Fume Blanc Tasting – Episode #294

August 16, 2007

Twitter This Share on Facebook Email This

Gary Vaynerchuk tries 3 Fume Blancs and gives you as little history lesson too!

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(198) Leave a comment ›

  • “Just had the 2007 Ferrari-Carano and theyre still oaking it....” by Pangaea
  • “Had the 2005 Dry Creek Valley Fume Blanc today, over a year after this...” by Ryan D
  • View all 198 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Chateau St Jean Fume BlancSonoma Fume Blanc play review at cork'd
Ferrari-carano Fume Blanc 2006Sonoma Fume Blanc play review at cork'd
Dry Creek Fume BlancSonoma Fume Blanc play review at cork'd

198 Responses

Pages: « 8 7 [6] 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All

  1. August 17, 2007

    wine lush

    I thought the fume in Pouilly Fume was a result of the limestone silex soil which gave the wine a smell of the smoke from a fired gunflint rifle which the french call pierre a fusil.

    I worked a few hours nerding it up after your episodes which I always do learning more about the wines you presented and I couldn’t find anything relating the name to fog. Could you please send me the name of the text that came from as I need to correct it in my notes.

    Many Pouilly Fumes are barrel fermented which gives it a unique style. I think you might want to attempt to spend some time the producers of Pouilly Fume and particularly with Didier Dagueneau who produces some of the worlds best Loire Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre and from Pouilly Fume. Many of which are barrel fermented and are capable of many years aging.

    Based on my research last night, I discovered Robert Mondavi’s fume blanc is barrel fermented and has been since he first started producing the wine in 1966. Fume blanc is a style which barrel fermentation is used. A California producer not barrel fermenting or aging sauvignon blanc in barrel should not call the wine fume blanc it should just be called sauvignon blanc. Fume blanc because of mondavi became a California style onto its own.

    Those who know me know I’m not a big California wine drinker and have been quite vocal about the overuse of it’s oak. But I thought really long about this last night and California has developed a distinctive style over the past 40 years while yes is heavy in oak, but it is it’s own style and that style shouldn’t be lost.

    The way you are demanding only specific treatments to be used with certain grapes is reminiscent of the other critics you claim not to be like. You can PERSONALLY choose not to like a certain vinification method but to DICTATE no other way should be used to vinify sauvignon blanc is arrogant. Stainless steel hasn’t been around that long and to disregard traditional barrel fermented practices is irresponsible just because you don’t fancy the taste.

    There are certain vinficiation processes I do not like, but I state the dislike for my OWN opnion, but if others wish to drink them, that’s what they like.

    Be careful of imposing your personal taste and vinficiation demands on our wine. It’s our decision what we ultimately like and do not like in our wine. Otherwise it’s a whole lot of you changing the wine world and the heck with us.

    Sorry to nerd it up. I’m sure I’ll get flamed for disagreeing with you. But I thought changing the wine world meant bringing new people into enjoying both traditional and the new wine styles. To break down stereotypes and snobbish attitudes.

  2. August 17, 2007

    Shad

    I actually had to log off and then back on after hearing the QOTD. Damn it Vaynerchuk, why are you causing us to think and be reflective?!! The one thing I would like to do is something simple that many Vayniacs have done already or in the process of doing….finish my college degree. It has been a really difficult thing for me, not because I am a complete idiot, but just one of those folks that never enjoyed the whole “school thing”. I want to finish also because that way my son can never say to use against me “well you didn’t finish college”.

    Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a Syrah to attend to.

  3. August 17, 2007

    t taaffe

    Long time, seldom time.
    Thanks for a great episode.
    Keep doing what you are doing, one cork at a time.
    Great press on Slate and Wine Enthusiast.

  4. August 17, 2007

    rafi schutzer http://www.KosherCuvee.com

    I blend wines all of the time! I do even weirder things that I’ll tell you about another time! See me at http://www.KosherCuvee.com.

  5. August 17, 2007

    Norman S.

    Gary, I thought Fume Blanc was grown next to the freeway:-)

  6. August 17, 2007

    NathanN

    Never knew that Fume Blanc wasn’t a grape!

    QOTD: Life couldn’t be any better. I am happy with the decisions that I have made and am enjoying life. I do always wish I would open my mouth a little more instead of reserving my thoughts and comments.

  7. August 17, 2007

    Sarah & A. Schop

    QOTD: Well, we’ve always dreamed of robbing a large liquor store in Springfield, New Jersey…

  8. August 17, 2007

    GeneV

    Enjoyed the episode, but you are getting so excited, and almost dogmatic, about the “naked” white wines that you a flirting with doing what you don’t like in the critics–imposing your taste.

    There is a time and place for these easier-drinking wines that went through a little oak and malolactic fermentation. It’s not on my dinner table, but there is definitely a time and place. Frankly, I feel the same way about the “naked” grapefruit-in-the-grassy-catbox New Zealand style. It has its place, but I sure don’t want ALL of the industry to go there either. Though the oak has needed some dialing back, we do need to let California be California!

  9. August 17, 2007

    Trucbinouche

    Thanks for clearing the the real reason WHY it’s call Fumé Blanc. I didn’t know that. QOTD: Since I’ve already done the Niagara region vineyards and really enjoyed them, I’d love to go tio France and see and taste where it all started, cause I’m an old world wine fan. Hey Gary, ever thought of doing a beer tasting episode (I’m talking about GOOD BEER). Here’s my QOTD:have you ever tasted a UNIBROUE beer here’s the link http://www.unibroue.com

  10. August 17, 2007

    Capt M

    I love Fume Blanc. Fun episode, thanks!

  11. August 17, 2007

    Dusty

    excellent episode. hadn’t heard that about fume. someone once told me it was fume blanc because it was aged in oak and not steel barrells, but you have set me straight. QOTD: the one thing i really want to do (before i die, as they say) is take a wine tour of wine country. i don’t care if it’s napa, oregon, idaho…i just want to go and check out how the “big dogs” do it. and on a random side note, why is Lion-O always about to be body slammed? he’s better than that. you can’t body slam Lion-O. it just doesn’t happen.

  12. August 17, 2007

    thabeav

    Really fun episode. Thanks again.

  13. August 17, 2007

    J Crazy

    QOTD: I want to start a soley eco friendly “green” wine import company to Japan and get everyone to stop using F*&)#ng chemicals if they are and spread that not just for wine but for as many products we use and ingest and interact with. I mean why wouldn’t you want to have a cleaner, healthier world? And do the same for sending excellent sake from Japan. Rugged and Raw.

  14. August 17, 2007

    Wikd

    The best Pouilly Fume I’ve ever had in my life was barrel fermented and by Didier Dagueneau from the Loire Valley. And as said above Mondavi’s original fume blanc was barrel fermented.

    Some of the finest SBlanc in France is barrel fermented. Gary you should state it’s your personal taste they should be stainless steel instead of making an absolute blanket statement oak shouldn’t be used as a treatment for certain grapes.

    I personally don’t care for some vinifiication practices, but I state it’s my opinion and other’s should be able to still have that wine should they enjoy it.

    For many years before your vlog much of the public has been voicing their opinion to California producers that California Chardonnay and now you seem to take credit for these changes seems a bit arrogant.

    So maybe it’s now becoming a little bit of us and a whole lot of you changing the wine world?

    Just saddens me you are taking the power you are acquiring and making such blanket statements against the production practices of such incredible producers such as Dagueneau who worked hard to improve the image of Pouilly Fume.

  15. August 17, 2007

    Jx

    QOTD: I’ve never been to a winery. I’ve been drinkng the stuff and enjoying it for over a year now, but because I live in the state of Wyoming and dont have a lot of money for travel, I’ve never had the good fortune to visit an actual winery.

  16. August 17, 2007

    vibemore

    good episode.

    qotd: I want to take my wife to Italy and France.

  17. August 17, 2007

    Mason

    Great show, thanks for the Fume tasting notes.

    QOTD: My wife and I would like to move, or actually relocate one day, and when we do, I would love to design my own home complete with all of the usual amenities, but mainly, a huge kitchen and a wine cellar custom designed by me. Yeah…..

  18. August 17, 2007

    Matt the Lurker

    QOTD – buying a 55 bottle wine chiller when I could have had a 2000 btl. Doh!

  19. August 17, 2007

    Chris Voigt

    I never made it to Churchill

  20. August 17, 2007

    Jessica L.

    QOTD: live on a sailboat for at least a year in the Mediterranean and live/work abroad for at least 1 year.
    Just came from a great Croatian wine tasting!
    Gary, as usual, thanks for bringing the thunder.

  21. August 17, 2007

    Jerry Chacon

    Regrets (QOTD): I never learned how to surf (and I grew up in the Santa Cruz Mts.) and I never learned how to play a musical instrument. Will I do either? Who knows…I just purchased a skateboard this last Monday (landyacht) and I am married to an opera singer who has, in the past, taught nearly every instrument type out there (ah, but can I learn from my wife?…eek…there’s a challenge to my pride/ego…I better let that one go pretty soon).

  22. August 17, 2007

    flippy

    I love the Vaynerchuk house blend!

    QOTD: I have a screenplay I started a couple of years ago, and while I can pretty much see the whole storyline from beginning to end in my head, I’m really avoiding writing it out. If I don’t do it I think I’ll regret it.

  23. August 17, 2007

    Grapedigger

    Actually I did not know that Fume blanc = Sauv blanc!! Thanks for the info. G.
    QOTD: I’ve always wanted to go do a 1 week wine tour in Bordeaux region and never got a chance yet…
    Cheers..

  24. August 17, 2007

    drew

    Just a comment on your closing line because it has to be said. Don’t think for a SECOND that we haven’t noticed the new closer. Personally, for me, for my palate, for what I’m into, I never much cared for the “…we’re changing the wine world, aren’t we”. Your new tag is indicative of the revolution that is brewing. I’m not entirely sure you truly realize the part you’re playing in this revolution. People’s attitudes towards wine ARE changing, that’s a fact. Revolutions start small and they take some time to reach the point to where people really take notice, and they even take a longer time to get to where they need to be. But we will get there. Period.

    My point. “We’re changing the wine world whether you like it or not”. I hope you know how right you, and I, and everyone else around here, really are.

    Thunder? It’s more like Lightning. Thunder is all auditory, all sound with no action. Lightning is that which is feared. Lighting is action. Lightning is lethal. So, is there such thing as Lightning Cats? I dunno. If there was, I would send you some. ;]

  25. August 16, 2007

    Chris

    hey man, watching your sea smoke episode right now, and I realized you called me out as a lurker! So here’s my first comment of many to come, I wish every podcast host could be as enthusiastic about their topic as you are, you’re truly gifted at hosting and also probably the funniest host I have ever seen.. keep doing what you do

Pages: « 8 7 [6] 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All

Leave a Reply