View Comments

1. July 1, 2007

   Judith

   I’m with you on champagne — it’s my “desert island” wine too. (How will we keep it chilled, tho?) Thanks for the episode; I’m looking forward to your “values” tasting as well.

   Many congrats on the Time Mag article. Awesome!

2. July 1, 2007

   Jester

   Actually KVine, prestige cuvee champagne should always be drunk out of a tulip shaped white wine glass, like a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc glass. The smaller champagne flutes do not allow for the better aromatics to be released from the wine and regular Champagne flutes are designed to focus the wine on a different part of your palate when you sip it. I learned this while tasting with Dom Perignon Chef de Cave Richard Geoffrey and Didier Depond of Champagne Salon. They insisted that no true champagne connoisseur would ever serve his high end bubbly in a so-called champagne flute, or, even more atrocious, a champagne coup (champagne saucer ).

   Ara, I’m sorry to correct you, but you are not killing the bubbles by swirling the champagne. While some CO2 may be released from solution by swirling, it is very little and has no detrimental effect on the taste or effervescence of the wine. Just as in any other wine, swirling helps to coat the inside of the glass with a thin layer of the wine, which in turn evaporates, and helps to release the aromas. Don’t let anyone tell you not to swirl your champagne. Some champagne drinkers do, some don’t. Just the same, some sommeliers will insist that you do not ever smell champagne as you would with any other wine. I personally think that is rubbish and myself and all of my sommelier associates always swirl and sniff all of our champagnes. The aroma and bouquet of a fine prestige cuvee is half of the enjoyment.

3. July 1, 2007

   yoshi

   congrats. thanks for trying the heisieck (almost bought it prior to watching this episode)

4. July 1, 2007

   TimF

   Congratulations Erik and Amy! Having and raising a child is the greatest experience in life!

5. July 1, 2007

   aktormedic

   Congrats on the new little one! I have always found champagnes and sweet wines the most difficult ones for me to analyze…nice job on these…have to try the Femme soon. Again, congrats Gary on the Times article…I already heard people talking about it in non-wine circles…you are reaching new heights of fame and influence!

6. July 1, 2007

   goldencoop

   Congratulations to Eric and Amy!!! I agree about champagnes/sparkling wines. always try to get my friends to drink them with lobster (especially baked stuffed or grilled). couple of friends i’ve turned onto the site have e-mailed or called to tell me about the article. gotta love it.

7. July 1, 2007

   Chris B

   wow – I came to the site because of the Time article and am thrilled to have found you! You rock!! I am a HUGE champagne fan and it too would be my desert island take-along. (though I do still love a good sancerre…) What a great intro to the Vayniac world – I’m converted. I agree with the Time writer- my husband and I want to hang out with you too…

8. July 1, 2007

   cnw

   Gary- Been out all week so I am catching up on all the episodes. CONRATULATIONS on the Time Mag score. I was sitting on a plane reading it and I about jumped out of my seat… like yeah, yeah this guy rocks! Great job!

   Champagne is a favorite of mine too. Actually we were just discussing what we should serve for our Grand Opening party – any suggestions that will bring the thunder without breaking the bank?

   Oh, and Gary – thanks again for helping us change the wine world!

   Ps- Welcome new Vayniacs!!!

9. July 1, 2007

   cnw

   oooophs! QOTD: My little sister – who I have been telling about your show for months now!

10. July 1, 2007

    cnw

    oooophs! QOTD: My little sister – who I have been telling about your show for months now! She could have learned so much already!

11. July 1, 2007

    Jameus

    Congratulations Eric and Amy!!! My wife is due at the end of Nov. and we’re both insanely excited

    GV, Another great episode and yes, we’re all to conditioned to think of the bubbly ONLY for certain things SHAME on us!

    QOTD: My wife lol! She’ll now watch them with me, albeit not every day but she does

12. July 1, 2007

    Matthew

    Hey Gary, congrats on the Time article! That’s totally cool! I’m playing open mic at my friends wine bar on Mon, and I’ll get a pic of me wearing the wristband as I rock out on my vintage classical axe. Keep up the great work. We ARE changing the wine world!

13. July 1, 2007

    Jay

    Hey Gary! I learned about your website today though the article in Time magazine! Well.. congratulations.
    I am not much of a wine person as, some how wine hits me harder than any ‘hard liquor’. Nonetheless, I do appreciate a good glass of wine. Many a times I am surprised how good a $6 Rioja or Riesling, can be!
    I do enjoy your style and it can get people hooked to wine!
    Cheers… Salut…

14. July 2, 2007

    vibemore

    Great episode! It is so good to hear of the new article and most especially, the new baby. GV – Inner wiffle ball bat…you have reached a new high my friend. QOTD: There are many people I’ll be shooting this out too. Very nice!!!

15. July 2, 2007

    Billy

    I remember that recent episode with the camera flashes. You had some “special guests” indeed. Great press. Excellent time for some bubb bubb indeed. =)

16. July 2, 2007

    JimKay

    Tasting request:
    Just re-watched episode 201 for the Avaton tasting. How about trying the Parparoussis Nemea Reserve 2003? Can’t find anything out abut this one except good producer in a good year. 44 bucks makes it a hard one to consider without some input.
    http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=28082

17. July 2, 2007

    Glen

    Hi Gary, I heard about your show a few weeks ago on grape radio and I have been listening to a lot of old episodes. Love the show, talking about wine without being stuffy makes me happy. I hope everything goes well for Amy and Eric and congratulations on the Time magazine story!

18. July 2, 2007

    Michael H

    Congrats on the Time article! Loved this episode, as I love champagne and sparkling wine. I have tried most of the other Duval Leroy stuff, but never the Femme; I’ll have to check it out. I had a fabulous ’96 Billecart Salmon after my son came home from the hospital. Try that sometime, or better yet, taste it on another celebratory episode.

    QOTD: Fast forward — can’t wait to share some wine and champagne with my son when he turns 21 or so. He’s 1 now, so I have a while…

19. July 2, 2007

    Jay

    I blacked out again.. What was the question of the day?
    How did I get here? What the fluck happened to my pants?

20. July 2, 2007

    Kit

    Great show, Congrats. on the Time.I was paying attention to the bubbles today and noticed that the Heidsieck lost its bubbles much faster than the other two and thought that it was interesting that you said that its flavor also disappeared like a ghost. Good luck man. People discovered you and Time noticed that.Be well.

21. July 2, 2007

    MtnCharlie

    Congrats to you Amy and Eric! I have two kids of my own and love them very much. You are in for a wild and wonderful ride. Congrats to you Gary on the Time article. Champagne is indeed in order!

    QOTD: I am not a rub-it-in-your-face kind of guy, but I have been spreading the good word about Wine Library and the show. I genuinely dig what you are up to, that is, shattering the mystique that wine appreciation is reserved for a privileged class. Kudos.

22. July 2, 2007

    Evan

    Congrats again Gary! I like how the boy from Belarus had a little cry with his folks over the article. I’m sure I’d do the same if I ever had a page devoted to me in Time, and now I’d know to crack open a bottle of Femme! Hope to hear from you soon.

23. July 2, 2007

    Sandra

    wowie: you speak to me darlin’. in the avalanche of wines and for me, a person who loves champagne any day of the week, because, let’s face it, any day that you survive in this crazy world is cause for celebration; i applaud your show! i am sending your link it to my chardonnay loving ex-husband and my red wine aficianado son. i would also like to link you to my web site. keep up the good work. i am so happy to hear about you…finally!! i guess more sports knowlege wouldn’t hurt. hello from Palm Springs CA

24. July 2, 2007

    Lawrence Leichtman

    Haven’t read the article yet but I’m sure it’s positive.
    Good luck with the Babe Eric. Still waiting for my first grandkid.
    Champagne is always stocked here and thanks for the hads up on the Feme

25. July 2, 2007

    Jane

    Awesome blog. Just saw your article in Time – oddly enough the only one I read. Isn’t Femme pronounced “Fem”…not “Femaaay.” Been a while since I spoke French, but that one was easy enough to remember.

26. July 2, 2007

    Goldie Warren

    Ok..so your video show is cute. I’m a young, black woman and probably shouldnt be interested in this screaming, in your face white boy..but you had my attention. Thought i’d give your sight a try, I really would like to see my friends and I drink more wine and just really think your idea is unique. I will watch again, and thank you.

27. July 2, 2007

    Jane

    William gets my vote. Especially for expectorating without losing his front teeth.

28. July 2, 2007

    Keith Miller

    Congrats G.V. …Keep it up man…And everyone should experience the ultimate experience in life…”Being a Parent”.

29. July 2, 2007

    BW

    Excellent press GV!

    QOTD : Sent the link to all my friends that I have been converting into Vayniacs – just in case
    they missed the episode + a bunch of other friends who I have been telling this is THE next BIG
    thing in wine.

30. July 2, 2007

    Viddler Development Blog » WineLibrary TV has reasons to celebrate!

    [...] the same day! Recently the entire Wine Library TV crew had more than one reason to celebrate. Watch episode 267 of WLTV to find out those reasons [...]

31. July 2, 2007

    italianwinelover

    Congrats on the time article. I read it last week on line!!! Couldn’t ask for better press!! What a wonderful time for Eric and Amy, giving birth is truly a miracle and it changes your outlook on life forever..of course in a fabulous way!!! I bought a bottle of Michael Martini when my son was born, he produces it so when your child is 21 its able to be opened! Great celebration when that happens!!! When is there going to be a little vayniac? GV junior?

    QOTD: I tell everyone that will listen to me about you GV!!!

32. July 2, 2007

    Chris Fehnel

    Congrats again, GV. Also, big ups and congrats to the Kastner fam for their new addition, very cute.

    QOTD: You know it.

33. July 2, 2007

    Jack Kleyh

    Viewed you for the first time today, based on article in Time mag.
    Will look a few more times before passing judgement but you may be a keeper.

34. July 2, 2007

    Jack Kleyh

    No comment.

35. July 2, 2007

    sa

    Good for you gary! It’s about “TIME”!

36. July 2, 2007

    Harley Stan

    Gary, great energy on this episode, congrats with Time, and to Eric with the new addition.
    QOTD- I just keep spreading the news via word of mouth to all my wine drinking friends

37. July 2, 2007

    akellner

    congrats on Time. Quick question, that you may ahve answered on a prior episode (I haven’t seen them all, sorry to say), what happens to teh rest of the bottle after the show?

    –Andrew

38. July 4, 2007

    John T

    Good luck and gradz!! =D

39. July 5, 2007

    Fran Benavidez

    Congratulations to the new parents!
    Kudos on the Time piece…things are beginning to happen to you NOW! Just please stay connected to us regular wine folk, Gary! Bubbly show was great.

40. July 5, 2007

    JustinL

    What was up with that wierd Diebolt-Vallois reference that came out of nowhere?

41. July 6, 2007

    John Witherspoon

    Great Show!!

    I have already emailed people the link during the episode to tell them about the TIME piece, CONGRATS on that.

    Congrats to Eric on the baby!!

    I have to watch all the Eps that I missed while I was in Italy, which was an awesome trip and I will let you and Tom know about the wineries/cantinas that we visited soon, via email.

    See ya
    J DUB

42. July 17, 2007

    scottydog

    QOTD–none of my friends are into wine sadly . . . i guess a little bit of you and a little bit of me needs to turn them on to the juice . . .

    kudos on the time piece

    also, the sprint to leave the first few replies is a little weak–any other ideas for comment screening? i guess it is a game/tradition now after 250+ episodes.

43. July 27, 2007

    mcj

    QOTD: My mom

44. August 3, 2007

    dOtis

    Thanks for tasting some Champagnes. I agree that we should all drink more Champagnes and Sparkling Wines, I hope you do some more of these in the future.

    I have been watching for a while, and am just catching up on some episodes i’ve missed, but this is my first comment. No more lurking for me.

    Seen how you brought up the iPhone, are there any plans to to publish a video version of your show that I can watch on my iPhone? It would be great to be able to watch your show on the go, so I don’t get so far behind. Thanks, GV.

    QOTD: My friend Seth.

45. February 15, 2008

    thefanjestic

    I like Champagne episodes! I look forward to reading the Time Magazine article.

46. July 21, 2008

    Dessert Wine Nerd

    Congrats to you, Eric and Amy. Enjoy and love this new stage in your life. Yum… the Duval sounds like being trapped in a bakery at 4 am. Thats a good thing, and so is kicking that (in my opinion) overpriced Dom in the nuts. QOTD: I dont have a lot of friends who are really into wine, so sadly sending them a link would fall on blind eyes….. Fools. Little to they know what we have in store for them.

47. January 16, 2010

    John__J

    qotd why email just 1 person, send it out to everyone.

    would love to see a vin jaune on the show, but I guess that's not very likely

48. April 22, 2010

    corkscrew

    Not a Brut fan… http://www.winelx.com

49. July 5, 2010

    A dumb Rhein king

    Great ep. I love the reasoning for scoring 94.

    QOTD: I have no adversaries in wine who are old school.

Leave a Reply