The NAKED Show – Episode #289

The NAKED Show – Episode #289

August 8, 2007

Gary Vaynerchuk focuses on Naked Chardonnay, what does that mean? Unoaked Chardonnay’s. this is gonna be interesting.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(483) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: In theory a substantial amount with food but I often eat quickly…” by richardvinifera
“”Im a huge mango head” 20m07s. Gary V. 8 August 2007. Lol….” by richardvinifera
View all 483 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Tolosa Chardonnay No OakOther California Chardonnay
2005 Four Vines Naked ChardonnayOther California Chardonnay
2006 Chehalem Chardonnay InoxOregon Chardonnay
2006 Mer Soleil Chardonnay SilverNapa Chardonnay

Links mentioned in todays episode.

483 Responses

August 8, 2007

garyv
First
August 8, 2007

wtvLurker
g, im a huge bouquet fan – almost wont buy a wine if the nose doesn’t jump
out of the glass at me. honestly at least 50% of the pleasure in wine for me is the bouquet.
QOTD: 85 food, 15 solo
August 8, 2007

wlburk
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE…..CRAP!
August 8, 2007

Glenn
top 5 of > 700!
August 8, 2007

LPapi
Haaaa remember today we need 700 comments for his sliders
August 8, 2007

wtvLurker
btw, the milk gesture for the lactic acid flava was priceless.
August 8, 2007

Paul M
GaryV as the first??
August 8, 2007

Douche
Top 10 – woohoo!
August 8, 2007

BiggRigg
I’m loving it Gary, keep it up.

QOTD: 20% food, 80% solo
August 8, 2007

lizv
top 10 for once! pls!!
August 8, 2007

Jeffrey
TOP 756?
August 8, 2007

mczinger
back to watchin’ the shows again, mr v. this is a wonderful one to come back to. i like the educational shows. as much as finding out an obscure wine tastes like chocolate-covered wombat in a blue-stone sandwich, this stuff is always the most applicable to my wine experiences. good knowledge to acquire.
August 8, 2007

Jeffrey
shouldn’t free pack mean free?
August 8, 2007

GrapeStuff
Damn, you people are quick.
August 8, 2007

Aheadwithwings
Lets get the post count up! Now to watch the Vid
August 8, 2007

Kraemer
top 20!
August 8, 2007

Susan
Gary-Fabulous new ep!! Glad to see ‘taste alongs’ re-appear!!!
Love the energy!!
August 8, 2007

Shadowbird
The only Chards I’ve been able to drink have been unoaked or barely oaked. I’m with you, GV; I can’t stand the Oak Monster.

QOTD: 75% without, 25% with. And when it’s with, it’s probably fast food. lol
August 8, 2007

wlburk
Gary,

Good episode. I enjoyed the educational parts of this episode alot.

I looked up “stad”, it means city in like German or something.

I really enjoy the nose on wines. A couple wines I have run into in my first few weeks of trying wines I could have sat and sniffed the glass all day.

FINALLY, another “grapenuts” lover! YEAH!

Gary, I know that you have done port, and icewine, and others, but you have to admit that you have done a lot of varietal/styles more than once, and it’s okay to do it again. Another year brings all different flavors!

QOTD: 70% Solo, 30% Food
August 8, 2007

Norcal
only 682 more!

Reminiscing to the days of White Castle on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg…
August 8, 2007

wlburk
Oh, yeah, I forgot to add that…the self-milking gesture….TOTALLY AWESOME!
August 8, 2007

wlburk
White Castles frickin rock….what kind of meal do you get gary? FOr 700 posts it’s gotta be like “a frickin crave crate(100 sliders) x 5″…..

anyways, we, THE VAYNERNATION, will make sure that you get your free food…you deserve it
August 8, 2007

Grapestompper (Dave)
Great episode. I hate screwtops, corks rule. I hope the future is not screwtops. But I love no-oak Chards. Here’s your post GV in response to your email. You owe me bro. : )
August 8, 2007

GrapeStuff
QOTD: 70% with food and 30% without food. (But currently, since I am working my way through Australian wines, it seems to be about 60% with food and 40% without food).
August 8, 2007

t_moderne
I like oak.
It makes for a nice table to place my wine glass.
It makes a nice wine cabinet.
August 8, 2007

GrapeStuff
Well, now that I think about it – maybe it is more like 50/50 as of late, or even 60% without and 40% with. I think it helps, when I am trying to “explore” a region/varietal/etc. to taste the wine without food to get the flavor profile locked into memory. Once I am familiar with a wine, then I try to pair it with food.
August 8, 2007

Sue Z.
Love the naked chards!!!
QOD 95% w/food 5% w/out (the 5% is usually consumed while I’m preparing the food;-)
August 8, 2007

LushOsMEl
Darn I was really hoping there was going to be nudity…
August 8, 2007

Seth
Good idea about telling us the wine ahead of time, I’m looking forward to poppin’ a cork with you and the vayniaks!
QOTD-50/50
August 8, 2007

Kelly
90% w/food.
August 8, 2007

Ferrigno
ouchy, I expected a lot more comments
mmm, so you don’t have anything to say on bonds? haha
August 8, 2007

waibeans
“and one time at band camp…”

how long are we gonna have to listen to you recount boring stories of your appearance on Conan?!!

hahahahhaaha

nice one today mate.. keep it up!
August 8, 2007

James
I’m another big bouquet fan. Good episode, nice to have a little more educational content.

QOTD: Probably 90% with food, 10% without. Often just cheese, crackers and olives rather than a proper meal though.
August 8, 2007

organicguy
Gotta say it’s about 99% w/food and Sue is absolutely correct about drinking the rest while preparing. This ep. could not have come at a better time….the wife said we need more whites….yeah!!!!!!
August 8, 2007

Chris C
GV: Great show on un-oaked Chards. Glad to see the Four Vines get a thumbs up. They are putting out some nice wines. Thanks for sticking up for us Vayniacks (per yesterdays show). You should set up a steel cage match with the Vayniacks against the Snobs!!!

QOTD: 75% without food and 25% with food.
August 8, 2007

Mr. Cabernet
As a Chablis fan I’m a little confused about oak. Chablis seems not to be oaky but it obviously has been made for hundreds of years. It must have always been in oak barrels. Has the way it’s made been changed in the last decade or so?

QOTD: 90% with food. We drink at least a glass or two with every dinner.
August 8, 2007

nyc621
Thank you for doing a show on unoaked chardonnays! I definitely prefer my chardonnay unoaked. Actually NY state has a few good stainless steel chardonnays that I really love. Lenz White Label is a pretty good one for about 12 bucks. Peconic Bay 2005 Steel Fermented Chardonnay is another one that’s a bit pricier at $18.

QOTD: 80% with food, 20% w/o food
August 8, 2007

Robert Howells
Gary, I drink 85% of wine without food and 15% with food. I think I drink too much(Well that is what my wife says anyhow).

Robert
August 8, 2007

Colin Devroe
Great show. I’m definitely going to pick up those wines and yes – I too like woman that wear little, if any, make up!
August 8, 2007

Jens
I agree with Sue: 95% w/food 5% w/out (the 5% is usually consumed while Iâ€™m preparing the food).

Oak: Last year I asked a wine grower in VacquÃ©yras in the RhÃ´ne valley whether the wine we were tasting had seen oak. The answer was: The only oak this wine has seen must be the trees planted along the entrance road to the estate!

Keep bringin’ the THUNDER!

Jens from Copenhagen
August 8, 2007

Steve-o
Great ep. The winery I work at just released a stainless-aged chard, and this brought up a lot of talking points I can use in the tasting room.

QOTD: I’d say 70:30 without food:with food
August 8, 2007

Grapestompper (Dave)
Make up isn’t always bad. Naked w/makeup could be cool. Is that possible w/chard?
August 8, 2007

BWicked
Gary,
Another great episode; unoaked seems to be a new (and appreciated for the most part) trend– do you think that this will lead to a new interest in Chablis?
by the way, a couple of years ago I served sliders for a fun course on New Years Eve, and they went surprisingly well with the Champagne.
August 8, 2007

Susan
Gary-Unoaked Chards are the ONLY Chards in my book!!!!!
August 8, 2007

Aheadwithwings
QOTD: 60% w/out food 40% w/ food
August 8, 2007

CindyW
QOTD: seem to be sipping more wine with dinner during the summer. I think this is because we’re drinking more whites than usual. In the winter, when we’re more likely to be drinking reds, wine is mostly for sipping after dinner. As a vegetarian, I find it tough to pair red wine with food. Yeah, yeah, everyone says “but it goes great with mushrooms.” Who wants mushrooms every night of the week????

Anyway, most of our wine (maybe 70%) is sipped for its own pleasure, not with the meal.

BTW, love the 4 Vines wines — their zinfandels are great!
August 8, 2007

Dave Canada
I totally fell in love with a no oak chardonnay last summer…was drinking it like it was water…
QOTD – Probably 60% witout foor and 40% with food.
August 8, 2007

Rob in Indy
GREAT SHOW!! Can’t wait to “particiapte” in the August 24th show. My order will be in tomorrow. What do you pair Sliders with???
August 8, 2007

Shaggy D
QOTD: 85% w/o 15% with
August 8, 2007

WPROC
Sweet! I am going to start throwing papayas at people who douse me in perfume! New personal rule!

QOTD: 70% without food, 30% with food
August 8, 2007

Susan
QOTD: 40% without food; 60% with food.
August 8, 2007

JasonJDP
80% w/o food. 20% with food.

85% with Gary!

I’m pretty new to wine and like to drink some while lounging and watching Gary or other shows. Working on my wine knowledge. I try to get my beautiful new wife to try different wines with me but she isn’t into wine as much as me. I’m hoping to change her! I’m working on sharing with, and educating, my friends as well.
August 8, 2007

Alos Diallo
99% with food only 1% without. I almost never have wine alone.
August 8, 2007

3dvw
Well Gary that thundercat is The Snowman of Hook Mt.

Do I get a free WLTV shirt for that? heh

QOTD: probably pretty close to %50 -%50
August 8, 2007

Susan
Gary-Where would we be without food?????
August 8, 2007

Sonnenuhr
Love the Oak Monster, but only on my WL t-shirt, never the vino.

Great show – I’m stalking Four Vines… (want the FV Maverick too), BUT I CAN’T FIND IT :-/
August 8, 2007

PeteB
QOD: 90% with & 10% without. Wish I had grabbed some of that 4 vines when I was in the store this weekend, hey next time. Enjoy the sliders!!!!
August 8, 2007

Daniel
QOD: I’m with PeteB above…90% with, 10% without. Though after getting into this show, I think I’ll be tilting the scales a bit towards more without.
August 8, 2007

ordie010
I had some terrific goat cheese aged gouda the other day. Would that go well with un-oaked chardonnnay?
Time to go back to the wine shop…

QOTD: 70% without food, 30% with food
August 8, 2007

Sonnenuhr
QOTD – we’ll open a bottle and drink a glass while making dinner and finish it during and after dinner. We always pick a wine based on what we’ll eat. I guess that makes it 100% w/ food – let’s make that 98% / 2%
August 8, 2007

Fred
mmm, sliders,,

Come on people,, we need hundreds more comments!
August 8, 2007

LushOsMEl
QOTD: 60% without food, 40% with food

Gary, you are gonna be hurtin’ if you eat those sliders man. If friday’s show is a bit short we’ll know why.
August 8, 2007

Grasshopper
Sensei~

I stopped the episode because I had to tell you to never think of milk coming from your tit again….was not the right gesture for showing us the milky flavor of lactic acid…..OMG!

You never cease to amaze me and that is what makes watching everyday so much fun!!!

I am going to go back and finish the episode and see what you do next…:)

Grasshopper
August 8, 2007

Mudd
Great episode. I like the information, and love the retro idea. You the man Gary!

QOTD: 80% without food, 20% with.
August 8, 2007

Jennifer
QOTD: Def. 50-50
August 8, 2007

cgatesman
It’s the Snowman of Hook Mountain!
August 8, 2007

Micha
Gary, big hand to this Episode, becouse that’s definitly the way Chardonnay should/must go. The oak-attack on chardonnay really bothers me so many times. Let’s go back to the really beautyfull flavours of REAL Chardonnay and btw. hope France is listening too
QOTD: about 50/50
August 8, 2007

Autoproxy
QOTD: 70:30, without food is leading.
August 8, 2007

Lurkerdog
QOTD: 25% with Soylent Green, 75% without Soylent Green.
August 8, 2007

Jorge
Adding a comment to help you reach 700, however, it has to be a buttery pop-corn wine in order to be chardonnay for me. These wines and Chablis can take a hike, bring me the oak. My favorite CA Chard is the regular oaken Mer Soleil, this other one I dumped the bottle, I rather drink water. So all you folks go ahead and buy this stuff, and let the price of the oak chards drop for me. I love you all for that. Also, please only buy Chablis from White Burgundy, let the Mentrachet and Meursault drop in price for me as well by not buying those oaken white burgundy.
August 8, 2007

Kevin Ko-val-chik
QOTD: 60% of the time I drink, it is without food. That includes beer though.
August 8, 2007

NathanN
Great show! Havenâ€™t had a chardonnay I liked in over a year. I just might have to try a Naked one.

QOTD: 95% with food 5% without. We almost always have something we are nibbling on weather it be cheese or dinner.
August 8, 2007

campinglisa
QOTD: 75% with food… 25% without food~
August 8, 2007

Jonathon M Chicago
100% with food
August 8, 2007

wtvLurker
g, the INOX made you sad. what odds would you give that its heat mellows with age in the bottle? i prefer chablis-style over oak, and have over-avoided all chard as you pointed out. i think ill try the FV naked, they make nice zin.
August 8, 2007

Billy G
70% food, 30% without.

Isn’t Mer Soleil from Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County) rather than Napa?
August 8, 2007

Harley Stan
Gary, great show today, I just bought some chardonnay because it was unoaked, I have not tried it yet, but I will.
QOTD- 50% with, 50% without
August 8, 2007

Kevin Ko-val-chik
BTW, the last time Gary wanted to achieve a certain number of responses, (300, I think) we beat his number but I don’t remember if he ever told us what the bet was. Anyone?
August 8, 2007

phermented1
GV- Awesome episode. I see this as a trend that WILL change the wine world. I think naked chards will increase in popularity and as they do winemakers will gradually start re-introducing wood into their wines but as a seasoning and not the main component of the dish.
QOTD: 80% with food, 20% without food (10% of that being with clients). God my job is tuff. KEEP THE THUNDER ROLLING!
August 8, 2007

phermented1
I meant tough.
August 8, 2007

angryphoton
QOTD: 90% with food, 10% without food. Heck I even eat almost all the time when I am drinking beer (nuts, beef jerky, chicharones, buffolo wings, etc.). The only alcoholic drink that i usually don’t eat food with are cocktails, but i hardly drink those at all.
August 8, 2007

Tommy Vernieri
QOTD: 80% with food and 20% without; although, I usually continue to drink after dinner when the food is gone.

Did you know: Today is Naked Chardonnay Day on Wine Blogging Wednesday ( http://www.winebloggingwednesday.org/ ). So if people are interested in hearing more opinions about hott Chardonnay-on-Stainless-Steel action, they should check that out in a day or two when the roundup is posted. If you have something to say about a bottle of naked Chardonnay you can contribute too.
August 8, 2007

Neil
Ten Cents here!

QOTD: 80% with food, 20% without.

The Oak Monster has left the building!
August 8, 2007

debnj
I’ll definitely be trying an unoaked Chard–Four Vines sounds like a great start. As always, thanks! QOTD: 90% with food; 10% without.
August 8, 2007

Kdawg
man, and I wanted to hold out for a bit on buying more wine, now I’m gonna have to go out and check out the Four Vines,

QOTD: I’m probably at 98% drinking without food. I like drinking wine just on its own. Part of that though is that when I go out, I normally don’t like the wine selections and I rarely cook for myself. If I cooked for myself, I’d probably drink more with food
August 8, 2007

keelegl
Nice show today Gary. I have enjoyed most of the â€œnakedâ€ chardâ€™s that I have tried. Iâ€™m going to look for that 4 vines for sure.

QOTD â€“ 80% with food.
August 8, 2007

John Farrin
Good show (aren’t they all?). Will try the Four Vines. QOTD. 80% with 20% w/o
August 8, 2007

Jen Loves Wine
Hey Gary. That was a good show — I’m not a huge white wine fan, but was convinced to have a 2005 Miner Wild Yeast Chardonnay with Indian food a week ago. It was okay, but still not a favorite. I’ll give the Four Vines a try, though.

Show notes: the moobie thing was weird, but you did manage to wink out of both eyes on this episode. so you redeemed yoruself.

Video notes: i look amazingly like Miss Piggy so no videos/photos of me, but I will try to think of something clever.

QOTD: 95% – 97% of the time with food. even if we go to a wine bar, we always order cheese or salami with it. the only time i am having wine w/o food is when i am cooking the food i am about to have with the wine.
August 8, 2007

A
Interesting Show QOTD:95% with food Viva Italiano
August 8, 2007

Tom T.
Good show. Yeah bring the thunder with the intro instead of Mr. Oxford. Long Island has a bunch of wineries using stainless steel. Maybe you can try them. QOTD 75/25 since I almost always drink wine with my dinner.
August 8, 2007

Matt from Barossa
Hey Gary,

Long time between drinks. Things have just been pretty hectic and I should make more of an effort to fit your shows in.

I am surprised that you mentioned the movement to unoaked chardonnay in Australia and NZ but then didn’t showcase any examples from these regions.

I know Stanley Lambert sell their ‘Pristine’ Chardonnay up your way for all your US viewers (see: http://www.stanleylambert.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showDrilldown&productid=31dbc1f0-ae8c-252e-32ed-7723afdb3fb4&ProductCategoryID=a682eea4-f93b-ef59-7ac1-e2d7c9896632&OrderBy=Price1%20Asc) for Australian viewers (see: http://www.squashedgrape.com.au/tcontrol/product_details.php?pcode=132).

I agree that this is a growing trend. I know personally I had moved over to drinking a lot of Viognier as a substitue for a white with substance but without the oak monster!

QOTD – 50/50

Hope you reach your 700 comments… And I will do a video intro… One day…
August 8, 2007

Devin P
The Thundercats you have there Gary are Lion-O (of course), Vultureman (an evil mutant), and the Snowman of Hook Mountain (a Thundercat ally).

QOTD: Probably about 80% without food, 20% with.
August 8, 2007

TimF
QOTD: 99.999% with food .0001% without food.
August 8, 2007

jack
the bouquet is at least 50% of the wine experience for me. i’m definitely down with the sniffy sniff and the nose factor!

qotd: 80% with food
August 8, 2007

Grapestompper (Dave)
QOTD: 85% W/O Food 15% W/Food
August 8, 2007

Jwpeppa
do people ever make comments on the wines tasted? seriously, everyone seems so concerned with being first or in the top 10. i’d like to see you urge people to comment more on the wines tasted in the episode.

- 2 centz
August 8, 2007

amgryger
QOTD: 90% with food. 10% without food.
August 8, 2007

Jwpeppa
do people ever make comments on the wines tasted? seriously, everyone seems so concerned with being first or in the top 10. i’d like to see you urge people to comment more on the wines tasted in the episode.

btw, 80% w/o food (i know)

- 2 centz
August 8, 2007

Chef Cornell
Thanks for the show, A haven’t had a California chardonnay in a minute because of the “characteristics”. I have been subbing blends with my food in place of chardonnays during this time as well. I am excited to explore some new options.

QOTD: 70% with food, 30% without.
August 8, 2007

Jeff
I actually suprised reading the comments the large percentage of time people are having wine without food.

QOTD: 99% with food 1% “just because”
August 8, 2007

Dr. Dan
Very interesting show, Gary. I’m almost ready to get NAKED with you (let’s NOT take that out of context, please). You continue to tread that fine line between Vaniac-world and knowledgeable wine guy. That’s what makes this show THE SHOW.

Oh, without the Nose, there is no taste.
August 8, 2007

effamy
it used to be 70% with food, 30% without but it’s definitely flipped. i think i had to learn to appreciate it to know i didn’t need food as an excuse to drink it.
August 8, 2007

Adria
Hooray for naked Chardonnay!

QOTD: %40 with food, %60 without
August 8, 2007

wildebeest
QOTD: approximately 70% with, and 30% without. When I first got into wine, the numbers were more like 5 & 95, so this is a pretty big reversal.

The nose is where it’s at. Absolutely essential.

Thanks for doing this one, Gary. I like the educational ones best.
August 8, 2007

yowens
GV- I also rarely find myself excited about an oaked chardonnay- good episode. QOTD: 85% with, 15% without.
August 8, 2007

Dan. M.
Best guess is 95% with food and 5% without. The 5% without is generally at wine tastings where my first thought is generally “how would this go with food.”

That said I now drink almost an equal amount of reds and whites since the American reds mostly seem to be stand alone wines that are so over the top they don’t go with anything but themselves. There are exceptions (Washington State, a few from Long Island and surprisingly a couple from Ohio) and that is where I’m gravitating with reds.

Good show. When you see it, try the Morgan Metallico. Nice wine.
August 8, 2007

Chris Brookhouser
Great show…Not a huge chard or white fan, but I will have to experiment.

QOTD: 50% without food, 25% with Cigar and 25% with food/ cheese….not so much with dinners.
August 8, 2007

John J.
QOTD: I’d say about 90% with food and 10% without. But how do you figure in all that I drink AFTER dinner? (since I can’t seem to leave a good bottle open over night!) But that being said, I never needed food as an excuse to open a bottle
August 8, 2007

JimKay
Great show. Wines to drink with dinner, tonight, or maybe Friday when friends come over.
Not more wines to fondle, talk about, stash away for a special occasion or flip. WLTV shines when it turns us on to these everyday wines. Thanks
August 8, 2007

Marc
Was this a combination of your ICanWineNerdItUpAllDay character combined with yourself? No complaints, I’ll still be watching.

I like oaky Chardonnay and hate oaky Cabs. I can’t explain it; that’s just the way my palate rolls.

QOTD: 80% without food, 20% with. I bet married people are much higher on the “with food.” I like to have a glass while reading a book, playing 2KSports College Hoops on the PS2, or socially with my roommate or GF or a group. Usually those occassions don’t really involve food.
August 8, 2007

K Spengler
Great show as usual, GV. No question for me, even though I always do a “tasty-taste” first, without food, just to see what the winemaker intended, I drink 100% of my wines with my meals.,…or snacks…I love to see the changes the wine makes with food flavors in my mouth. Always learning, and always loving your shows. thanks.
August 8, 2007

TheThriller
Great show Gary!

QOTD: 50% with 50% without
August 8, 2007

J Crazy
QOTD: 95 w/food 5 w/out. But that may be because 99 percent of my waking hours are spend eating.
August 8, 2007

Annapolitan
GV, Wine IS food. 90% with food.
August 8, 2007

Robert F
Great show today, Gary. I love the idea of unoaked chardonnay. So far the only chardonnay that I have ever REALLY liked has been a premier cru chablis, so it’s nice to see cali going in that direction away from butter and wood.

QOTD: Ever since you introduced me to chinon and the joys of cab franc (st emilion!) i’ve been doing most of my wines with food. probably 80/20 with food/without food. new world fruit bombs just don’t seem to integrate well with savory flavours as well as good old world cab franc etc.
August 8, 2007

mas
Love unoaked Chard, but for me it’s going to take something special to beat Chablis.

QOTD: 98% food, 2% without food. And that 2% is quickly followed by food!
August 8, 2007

Grape Expectations
I hope we make the challenge. I can’t wait to hear what wine you pair with sliders.

There are some interesting Washington unoaked (sometimes called “fruit forward”) chardonnays, too.

QOTD: 75% with food, 25% without
August 8, 2007

drwMD
Hooray for stainless steel. I drink wine for the fruit, not the woodwork.

QOTD: 60%/40%, but have seen those numbers drifting more towards “with food.”
August 8, 2007

Withnail
QOTD: 90% without food; 10% with
August 8, 2007

Jeff Mastroianni
Gary,
Drinking a mildly oaked Chard (Pessagno) while watching. Thanks for showcasing those wines.
70% with food
30% without (sometimes a guy just has to pop a bottle for no reason)
August 8, 2007

TROC
I love oak. Oak trees, oak barrels, oak furniture, and yes, oak flavor in my wine. A winery without oak barrels would be like a cigar shop without tobacco. Stainless teel is a lot like screw tops, it just doesn’t have any soul. Its like comparing a CD to a vinyl album, one is for your ears, the other one’s for your heart and soul. Let’s not do away with oak totally, but I agree, sometimes a little pinch is all you need.
August 8, 2007

Cam
QOTD: 70% with, 30% without. Depends on the wine, though. I think some are just too good to have with anything else.
August 8, 2007

Frank B
Drink mostly reds.but will try some of these. 50%-50%
August 8, 2007

JonE
I think “Silver” is the same general design as “Mer Soleil”, just 100% tank and less aging. What about giving some love to Morgan Metalico as they were one of the original pioneers of unoaked chards in Cali. Thanks for the email G-Man, people spend way too much time not having fun in this wine world.

QOTD: 90%/10% without food only because I’m in the business,on a personal level (and most of all for my own enjoyment) 95%/5% with food.
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Hey Hollywood,

Are you sure you didn’t grab some sliders before the episode? Something was repeating on you at the onset of the Chehalem segment and I’m hoping it wasn’t the first two chards.
August 8, 2007

chitown_wino
QOTD- Probably 80% without, 20% with. But reverse the question, do I eat food without wine? Dinner- I almost always pair with wine (98%). Lunch- on weekends, maybe 80% with wine.

I have always been a big fan of unoaked Chardonnay. Nothing pairs better with raw oysters than a good Chablis. Not oysters with red coctail sauce though. Oysters with a migniotte- definately.
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Nice wine, do they make it in men’s? (I bet it’s lovely with quiche).
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Nice wine, do they make it in men’s? (I bet it’s lovely with quiche).
August 8, 2007

Brandon T.
Gary, it’s amazing to me how you’ve kept your head so securely in place relating the mammoth of the wine world to ‘ordinary reality’, and understand the operation of those dispersive signifiers… i can relate only to the energy/clear headed drive of high school plus the heavy and long endured experience of the world to relate to the dynamic of your passion.. kudos
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Yesterday the third button and I only know that because someone commented on it (most men don’t notice those things NTTAWWT)

Those with a more prurient bent attracted by the title could not have been disappointed with the breast action (have a word with Piper about the upcoming vid won’t you?).
August 8, 2007

Bossman
I tried calling today, I had a deal all lined up to purchase the Jets but the phone just rang and rang.
August 8, 2007

Bossman
I’m in on the tasting, maybe with you telling me what you smell I’ll get a more nuanced sensation of grapes. I’ll pick them up on Friday.
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Regarding the sign-off, I like it (in more ways then one).
August 8, 2007

Bossman
QOTD: 85% without and 15% with (munching on cheese and watching Judge Judy)
August 8, 2007

t_moderne
Tolosa – 84 points – a “bad start”? When is 84 points a bad start for a $12 wine? I could see it it was over $20 – but isn’t an 84 a “good wine – just not great”?
I suppose that’s the issue with numerical scores – one person’s 84 is another person’s 88.
That being said, points mean nothing.

QOTD – With food – 75-80% and the balance without food. Often open the bottle and enjoy with food- and then later on, after dinner, have a glass as well without food.
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Hey TimF, what about the other .0009?
August 8, 2007

Bossman
Oh screw this…. I’ll buy you the damn sliders.

My QOTD to you: I’m guessing you like the Jalapeno version, yeah not the standard but we’re proponents of change, aren’t we?
August 8, 2007

Kathleen Lisson
Welcome to Wine bogging Wednesday! Here’s my unoaked Chardonnay entry
Kathleen
Albany, NY

Wine Blogging Wednesday – Unoaked Chardonnay

My boyfriend loves the ‘Oakmonster.’

He admitted to me that he used to impress girls on a first date by ordering Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay. I almost asked him if he came up with that idea in High School Wood Shop, but for the sake of happiness, I bit my tongue.

Luckily for single women in the Finger Lakes who like unoaked wine, Jimmy’s now off the market.

Today is my first Wine Blogging Wednesday, a great excuse to enjoy the yummy Chardonnay fruit aromas that are normally hidden under all that oak – specifically a glass of tank-fermented, unoaked 2005 Chardonnay from Wagner Vineyards in Lodi, NY, on the Eastern shore of Seneca Lake.

Wagner has a picnic area with a beautiful view of Seneca Lake and is a perfect wine tasting destination for ‘mixed’ groups! Wine lovers can enjoy a comprehensive tour of the winery while the beer drinkers take a self-guided tour of the brewery.

I liked drinking this light-to-medium bodied wine. The notes of apple and melon paired well with my dinner of spaghetti with garlic and olive oil and mussels in a garlic butter sauce.

At 10.99 a bottle, it’s a great price for a refreshing New York wine.

‘Oakmonster’ not included.

See my videotasting of the Wagner Chardonnay, complete with more corny ‘oak’ jokes, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJYAEmp7gKI

Kathleen Lisson

Albany, NY
August 8, 2007

Suzanne
Another informative, entertaining episode! I may not know all the chemistry behind what makes unwooded Chards taste better to me, I just know that they do. I love the truer expression of the grape that can just sing out in unoaked whites. I’ve believed for a while now that this is the direction in which California Chardonnay will be going, and I think it’s long overdue.

About the bouquet, or “nose thing”: It’s probably just as important to me as the actual taste of the wine. I spend as much time sniffing my glass of wine as I do drinking it, from when it’s first poured until the glass is drained.

QOTD: Maybe 85% with food.
August 8, 2007

Plminer
Unoaked, I like the sound of that. Always prefer a well balanced Chard w/o too much oak.

QOTD: 85% with food (dinner/lunch) if cheese is included then I’d say I’m closer to 95% with food.
August 8, 2007

italianwinelover
GV-Another fab episode!!! Although the Big “O” use to mean something different to me – hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Big ups to SS Chris..he is awesome!!

QOTD: 50% -50%..working in a wine store I try alot of wines with only crackers or cheese so I couldn’t really say anything other..in fact it might tip a little bit to the other side…hard for me to spit out good wine!!!!
August 8, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI

QOTD: short answer 60% w/food 40% w/o AND the with food that first glass is w/o so does that make it higher in the w/o cat???

You’ve got me on to Chablis, and I have liked the Naked Chards I’ve had, but I put them in a group of “food” wines… unlike some of the buttery Chards I find irresistable to just sit and sip and soak in all they are bringing.

My personal opinion, and darn it, I’m entitled to it! Keep Rockn’ the wine world!!! GMan!
August 8, 2007

Jen
NOSE IN WINE! HOLLA!!!!!!
QOTD:
As for conscious pairing of wine with the food I’m eating, probably 20%. 20% of the time I’m eating ‘whatever’ and drinking wine, and just hoping to god they taste good together, and then 60% I’m probably drinking the wine on it’s own, before a meal, or out dancing or something.
August 8, 2007

italianwinelover
P.S. so where are the sliders!!!!!! are we close to 700?
August 8, 2007

SteveW
Top 150 – Sweet
I like Naked Chards but if you want to bring the Thunder nothing beats a good White Burgundy.
QOTD: 50-50
August 8, 2007

ryan
great ep! bring the thunder vee!
August 8, 2007

sangio
Great show, some of my favorite wines from my younger days were unoaked French Chards at a time when all from CA were oaked.

Qotd – about 90 – 96% without food. Just slow sipping and enjoying over an hour or so.
August 8, 2007

Palmer
Solid episode and very timely: I randomly came across an un-oaked Chardonnay on a winery website today and it was the first time I had seen one. I’m excited about the un-oaked movement as the oak monster had completely turned me away from Chard.

QOTD: 75% with food, 25% without.
August 8, 2007

Dee
GV, does unoaked necessarily mean no malolactic fermentation??

QOD: 25% with; 75% without food
August 8, 2007

james
Unoaked chard….nice topic! I love sav blanc but sometimes they are too acidic for me but I love fume blanc (oaked) but sometimes too oaky!! Naked chard my man…..YEA!!
August 8, 2007

Jerry Chacon
Sorry…but white castle is not looking very promising. When is the cut off??? Posting of the next show? Hmmmm.

So, QOTD: 95 with / 5 without. I’m a foodie.

Oh and Mott, next time….remember to unplug the telephone.
August 8, 2007

Exgrap
About 90% with food!! BTW I keep putting “sake” in your search with no results. I am begging you Gary….. Joe
August 8, 2007

james
oh yeah….w/and w/out food. Hhhuummm……bout 60%w 40%w/o
August 8, 2007

Mary D
Great show as usual. Not of fan of Chards, but I think you have convinced me to give it another try. QOD – 70% with food, 30% without.
August 8, 2007

Vince T
Great show again, and more importantly GV is asking us to put aside any preconceived notions concerning the “OAK MONSTER”.
I will give the naked chards a go. As for my drinking habits, I would say it’s
75% w/ meals and 25% w/o.
August 8, 2007

vinovintner
Thanks for showing the vaniacs how nice an unoaked chard can be. However, I think that oaked chardonnays can be very elegant as well. The key is not to over oak the wine. A “kiss” of medium toasted French oak from the Never or Limousin regions gives a vanilla component adding a very nice complexity to the wine. This pairs great with richer foods.

I have made both oaked and unoaked Chards with the addition of Malolactic Culture to soften the mid palate in both cases. M/L adds the thunder to the body of the wine and an unmistakable buttery nose,which goes extremely well with Pineapple, and Mango components on the nose. I think the spritzing action that you observed in two of the unoaked Chards that you tasted was the result of a spontaneous m/l fermentation in the bottle. The chances are pretty good that the wine was processed in an area where M/L spores were lurking on the winery walls. This is very common in most wineries.

QOTD 60/30
August 8, 2007

Susan
When
August 8, 2007

Susan
Do
August 8, 2007

Susan
We
August 8, 2007

Susan
Get
August 8, 2007

Susan
To
August 8, 2007

Susan
900
August 8, 2007

Susan
??????????????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
Gary???????????????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
Anybody???????????????????????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
Bueller??????????????????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
Bueller??????????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
BUELLER??????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
Ferris???????????????????????????
August 8, 2007

holgi
70% with food
August 8, 2007

Susan
Ferris Bueller???????????????????????
August 8, 2007

Susan
70% with food?????????
Where is Bueller???????
August 8, 2007

Susan
GARY?!?!?!?!?!?!?
August 8, 2007

Martin
Great info! I always say “Anything But Chardonnay,” but here’s a syle I can agree with.
qotd: 99% with food. To me, wine is just part of the dinner table; more of a grocery than a special beverage.
August 8, 2007

wolfie
good show again today gv… i’ll give you some beat poet style hipster snaps!

qotd: i’m really split down the middle, 50% with, 50% without
August 8, 2007

joe p.
Gary,

Being Italian, I’m all about the nose. Don’t get me wrong, mid-palate matters but if the nose is great, I’m in it til the punt. If it’s a weak nose, then the “rest of the bottle doesn’t get drunk until I get drunk.” jp
August 8, 2007

wolfie
i’m huge on a good nose as well. when i get a really good bottle, i spent a lot more time sniffing than i do actually drinking. i recently had this great torrontes with a killer nose… milked one glass for a solid two hours just hanging out and sniffing.
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
Flexible=Gumby

“He’s green, he’s clay, he’s a public display”
August 8, 2007

joe p.
Spilling the wine during the tasting… very nice. jp
August 8, 2007

Susan
????????????????????????????
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
Susan
August 8, 2007

joe p.
Gary,

The show is just as strong as it was when I started watching 13, 14 months ago! Kudos! jp
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
is crazy
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
tonight!
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
Gary- I’m a huge fan of virgin Chardonnay. It’s the white wine that got me interested in white wine, when I thought I only liked red. Cheers!
August 8, 2007

joe p.
Wine consumption break down:

50 with/50 without
August 8, 2007

Wes
Well… I hope you get your white castle. Hmmm… What wine do you think would go well with a fast food meal?! You know a burger and fries.
I would say that I have wine with 75% of my meals.
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
QOTD- Probably 50-50. Almost impossible to eat good food without wine, almost impossible to resist good wine without food.
August 8, 2007

alberto
700 comments. hmmm…I think you are paying the check Gary, at least for now.
August 8, 2007

GottaGoDrink
Agreed on SS Chris…he could play in the BIGS!
August 8, 2007

Andy
Like the NO OAK Chards G —- we all need a change….
QOTD About 50 50
August 8, 2007

DAVEe
30% with clothes… and 70% without clothes…

ummm… “naked” means what? Oh…

90% with food, 10% without food.

Outside of tasting of course, which I do a lot more wine-tasting than wine-drinking. I prefer to take down a glass of scotch or pint of beer when I “just want to have a drink”.

DAVEe
August 8, 2007

John
I’d say 80% with, 20% without. Just ’cause I like wine with my food anytime I go out. BTW, I love the nose, I’m addicted to the nose. Wine (usually) smells amazing! I even actually love smelling all my drinks and food, wine or not. I just can’t bring the full flavor out without inhaling the aroma first.
August 8, 2007

Ben N.
Great show today Gary. QOTD: 80% with food, 20% w/o food
August 8, 2007

alberto
I almost forgot 95% no food, It is all about the wine for me.
August 8, 2007

andro
Love the episode. I recently have gone back to Chardonnay after a good friend told me how much FUN he was having drinking it. I can deal with the oak mini monster. I think it is a nice flavor profile. I think I tend to go back and forth as seasons, environments, and tastes change, but I feel that my palate/taste tends to swing back and forth – old to new world, oak to not, it doesn’t stay the same which is great. I don’t see any reason why you have to be in only one camp. If people only liked to drink wines with a certain flavor profile the world would be dull.

at least 85% with food, 10% without and I pretty much can’t remember the other 5%
August 8, 2007

Michelle
thanks for the excellent and informative show. As usual, it’s fun to watch as well (always nice after a long day at work). The breast move almost made me fall off my chair.

QOTD: 95% with food (obviously 5% without!!)
August 8, 2007

E
Love the Frizzante-Cam.

Had a Shaw and Smith unoaked chardonnay a few years ago and it was an absolute revelation.

QOD: at least 90% with food.

I can’t imagine what you drink with White Castle, though. Carlo Rossi Paisano maybe?
August 8, 2007

Jon B.
I’m very interested in no oak chards,I’ve had not one chard in my life that I’ve enjoyed .I’ve not given Chardonnay much chance though either. I’ll for sure pick up a few non oaked to see if it can change my view.Hey maybe the Mer Soleil Silver would go well with a jalepeno slider and side of onion chips from white castle(let me know). QOTD 75% food 25% non food. Great show hope you get free sliders.Thank GV and WLTV crew
August 8, 2007

Hooler076
The Steel Super Hero battles the Oak Monster. Nice.
August 8, 2007

ToddF
I’m about 75% without food, 25% with food…also a HUGE nose/bouquet guy – great wines have been ruined for me based solely on the lack of an enjoyable nose…
August 8, 2007

Hooler076
I’ll leave two comments since you need 700.
What wine goes well with White Castles? Gotta love those sliders.

QOTD- 75% with food 25% without.
Kudos to Four Vines. I believe they make a really good Red Zinfadel Four Vines (Dusi Ranch)
August 8, 2007

Raffi
Great show. I just bought a naked bottle a few weeks ago from the Niagara region but I haven’t popped it yet.

I would say about 85% with food.

E- we used to go to the White Castle in Linden, NJ after we were already tanked.
August 8, 2007

Colleen
QOTD: I always like to try the first few sips or even a glass without food to get the true taste of the wine… but then it’s definately 75% to 80% with food.
August 8, 2007

the big wine O
out of Four Vines already? 60% with food, 40% w/o……a glass a night before bed….comment #175…at least White Castle is dirt cheap!
August 8, 2007

AlisonD
I am definitely into No Oak Chards… I can’t wait to try the Four Vines!

QOTD: About 75% with food, 25% without.
August 8, 2007

mwf
90+% with food
August 8, 2007

Mattpan
Nice episode, just recently had some un-oaked chard and must say, if I’m looking for that type of acidity I’d rather drink a sav blanc, but a few I tried weren’t that bad.

QOTD: 80% no food / 20% with food
August 8, 2007

portman
Great ep. The thunder was brought to the screen.

About two weeks ago I had the Four Vines at a tasting in Portland. My tasting notes picked up on the acidity, which I considered very crisp. I also felt the mouth feel was “velvety”. Interesting to pick that description and match it to yours. This is the first wine that I’ve had and maintained a strong memory of it and compared it to what you just did. Very cool. I did buy a bottle of the Four Vines at the tasting, so I’ll get to compare notes with you again.

Over oaking can be an eye opener. I see mentioned in tasting notes the amount and/or the age of the oak barrels a lot. It seems to me that there is an aura of snobbiness or elitism by the age of the oak barrels. New oak seems to get a lot of oohs and aahs. If new oak brings a really big furry Oak Monster, then why not use older oak barrels to achieve something in between the naked chards and the Oak Monster chards? Any examples of that?

Mike
August 8, 2007

GeneV
QOTD: 90% with food of some kind, 10% without.

The choice isn’t oak or no oak. There’s also light oak in the Burgundy style. For many foods, that lightly oaked Chard is just the ticket. The Oak Monster may be overpowering, but easy oak can be a wine’s good friend.
August 8, 2007

portman
Oh yes, almost forgot. At least I’m adding another $0.02….

QOTD: I’d say about 75% with food, and 25% without.

Mike
August 8, 2007

Azerule
Loved this episode. I was looking at the four vines just the other day thinking I should pick it up. Now I definitely will give it a shot. A little oak can be great with chard, but too often it’s used as a crutch to make up for poor fruit.

QOTD: 95% with food

Here’s to hoping you get those sliders.
August 8, 2007

eatapc
Very interesting show. I can’t imagine Chard without oak, but then I’m not a Chard fan anyway. This makes me want to try it naked.

QOTD: Maybe 50/50. I drink wine with food, but I always start sipping before the food and I always continue drinking after I’ve cleaned my plate. Often I’ll have one wine with my food and a glass of something else on its own. So overall, if you pin me down, I’d say with food = 40%. — MB
August 8, 2007

KW
QOTD: 85% with food and 15% w/o food.
Good wine increases the enjoyment of and is a great companion with food. I always have a full bodied red with Angus steaks.
August 8, 2007

DougieFresh (Doug Hill)
All fun & games until someone’s eye is poked out… or a lens is scratched…. Mott take cover… Incoming!!!!
August 8, 2007

Arvin
hm.. maybe 30% food, and 70% without. Usually if its food.. its with beer. Now you should do a beer tasting episode! mix it up! =)
August 8, 2007

Boston Ben
Gary – I just considered and passed over the Four Vines Chardonnay about 10 minutes before watching this episod. Four Vines makes an awful Zinfandel – in fact an over-oaked Zinfandel if you can believe that (usually Zin is so heavy, it can absorb just about all the oak you throw at it, but not this one): see my Cork’d review at http://www.corkd.com/wine/view/11130-Four_Vines_2004_Old_Vine_Cuvee

I went instead with the A-Mano Fiano-Greco, which is also really good at the same price point. Down with the Italian whites, but I’ll grab the Naked Chardonnay next time ’round.

If you’re not hitting 700 today, GV, just give me the word and I’ll post another 500 comments.
August 8, 2007

dkeck
Great show
95% without food and 5% without food
August 8, 2007

dkeck
Geeez what a goof!
5% with food
August 8, 2007

Capt M
Gary, finally! I know it has been done before, but finally! another simultaneous tasting. What a GREAT idea. I hope that we may come by this sort of things more often.
August 8, 2007

Darlene O.
FAB episode, Gary, as always. BTW, ordered the wine for the August 24th tasting. Woohoo. OK already…I’m a red-wine drinker, however, when I do have a chard, the chards I like happen to have the oak and the butter. BUT…you said something in your episode tonight that I thought was profound. Without the oak, the grape gets to speak for itself (I’m paraphrazing…). So…I need to open my mind and palate and try more naked chards. ALSO…I am, as well, a BIG nose person. The ’sniffy-sniff’ is huge for me. QOD: In my house, my hubby and I do alot of touching base with a splash before dinner, as well as having wine tastings in our home. So I’m going to go with 65% with food, 35% without.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
Very educational episode, thanks!! QOTD: 80% with food / 20% without.
August 8, 2007

Rupal
Great Show today!! Love the educational part of it. If studying was this much fun, I would have been a straight A student……

Not much of a chard drinker… But the nakedness sparked my interest, so I may pick up a bottle or two???

Love to drink while preping a meal, so I would say I drink 80% just for the wine alone and 20% with a meal…

Thanks for all you do!!!
August 8, 2007

Dan
I’m wif ya man, just to get to your 700

Dan (in Houston)
August 8, 2007

Capt M
ConcepciÃ³n and I JUST got back from a wine tasting. That’s why I’m so late watching the show and commenting.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
And we’re having a tasting at our home next Monday, with BORDEAUX as the subject.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 ChÃ¢teau d’Arcins is the first wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Tom (vtjones)
QOTD:70% with out food, 30% with food

Good show Gary! I guess I need to request one of the new much cooler wrist bands.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2001 Aries Merlot is the second wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2005 Calvet RosÃ© is the third wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2005 Celler de CapÃ§anes Montsant Mas DonÃs Barrica is the fourth wine listed in my cellartracker list, and is one of the wines that they offered at the tasting tonight. So I just bought it. It’s very interesting blend of 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
N.V. Bodegas Chandon Sparkling wine is the fifth wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2000 Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco Asili is the sixth wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2001 Darien Rioja is the seventh wine in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2005 Etchart Cabernet Sauvignon Privado is the eighth wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

alex diaz
I am a big nose person, they say that i dizzy the wine and then snort it almost but i enjoy the smell so much it translates to good taste.
QOTD: 70% with 30% without
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2004 Farleigh Zinfandel is the nineth wine listed, and I have five bottles of this left in my cellar
August 8, 2007

JamesN.
GV.
Loved the episode, I always have loved chardonnay, oak monster in the house!or not. Food with wine is my passion. High acid wines rule! they are usually better food matches. I do like the over the top fruit bombs, but they are not the best food wines, I usually add extra black pepper to my venison (I am a bambi killer) just so the Austrailian Shiraz wines that I often drink have a fighting chance to go with the wine. For me the fruit bombs are like a substitute for beer, a nice relaxing drink after work, or watching a fire. In my opinion there is a time and a place for many different styles and varieties of wines at my house.
QOTD; 90% with food 10% without.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero Nebro is my tenth wine, and there are two bottles cellared.
August 8, 2007

Joe
90% without food 10% with.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 Firestone Vineyard Merlot Reserve is number eleven.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 Fortant Merlot Vin de Pays d’Oc is number twelve on the list.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
1999 ChÃ¢teau Guiraud is number thirdteen
August 8, 2007

Grapedigger
Fun episode…QOTD: 75% (food) / 25% (no food)
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2005 Haras de Pirque CarmenÃ¨re Equus is the fourteenth wine listed in my cellartracker list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2004 Hector Stagnari Tannat Tannat Viejo is number fifteen
August 8, 2007

monkuboy
QOTD: 99% with food 3% without.. haha.. just kidding, 1% without. I’m from California but I’m not THAT stupid!
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc is number 16th
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2004 ChÃ¢teau Le Gay is my seventeenth wine listed
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2001 MacRostie Syrah Wildcat Mountain is 18th
August 8, 2007

elliottf
QOTD:95% with food, 5% without. I enjoy wine on its own (and always start with the wine before I eat anything so I can get a feel for the wine first) but you can get so much more with a good food pairing.
August 8, 2007

meem2
QOTD: 50/50
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2000 ChÃ¢teau Manieu is my 19th wine
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2006 MarquÃ©s de Vitoria Rioja is number 20
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2006 Pazo Pondal RÃas Baixas Leira is number 21. This is another one of the wines that we just tasted and bought. It’s a “different” AlbariÃ±o. Lighter. Very fine and delicious
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 ChÃ¢teau PesquiÃ© CÃ´tes du Ventoux Quintessence is number 22.
August 8, 2007

MarcT
Great episode Gary.
QOTD: 69% with food 31% without.
Looking forward to the new wristbands…on the golf course naturally.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
Six bottles of 2005 ChÃ¢teau Petit Bocq are listed in the number 23 spot, but this wine will be delivered to me next year. I bought it as futures thru WL.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2004 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon is #24
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2003 Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel Heritage Vines sits as #25 on the list
August 8, 2007

Capt M
1996 ChÃ¢teau de Rolland is #26
August 8, 2007

Colin Nicol
QOTD: 50, 50

Good stuff today GV
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2001 Rotllan Torra Priorat Reserva is #27
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2005 Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon 120 is my #28
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2004 Selbach Piesporter GoldtrÃ¶pfchen Riesling Kabinett is the #29 wine listed
August 8, 2007

wmole
top 230, gotta love this show gary, you always bring it. thanks for the private message to commentors too. This I still cannot fathom…some guy threatens moving to France because of your show? Guess you’re rocking his wine world!

I’ve been seeking and enjoying the white wines this summer thanks to you. All the best. 60/40
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2002 Sichel is #30
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2005 SlipStream is #31
August 8, 2007

Winosaurus
QOTD: As of late, I only drink wine with food.

For the past decade, the only chardonnay that I have bought is the Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay, which is relatively crisp and has a nice touch of lively acidity. That can be attributed to withholding 50% of the wine from malo-lactic fermentation.
August 8, 2007

Capt M
Four bottles left of 2002 ChÃ¢teau Valrose CuvÃ©e Alienor occupy the #32 spot
August 8, 2007

Capt M
2001 Vigna Rionda – Massolino Barolo Parafada is #33
August 8, 2007

Capt M
1997 Vina Extremena Vino de la Tierra Extremadura Corte Real is #34
August 9, 2007

Capt M
And last but not least, 2006 ViÃ±a Palo Alto ViÃ±a Palo Alto is #35
August 9, 2007

JC
Gary:

Good work, as usual. Though I watched your video as soon as I could and 4 Vines had sold out already…a real bummer.

Wine with food: 65-75%
August 9, 2007

Kathleen Lisson
I drink 80 percent of my wine with food, but at a bar i always choose wine, so there’s the 20% without.
Kathleen
PS I hope you like the video I sent in! Go Sabres! Give some love to New York, Gary!
August 9, 2007

Mike S
Comments like the lactic acid flava keep me coming back. Great stuff. 20% w/food, 80% w/o
August 9, 2007

rkWineCellar
Well, I drink about 35% with food. 65% with out food! We drink mostly in the evenings after dinner when the day is winding down. We will have some occasionally with dinner.
We are loving the Chards!
August 9, 2007

ChrisR
QOTD: 95 with, 5 without. Too broke right now to go to tastings.
August 9, 2007

PeterL
QOTD: There’s wine consumed before dinner, during and after. I’d say 75% without food–pretzels don’t count. Food has such a MAJOR influence on wine (and vise versa) that I personally classify wines on whether they can be consumed without food. Some wines just shouldn’t be consumed without a balance of food. Others are so delicate that just about any food overwhelms. Then, of course, there are those that can be enjoyed with or w/o food. While I like a little oak in Chardonnay, the oil often leaves a bad aftertaste.
August 9, 2007

ecola
QOTD: 90% w/o food easy. My better half and I work opposite schedules so therte are few meals shared, but we always enjoy the wine.
August 9, 2007

Malarkey
Nice ep, GV. I am a chardonnay lover. But mostly in its white burgundy personality. Chards were probably amongst the first wines I started drinking. I remember having a california chard (sorry can’t remember vintner) that was soooo buttery I was totally blown away. I’d be interested in tasting that same wine today, (I tasted later vintages and it wasn’t the same) just to compare to how my palate tastes things now.

QOTD: easily 90% with food, maybe more.
August 9, 2007

Todd S
24% with food – 76% without
August 9, 2007

AndrewB
QOTD: I usually work till 10-11PM and drink wine by itself after work so I’d say 80% without food and 20% with food. And I’m a Vegetarian, so that limits my steak cabernet pairings, and I don’t like most white wines cause I’m a snob, or cause I just prefer the red/blue/black fruit characteristics over white/yellow/green ones.
August 9, 2007

AndrewB
actually I do snack a bit on crackers, cheese, pretzles, stuff like that so I’d say 30% with 70% without
August 9, 2007

wmole
BostonBen, great review of the 4 vines zin on cork’d. Lumberjack expo wine, forests disappearing for o/monster, nice reality check!
August 9, 2007

msb2ncsu
At least 99% of the time WITH food. It is pretty damn rare for use not to be munching on something. We might not be eating for the entire time we are drinking the wine but for us food and wine are meant to be enjoyed together.
August 9, 2007

Jack2112
I like it when GV sends out the emails and then follows up with an excellent epiSODE! Well done.

Also I JUST had the Four Vines based on mag review and also that I LOVE their Zinfandel for the price. A steal for those who don’t know about it for the price point.

QOTD: 90 with 10 without. I enjoy opening and tasting before the meal and then during. Always interesting to see the differences.
August 9, 2007

Joe Hoholick
nice job gary:

Unoaked wines- you’re changing the wine world. I love to drink unoaked wines!

There are no White Castels in SoCal, but I have fallen in love with I and Out Burger since living out on the left coast! Especially paired with ‘61 Cheval Blanc!
Joe
August 9, 2007

diego de la p...
wooaaa papayas and perfume sounds like a new t shirt hahaha don`t you think?
great show as always, hoping to see some white wines from sicily!!

QOTD: i think 80% without food and 20 with food.
keep up the good work man!
August 9, 2007

Moselman
Hey, Gary, what’s with all the winky-winks?

QOTD: In a perfect (price-no-object) world, “serious” wines 100% with food, non-consequential wine, in a social setting, 100% without food.

In reality, maybe 85% with food, 15% without.
August 9, 2007

Jerry
If you make it down to this comment…

just wanted to say I prefer your “over the top” style because it shows passion and, as you say, shooting from the hip and heart. I think part of the reason why Emeril became a star is because he brought passion. There are other ways to learn about wine, but your passion and frankness add value, comedy, and entertainment. I’m amazed that you bring such passion on an almost daily basis, but you must be doing something right to attract thousands of fans. Can’t please everyone, but lots of people like the true you.
August 9, 2007

surf.sf
Loved the show have been hoping you’d do an unoaked episode for a while. Your “milking” explanation made me die. Can we milk you too?

Would love to see you compare some unoaked Chard’s vs. Burgundy. Can California still win (within a reasonable price point)?

QOTD: I drink wine w/ food around 90% of the time. Maybe only 20% of the time do I really put thought into a food pairing, usually its picking a food that matches the wine I want to drink!

On another note. I’ve noticed a trend lately that EVERY California white I taste has that malolactic fermentation flavor. Pinot Gris? Viognier? It all taste like buttered popcorn and coconut once the oak monster is done with it!
August 9, 2007

Moselman
Just had to consult Wikipedia re “slider” â€“ I didn’t know that (just a dumb Canuck)!

OTOH, we have a winery here in the Okanagan called The Naked Grape, under whose auspices I learned, a couple of years ago, to stop hating Chardonnay.
August 9, 2007

Jim Wilkerson
QOTD: 80% with food, 20% without. Usually 1 glass with dinner then a second glass after dinner – and most of time I have a bit of cheese with the post-dinner glass.

Nice episode, GV. I like the few unoaked chards I’ve tried. One from St. Supery stands out in my memory for it’s apple-y goodness. I have another from Bonny Doon’s DEWN club that I’ve been saving.
August 9, 2007

Moselman
Or maybe I should say, we have a winery with a line of grapes titled Naked Grape. Maybe I can Google that…
August 9, 2007

T. Holland
Interesting episode. I have to admit that I have been off the Chardonay bandwagon lately, but did try an unoaked chard at my parents a few months ago that I really enjoyed (can’t remember the name). Going to visit my cousin this weekend & she likes chard, so I will have to find an unoaked bottle & see what everyone thinks.

QOTD: 90 food, 10 w/o.
August 9, 2007

Jan Wicher
I tent not to follow trends much and therefore did not drink a huge amount of Chardy in 80’s or joined the ABC crowd now. I have been drinking un-wooded chardys for a good few years and have preferred them over the wooded once (especial at a lower price point). There are quite a few good examples over here in OZ.

QOTD: 80 food, 20 w/o
August 9, 2007

Panoca
I’m puting my grain of sand to get to the 700 number.
QOTD: 75 % food and 25 % solo (this 25% is exclusively Vintage Ports)
Thanks again Gary! Great episode!
August 9, 2007

Steve-o
Im loving the un-oaked, no mallolactic fermentation Chardonnays from Robertson, South Africa…. “Bon Vallon” from Daniel DeWet is agreat example.
August 9, 2007

wmole
Todd S breaks the food w/wine barrier with a mindboggling 24w/76wo. Cheers to a serious wine lover!
August 9, 2007

wmole
ecola too!
August 9, 2007

wallace
another great episode. i also love the naked… INOX? (learned something new) movement. A pretty good unoaked Cali. Chard., that has a cork, is Foxglove… ripe and clean with great aromatics,though it has a bit of heat.
I noticed that you rinsed and dumped out the Tolosa even though it was into a “naked glass”… Habit?
Sorry you didn’t hit 700 comments… I’ll hook you up with some White Castle when i make it to the east coast again, otherwise it’s In & Out out here on the westside. Here’s a holla at you anyways cuz I’m a “big nose fan”… peace
August 9, 2007

anjin-san
watching this episode with a bottle of vinium moravia 2005 chardonnay, late harvest, on my table was a real plesure
August 9, 2007

Trish-da'-Dish
I usually drink a glass of wine as part of my evening slow down and relax routine, which is usually after the rush to get dinner out. Since I drink alone, bottles typically last me several days (2-4, depending upon how quaffable I find them to be Unless I’m trying a wine that I’m already familiar with, on opening night I like to try a wine on its own, so that I can experience its odors and flavors without any distractions. Upon opening, if it’s apparent that the wine needs food or would be great with food, this is something that I’ll get into on succeeding nights. Also, whenever I buy wines that I don’t like, I always give them 2 more chances:

1)A night or two off and/or a decanting experience, to see if oxidation can work its magic and transform the wine into something much better,

2)A pairing with food, in order to see my relationship with it can be salvaged.

Bottom line: ~80% drunk alone, ~20% with food.
August 9, 2007

Christopher
QOTD

95% with food
5% without (at wine tastings .. baguette & carbonated water)

The food is mostly the eveining meal though at other times a nice tasty snack like crackers and a nice Appenzeller cheese or Antipasta.

Special wines like port or Eiswein / trockenbeerenauslese (stickies) and drinks likes whisky can be easily enjoyed alone.
August 9, 2007

Rani
QOTD: I can honestly say about 90% without food and 10% with food, although I am trying to bring food into the wine experience a little more every day.
August 9, 2007

Kevin L.
I wish you guys would ship those wines down here to Maryland
August 9, 2007

yoshie
100% with food.
August 9, 2007

Capt M
Good morning Vayniacs! I’m going to work.
August 9, 2007

Keith L
20% with food, 80 without. naked is where it is at
August 9, 2007

JC
Yeah, 85% of the time without food, …
August 9, 2007

MetalDave
QOTD: Tough one. When I taste wine at work, it’s without food, but that only represents about 5%. I always have wine AROUND food, as when the meal is over, I usually continue drinking it. On many occasions, my wife and I will drink a bottle with dinner and then another after. I was at my boss’ house the other day and he and I drank 1 bottle before dinner, one with and two after. I’m going to say 6o% with food / 35% without.

Naked Chardonnay:

It’s always so funny to me how the wine industry in the New World is so trend driven. Gary, if you read my diatribe in the Ennis Wine Times, you’ll know where I stand on this. I don’t feel that these wines are innovative in the slightest. In fact, “retro” would be a more appropriate word. Chablis has always been like this, however, trend-driven markets tend to prefer the idea that they are drinking something “new.” That being said, this move is a very welcome one. California being California took the whole “oak” thing to a major extreme that you never really saw in Burgundy and even though I still believe there is a time and place for such wines (just like there is a time and place for Chateau Blanc – White Castle!) this is a welcome change. My only fear is that this will become the next “latest craze” and that any chardonnay with the slightest hint of oak will be totally rejected. As a lover of classic burgundies like the Cortons, Fuisses, etc, that would be a shame. Sometimes it seems like the New World wine industry is like a kid at a party where you put a blindfold on him, spin him around, and tell him to pin the tail on the donkey. Only the donkey here is market share. It seems that Europaean winemakers (particularly French) make the wines they make because these wines are who they are, just like you make the show you make because it’s who YOU are. Keep it up, man!
August 9, 2007

John Witherspoon
QOTD – 85/15 WE always have a couple of glasses while cooking dinner so that contributes to the 15 w/o food, plus you know a nice glass of sauv. blanc in the afternoon on a weekend. YUMM

Great episode, Four Vines is putting out some great stuff, their recent Zins have been killer.

HOLLA DOG!! ANd yes, I just said that. haha

J DUB
August 9, 2007

Medo
Another futures show Gary! Big thumps up for this action.

QOTD: 80% without food / 20% with food
August 9, 2007

Scarred1
Gary,

Great show – very educational. I always learn and enjoy watching. One of todays lessons was how loyal and crazy a few Vayniacs are posting 100s of comments – one word at a time to help you reach your goal. You gotta love their passion.

Ignore the critics! You can wink and milk your breasts whenever you want – its your show. I was rolling watching that and envisioning you throwing papayas at the perfume girls.

QOTD: 50/50 probably. I like to taste a wine without food first, so I’ll open it before a meal and drink a glass, then with the meal, and continue drinking after. Other times I will pair it with cheese, fruit or vegetable hors d’ourves. But I prefer the new world which can and does often stand on it own. I have found I like the old world better with food.

Cheers and good luck getting to 700.
John
August 9, 2007

CraigV
Appreciate the episode Gary. I normally avoid Chardonnay like the plague, but a few of these sounded pretty interesting, so will try to seek them out when shopping.

QOTD: Wine is food (for me). Unless I am visiting wineries doing some tasting, I almost always have food with wine (and vice versa).
August 9, 2007

AngryToxicologist
QOTD: 90% w/ food

Nice episode. You make me want to go out and buy a naked chardonnay and GrapeNuts. Love the grapenutty grainy taste in a wine. Also love those grapenuts when they get mushy.

Gary, I’m going to keep bugging you with periodic posts about doing a port episode starting today until you do one. I used to hide the fact that I liked port (I felt I needed a smoking jacket and a pipe). Now I think that I don’t need to change, the image around port needs to change, dang it! And that means you MUST do a show on it. You’re all about the image change.

Also, GO JETS! Let’s hope the D doesn’t fall apart before we even play a game.
August 9, 2007

Pastore
QOTD: 40% with food, 60% without. Isn’t wine a food group?
August 9, 2007

dmg
Well what do you know, Four Vines is sold out.

QOTD: 90% with food, 10% without
August 9, 2007

Bob F
Been a big fan of no oak chard a long time. I agree with you, it is the future.

Question of the day – with food 80%, without 20%.
August 9, 2007

Bernie Bearnaise
One of the rewarding aspects of Gary’s show is that you learn something everyday. What I happen to like is balance and complexity. If I were to rank my favorite Chardonnays at the top would be Corton-Charlemagne, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Pouilly Fuisse and Chablis. Oak adds a dimension to most of these wines but doesn’t overpower the other flavors present. If you make a big buttery vanilla bean with mango and pineapple Chardonnay and don’t have some acid balance then it is too much. I think the backlash is about any extreme is undesirable. I happen to like the Malolactic flavors especially with Lobster and buttery sauces like Hollandaise and Bearnaise. I don’t think Oak is bad per se but too much of anything is undesirable. I had an inexpensive Argentinian chardonnay from Catena called Alamos. It instantly transported me back to the fat California style of a twenty years ago. Yes, the wine world is changing.

There are many varieties of oak and barrel sizes. The amount of charring to bring the vanilla flavors. Even the way the oak is split or sawed. Some wines get the oak chip treatment instead of from the barrels. New oak barrels are very expensive. Except for the top Chateaus in Bordeaux most will rotate their barrels and use as much new oak as they can afford but typically might be 1/3rd new oak. Oak adds complexity as much as blending does. Oak in itself is not a monster but a flavor component.

Fully ripened fruit brings big alcohol levels so maintaining balance is not as easy as it sounds. I appreciate when Gary gives us his heat factor and reads us the percentage on the label.

The comments section is just as informative and shows a profound knowledge of wine tasting. I think the immediacy of this medium is part of the change. It travels around the world at the speed of light and gives us passport to the wine universe. Thanks again Gary for accelerating change with your valuable insights.

90% with food. 10% Naked especially with Champagne.
August 9, 2007

Oleg I.
QOTD: 90% with food.
August 9, 2007

Rempshaker
95% with Food – 5% by meself…

Dude, you dropped another “Whether you like it or not”!! YES!!! Glad to see I can swing my weight around here on the production side! I love that sig out more than “Seacrest…OUT!!”

But you got to do that one at least once…right?? “Vaynerchuk….OUT!!” NICE!
August 9, 2007

laposte
Good show.
QOTD: 95% with food, 5% without. Oh, is chocolate a food…
August 9, 2007

L Berry
GREAT SHOW GARY
QOTD: CAN’T HAVE FOOD WITHOUT WINE, BUT SURE CAN HAVE WINE WITHOUT FOOD!!! RATHER DRINK THAN EAT!
90% SOLO 10% WITH
August 9, 2007

FTBoomer
Love the Caymus Conundrum, I’ll have to try the 2006 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Silver

QOTD: 70/30 without food.
August 9, 2007

Scarred1
Bernie,

I agree with you that reading the comments is at least as enjoyable and informative as watching the show.. . . Well . . . almost . . . . sometimes.

Anyway, I enjoy it – seeing everyone’s 2c’s and adding my own. Its what a community is all about.

Thanks again
August 9, 2007

3robins
Just started drinking wine this year….so I haven’t tried a naked chardonnay, but after watching…I think I’ll give it a try (even though I’m friends with the Oak Monster).

QOTD: 90% with food, 10% without
August 9, 2007

Susan
Gary-Trying wines I can afford?WOW!!!!!
August 9, 2007

MaryS
Great episode. Been avoiding the oak monster so now I have something else to try.
August 9, 2007

MaryS
QOTD: 90% with food, 10% without.
August 9, 2007

Susan
Gary-Trying wines I can afford?WOW!!!!
August 9, 2007

RieslingRon
Great Chardonnay episode. I like both kinds of Chardonnay, but I do prefer the unoaked with food. For just sipping the oaked is fine as long as it is not over the top.

QOTD: 80% food, 20% sipping.
August 9, 2007

Josephc
Just doing my part…Castle’s are great, just had some yesterday.
August 9, 2007

Grasshopper
85% with/15% without – always seem to be noshing something while having a pour……lots of cheese!

Great episode and very good topic. Thanks for keeping the energy up and still being educational…:)

I got interupted last night and never made it back to watch the show after I had hit the floor with the milk gesture…..that was funny!

Grasshopper
August 9, 2007

Ron Leview
Recently had a beautiful wine from Jamesport Vineyards on the North Fork, 2005 Cox Lane Reserve Chardonnay, very light oak w/ nice balance. I don’t think its available in NYC yet but they tell me soon.
August 9, 2007

Jeff
90% without (usually after mtn bike ride or trail run) and 10% with; that is why it is 80% white/20% red now!!!
love wine for what it is; still enjoy with food also.
August 9, 2007

markc
I haven’t sought out a Chardonay in over a year. But I’ll give it a try again.

80 without, 20 with. Great Episode.
August 9, 2007

Jayhitek
#339! this has to be some kind of record for wltv.

QOTD: I would say 60% with and 40% with out (I crack the bottle to eat it with food and since the wife doesn’t like Red.. most of the time I cork what’s left and put it back in the wine fridge to drink the next day (without food).
August 9, 2007

WMiree
QOTD: My best guess is 80-85% with food; 15-20% without. I have too much over malo/oaked chardonnay in my cellar, which I try to drink with no food or with hors d’oeuvres. In 2-3 years these will finally have been consumed. More recently, I have been buying chards with more moderate oak, but I still like a little oak and some smaller percentage of malo (maybe around 50%). I really hate the big oak monsters, but am looking for a fair amount of moderation rather than total abstinence. I am struggling for a meaningful way to express myself, and maybe this is it: I like chardonnay with just enough malo and oak to give it added roundness and complexity without being obvious.

I am pleased to say that I am finding more and more moderation recently in many big name chards that used to be completely over the top. It still amazes me that producers of otherwise great chardonnay deem it necessary to add so much more oak to their best cuvees, and slap a “reserve” label on the bottle. The regular bottlings of many of these top producers is far better balanced and better food wines than their “reserves.”
August 9, 2007

Ryan D
QotD: It’s about 85% without food.
August 9, 2007

AnthonyS
What a relief it was when I realized it was the Chardonnay that was naked and not you GV.

QOTD: I’d say most of my wine consumption (90%+) is done while eating. It may not always be a full meal. I almost always have some cheese in the house to accompany the wine or some other snacking type food.
August 9, 2007

Chuck D
QOTD: 35% with meals ? wine comes 1st food is more of an afterthought normally. Restaurant wine lists are grossly over priced for any thing beyond the pedestrian.
- Did you get the JETS bucket back from Conan
- Any upcoming guests Jets planned for the show ? How about a tasting with Mangini
August 9, 2007

PhilB
Man, did the comments’ number go up lately!! Great stuff!

QOTD: 70% w/ food, 30% without….
August 9, 2007

hasbeen
QOTD: 95% with food.

Glad to hear you have sliders in New Jersey. One of my sons went to college in Connecticut and was dissapointed that he could find no White Castles on the east coast.
August 9, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
GV thanks for another great episode. An brief mention of how olfactory sensations influence and interact with taste perception would be fantastic. Lets here it for the sniffy sniff! A show featuring highly aromatic wines like gewurztraminer may be fun.

Your wine similies consistently do a great job in describing the characteristics, character and personality of wine. Describing how use of oak in wine is ‘like how women use or don’t use makeup’ is fantastic because it will may help people re-consider jumping on a potentially faddish “absolutely no oak never” movement. Personally, I think that no makeup is prettier than clowns stumbling out of a minicooper. Yet many people like to carefully use makeup to accentuate certain features at certain times.
I hope that big segments of the market will not entirely close themselves off to the use of well integrated oak. Yea there are a lot of Bozo Chards out there, and maybe more producers will be more careful with malo and oak.

QOTD: 40% of dinners-Those that I eat at home. I don’t drink wine with dinners at work. When I drink wine on its own at home, after eating dinner at work, I often have a little cheese, bread or meat with wine.
August 9, 2007

SethID
Great show Gary. I can’t wait to give some of these wines a shot.

QOTD: I’d say I’m a 50/50 type guy. I would like to be 80 with / 20 without though.
August 9, 2007

wlburk
this
August 9, 2007

wlburk
is ridiculous, you know, if all the regular posters just divided their normal posts into 5, we would have had 700!

GOSH DARN IT PEOPLE, YOU MADE ME OUT TO BE A LIAR!
August 9, 2007

talksnmaths
QOTD: 30% with food / 70% without
August 9, 2007

vinoria
how cold are the wines before you taste them? It’s a long way to the last white one.
August 9, 2007

BK
Gary, thanks for the info on “naked” chardonnay’s. I have enjoyed the 4 Vines a couple of times. I enjoy these chardonnay’s much more than than ones that are all maloed out.
QOTD: I’d have to say 50/50.
August 9, 2007

Deano
GARY great show i loved it. I am going to try to get back on that chard band wagon and stick with the non oak choices out there. You are the man for educating the wine world with your knowledge. I cant wait to get my wristband i will send you a pic as soon as i get one

QOTD:
-75 percent with food and 25 without food.
August 9, 2007

PTex
QOTD: 60% without food, 40% with.
August 9, 2007

Shad
Good show that needed to be done. I have laid off the Chardonnay because of the oak that most California Chards had. Very exciting what is happening in the world of “naked” wine.

QOTD:60% with food and 40% by itself

And now that we have a link to send pics and what not to, some will be on their way.
August 9, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
My initial post was written before drinking my AM coffee- I know it’s no excuse for an English Major. William Strunk’s ghost is haunting me. Perhaps I should proofread with java.

Pad it up for GV with corrections: An should be a. “Here” should be “here”
Comma after “Yet”. “absolutely no oak never” is non-standard English, “absolutely no oak ever” is standard English.

LETS GO RED SOX!!!!!!
August 9, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
Hey I also goofed on my last post, so how about putting in an “edit” feature to the “Leave A Reply” Box?
August 9, 2007

DaveyDonut
QOTD: I’d say 85% without food, and 15% with. That is, time spent drinking while eating vs not eating. Sure, I may pop a bottle before dinner, and eat dinner while drinking the glass, but I only consume 1/2 a glass during that dinner (if it’s at home). Normally I focus on dinner (which usually isn’t too interesting for a bachelor at home), and then go into the main course: the wine. Obviously eating out, or preparing a fancy dinner at home, is a different matter. But usually when I’m drinking wine I’m watching a movie, listening to music, or conversing with friends.

BTW, I swear I’m going to comment every time I hear you pronounce Oregon wrong… usually I provide you a link to Merriam Webster’s pronunciation page, but then my comment gets moderated and no one sees it. We’re going to learn you yet… I would think you’ve been to Oregon at least to visit some vinyards?.. or no? Maybe when you’re out for the ultimate vanyiac contest you’ll get it.

David
August 9, 2007

TIM
Really strange that the topic of the show fits so well with my current drinking preferences. My wife and I had said for several years that we just didnt like chardonnay. I saw an add for a wine that mentioned it was unoaked and also listed an apple pear flavor profile. We tried it and really liked it! Most of the summer unoaked chard has been our drink of choice.
QOTD: Summer whites I use more as an apertif before a later dinner.
August 9, 2007

Kevin Ko-val-chik
Ok everybody, now copy your earlier posts and post them again. We are half way there!
August 9, 2007

vinoria
90% with, 10% without while tasting
August 9, 2007

David
Great show – very educational. I have gone away from CA Chardonnays because of the heavy oak and butter, but will try some of these naked chards soon.

QOTD: 90% with food, 10% without
August 9, 2007

Kevin Ko-val-chik
I’m going to go pick up a bottle of the unoaked stuff at BevMo today. Hey Gary, ever think of opening up a Wine Library on the west coast? We could use some down to earth wine sellers out here…
August 9, 2007

Karl B.
QOTD: I am 90% with food
August 9, 2007

StaceyS
I now look forward to my first Naked Chardonnay. Very interesting and educational.

QOTD: 90% w/food, 10% by the pool!
August 9, 2007

Karl B.
Hey Gary,

I forgot to mention that Wine Spectator mentioned the Four Vines when it ran an article on Chardonnays as a 91 pointer in the unoaked part of the article, so I already bought a case from you. It is a good wine but the step change from California’s “all oak” to no oak is a lot for many people. I am confident that we will find a happy medium on the oak, and hope that malolactic fermentation with chardonnays is largely dead. The malolactic calmed down the acid that is now over the top, so it may have a place in the future if restrained.
August 9, 2007

Tom
When are you going to do a homemade wine tasting?????
August 9, 2007

Julie
G-man: You should have done the “naked” show shirtless to give the illusion that you too were naked.

Before unoaked Chardonnay, we belonged to the ABC club (anything but chardonnay). If we wanted to taste buttered popcorn/toast, we would go make some and eat it.

Love the true expression of the grape without oak, love the acidity and the lower alcohol. We are big foodies and open our wine when we start cooking but really look forward to trying it with the food to see if there is any magic combination that happens. QOTD: Varies with the seasons. 60%W/food-40%W/out most times.
August 9, 2007

italianwinelover
trying to get to the sliders!!!!
August 9, 2007

Randy
Gary, lots of luck in the email reduction program.

No mention that this is part of LENNDEVOURS Wine Blogging Wednesday (http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/2007/07/wine-blogging-1.html)? It’s cool to see that there’s so many bloggers doing the Naked theme for this WBW.

Anyhow, I plan on quizzing my buddy Kaz if he’s willing to risk a Naked Chard with his harvest only a couple weeks away…

And speaking as another iPhone owner, don’t use the “old phone” ring tone, I beg you. And make sure the iPhone is set to “ringer off” when taping. Please.

QOD: 75% with food, 25% without.

Get back to me on the interview, Mr. Man!
August 9, 2007

Mott T Hoople
I’d say I’m 60% without food and 40% with. Good or bad, I start out drinking with food, but usually end up drinking another 2 glasses between dinner and “lights out”.
August 9, 2007

Mott T Hoople
hey – WL is out of the 4-Vines! Are you getting more?
August 9, 2007

hasbeen
So, this is as good a place as any and it may boost the reply numbers for per the email: where in the Boston area is there a really good place to buy wine?

In Minneapolis we have Surdyk’s, wich large selection of wine and knowedgeable staff that is very helpful and low key. One of my sons has moved to Boston and needs a place like that as he is just learning to pick wine on his own, now that he can’t raid my cellar.
August 9, 2007

Randy
And honestly, naked chardonnay is nice, but getting a chardonnay (or white Burgundy) that has just the right amount of oak & ML fermentation is a sublime experience in its own right.

I think that putting the Oak Monster in his place, reducing the naturally occurring amount of alcohol in wines (let’s say that 13% is the “right” amount of ABV to shoot for), and reducing the ML fermentation in Chardonnay are the three big “backlash” movements in the wine world right now.
August 9, 2007

Matt the Lurker
QOTD – yeah, I’d have to say 60 without/40 with.

Whether you like it or not.
August 9, 2007

Carlo
Interesting episode, I think I will go out and buy a bottle or two of naked chard to satisfy my curiosity.

QOTD: 80% with food, 20% without
August 9, 2007

Matt the Lurker
Hey Gary, can’t you afford to pay for White Castle? Well, I’m here to support anyone get a free lunch. I went to White Castle but I got thrown out.
August 9, 2007

Ken
Nice episode.

QOTD: 60% with Food & 40 % without.
August 9, 2007

Jorge
Coming short man, I guess I add another since I didn’t answer the QOTD before, too enfurated about the no-oak snobs around here to remember doing that. Come to think about it, I may like naked chard, but to me that means an oaky chard being served by someone naked. I was kidding about dumping the Silver, that is a good bottle.
QOTD: What is “food”? I do drink wine sometimes after Martinis, and I like them with olives, does that count? 700 now??
August 9, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
I just bought the Four Vines and had it last night. This is a pitched battle in my house. Me no oak in Chardonnay my wife loves oak. Wish I could find a balance.

90% food 10% not
August 9, 2007

wayno da wino
Yooo Gary!!
Great Show!! Very educational wit da Malolactic
acid fermentation explanation. Da Four Vines
sounds like a reeeal winner!!

QOTD: 100%, Always munchin’ on something (piazza, chips,
popcorn, nuts, etc.) wit me wine.
August 9, 2007

Christopher T
Nice episode! I was afraid that “stepping back on the excitement” would mean that we;d lose some vaynericity, but it was still a real WLTV show nice work, and very educational.

QOTD: 90% food, 10% solo (if I’m drinking without food its a strong red 99% of the time – that is when its not dark ale)
August 9, 2007

Carlitos
QOTD. 98% with food.

Maybe you should revisit the 2005 Macons for affordable lightly oaked Chardonnays. We’ve always known they were there.
August 9, 2007

mbannon
Good show GV, love naked Chards. Gotta be honest, though, I enjoy those buttery ones from CA, too. They’re just different is all.

QOD – Probably pretty close to 50/50.

BTW – Don’t folks realize they can taste with you anytime they want by simply ordering a wine you’ve tasted, then going back to that show when the wine arrives? Or does it only count if they’re tasting “live” with you??
August 9, 2007

The Godfather
Top 385?
August 9, 2007

wmole
Gary, I’m backing you on your scoring of the wines, but I just don’t it would be fair to pit a 200 case cult wine against a 60,000 case operation. Good show!
August 9, 2007

Bill Luby
Great idea for a show — and excellent execution. Excellent blend of entertainment and information/education. My favorite episode yet.

QOTD: Regarding wine consumption:
80% precedes meal then flows into subsequent dinner (home)
15% served in conjunction with meal (out)
5% wine alone, no food (home or out)
August 9, 2007

wmole
don’t “think” that is
August 9, 2007

LT
Burgdorff’s – how elite!

QOTD – 25% by itself; 75% with food.
August 9, 2007

Bill Luby
IMHO, the comment spam is particularly annoying today. I’m not sure a target number of comments is such a great idea.

Q for Gary: to what extent is the naked movement an extension of what happened in NZ with sauvignon blanc?
August 9, 2007

Niklas
You are the single best thing that has happened to the wine world. Episode was very educational -again.
August 9, 2007

charles
QOTD: 9% by itself, 90% with food, 1% cooking
August 9, 2007

TheDumbPhase
QOTD-The more interesting the bottle, the less likely I am to incorporate it into the meal. Probably something like 70% with, 30% w/o
August 9, 2007

BW
GV, nice show. I have been drinking the Naked chards for a while now. The butter bomb – Oak Monster Chards seem so flabby in comparison. I would agree that this is the future of direction of Chards.

QOTD – 85% with food, 15% w/o food
August 9, 2007

LeatherPalate
90% with food dude.
August 9, 2007

RuralTom
Greetings Mr V!

QotD: Nothing better than a well paired wine with food, but to be perfectly honest I do most of my wine drinking in the evening after dinner. I’d have to say I’m currently 75/25.
August 9, 2007

Ferrigno
mmm why can’t we get 700?
August 9, 2007

Ferrigno
mmmm thinking of sending you an intro… it’d be AWESOME
August 9, 2007

Ferrigno
come on, post the new episode already…
August 9, 2007

Ferrigno
400TH COMMENT ALRIGHT!
August 9, 2007

Martin
401, let’s keep it going!
August 9, 2007

Dusty
Good to find a solid wine under ten bones. my pocket book and the CKC’s are gonna love that. QOTD: bout 85% without and 15% with.
August 9, 2007

KC Dan
Really like the naked chards . Will have to try the four vines soon . Thanks Gman !
August 9, 2007

KC Dan
Qotd : 20% With – 80% Without
August 9, 2007

RB
Great show…as always. Hope you get the 700.

QOTD: 88% with food, 12% without.
August 9, 2007

RB2
Great show…as always. Hope you get the 700.

QOTD: 88% with food, 12% without.
August 9, 2007

Karl Laczko
Unoaked Chard, well, maybe once in a while, but not just yet.

QOTD – 80% without, 20% with.

See you in a week.
August 9, 2007

Ken B.
Gary,

Liked the show; I hope I can find the naked chards to try.

QOTD: 60% without 40% with
August 9, 2007

Juicy Jesse
QOTD: 90% with, 10% without. Hey, you know what Drew Carey (”Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) says about the points: “The points don’t matter!!!!”
August 9, 2007

T Scott
Nice educational show – didn’t know about the Nakeds.

QOTD 70 without / 30 with
August 9, 2007

Garret Nagle
QOTD: 90% with food (not counting when there is a little left in the bottle the next day)

And how about this Gary, for my groomsmen at my wedding, they are getting a 2001 left bank Bordeaux as a token of my appreciation.

Expect some wedding pictures for the WLTV intro, and we will be getting married on Aug. 24!
August 9, 2007

Douche
The wine world is a funny place – we get over-oaked Chardonnay in abundance, then there is a movement towards totally unoaked Chardonnay. Hey! What about learning to use oak PROPERLY!?! Where is the middle ground? I’m all for unoaked Chards, heck, unoaked wines in general are intriguing and different and very worthwhile, but where is the learning curve? STOP THE BANDWAGONS! Bandwagons equal trends, and since trends tend to lack any individuality, trends suck ass, ergo, bandwagons suck ass.

QOTD: 100% with food
August 9, 2007

anjin-san
oh, and to the qotd: 60/40 no food/yo food
August 9, 2007

Jerry Chacon
soooo….you seem a little shy of 700….no white castle for you, eh mate?
August 9, 2007

Orion Slayer
400 comments, half way there!

Scary Gary! Please, no more milk gestures! :0

Great episode! I thought I didn’t like Chardonnay, but I just needed to find the right ones. I’m excited to try some of the wines featured today!

QOTD: 60% with food, 40% without. If I had my way, it would be 50-50. One before meal, one with.
August 9, 2007

DOF
QOTD: 75% with food, 25% without. I prefer the Chehalem Pinot Gris to the Chardonnay.
August 9, 2007

DARREL LAS VEGAS
Look at the FOUR VINES “NAKED” label , the vines are naked women! no kinding.
August 9, 2007

Sassodoro
Great show, Gary, and an outstanding QOTD.

QOTD: I tend to regard food without wine as a sad and incomplete thing. I tend to regard wine without food as RESEARCH for what to have with some dinner in the future. (And I like research.) So, apart from wine tastings, I very rarely have wine without food. (I don’t count palate-cleansing bread between tastes as wine with food. I’m not even sure that I count wine tasting as wine drinking, especially if I’m spitting.) I guess I would say that something like 99% of my wine consumption is with food.

This attitude toward food and wine going together then affects my attitude toward oaky wine. To me, it all depends on how it works with the food. One evening my wife and I had salmon fillets along with some fish stew (shrimp, scallops, tilapia, various veggies, all in a broth with some light tomato). In the spirit of research, I opened two white wines, one barrel fermented and the other stainless steel. The oaky wine was great with the salmon and terrible with the fish stew, while the situation was reversed for the stainless steel wine. (By the way, my wife and I open two wines and compare them just about every night. Anything leftover gets pumped to be drunk over the next couple of days. We find that comparing wines side by side allows us to notice things that we would never pick up if we tasted the wines in isolation.)

Back to the QOTD: I have found it fascinating to read people’s answers to the QOTD. I had no idea that there was such diversity of opinion about this. I think you have hit on something major here. I started tallying people’s answers, or at least the first 230 answers that specified or implied a percentage. (Comments still keep coming in, and I had to stop somewhere.) The resulting distribution of people’s answers is trimodal. (Hey, if you can say sniffy-sniff, I can say trimodal.) Put more simply, the Vayniacs divide into three camps. Some 57% of the Vayniacs put their with-food percentages at or above 70%. About 23% put their with-food percentages at or below 30%. The remaining 20% of Vayniacs put their with-food percentages between 35 and 65 percent, although just under half of this last group is bang on 50/50.

I think it would be really interesting to know the demographics of just who is falling into these three groups. Are women more in the foodie group than men? Are more experience drinkers in one group rather than another? Perhaps most importantly, do people in the three groups tend to prefer different wines? I bet they do — some wines go better with food, and the foodies are going to prefer them.

The bottom line is that there is a grouping here that could be as important as the distinction between Old World and New World fans. Maybe you should be recommending some wines as probably appealing to the foodies, and other wines as probably appealing to the wine-by-itselfers.

Gotta go drink some wine (with dinner).

Cheers.
August 9, 2007

Billman
QOTD:
5% with meals
16% with snacks
79% without food
August 9, 2007

Wave
My god it took me forever to get down here! All Hail stainless steel!!!! I was shooting for comment # 420! QOD-80% food
August 9, 2007

Teckdeck2008
Awesome show. I have kind of been turned off by chardonnays so I will have to try some of those. And as for you question, I would prefer to have wine with food more often, but being with the ckc, I can’t go out to eat that often. Sad to say, the most common pairing is wine with hot pockets or hamburger helper, which is %10 of the time. Most of the time I’ll drink my wine after I eat, kind of part of my friday night pre-bar ritual.
August 9, 2007

Nathan L
I’d say its ussually 90% with. I only think of the pairing 75% of the time but its usually at least with take out
August 9, 2007

Hans
QOTD: 75% with food, 25% without.
August 9, 2007

Ohio Bruce
Great show GV. Put me down for 95% with food, and my lovely wife at 70% with food. (She sips and watches cable while I prefer WLTV.
August 9, 2007

Greg B.
Big G, Boo….Oak Monster Good.

QOTD 25% with Food 75% without!
August 9, 2007

joebot
Nice one Gary!!! I’ve been wondering about unoaked chards and you were on point with this show!! QOTD— Wine with food 90% of the time at dinner time especially. I arrange my entree around the wine that I’ll be having,always!!

Thanks,

Joe
August 9, 2007

Carl V
Funny, I just had the Four Vines Naked a week ago.
Good value for the money, but………I find all of these wines to be like 160 pound ballerinas, they just don’t have anywhere near the finesse or grace of the 95 pound model. After a glass or so you get tired of trying to lift them up.
Also, at 28 bones for the Caymus, there are about 300 French whites you could have instead.
Good episode though, I really cant wait for California to get these wines right.

50% 50%
August 9, 2007

Denise
Awesome show. I really appreciated learning about the unoaked chardonnays. Unfortunately, though, the show cut off about 6 minutes before the end. Missed the QOTD.
August 9, 2007

Denise
Awesome show. I really appreciated learning about the unoaked chardonnays. Unfortunately, though, the show cut off about 6 minutes before the end. Missed the QOTD.
August 9, 2007

Gree
QOTD: 65% with food 35% without
August 9, 2007

Jerry the 2THDR
QOTD: 100% with food. Sometimes with as little as cheese and crackers but never alone. Like making love. Can be done alone; but so much better with a woman. So why do it any other way? Jerry the 2THDR
August 9, 2007

Larry
Great show. VEEEEEEEEERY interesting!
QOTD: 85% w/ food 15% w/o food
August 9, 2007

mikeyrad
qotd: 99.99% with food.
August 9, 2007

Kevin C
GAry, the Kim Crawford Unoaked Chard led me to the NZ Sauvignon Blancs which I now adore and are hands down my favorite whites. Thanks for the e mail. The more mango the better as I am also a mango-head

QOTD: 75% with, 25% without
August 9, 2007

Susan
Inching toward 700?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??
August 9, 2007

Mason
I am a HUGE bouquet fan, Gary! As a matter of fact, I am usually the only one at a wine tasting that does a long sniffy-sniff before tasting the wine. If they only knew what they were missing…

QOTD: About 95% with food, and 5% without. I strongly believe that the right wine really kicks up the flavors in a meal. Food also helps it not go to my head quite as fast…
August 10, 2007

KenP
Great show!
August 10, 2007

nougat
Great show, looking forward to trying the Four Vines.

QOTD: I’m a “with food” sorta bloke. Not including the wine I drink after the meal is over, I’d say 90% with & 10% without.
August 10, 2007

Scottymatt
QOTD-100% of wine I start with food: 45% I finish with Food, 65% I sip long after the food is gone!

Great show Gary-good fun and educational.
August 10, 2007

Jessica L.
Beautiful show Gary! More to add to the list of wines to try this year…365.
QOTD: wine had with food = 85%
August 10, 2007

Johan
QOTD: 85% with food, however i would like to increase the percentage of no food, as in a good glass of dessertwine on its own. Perhaps when my kids get past the baby-era.

I actually met one really old-school wine-buff oenologue professor a couple of weeks ago. He claimed not to be ostentious about wine but he was an example of the definition of a wine-snob. He had never used Intenet but still thought that it was a bad place for experiencing wine. I instantly turned into an hermit. We’re changing the wine world.
August 10, 2007

vibemore
WOOOOOW. I take off for a day and come back to over 400 comments on WLTV.

QOTD: 50/50. I love wine. I love food. I love wine with food. I love food with wine. I love wine without food. I love food without wine (Still looking for that good pairing with scrambled eggs. just kidding). I think that the two go hand in hand and have the ability to bring out the best in each other.
August 10, 2007

JoeSwirl
Good show Gary,

Wine with food 95% of the time, and I have wine at dinner 80% of the time. Actually, if I am drinking wine, I’m going to have a snack; especially if I’m tasting several wines.
August 10, 2007

Daniel O
Hehehe… when I saw the title for the show, the first thing that came to mind was “Naked Grape Wines”: http://www.nakedgrape.ca/ Thanks for yet another awesome show Gary!

QOTD: 75% with food; 25% on its own. The ratio shifts depending on the time of the year, as I drink more white wine on its own during the warmer weather.
August 10, 2007

SoCal
Sorry I am late to the game G!
I had to be on the road for work…….

QOTD: 75% food, 25% with out
August 10, 2007

Elliot Essman
Almost all my wine is without food. Even when I have wine with food, I taste the wine alone before the meal.
August 10, 2007

Aaron
QOTD: 70% with food, 30% without food
August 10, 2007

Chris
Probably 90% without food.
August 10, 2007

fruit bomb baby
QOTD: Typically, 100% of Chardonnay with food, though I enjoy un-oaked chardonnays alone. Otherwise only 30% with food, 70% without.

Great to see naked chardonnays shining and making a great splash! Wonderful show.
August 10, 2007

Susan
Gary–Hope you and Tim F are having a wonderful time in Napa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 10, 2007

fatherthechair
I’m very happy you did this episode. I appreciate a traditionally oaky California Chardonnay when I taste one for being well-made, but generally don’t enjoy it much. I have this problem: I don’t like my wine to taste like butter! Big Chablis fan. Will definitely give the four vines a try soon.

Regarding sniffing, I recently stuck my nose so deep into a glass of red (Tempranillo I think) that I actually inhaled the wine by accident, then sneezed red wine all over my shirt. I had to explain that one to my wife.

80 percent with food, 20 without.
August 10, 2007

fatherthechair
PS– I almost always drink at least half a glass of the wine before eating though.
August 10, 2007

mcj
QOTD: 90 with/10 without
August 10, 2007

YoungDave
I do love the “whether you like it or not” at the end of your sign-off as a permanent staple on the show. Keep it real and stick it to the (few) whiny nay-saying complainers who have criticized this show… whether they like it or not.

QOTD: I’m probably a 60% with food, 40% without food type of Vayniac.
August 10, 2007

Robert C from Folsom Prison
another great show Gary!
Hey, I saw u cary a blue berry port. Ya gotta add that smurf juice whenever u do your next port tasting.
80% without food / 20% with food.
August 11, 2007

Jim in Atlanta
Thanks for introducing us to a new, better Chard. I may have to start drinking it again. QOTD – 90% food, 10% no food.
August 11, 2007

Patrick
The breakdown is probably 60% with food and 40% without… SS Chris… I owe you one the score sheet is big for me. Thanks for keeping that going! Is there anyone interested in an episode where we learn about the benefits of decanting? I’d like GV’s take on how to decide about decanting a wine you haven’t had before.
August 12, 2007

Vinacull
Groundbreaking EP Gary. Love the pelting fruit on the perfume sprayers. QOTD: We invariably drink wine throughout the dinner period, and finish after the meal, so I guess the percentage would be about 70% with food.
August 12, 2007

wannaBconnoisseur
Interesting show Gary!! I will have to give a naked chard a try, probably that 4 vines. I’ve been turned off to chards ever since I’ve started drinking more whites(thanks to your influence GV), can’t stand the oak bombs.

QOTD: 50/50
August 12, 2007

La Philosophe
I wonder how these unoaked chardonnays would compare to most sauvignon blancs, with the overabundant acidity I just personally have a visceral gag reflex to the grassy/heavy citrus punch they carry. Buttered popcorn all the way, baby.
August 12, 2007

David M Roberts
QOTD: 80% without food (though drinking with friends always involves cheese / cracker plates to munch on), but the idea is to focus on the juice, and whatever “HOUSE” re-run or Packers / Brewers / Badgers / Marquette game might be on the big screen…

Addendum: There is a Jets fan in the neighborhood, but he drinks beer….
August 12, 2007

Dr. Dave
How do I sign up to be a Vayniac? I can’t leave any tags until I sign up, but I can’t figure out how to do it. HELP ME.
August 13, 2007

the drew
QOTD :: 99% without food.
August 13, 2007

WINO
QOTD- 80% without 20% with. I work nights so I miss dinner five nights a week and my wine is a before sleep cocktail. LOVE it with food but don’t get that many chances.

I have been drinking the 4 Vines for a couple of years and it is great to taste the grapes instead of the barrels.
August 13, 2007

Dean Gray
QOTD: 75% with, 25% w/o
Thanks for the 4 Vines recommendation. Mucho tasty, and such a nice price. May replace Giesen SB as our house white.
August 13, 2007

Simon
I know I’m a little late on this one, but I thought I’d throw this in the pile. I recently when to a tasting of a local vineyards first release. Rominger West vineyards is doing some good things here in Davis, CA. I was most impressed by the fact that their 2005 Chardonay had very little oak on the palate and the wine maker says that their next years release will be completely un-oaked. They said that they were very excited about the fact that the publics palates seemed to be appreciating the taste of the fruit more than wanting oak.

I completely agree! Once again great show!
August 14, 2007

mark
took me a while to catch up but I’m up to date. Thanks for this ep. I will now have to give a few naked chardonnays. 70% without food 30% with but that is changing now that my wife is starting to drink wine too.
August 14, 2007

Doug Lobdell
Still catching up on old episodes. I’m glad to make a contribution to the sliders effort! Gary you rock man!
August 14, 2007

Mark
Looks like others are catching up like me. Anyway, I like “Naked” Chardonnay. It’s definitely got a refreshing taste to it. Thanks for the episode!
August 16, 2007

Loweeel
Gary — not true about the 4 vines! Just a few months ago, you gave the Boekenhoutskloof Wolf Trap an 89+… and it was $2 cheaper! Best value EVER.
August 16, 2007

Ugo (aka Chukmeister)
I purchased the Four Vines Naked Chardonnay for me and my flatmates to drink during the meteor shower this past weekend. My friend Erika who loves her oakey Kendall Jackson, could not get enough of this stuff. Good looking out for the CKCs with this one.
August 23, 2007

GR8Wine
Great Ep Gary,
I became a fan of the less/non-oaked chardonnays about 4 years ago. I had to get a little education on the difference before I realized what to look for.
I totally agree that the more acidic, low oaked chardonnays are more versatile with food. That said; QOTD: my guess is 25% w/food.
August 24, 2007

Brandon M
#473 – Talk about comment juicing!
November 8, 2007

The Oak Monster
Name change to “The Stainless Steeal Monster”
January 17, 2008

Characterlost
Gary your killing me, i’m pulling a little wltv marathon!!! will you do a bad boring episode so i get tired and can get some sleep, does the thunder ever end??. its 1am and i have to work tomarrow, with your enthusiam i fear i am going to be up all night.

Qotd. Maybe 70% of wine i eat with food, but a lot of that bottle/s are drunk before or after the dinner itself.
April 22, 2008

Oakmon's BF
You missed an opportunity here Gary. You should have done the show shirtless with a visible pile of clothes in the background with boxers on top. Do it straight with no reference to attire or lack thereof. It would have been a nice response to those who want you to be serious.
June 27, 2008

Oakmon's BF
Itâ€™s taken me a long time to get around to this, but Iâ€™ve been meaning to express the impact that this episode has had on me. It has helped me to figure out some aspects of the relationship between the Oakster and myself. My wine life started 25 to 30 years ago. My dad would serve a jug of Gallo Hearty Burgundy, with a big bloody slab of beef, a baked potato and plenty of veggies. (Mom probably prepared the potatoes and veggies.) Green was good but red dominated the meal. This was a meal fit for the Friday night of a hard working man. I remember my dad once mentioning that Gallo used stainless steal for aging and that wine snobs only looked down on this because they didnâ€™t go with change very quickly.

As I mentioned once before, I started bringing home vintage California Cab, Zin and Pinot. I discovered oak, but I didnâ€™t know it was oak. To me it was a new exotic taste. Furthermore it was a taste I found in vintage wines which I didnâ€™t find in the cheap jug wine. These circumstances tend to give that taste the label of being a good thing that is only found in the quality product. It was also meaningful that I was making a contribution to the familyâ€™s meal and the familyâ€™s pallet evolution.

[Fastforward to 21st Century] When I started watching WLTV it was old episodes from the days when your oak appreciation was at a low. I found it odd to hear you say manure is good. Dirt is good. Sticks, stones, grass, leaves and bugs are all good. But wood, wood is bad. It seemed to me that wood should fit in the same earthy category with those other tastes. I later caught on. The manure taste isnâ€™t due to winemakers adding manure (I hope! I hope!! I hope!!!).

Itâ€™s fun to figure things out. My tastes change and your tastes change. For me, at some level memories of family, my late father, will impact things.
August 2, 2008

Dessert Wine Nerd
Never had a naked Chardonnay before ( i dont think ), so this episode will def. make go out and try one. I wouldnt really call myself afraid of the Oak Monster, but geting hit in the face with a 2×4 (from a crazed Hacksaw Jim Duggan or the Oak Monster ) doesnt really appeal to me. Letting the fruit do its own thing is def. something Im a fan of as well. QOTD: 10% with. Ive been stockpiling a lot of wine that needs to age, so I have to wait a few years on them. I joined a club in a wine shop, so now I will be able to go to there and look at a larger selection of wines I can buy and drink now.
August 22, 2008

House
I’ve gotta have a vayniak t-shirt with perfume-sprayers being pelted with papayas!!!
May 27, 2009

Weston
Im on the Nose Band Wagon, at wine trade tasting events people have made comments about me smelling wine hah. that and my swirling
June 27, 2009

Adrian aka AnGkEr
Great description on the chelahem….How do you actually come out with such descriptions…wow…really awesome

QOTD: most of the time without food
August 21, 2009

richardvinifera
“Im a huge mango head” 20m07s. Gary V. 8 August 2007. Lol.
August 21, 2009

richardvinifera
QOTD: In theory a substantial amount with food but I often eat quickly at home so am left with wine to drink just after, which can suck if you have a disappointing wine which is then an effort to drink! For me, midweek drinking is a large glass with/immediately after food, weekend is two large glasses with/immediately after food.

Leave a Reply