Gary!!
Thank you so much for the shout out and for comin thru in such amazing style for Tony on his birthday! YOU-DA-BEST! 🙂 thank you, THANK YOU!! I guess you already know we got him a bottle of Brunello as a b-day surprise! 😉 I know he really dug that vid-blog mention, and so did his fans around the world. He is a truly special guy with a huge heart and voice and is much loved by us. For those interested in getting to know him and his music, the song played at the end was ‘A Better Way’ written and sung by Tony, and will be featured on a forthcoming EP!! You can hear this song (and others) by checking out this rock ‘n’ roll wine lover on these official sites:
http://www.tonyvincent.com (official site)
http://www.myspace.com/tonyvincent
http://www.tonyvincentworld.com (official fan site)
http://tvwforum.proboards92.com/index.cgi (fan site forum)

many thanks again G! As Tony would say, YOU ROCK!

Ingrid
(administrator of tonyvincentworld.com)

Hey Gary, I am a total noob but since watching your show I am totally into wines. I bought my first bottle of wine today based on your advice. I went BIG and drove to Wally’s in LA to pick up the Valdicava. OMGOSH! this wine is so GOOD. I wanted to drink the whole thing ASAP but had to wait 5 hourse to take a second drinky drink. The funny thing is that it tasted totally not as good even after such a short time. Anyhoo it was a good first purchase. Thanks for this free resource because together we are changing the wine world!

Gary –

Retroactive praise here – just made it (late) through the “scavenger hunt” you had posted a few days back – Hi-larious stuff! And lots of work no doubt. Had a great time navigating through your ad-hoc web sites.

Seems like it was all motivated by a couple of negative comments, and you obviously took it in stride, but we’re all human, and a barb is a barb.

Keep in mind the majority of us “get it” and truly appreciate the show and the huge effort that goes into it. Thanks for putting so much of yourself out there, and producing a valuable, informative AND FUN show, along with other great features like Cork’d.

Best,

Dave

QOTD: Never had Brunello, going to go check it out soon…

GARY: nice pic on Cork’d. Nice touch.

How about doing a show or two where you taste wines without using numerical scores?
QOTD: Brunellos are fun, but are mostly more than I’d like to shell out for a wine. I’m typically happy with Chianti Classico Reservas and Rosso di Montalcinos. However, I’ve enjoyed tasting the 2000 Siro Pacenti (which would very likely improve a lot in the years to come). I’ve also tasted a ’99 Castenello di Neri which was very delicious. I’ve had a couple of other young brunellos at tastings that had some fantastic flavors & structural elements but were, in my opinion, way too young to drink at the time.

ooops I meant the ’99 Cassanova di Neri.

That song reminds me of The O.C. You know the southern California teenage angst set in the oh so tough surroundings of mansions and yacht clubs? Anyway, loved the show. I definitely need to try these, but the price points keep me away. Any suggestions for anything similar in the $15 – $20 range?

Brunello shows are great.

QOTD: I have had several but that was before I kept track of what I was drinking. Last one that I had though was a Ciacci Brunello Di Montalcino 2000. It was good but definatly not the best I have had.

Best Brunello I’ve ever had was a 1999 Beato from Il Poggiolo. I am also a huge fan of the 1999 Castelgiocondo from Marchesi di Frescobaldi, but the Beato is simply beautiful. As for cheese, I’ve found that I really enjoy goat cheese with Brunellos as well as a really sharp Greek cheese, Mezithra. Wonderful pairing.

LUV ME SOME BRUNELLO!!!!!

Just came back from 2 weeks in Italy and stayed just outside Montalcino in San Giovanni d’asso. Beautiful and some great wine. Splurged and got a case of wine from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona which is a winery just down the hill from Montalcino. THeir 2001 is out of this world and I scored 3 of their 2001 Riserva that will chill in the cellar for (hopefully) a long time.
Their Rosso is very good also and their Fabius Syrah is to DIE for. Gary, can you get their stuff in the store? I will buy bunches!!!!!

QOTD- Brunello with some Peccorino Romano from its hometown of Pienza

Hi, Gary. I love the show and I’ve been watching for several months now. Would it be possible to have the name of each wine displayed in the video as you open it? For whatever reason I find it so much easier to remember the names when I see the name in addition to hearing it. I know that the names are available on the website, but that doesn’t help when I’m watching without internet access. Keep up the great work!

Hi there. Great show — charcoal, crap, and stawberry — only on WLTV. We visited Montalcino as a day trip from Florence last Nov. Defnitely want to go back and spend some more time there — so beautiful, peaceful, and brunello-y. I love Brunello with Parm and Pecc. I love Cowgirl Creamery cheese so I’d probably drink just anything with that… Have a safe trip — thanks for recording all of these shows before you left. Take care.

I was out last night so picking this up a day late (99 a bit low on the comments compared to some recently?).

That last one sounded a lot of crap, and the best of the bunch too!

QOTD (1&2) Have not had a Brunello, but do like it’s cousin, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. I’m top heavy in Italian wines at the moment (& bought an Aglianico thanks to you) so may be some time before I buy one, but I’ll try and get a taste somewhere.

Liked the Tony Vincent song, definately not terrible.

Awsome episode

Qotd Never had a brunello will have to seek one out .

The song is “A better way” by and with Tony Vincent

Great show. You are absolutely right. Price escalation in Cali, Oregon, Columbia River Valley, France have brought Brunello back into the fray has a very high QPR contender, especially in a strong vintage.

QOTD: 1999 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Birthday present from my wife. Did I ever marry the right woman!

A very intriguing episode, Gary. I enjoy the Brunellos as I find them to consistently reflect the terroir , yet present so much individual personality. I visited Tuscany and was head over heels for the Brunellos. I was lucky enough to find a 97 Frescobaldi Castelgiocondi. OMG! I recently tried a 99 Argiano which was the hit of the night after several Italian varieties. And, we imbibed a ton of Peccorino Parm with it. Now, that’s a meal.

I do have a question. You mentioned something about Brunellos having to be aged for at least 3 or 5 years in oak? Is 3 years the minimum? Are Rossos simply aged less time? If so, what is the minimum that they must be aged? Once again, thanks for all you do. I’m learning all the time.

Sincerely,

Billy A.

QOTD: Never have tried a Brunello, but after watching this show, I want to run the my favorite wine shop and find one!

Winecritics and music don´t mix.
I´m sorry but music at the end is a 52- pts track. Actually I almost threw up my BdM La Fiorita Riserva 2001.

Red some wine magazines that tries too add som music reviews: and please, pretty please don´t destroy WLTV with music!

All you other Wainics with ringin´ ears and hurting tummies seek out some George Benson healing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Df_7IaKmfI

regards
/the music lover

QOTD: Poggio Lontano Brunello di Montalcino 2000
Sadly, I don’t have much Brunello experience.

QOTD: I’ve never had Brunello. But I’ll be headed out to the candy store here in a few minutes. Concepción and I love you and send our warm regards. Please go to our Wine Tasting pictures in Facebook (Oops! dirty word) and comment on one of our pics when you have a chance.

Brunello invariably turns out to be a restaurant wine for me, and my memory is challenged as to makers and vintages. I’ve got to snuggle up to a nice bottle at home soon.

Gary,

The best Brunello i’ve ever tasted is the 1999 Gorelli. Wow! I tend to like them all, but that for me was a standout.

Best Brunello was the 1990 Altesino. This wine rewarded ageing (15 years) and was the equal of any mature Bordeaux I’ve tasted.