can detect a finish if you don’t swallow or if the finish is the aft palate. Thanks again
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
Good call on the dry erase board.
We are praying for the victims and their families
after this coward victimized soooo many people at VT.
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
for doing a South African Wine Ep!
GREAT
Call!!!!
April 17, 2007

Joe
I’m lucky to have good friends, a good job (though it’s not my dream job), a great girl friend, wine, family, and air in my lungs. God bless everyone affected by the tragedy yesterday.
April 17, 2007

C-BusWineMofo
Honey Smacks is the one with the cool hip hop 90s frog. Good show today, My QOTD (VT Massacre) “Is it becoming a trend to take the lives of innocent people to make up for a person’s own issues or are all these school shotings related to our society and the way we live?”

QOTD- “I am lucky for family, frends, and great times.”

Pinotage – Will any other red hybrids make a come up like Chambourcin and Chancellor? We know how well Vidal has done with Icewine.
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
“I feel like a frog was involved”?????????????????????????????
Could
NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT
SSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOPPPPPPP
Laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
The cereal is
Sugar Smacks!!!
April 17, 2007

cpd
QOTD: Luckier than I deserve. Thanks for another great episode.
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
I just looked it up online -
Sugar Smacks!!!!

http://www.inthe80s.com/cereal.shtml
April 17, 2007

Jen
QOTD: We are lucky, lucky people. Great episode, and thank you for reminding me to be thankful.
April 17, 2007

Marc
Thanks for doing the Pinotage. Amazing, I ask for it in the comments here and I get it! “Ask, and you shall receive.” – Eric Wilson (Sublime fans, you should get this).

QOTD: I was born with incredibly supportive yet heavily (I mean this in a good way) critical parents combined with good genetics (Thanks Hashem!). They’ve made me what I am today and I’m lucky and thankful for it. And not to trivialize by any means this horific event, but we’re all so lucky when we are able to recognize how much of a tragedy this is while in other countries such as Iraq and Sudan these killings are happening almost daily.
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
QOD:
After I lived in Jamaica,
I am sure how lucky we are.
We have freedoms, choices and wealth
beyond ANY country anywhere.
We can do what we want, when we want and we
have a fabulous school system at our finger tips.
We all have the chance to study, learn and work hard
and enjoy the American Dream!
April 17, 2007

Susan
QOD:
I am thankful that
God gave me a fabulous family,
house, job and church family
and fabulous friends!!!!!!!!
I have friends in several countries and
since I like to travel, it is sooooo
great.
We are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
lucky!!!
April 17, 2007

K MAN
QOTD: The Luckiest.
April 17, 2007

The Smartest Girl in San Francisco
I bet the first wine tastes like your Jet’s spit bucket.

I love it when I come across people who have found their exact calling. There couldn’t be a better guy to do a vlog on wine. I mean, could Robert Parker do a better job — I don’t think so. Could Stephen Tanzer be as entertaining — no way. You just have the exact blend of personality, super taste buds, and way of articulating your tasting notes to make a great daily show. So, thanks!

QOTD: Seriously lucky. Gratitude is a wonderful thing.
April 17, 2007

Susan
Gary-
I hope you
get a chance to do the
other
South African
Ep
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN!!!!!!
April 18, 2007

Susan
Good Night John Boy!!!!!!
April 18, 2007

wine whore
Great Ep chuk. very informative, solemn, and funny. thanks.
April 18, 2007

Les
Interesting episode, Gary – Kudos to all those who suggested South African wines. I’d definitely like to see more on WLTV wines from this area.

QOTD: I am indeed lucky in so many ways and thankful for many reasons. Thanks for pointing out where to find the light amidst such a senseless tragedy.
April 18, 2007

wine-ot
Lucky and Fortunate…….!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 18, 2007

carbon60
Very nice introduction today. And also a very nice show. I am excited to seek out some South African wines.

QOTD: I have been speaking with my coworkers and customers about the tragedy today and thinking about just how lucky I am and we all are. Even without much money, I have a wonderful family, a loving relationship with my boyfriend (1-year anniversary coming up!), a decent place to live, and great friends all over the world! Not to mention, the opportunity to try some wine and talk about it here on WLTV.
April 18, 2007

Bill V.
I wake up every morning feeling lucky to be alive, lucky to be loved, lucky to love.

I never take it for granted, and incidents like Virginia Tech only underscore how precious, how fragile it all can be.

Bill V.
April 18, 2007

Panoca
QOTD: We are actually very very lucky.
April 18, 2007

Terrance
How lucky are we?

Today, I taught an English communication class to a bunch of disinterested Japanese college students who were at worst apathetic and sleepy. However, none of them were violent, or even mouthy, and despite their too cool for school attitude I’d say they are all good kids.

Let’s also take a moment to think not only of the VT victims and their friends and families, but also of the family of the young man who took their lives and his own. As parents it must be the worst feeling in the world to think that you may have had a hand to play in something horrible that your son did.
April 18, 2007

YoungDave
Great S. African Ep., and you KNOW I’ll be waiting for the VALUE S. African Ep. soon!

CEREAL: Football shaped and a FROG is involved? It’s deffinitely SMACKS!!! No doubt.

QOTD: Yes, I’m stressed about final projects. Yes, I have to start making plans to move to LA in the next month. Yes, I have to FIND A JOB in LA in TV within the next couple months. Yes, I miss my family and friends from home while at school. Yes, I have to work nearly full time plus classes in order to support myself and pay for school…
BUT- I am fortunate enough to be at a great school, studying what I love. I’m also just staring the rest of my life, regardless of the stress it may bring. I may miss my family, but I’m one of the luckiest people alive to have grown-up with my wonderful siblings while being raised by two of the most loving parents. I miss friends…but hell- at least I have a few! As for work- I am EXTREMELY fortunate enough to be able to say that I love my job. I love making recommendations for food and wine pairings to my customers all night, and I’m DAMN FORTUNATE to be able to come home after it all and enjoy a glass of vino while learning about wine with BIG. G.
We all have stress, and difficult issues to deal with in our lives, but there’s no doubt that we are all lucky to have friends, family, wine, and WLTV to keep us enjoying the lives we lead each day.
Thank you, Gary, and I wish everyone and their family well in this “family” we have at WLTV.
April 18, 2007

Rob F
I am so very lucky.Everyday I drive to work in Newport Beach, Ca.,I say a prayer that goes as follows:
Rob ,count your blessing….Lord,Father almighty,bring me wisdom , and solace.Blessed Mother ,come to me in my dreams with your desire for my future.
Blessed Father watch over my Loved ones with a readied sword, and whisper to them as they sleep,I live only to hold them once again,and that all else is dust and air.Keep them safe as long as they breathe.Blessed Father, I honor you, and will try to live with the dignity you have taught me……..AMEN
I see people with disabilities,etc.,and I DO count my blessings.All it takes is one event to change your life.

Don’t want to get too deep…….Be Gentle, Love Life, and Take Care of Eachother.-Rob
April 18, 2007

carnyc
Glad you mentioned the tragedy at VT. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are suffering from this senseless act of violence and hate. It really does put things in perspective doesn’t it? Take the time to appreciate those who you love and love you, and be thankful for all the privileges we are afforded each day.
April 18, 2007

geespot
I went to the store and immediately (well, a few hours after) bought a box of Sugar Smacks. See, Gary can sell anything! If Gary likes Smacks, I want Smacks. How about a cereal tasting/rating episode? Okay, joking aside, since you mentioned it, I recalled I used to love it as a kid and had to taste it again.
April 18, 2007

KC Dan
Great intro Gman my heart also goes out to all from VT . Qotd VERY LUCKY !!!! I must try that pinotage . Keep up the good work .
April 18, 2007

Peter May
Gary, glad you enjoyed the Pinotage.

(C-BusWineMofo – Pinotage isn’t a hybrid, its a vinifera cross.)
April 18, 2007

Jon B.
Great episode all though I will agree it was a little disjointed. just kidding keep up the good work.Bannana nose on the pinoptage I’ll have to give this a try(interesting)…Qotd Two wonderful healthy daughters, 2 and 4 ,a wonderful wife,and in laws, incredible family,and wine in the celler it honestly gets no better. Thanks GV, Eric and all of wine library staff.
April 18, 2007

Luckybecky
Hey, Gary, great ep! Thanks for doing the South African wines.

QOTD: I’ve always known how lucky I am (hence the name) to be blessed with a wonderful husband, two beautiful kids, and a loving extended family. But events like VT remind me not to take that luck for granted and to enjoy every moment. Whether it’s a little thing like enjoying the flowers in my back yard or a sunrise, or big things like looking forward to celebrating my 20th anniversary in a few weeks, I’m reminded to enjoy all the blessings I have every day in life.

Great job on the ep and helping to remind us of that as our hearts go out the the VT victims.
April 18, 2007

Badger Ann
Gary – thanks for featuring SA wines. We are indeed lucky and very fortunate here in the US.
April 18, 2007

Suzanne
Nice show today.

QOTD: We are very lucky. Sometimes we need to remember that every day we’re still here is a gift.
April 18, 2007

Spacejay
QOTD – Very lucky, offerred a trade to obtain A. Soriano, got rejected, he got hurt.
April 18, 2007

Andy
REALLY ENJOYED THIS EP GARY. NICE WORK. We all should feel lucky to live in this great country with all of its freedoms and the things we can all do if we work hard. Love the S African wines especially Chenin Blancs. Cheers to all…..
April 18, 2007

Tom T.
Me and the family are all in great health so I consider myself very very lucky. Thanks for another great episode. We are all lucky that you take the time to do this service for us.
April 18, 2007

Tammi Daniel
Interesting review as I haven’t had much luck with SA wines.

QOTD – I feel lucky to wake up every morning.
April 18, 2007

E
I’ve had mixed results with Pinotage. I think it’s something of an acquired taste, but then I’ve never had one above the budget-jones level.

Do they still use the term Steen to refer to SA Chenin Blanc?
April 18, 2007

Autumnfox
QOTD: We are so lucky, aren’t we? I love life and try to cherish it every chance I get.

Pinotage was actually the first grape I tried after strawberry hill as my parents had spent some time down there and got hooked. I love it and I have to try this one you showed!
April 18, 2007

Larry Bartram
Gary:

Ya blew it on the Kanonkop Pinotage. You said you thought Tanzer “nailed it” with a 91, but early on you said he gave it a 96! What did he give it? What do YOU give it?

PS. It is one of my favorite wines on earth. You should also taste Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer Cabernet.
April 18, 2007

Chris From NY
Gary you said ST rated the kanonkop a 95 then you said you would one up him and you gave it a 91, whats up with that? Am i wrong?
April 18, 2007

Fiorentina!
Hey Gary-
Fun episode! I’m completely overjoyed that you tasted a Pinotage! Personally, I think that pinotage is not only a unique, but wonderful wine that people should definitely try….however, in my area there are A LOT of wine snobs that consider pinotage “a dirt wine” & simply won’t drink it. Still, my family push for wine education and adventure, so we have people who say they dislike pinotage “because their friend told him/her” try pinotage blind….the end result is that the customers like the wine and are shocked! But I think that my family is really lucky that our customers are willing to try wines other than Chard, Cab, or Pinot Noir. Moreover, I think that I am truely blessed to have such a wonderful family, great friends, & an amazing fiance!
April 18, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
I am extremely lucky. My daughter was a “Hokle” graduating in 2004. she took classes in Norris Hall in French and German. Many of her friends as well as my youngest son’s friends are grad students there. So, do I feel lucky, yes and very sad for all of the parents and children affected. Even at another college it could be your child. Every student was affected and will always be. I was present in Austin (UT grad 1969) going to summer school in 1966 so I know the feeling losing two of my friends in that shooting and will never forget that as long as I live.

That said to comment on this tasting. I have had a hard time warming to SA wines for the most part because they give flavor profiles as you have described that are not my cup of tea. Pinotage gives me flavors I can pick out instantly and dislike. Many of the Chardonnays I’ve had from there have had weird tropical flavors that I didn’t like so I’m generally not looking to SA for my wines unless I find flavor profiles more to my liking.

One nitpicking thing. The word Meritage is pronounced the same as heritage from which it is derived. I have heard the same pronunciation you use often but it isn’t correct.

Thanks Gary for the sensitivity to mention the tragedy we all feel in our hearts. Do care for those around you. Time is fleeting.
April 18, 2007

LeatherPalate
QOD: Healthy friends and family says it all my man.
Great-great-great-great show.
April 18, 2007

Jon B
At Woodbridge I got to participate in a quality control tasting for a batch of corks. They take a sample of, say 100, corks and put them in a “neutral” wine, such as Sauvignon blanc, and let them soak for a period of time. Any faults in the cork are extracted by the wine so you can determine if you want to buy the larger lot or send it back.

What usually struck me in a corked wine was an aroma similar to what you get in the produce aisle of your grocery store when you pass the banana display. Check it out sometime.

The real issue with corked wines are the ones you can’t really smell or taste as corked. TCA tends to dampen many fruit and other aromas and tastes in an insideous way, in that the wine just isn’t very exciting. You could try another bottle from the same bottling and you are blown away by how great it is, but if you don’t have access to that other bottle, you’d just write off the wine and perhaps the winery.

QOTD: There’s a fair amount of luck just in making wine. This includes the weather and issues with fermentation. The industry has come a long way in controlling many of the variables, but not all of them. Frankly, I hope we never can control all of them, because we are often very pleasantly surprised!
April 18, 2007

Justmarsh
Hey GV,

I’m pretty lucky. I got flooded out of my basement apt this week with that nor’easter. The only boxes I had to move all my stuff with was… WL shipping cartons. Thank goodness for Wine Library!
April 18, 2007

aaronT
I had never been exposed to Pinotage before… I’m intrigued! I think I’ll seek some out!

I like the QOTD, although I’m going to take a slightly different approach to answer it. Let’s think about the community of WLTV, vayniaks and lurkers alike. In general, anybody commenting here:

1) has the means to not only acquire the bare necessities, but has enough extra to enjoy a luxury like wine on a regular basis.
2) has been gifted with an education, and can read and write.
3) has a computer with access to the incredible wealth of the internet, (or at least access to one).
- etc. -

When you look at it from that perspective, we are all very lucky. With the senseless carnage of VT as a backdrop, your true priorities should come sharply into focus.
April 18, 2007

Marius
Gary !!!
Thank you for the wine you donated to the WebOpen / Web 2.0 Expo. We had a great time drinking the wine and making fun at the Viddler guys running around with there cameras. The need a couple of girls in skirts, would have complimented the wine perfectly.
Thank you for supporting the Web 2.0 movement.

Marius
April 18, 2007

wayno da wino
“Dirty, zingy, zangy, weird junkyard flavors…”
Yummy!!!! Gimme somma dat Black Rock White !!!!!

Great energy/enthusiasm ona interesting episode!!

QOTD: GOD has definitely blessed us; Health,
Wealth, Family, Friends, WLTV, ………..
It don’t get any better than this !!!!!!!!!!!
April 18, 2007

Kathy
Thanks for the definition of corked wine. What is wrong when the wine has a taste of Sherry? I have gotten that on occasion and I find it horrible and thought it was corked. But I guess not.

QOTD. So lucky to have been born in the land of freedom, have a husband who loves me and kids who are happy and busy in sports, with incredible friends, and also for parents who raised me in a community of faith. So sorry for all that has happened.
April 18, 2007

Clifford James
Greetings Gary,

I want to thank you for taking the time to mention that your hearts are with us here in Virginia as we struggle through this unusual and disturbing time in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech â€¦ uh â€¦ well, I guess you would truly have to call it a â€œmassacre.â€ It is oddly comforting to know that people all across the country have been as affected by this as we have, and that their hearts are with all those here whose lives have been touched by this incident; I appreciate that you made mention of the event on your program.

I now work down the road from Virginia Tech in a smaller university, but I used to work at Tech and still have many friends there; indeed, Blacksburg was my home in Virginia for ten years. Monday morning was certainly harrowing for all of us here. At first the local news was telling us that one person was dead and 17 were injured, which really didnâ€™t make much sense to us at the time; how are so many injured, what kind of injuries, by whose hand and for what reason. The images on the television were surreal as we witnessed local, state, and ATF police running around the so-familiar streets and buildings in Blacksburg, on the Virginia Tech campus. â€œThis is pretty weird,â€ we found ourselves mumbling, all eyes glued to the screen. My girlfriendâ€™s mother (who was actually my last girlfriend: donâ€™t ask â€¦ just read our book when it comes out!) works near Norris Hall, where the majority of the shootings took place. At this point the local Roanoke news was reporting gunshots in that building, but they still reported only one fatality and 17 wounded. I called my girlfriend, told her the news, and had her call her mother to make sure she was OK. Thankfully she was, but she was definitely shaken as they had been told to stay put, stay down and stay away from the windows â€¦ she said it was scary as hell.

A murder on a local campus is certainly scary, but what the heck was still going on over there at Tech? I mean we were still seeing loops of images on the news, and they were trying to keep us updated, but the details were extremely sketchy. First they said there was a single murder in one of the dorms, but then they said there was another shooting across campus. At one point they reported at least three separate shooting incidents and locations, with an undisclosed number of gunmen and victims, but so far nothing was confirmed. For us, staring at the television in our offices, it was â€¦ nail-biting and otherworldly at the same time, as if time were suspended and our collective breath held for want of facts, information, and news that it really isnâ€™t that bad, that itâ€™s over, and even hope that it was just a hoax, rumor, and false alarms. Somehow, though, with that many police running around, we braced ourselves for the notion that this was bad â€¦

â€¦ but how can one prepare for what we learned next?

The reporters mentioned a promised press-conference to be held at noon, but as noon approached, and ticked past, we were still left wondering what was going on, and feeling helpless and just a little bit scared. All they could show us was the same campus map with the buildings in question highlighted in red, but no additional news of what was happening, and how many people were involved, both victims and gunmen; we were certainly led to believe that more than one gunman was involved.

Then it came â€¦ the press conference, which was not televised live, but reported on once it was completed. It was about quarter past twelve and we awaited news with, needless to say, extremely bated breath. Then, the unbelievable statistic: 20 dead.

NO WAY! That HAS to be a mistake! They mean 20 wounded, donâ€™t they? We stared at each other, a bit bewildered, truly looking in one anotherâ€™s eyes, seeing the fear, the alarm, experiencing a newborn sense of solidarity as the physical space among us fizzled to a sort of grainy tunnel-vision between our eyes, everything else in our peripheral vision falling awayâ€¦ this canâ€™t be happening!

Sure enough, though, it was happening, apparently. The reporter exclaimed that an audible gasp swept through the room as the news was imparted; 20 confirmed dead, and an unknown number wounded. What the hell is going on!!! As if to augment and amplify the confusion and concern the electricity suddenly went out in our building, which was eerie, adding additional trepidation to an already tenuous day. What made matters worse for our particular campus is that our building houses all of the cable network connections for the entire campus, so that now, just after learning that things were far worse than we had originally been told up there at the Tech campus, the concerned students, faculty and staff at our campus no longer had cable working, so we were left in the dark at the precise fever-pitch of anxiety and alarm. We called around and found a honking generator which was immediately trucked over to our site as we scrambled around trying to figure out exactly what to power with it. Thankfully the power came on just as we were heatedly debating what was essential to power up and how to go about it, so we were back in business, rebooting equipment and checking the television and satellite status.

By the time we had the cable and satellite feeds back up the fatality-count had increased to 22! Twenty-two dead! By now we knew for certain that this was an event which would attract national coverage, but there was still so much confusion and the police were still seen running all around with drawn guns and Kevlar vests and automatic rifles. Now there was additional footage and pictures from students and faculty on the Tech campus using their cell phones and digital cameras to record the unreal, incredible events that were continuing to unfold all around their campus. Reporters had called all the local hospitals and came back with figures that showed there were 58 wounded people being treated due to this incident. One individual called in to the news station from his cell phone and there were clear gunshots heard in the background of that call; this was scary shit, and still so much uncertainty of what exactly was happening, and, perhaps for the first time, the question as to â€œwhyâ€ began to form in our collective consciousness.

A colleague and I were called to an important downtown location to check audio video problems, and by the time we had that equipment working the television now said 32 dead! Christ that just CANâ€™T BE! It was only 22 ten minutes ago!!! This is getting out of control. WHAT IS HAPPENING?

As the day tumbled ands skidded on the facts trickled in slowly so that by 4 oâ€™clock much of the story had been demystified and the horror of what had taken place began to truly seep into our beings. We slowly came out of a numbing kind of trance and realized the enormity, and the ramifications, of what we had just witnessed, so close to us, in the streets and buildings that were oh-so-familiar, with people we knew, or knew about â€¦ it all hit home. Too close to home!

Now, two days later, our nerves have begun to relax, but I wouldnâ€™t exactly say everything is back to normal. My girl Darcey and I have held one another even tighter than we normally do, and more often. We have tried to imagine being in that situation, with classmates and colleagues being murdered right in front of you, and find that we simply cannot fathom that form of reality, in the same way that I have never been able to truly fathom war (as a side-note: we found it ironic that George Bush came to offer his condolences when in reality his â€œwar on terrorâ€ has created far more deaths than this deranged youth, though couched in the framework of the legitimacy of war â€“ what a crock! Just an observation â€¦ ).

Darcey and I are now feeling the need to mourn, to breathe, to reconnect, and to celebrate in a new way all that we have, the blessings we enjoy, and the Love and intimacy we share. An event like this does indeed compel one to look at life in a different way, and to value the things that really matter while allowing the trivial and inconsequential to fall away. We have been saving one of those 500ml bottles of Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a $50 bottle of Margaux you recommended on one of your lazy Fridays (neither of which we had any business buying, in truth, given our financial situation, yet it seems so right, now, that we did buy them) â€¦ so we figure itâ€™s time to pop those and enjoy all the stimuli, emotions, memories, and wonderment that come with a really nice wine. We are thankful to you, Gary, for helping show us the way toward greater and greater appreciation of the complexities of this elixir of the gods, and for making our buying decisions easier and more precise than ever before. Please keep up what you do, and know that, YES, it does indeed make a difference.

Yes indeed!
You make a difference.
Isnâ€™t that powerful?

Thanks for keeping Virginia Tech in your heart!
April 18, 2007

Jim
QOTD: My dad and I were having dinner a couple of weeks ago at our favorite restaurant, over a great bottle of wine talking about this very thing.

Like Gary, I’ve had the good fortune to join my father in a successful business, and had a great time playing no small part in that success.

I don’t know how God has it worked out as far as who’s born where and to whom, but the fact that I was born in the USA, in Texas, to the loving family I have which has also provided me with the opportunities I’ve had, and had the people in my life to provide me with wonderful spiritual influences; yeah, I feel like the most blessed person alive.

Best wishes to all of you and your families.
April 18, 2007

TagWorld Brian
Gary, great QOTD. We are very lucky. Lucky to have family, friends, good wine to share. Lucky to be over age 21.
April 18, 2007

drydrew
With regards to the QOTD when you start thinking about how many things you are to be thankful for, how can one ever complain!
April 18, 2007

Ken
Gary, once again you have put out another great episode. I watched a little late so that is why these comments are so late. As you are, Iâ€™m excited about the potential in South African wines. I must admit that a few years ago I was a little skeptical about these wines given that I was less than impressed with the Pinotages that I had sampled. However, I now believe that the vintners in SA are seeing the light and will be regularly putting out wines on par with the Aussies and Kiwis. By the way, since you could not recall it, Pinotage was created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, a professor at Stellenbosch University â€“ I could not recall this either but I looked it up ; – ) The Kanonkop & Rustenberg sound intriguing and Iâ€™ll have to give them a whirl. Itâ€™s too bad the Rustenberg was corked!!

Since I donâ€™t contribute to the forums Iâ€™m glad to learn that I am not a lurker because I add my comments here.

QOTD: I consider myself to be very lucky because I have my health, my family, & WLTV to watch. Thanks.
April 18, 2007

StanVH
Gary,

I have wondered several times why you use the term “petrol”. Isn’t this the same stuff as “gasoline”? Or does it just sound better as a wine term, or do European wines (South Africa included) smell of “petrol” whilst New World wines smell of “gasoline”? Is there a difference?
April 18, 2007

DryDrew
Gary
When you will do South African value episode you have mentioned, can you pleas include Backsberg Pinotage? I am shore you guessed why.

P.S. If you did not guess, well itâ€™s OU.
April 18, 2007

Dom
My family is happy and healthy. I couldn’t be luckier! Great question Gary!
April 18, 2007

Kathleen Lisson
Gary,
We are unbelievably lucky. Especially to have our loved ones.

Advice to the person who is visiting the FingerLakes – Dr. Frank Wine Cellars is the winery to visit. Other winery reviews from the Hudson Valley and Long Island are on my blog – myspace.com/gamay
April 18, 2007

Joe In LA
Very nice expression of the sentiments we all feel for Virginia Tech students and the families.Horribly sad tragedy. Thank you for that GV.

The Tasting…. Nothing like a corked or tainted bottle spoil a good time! (thanks for comment # 131, Jon B. ).SA wines don’t do much for me though anyway.
April 18, 2007

JayZee
Nice episode, once again. QOTD: I am so blessed! I am married to an incredible woman who loves me for no discernible reason. We have two really cool cats, live in a beautiful house and we both have great jobs. We have enough discretionary funds to have a nice wine cellar as well. How lucky are we? Very. We even have WLTV!
April 19, 2007

Jaimelia
I used to work with a woman who was a magnet for bad luck. If it could happen, it happened to Gloria. One day I noticed that she was especially stressed out and asked her if she was ok. Instead of dropping a litany of complaints, she turned to me and said, “No matter what happens, I can still be thankful. If all I have to be thankful for today is that I woke up with the use of my arms and legs, I am still thankful.” I return to that often. Most of us truly have no reason to complain on any level. We live in such a chaotic and isolated world now…we often don’t have reason to stop to think about how lucky we are in so many ways. For me…I’m lucky that I’ve lived through enough pain to know how good it feels when the pain is gone, but not so much that it’s damaged me forever. I’m lucky that I can type this message and know that even if I piss someone off… I’m not going to jail for it. I’m lucky that I can pick up a telephone and still hear the voices of both of my parents, who are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary. I’m lucky that I had thirteen and a half years with the best dog who ever lived. I’m lucky that my brother and his wife are such smart-asses and understand my sense of humor. I’m lucky that I am surrounded by friends and family and 75 bottles of wine. I am blessed beyond imagination. You can’t really ask for more than that.
April 19, 2007

MikeMe
Way lucky GV, way lucky!
April 19, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
Stuff to consider for the QOD:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/blessed.htm
April 19, 2007

Bill
Is Goats Do Roam considered a joke? Not the name, I mean — the wine. I’m hardly an expert, but for me it’s one of the more reliable supermarket-available buys, and an interesting change of pace with all that leather and tobacco and tar. I make a spaghetti Caruso — a tomato sauce with chicken livers, mushrooms and peppers — and that rustic character of the Goats Do Roam is great with it.
April 19, 2007

GottaGoDrink
QOTD- My 12 year old had a school project where he had to pick from a list the things he considered important in life. He made some nice choices like “a good education,” “loving family and friends,” etc, then he said to me that if he lived in Iraq, his choices would be totally different and he would have chosen “freedom,” “peace,” and “a roof over his head,” things we all take for granted in our great country. We had a discussion about all the other places in the world his “other” list might apply to. We are very lucky. Our hearts go out to the VT family.
April 20, 2007

TSchampaert
Yuw Gary. Yes, at last a full SA-wine ep. You know I can drool over some bottles a whole day. It’s just the in-between of SA. It can so beautifully combine the OW aspects of terroir, austerity and dirtiness with the NW joy of fruit, revving noses and fancy pumped up … things, yeah things. Pinotage is the key grape in this. And of course Kanonkop is fantastic, when I just saw the bottle I knew you’d love it. Try some others to: Beaumont, Laibach, Tukulu, AllÃ©e Bleue, … they’re just amazing. So thanks for this ep.
Btw peeps: Goats do Roam is a pun on Cotes du Rhone. Same varietals and all. Had a few bottles and I have to say that I am quite dissap. with it. Doesn’t bring much more than a bit of oompf to the table. That’s that. Pity, liked the pun though.
QOTD: luckiness? Hm, I woke up yesterday with the news of the VT drama and I’ve to admit that, even being a far from my bed show, I didn’t feel just normal about all. I’m still a student and I just can’t imagine happening smth like this, you know. I just wonder why … that’s he only thing you can say here: just why? Just one individual donig this … makes you to wonder what’s going wrong with us on this blue planet. It’s not the first time smth like this happens and it’s everytime so shocking. Dunno why. Maybe because smth like this uncovers the full amount of despair hidden by some paperthin layer of glossy good-feeling our way of living keeps up. So, maybe you should keep doing that: talking about family/friends and all, and the REAL enjoyment (jouissance like one Derrida liked to say) of that, not the fake talk and the hiding away from authentic emotions.
Lucky I am that I have still some Italian blood in my veins: the Italian feeling of ‘la famiglia’ will hopefully never be smth strange for me.
April 27, 2007

Jen
Oh, yeah… I DID see this… I just forgot, for whatever reason, yet it was still nestled in my subconscious, and it beckoned to me to try Pinotage!!! Please pardon the blonde moment.
April 28, 2007

Neal
Hey G-Man: Can a wine with a plastic cork be corked? If not does that mean the wine just sux?

Peace out, …neal
May 3, 2007

Lar
Gary,

just tuned in via corkd.com. Love your no nonsense approach. Have you tried Diemersfontein Pinotage yet? Outrageous chocolate and coffee going on.

Lar
August 26, 2007

FritzTheCat
Gary & The Vaniacs,
Just had my first bottle of Pinotage…(Stormhoek 2005 – 12.5 bones here)…I am truly blessed. I’ll be in the park with a paper bag drinking several bottles of Pinotage every day… soon.
I was thinking about Sugar Smacks a while ago, and considered that they are a product of our food industry that just wants to get kids hooked on stuff that’s not necessarily good for them; thus the name smack!
We are truly fortunate to be here, now.
Regards,
April 9, 2009

Leana Hellman
Leana from South-Africa

Gary, whohoooo for Pinotage! Just love the fact that you love Nederburg! I am a true blood South-African currently living in US. Just slowly getting into the wine industry and starting my first introduction course this month (April) in Miami, Fl…. looooong story short. I have been reading on grape varieties and man my brain is overwhelmed, I did not know how on earth to make sense of it all TILL I STARTED LISTENING TO YOU! You rock and thank you so much for putting your knowledge out there for beginners like me to absorb! You are now part of my wine journey!
November 15, 2009

John J.
Hey Gary, would be nice to see you sherlock holmes a vin jaune on here

South African wines – Episode #218

Wines tasted in this episode:

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