Gary Is Tired From A Day Of Tasting 140 Wines

Gary Is Tired From A Day Of Tasting 140 Wines – Episode #358

November 27, 2007

Gary fights through and puts out an episode for you on WLTV after a long, long day of tasting and buying wines.

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“QOTD: Went to a vendor tasting recently, and I hit my limit around 60….” by Phredd
“Ok first off I have to point out your wonderful Pennington jersey in t…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Chateau Jonc Blanc MontravailOther Red Bordeaux
2004 Sojourn Cellars Cabernet SauvignonSonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

209 Responses

November 27, 2007

Benji
Hello GV, how it do?
November 27, 2007

Dave Canada
Top 2 …….
November 27, 2007

Phocion
A lurker in the top 5?!….
November 27, 2007

scc
who’s the absolutely adorable baby on your computer? (ps, i think i have the same pillowcase/comforter set)
November 27, 2007

Dr T from N. Carolina
140! No wonder you’re tired!

“T”
November 27, 2007

Suzanne
I would have been okay with you taking a day off! Everyone deserves a day off…..
But good show, anyway.
November 27, 2007

Nick L
Top 10?
November 27, 2007

Brian Kachel
Yikes! thats alot of wine my friend!!!
November 27, 2007

Carlo
Cool!
November 27, 2007

KenP
top ten?
November 27, 2007

passthecab
all is good when your tongue is purple!
November 27, 2007

Dominus
#11 Clemons?

Off to watch.
November 27, 2007

crank
I’m insanely jealous of you. Just so we’re clear…
November 27, 2007

Dave Canada
This is vintage GV….it’s what we get in between “normal” episodes……
QOTD – I am probably at about 40 or 50. That is assuming that I am spitting…no spitting and I am at about 5 or 6…then I am toast.
Go home and drink some aqua…..
November 27, 2007

Kojip
QotD: 4 Wines Gary. You’re f’ing nuts, but I guess it’s your job. Good luck man.

Btw, I wore your wristband from the TG pack to a comedy show and nightclub in SF last Friday and I was actually called out in Ruby Skye by another patron in the pool room (not sure if you’re familiar but it’s the most pretentious nightclub on the west coast… awesome in a weird way). I took pictures but not a damn thing came out. I’ll try again later. Thanks!
November 27, 2007

Tristan
Thanks for hanging in there for us Gary!
November 27, 2007

Robin C
Cute baby in the background.
Thanks for sharing those wines with us. Hope you’re on your way home to rest.
QOTD: my palate shuts down after about 5 wines. I’ve tasted more, but it was kind of pointless. I can’t imagine tasting over 100.
November 27, 2007

Kev and Ams
Ha ha, Gary is drunk!
November 27, 2007

Stefano Fornero
You are dedicated man and I thank you, get some rest Gary!
November 27, 2007

Jeff
See this…. this is me standing up and applauding you for your effort. QOTD: I get tired after about 30. I’m sure I don’t have the experience that you have but I’m working on it. (Plus I swallow and that probably slows me down.)
November 27, 2007

Andy
WOW!! Your kid is crazy cute (if you can claim that one on the screensaver), Congrats Gary
November 27, 2007

Lindsay
The baby pics in the background are THE BEST.

Awesome.

QOTD: All I know is, by winery number four or five, even when Iâ€™m splitting tastes with my darling husband, I am absolutely worthless to taste.
November 27, 2007

cgatesman
Cool different show format! It is cool to hear your top picks when you do tastings like that.

QOTD: I went to a tasting once and had a little over 60 wines. I was definitely fatigued! I’m not sure exactly when I started getting fatigued though. Maybe 40-50?
November 27, 2007

Dominus
Thank you for taping a show. We all appreciate your dedication to the Vayniac Nation.

93 pt CA cab! Gotta go get some.

QOTD: For me, it depends on the wines. If they are red, as yours were today, maybe a dirty dozen. Whites, maybe two dozen. 140? Fuhgedaboutit

Cheers!
November 27, 2007

GrapeStuff
Awesome you came through with an ep today, GV! DEDICATION!

Sojourn makes a great Pinot as well!!

QOTD: I would say maybe 30-40 or so wines does it.
November 27, 2007

Billr
GREAT

QOTD: About 5 or 6. I never get to have as much fun as my wife does when it comes to wine tasting. She is like the Energizer Bunny, she keeps going and going and going………
November 27, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
QOTD: Tasted over 130 from 1PM to 6PM, went to a dinner with all the vendors, drank wine there, then to Clark Street brew pub and downed a couple hand pumped pale ales…… and to bed by midnight…. and I’m just some rookie dental hack! But I am a Packer fan,, and you a lowely Jet fan…. go figure, punk!
November 27, 2007

CindyW
Go home and rest those tastebuds, GaryV!

QOTD: I’ve never tasted more than. . . oh, 30 wines in one day. If the tastings are spread out over several hours, and I have water/bread/crackers, I’m okay. If they’re too close together, especially if they’re all heavy reds, then I’m only good for about a dozen before my tongue starts to feel shredded.
November 27, 2007

JC
Way to go bro, a down & real show! QOTD; Don’t know …
November 27, 2007

Neil
QOTD: Generally don’t sniffy sniff taste and dump. Usually after the first bottle I’m loosing a grip on things. 140 is way too much of anything. Somewhere in there you made friends with the oak monster and now look at you, you tired, poor wine merchant. Get some sleep.
November 27, 2007

Evil Homer
130???? Holy crap dude…that is awesome, maybe even alittle scary but awesome nontheless. The most I have tried is 20 and my palate was getting a little tired, maybe it had to do with us drinking an entire bottle of wine before the tasting….

Keep on rocking man…
November 27, 2007

Harley Stan
Always a great episode on WLTV even when you are tired. Thanks for the episode today.
QOTD- probably about 6 or 7 only because that is the most I have tatsed in one night, I did notice that my pallet became sharper with each additional wine. Although not using a spit bucket limited how much I could taste, I guess that is why I am an amatuer.
November 27, 2007

John Blue Label
GV,
You are a trooper. Thanks for turning us on to some good wine, in spite of severe palate fatigue.
QOTD: Haven’t yet had more than 10 wines at one sitting, so I have not yet “hit the wall” of my palate. Would like to try some day, though.
November 27, 2007

GalvezGuy
QOTD – I find that after about 40 wines my palate really becomes worn out, especially if I have been tasting a lot of passes in that bunch.

Good show, I always look for Bordeaux bargains, amazing how many high quality wines are there, if we could just find out about them.
November 27, 2007

sharon
qotd: I don’t know. Cute baby in the BG. Totally upstaged you and that is pretty amazing.
November 27, 2007

chenrys
Thanks for doing the show even thourgh you are tired. We appreciate you. The Soujourn sounds heavenly from your description. The bordeaux sounded like a real value. Hope we run into those sometime.

QOTD: Don’t know that I’ve ever reached that point. After tasting about 7 wines without spitting them out, I become a lot less discriminating, for sure.
November 27, 2007

amgryger
QOTD: I’ve never tasted more than 6 or 7 wines in one sitting, so I’ve never really gotten to test out the limits of my palate.
November 27, 2007

Martin
Sixty-eight is all I can handle.
November 27, 2007

Big Nick
130 Wines!!!! Man I am good for about 10-20 and then after that it is history. Thanks for taking one for the team (for some reason that seems negative, but I would consider 130 wines great). Get some rest and it was nice to see a slight change of pace from the usual. Does not mean you should change all the time though.
November 27, 2007

Ferrigno
hello gary im super loopy too!
November 27, 2007

Robert Rittenhouse
Wow I still haven’t been able to afford to taste more than one at a time so I have no clue!

Thanks Gary for all of the hard work! 140 wines is just amazing. Go brush your teeth like 100000 times and get some rest….

~Robert
November 27, 2007

j carey
I would say it depends on the kind of wines.. with big tannic ones about 30-40
with a mix up to 100 wines.. after that .. ugh,, but it also depends on the day.. I find having a full stomach helps,
I will be at crushpad Sat.. look forward.. to meeting ya
November 27, 2007

purplejuicebruce
QOTD….Hard to say, I’m with Sasha I don’t spit so I would guess somewhere around 20 but even on my first glass I don’t have your ability to taste the spectrum of flavors you find in your glass.
November 27, 2007

Smith MBA
I have done 30 but think I can go higher especially if I am at the vineyards. I think I could do 25 if I was just sitting in an office in NJ.
November 27, 2007

Kevin
QOTD: I’m in for 30ish or so? Depends on the day?
I too noticed the cute babbies. That’ll put smile on one’s face while working.
November 27, 2007

Sparky
Hi Gary,

Liked the show!!
November 27, 2007

brorjace
QOTD: Usually when I go to tastings I don’t taste that many. But when its super large, I probably wear out around 50 without bread or water, and maybe 20 more if you can reload the palate a little.
November 27, 2007

Fiorentina!
Thanks for cranking out an episode…I know how tiring a day like yours can be. I don’t have the stamina or sophistication to be able to logically break down a wine like you, but I do ok….I think that my palate gets shot between 25-40 wines depending on the day and what type of wines I’m tasting.
BTW cute baby in the background
November 27, 2007

Jennifer
Gary, you’re the best. Thanks for doing a great episode, even when you’re tired.
November 27, 2007

Jon B.
Thanks for the show.QOTD I’m going to say 6-7 but really haven’t gone much past that either.Thanks Gary and WLTV crew
November 27, 2007

e.fremont
You are an inspiration to all of us. Keep up the good work. Thank you from the Vayner nation.
November 27, 2007

Kristen
Thanks for taping an episode…you’re right the Vayner Nation is happy!

And I know today you were exhausted, but is the AskGary question thing (thanks for answering my questions btw) just falling by the wayside on the show? I like hearing other people’s questions! And I tried the Los Alamos Malbec chilled and it was a nice change!

QOTD: I’ve never been to a big wine tasting. And I think it matters if you’re spitting it out or not. So I can’t really be sure…have to try it out sometime!
November 27, 2007

Tom T.
This format was pretty cool. It gives us another view of your office and your mug. Thanks for doing the episode. QOTD about 8-10 glasses.
November 27, 2007

pete c
QOTD- 25 to 35 and I’m done.
November 27, 2007

AndrewP
Thanks for hanging in there and delivering another great episode… hope you made it home ok.

QOTD: I can usually make it through the dozen or so wines at my local wine shop’s tastings, but I am really looking for an opportunity to test the limits of my palette…
November 27, 2007

TROC
I’m Irish so my palate never gets tired, we just have a Guiness and a shot and continue tasting. And none of that spitting or swishing out the glass, we finish the bottle and move on. Hoping to try some of your picks after that marathon tasting, thanks.
November 27, 2007

avanagee
thanks for your top two from marathon wine tasting! QOTD: after 9 hours at the Ottawa Wine & Food show, we were ready for more. truthfully, we lost count. btw, free shipping to Canada is a great idea
November 27, 2007

John Farrin
QOTD: When the gutter doesn’t feel cold anymore
November 27, 2007

Grape Expectations
I think it’s okay to switch the format once in awhile. When you’ve had a day like you had today we should be grateful for what we get. Must admit I was LISTENING to you but I was WATCHING the cuties on the screen saver in the background!

QOTD: I expect the most I’ve ever tasted was 20 or so wines and that would be spread out over a whole day in Napa. Even at it’s freshest my palate isn’t all that sharp. I’m sure my best wouldn’t even be close to your 140th.
November 27, 2007

dank
lurker here.. stepping out of the shadows.. on the youngish/inexperienced side (23) so to answer the QOTD:

around 9?

for thanksgiving eve last week, friends of mine and I had a ‘wine gathering’ next at his apt next to the huge t-day balloons on Columbus Ave. and we had 9 different bottles. the most alarming and obvious nose i got was Fruit Loops cereal on a white wine.

btw, still a good show gary, and if you’re beat maybe you need a:

https://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=36215
November 27, 2007

D
Gary, way to man up and do a show today. Who says wine drinkers can’t be tough guys. Really though, good job I figured you might be a little too tanked after 130 wines.
November 27, 2007

Dr T from N. Carolina
Oops, forgot the QOTD — I’ve never done more than 6 at one sitting, but I can’t imagine doing more than 10 or 12 in a session, or more than 3 sessions in a day. Guess that’s one reason I’ll never be a professional! Also, thanks for featuring the Bergerac. In my limited experience, they tend to be equal to Bordeaux costing 25%-50% more. I just rarely come across them.

“T”
November 27, 2007

Matty H
GV – Thank you for bucking up and powering through to do a show for us today. As always, very much appreciated.

QOTD – I’ve never been north of 8-10 or so and was not fatigued.
November 27, 2007

DannInNH
Wine tasting/QOTD…doesn’t matter. Being a proud grandfather, who’s the cute baby on the monitor ??? Second time we got a glimpse.
November 27, 2007

carnyc
QOTD: Went to a tasting with 30 wines and I remember (as much as one could remember since there was no spitting) that I couldn’t really taste the last 3 or 4 wines at all. So, I guess the answer is: 26
November 27, 2007

Obama_Man
Gary, from what I’ve seen in the 50+ episodes of WLTV that I’ve watched, it seems like you want us to stay clear of Cali Cabs due to price vs. quality. So what reasons SHOULD we concentrate on for $10-$20 wines? Is there ever a safe bet?
November 27, 2007

mrzitro
QOTD: I have no clue what the limit is for me.

It would be cool to see the list of the 130+ wines you tasted. Just the list…not the ratings you gave. Why did you taste so many at one time?
November 27, 2007

late-start
I always feel as though my palate is always fatigued; needs more training. Anyway hope to get that started with my first real purchase from the WL!!!!
November 27, 2007

Taylor
Gary is human, I was starting to wonder how he could be so good.
QOTD I would have to say for me it really depends on whether or not I spit, with spitting I would say I could taste around 25, but without spitting efficiently 10-15.
November 27, 2007

dulamae
Thanks for caring enough to put together a show, you do look TIRED!

Rhonda
November 27, 2007

NathanN
Thanks for the show. I like it when you pull out a couple of recommendations like that.
QOTD: I would say around 30. 140 that is one strong palate you have
November 27, 2007

Sumit
Thanks for sucking it up for us, Gary and banging out a show. As for the QOTD, I would say somewhere around 25 or so in the handful of multi-wine tastings I have been to. After that, I really can’t distinguish anything.
November 27, 2007

Grapedigger
Hey Gary, you must have a palate of steel to survive tasting 130 wines!! Hell, what about the teeth staining?!! BTW, is that baby Vaynerchuck on the Mac’s screen saver behind you. As for the QOTD, I’ve been to few wine tasting and mostly I do not spit, so I guess I start walking the clouds as I hit number 20!! Cheers
November 27, 2007

KyleLikesTies
Hey, I sympathise about the long day … I worked 11 1/2 hours on research today (in an area that’s totally outside what I normally do) … and a nice, relaxed episode of WLTV was perfect.

QoTD: It really depends. I’ve had wine that was so bad that my palate just got discouraged and I had to take a breather before tasting anything else for a while, but I’d say normally it takes a few dozen, although I’m certainly not nearly as precise as you, GV (e.g., I might taste dark fruit / berries and you taste cassis and slightly-underripe blackberries with a touch of plum) … So mad props if you made it through 130+
November 27, 2007

E
Bergerac, eh? I’d hit that.

Q: so far, so good. I’ve never gone so far I started to get tired, but then the biggest wine tasting I’m usually at is for the charity I work for, so I’m usually busy and satisfied if I just find something nice to sip.

Have some tea, get some sleep, and treat yourself to this tomorrow …

https://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=35453

C’mon, you know you want to!
November 27, 2007

joaquin
nice show…

qotd: about 15…
November 27, 2007

DC7
Super tastings in Richmond, VA usually have 20 ~ 25 wineries each bringing 6 ~ 10 wines and that’s enough! Water between wineries. Give your liver a rest.
November 27, 2007

Tommy Vernieri
QOTD: I’ve never really kept track but at the Charleston Food + Wine Festival last year it was somewhere between the first and the hundredth.
November 27, 2007

Hugh
50-60 is usually my limit after which it’s all grape juice
November 27, 2007

Craig MacDonald
Thanks for the show! You’re a good guy.
QOTD: never been there. My local shop’s tastings only feature three wines at a time. But that’s OK. It’s about all my memory can handle, so what’s the point in pushing my palate?
My Yahoo 360 blog doesn’t allow me to post widgets. Bummer!!
November 27, 2007

Svante Adermark
Because I usually drink the wines and do so in small groups, I always stop feeling the wine after the third bottle, almost regardless of how much of the bottle I had myself. Maybe I should start opening all the bottles right away, although people rarely want to admit up front that they are going to finish three or more bottles of wine, or go for half bottles (thanks for an excellent show on that subject BTW).
November 27, 2007

Alos
Hey brother I know, I would be tired too thankyou for todays show though. I felt like crap all day and have been swamped myself but to be able to sit down and watch the show was the highlight of my day! So please keep on truckin. I have no idea what my limit is actually, I have not had enough in a row haha. P.S. The port was amazing! Have a great night bro!
November 27, 2007

stockholm
gary,

im almost sort of sad that you even thought about changing the intro. i don’t think that anybody worth having as a viewer doesn’t delight in screaming right along with you. i know that joining in and weirding out my swedish roomate by yeling “Hello everybody and welcome to wine library tv! I am your host, Gary VAY-NER-CHUK and (here comes the absolute best part) this…is…the THUNDER SHOW!” makes me extremely happy every day. it just gets me so excited about wine. heres to you gary vaynerchuk, you’re one of kind…
November 27, 2007

David M Roberts
QOTD: At tastings, by the 7th or 8th sample, I’m shot. However, I’m not spitting into my dainty little Jets bucket….
November 27, 2007

JK from WV
QOTD: After my 2nd or 3rd glass of wine, they all taste the same. Probably because I’m high by then.
November 27, 2007

Fred Liu
Hi, Gary, What a day…Eh, My answer to QOTD is, it depends on what you are tasting…With some simple wines, my tongue seems to be able to survive some 40s+. But with some good vintage, high tinnin and green young wines, from nice region and producer…It can not suffer a 10s…before it gets dumb to tannin…

Whatever, I envy you man…That is true…It can be as interesting as torturing…
Nice show, great effort again.
BTW, the baby rules…^_^
November 27, 2007

Matthew L
Gary,

QOTD: I learned my lesson after my first big wine expo here in DC. After about three tables (maybe 45 wines), my tongue was shot. Since then, I’ve learned to strategize what I taste and make sure to cleanse my palate pretty frequently. I can probably taste 40 wines (MAX) without losing the ability to discern nuances and flavor notes.

With that said, 130+ wines!!!Thanks for banging out a show with a bruised tongue.
November 27, 2007

Mike S.
Thanks for doing the show today. If you ever need help tasting wines, let me know:-)
November 27, 2007

Vinsant
“Leonetti…back in the day”, dude Leonetti still rocks!
QOTD: my palate tires right before I hurl, after that can’t taste much!?
November 27, 2007

Alex
Gary, I’ll have to be honest and say that I probably spent more time today watching the cute baby in the background today than whatever else was going on

Qotd: I’m a wine novice and haven’t had more than 3 different wines at once and it all tastes the same to me!
November 27, 2007

KW
QOTD: Not sure I can taste 100 wines. I think after 30 or so wines, the taste starts to run together, especially if the wines are too tannic and/or young and all you end up tasting is the unbalanced tannins. Water to cleanse the mouth helps a lot.
November 27, 2007

Billr
For maybe the 50th time, who’s children on the computer screen in the backgroung of this episode????
November 27, 2007

Rico
nice of you doing a show even when you are tired.

QOTD: never been in a wine tasting event dont know what I’m wating for I guess I get Intimidated by them but I will go when I get a chance
November 27, 2007

Mike Z
Dude… Go to bed.
QOTD: I’ve never tried to taste 100 wines in a day. I think when I have gone out tasting, I’m probably losing it by wine #25 or so though, but that’s without spitting… Hmmmmmm
November 28, 2007

BobMac
I get tired of tasting wines about the first dozen or so. Of course, by then, everything tastes good.
November 28, 2007

Andre
I went to one of the Wine Spectator Grand Tour tastings. It was my first time attending a big event like that, and my tongue was TKO’d after about 20 wines. I had to head over to the Port so I could taste anything at all. Great event though, I would recommend it to everyone.
November 28, 2007

Rice
QOTD: 30+… tongue is gone, but I don’t do it for a living. (I’m not lurking today )
November 28, 2007

Robert Howells
My first wine tasting and I wasn’t familiar with spitting, so it didn’t take long for fatigue to set in.
November 28, 2007

JonE
G-Man there are plenty of people who will not appreciate your fatigue. But theres nothing worse than completely missing great stuff because the taste buds have left the building in industry shows.

QOTD: Entire Grateful Palate collection in 2 hours, entire. I thought my tongue was gonna fall out of my face and kick me in the shins. I don’t think there was a single wine under 14% besides Marquis Philips whites and some rieslings. I ended with a bunch of Hazyblur, which would adequately describe all I was tasting.
November 28, 2007

J Cray
Shoot my mouth still feels fatigued after the Vinitaly tasting in Tokyo yesterday. My palate kicked out at about 70-80 wines. The last few 15.5% Amarones just killed it.
November 28, 2007

ike6116
You gotta be kidding me gary, you’ve been calling for the head of Chad Pennington all season and you’ve got his jersey framed in your office?

For shame.

qotd: i have no idea.
November 28, 2007

Brian Walch
The lurker from Alaska… finally convicted when an obviously worn out Gary has enough juice to blast the lurkers. So far, my palatte isn’t that well defined but also has never been worn out. I’ve tasted 5 or so wines in an evening and haven’t hit my limit… with 4 kids wine tastings are often me in my living room.
The Alaska contingency is growing…
November 28, 2007

HO
Great show, thanks for doing the show even when you should be resting. I’m learning a lot and will be trying many new wines in the future, currently I’m wine stuck in the central coast of California. I have referred at least 10 friends to your show, not sure if any have logged on yet, I let you know if I get any converts.
As far as the QoTD goes i think i burn out at around 25 to 30 wines, I don’t often do this so maybe it is something that i need to build up.
November 28, 2007

mattyO
GV-totally appreciate you coming through for us and bringing the Thunder Show with your tongue literally wagging. Loved it as usual. Keep rockin, we love ya, peace…
November 28, 2007

Scottymatt
Gary-Appreciated the show-even with your fatigued state. Bloody admirable after that tasting-it shows you are human like the rest of us…and that is a great thing my friend.

QOTD: I have done slightly over 150 at one tasting (spitting of course) and at the end of that the only thing I wanted with my exhausted taste buds and over worked brain was a beer! I have found that I get fatigue at the 110 level-and have been there a few times over the past 5 years.
November 28, 2007

flippy
QOTD: The most intense palate fatigue I had was when judging at a value wine awards contest recently. The first day of 100 wines was fun, but by the third day my mouth was actually starting to hurt from all the acids and tannin.
November 28, 2007

DaveyDonut
I liked the format today (even the camera angle)… not as a regular thing, but today, spur of the moment, it totally worked! Thanks.

QOTD: Just tasted about 50 wines this past Saturday… when does my pallet get fatigued, or when do I stop paying attention, is the real question… I don’t spit at these tastings, and I think eventually I get a little loopy. Eventually instead of deciding what I’m tasting, it just becomes “I like this one,” or, “I hate this one.” (Saturday I had an Oregon Pinot Noir that tasted like shell fish… what?!?!) I can find overarching characteristics, but lose that fine delineation that I like writing in my notes… But as happened a few times on Saturday, when I come upon a wine that totally blows me away, I am able to buckle down and really get into it, and pick everything out. I think after all of the wines in these big tastings I just begin to get bored with most of the wines that don’t stick out. Unlike you, who may be looking for what to buy for thousands of people, I’m just looking for what to buy for myself… and when I’m tasting 50 wines, it’s not going to be one of each… it’s going to be just two or three cases or half cases of what really stands out. So… it’s easier for me.

David
November 28, 2007

CliffAberson
Thanks for the great show Gary! What’cha gonna do brother, when all the little Vayniacs run wild on you! QOTD- Probably around 15. But I’m drinking mines…
November 28, 2007

Mason
QOTD: Gary, I don’t think that I have had a time yet when my pallet was just blasted by too many wines. Then again, the most wines that I have tasted in 1 tasting has been 16, so I really haven’t sat through quite the number you have! Get some rest!
November 28, 2007

blobic
Great show, Gary. Qotd: I think I can do about 6-7 wines before my tongue quits. By the way, who’s kid(s) did we see on the screen behind you?
November 28, 2007

RonC
Nice show.

QOTD: I seldom get past the second bottle. Should I spit ???
November 28, 2007

Micha
QOTD: i can handle 40-80 a day, then my palate quits. By tasting many red wines it was helpfull to drink water and even some Riesling in between to (re)fix the palate.
November 28, 2007

fatdoi
QOTD:….. when i went thru the St. Hallett range @ their cellar door, their stuffs are so strong, they just destroyed my afternoon of tasting afterwards….
November 28, 2007

medo
QOTD: .. when I’m drunk
November 28, 2007

Josh in Burgundy
Gary,
So first I want to tell you that you inspired me a few days ago. I was out with friends after a tasting in Beaune and some of them smoke (which I do not) but they roll their own cigarettes with fresh tobacco. I being the vayniac that I am decided then would be a good opportunity to taste straight tobacco. I took a little and threw it in my mouth, and I wish you could have seen there faces. Priceless but none the less I now know what you were talking about with the loose tobacco taste today.

QOTD: I like to go back and forth a little, when I get fatigued with reds I cleanse with an acidic white then I can go back to tasting most things red or white. So I would say 60 or 70 wines is around my limit, but depends on the tannins in the wines.
November 28, 2007

PhilB
Good show man, I like the more relaxed atmosphere, kind of a Laid back Friday Tuesday…

QOTD: I recently discovered what palate fatigue was going to huge tastings… I feel more frustrated than anything else by not being able to taste all the wines to their (or MY) fullest potential… I’d say I loose it after 45 to 50 wines…

See ya in Paris (or in NJ if I win the contest!!)
November 28, 2007

stefano
I liked the tired Gary. Please have Lars come as your guest sometime.
He and you would be a gret pairing!

Stefano
November 28, 2007

YoungDave
Thanks for sharing a value with us, Big G.- you know I’m always about the under $15 solid buys.

QOTD: Well I only think I’ve done about 25 in one sitting when learning the by-the-glass list at a couple of the restaurants at which I’ve worked, and I only noticed a slight decrease in ability to pick out subtleties in aroma or flavor… so I guess my fatigue number is somewhere above 25 and below your 130!
November 28, 2007

amaroneisforeveryone
Gary:
Terrific show; but again saddened by the fact that the wines you recommended yesterday are not easily available up here in Ontario. Same old sad, pathetic story.

Was that your Mac in the background?
November 28, 2007

Joel M
First time poster here. Going to the forum after this to say hello. Been lurking for a couple of weeks, however. I will start off my first comment by saying, what many other have expressed, that I truly appreciate the value driven message for al wine drinkers. Many of us can not afford big expensive wines,, but Gary and his crew do a fantastic job of uncovering good wine values. Thanks so much. Have been to only one tasting, so can’t really answer the QOTD. Caio for now. Joel M
November 28, 2007

antony
The way you shot tonight looks so much better than the usual – I mean I love the usual but lighting and composition… Tonight was kinda intimate too. On the palate front, generally its all over the place, which I don’t understand. That said, the more I drink the more I tend to enjoy. Wonder why…
November 28, 2007

Rick McQ
Gary: I’m usually buzzed before my palate gives out and wouldn’t realize it. Then they all stat to taste the same. My max at a tasting was about 50.
November 28, 2007

Rob
Love the angle you shot at today. Except… kill the screen saver (cute, but it’s distracting).

BTW — if Wine Advocate was doing a wine show, wouldn’t they shoot head-on with a flat, beige wall in the background? The angle is better and also highlights your Jets schwag. Nice.
November 28, 2007

Daniel
Wow, that really was a cool angle. I guess you normally shoot straight on in order to show all the bottles you’re tasting, but that little side-like shot was a breath of fresh air.
November 28, 2007

Kirk
QOTD: I would say that my fatigue comes in two stages….around 125-150 I start loosing subtle flavors, however I can still gauge quality…and around 200…I stop being able to gauge overall quality….it’s always fun to go to the larger tastings…but I’ve learned the hard way to taste the “important” wines first….
November 28, 2007

Carl
Hospice d’ Rhone. Paso Robles, California. 300 plus wines(Rhone) from around the world. It is a lot of work. My hands were stained for 3 days. I highly recommend it!!! Hey Gary, are you coming out this year?? The largest gathering of blue teeth ever assembled.
November 28, 2007

Elliot Essman
Up to 30 wines and I’m all right. After that, I don’t think it’s palate fatigue, but brain fatigue.
November 28, 2007

Pardus
QOTD: I am going to have to say somewhere around 50 if I am spitting and somewhere around 10 if I am not.
November 28, 2007

DavidB
I must have low tast bud tolarence as I can not get past a dozen wines, oh wait that may be because I don’t spit and after a dozen I’m hammered! Yeah that could be the problem….
November 28, 2007

Chris
Gary,

QOTD, I start to lose my ability when I am at wine tastings and I have had more than about 10 wines.

Also, if I win the widget contest I am going to bring out my Cleveland Browns bucket

GO BROWNS!
November 28, 2007

JimmyC
Great show Gary! Way to be a trooper and still give us a show!
November 28, 2007

Yoni Rabkin
Thank you for pulling through an episode regardless of being tired!

QOTD I’ve never experienced pallet fatigue!
November 28, 2007

Deano
Gary great episode It is good for a change. Glad you were able to do the episode.

QOTD:
-I would say after a few different tastes.
November 28, 2007

DARREL LAS VEGAS
QOTD: 20-25 STILL TRYING TO SPIT MOST OF THEM OUT!
November 28, 2007

Lb in KS
qotd… truth be known, i’m STILL trying to figure things out. I try to find the tastes and struggle finding the tastes and smells. how can I figure this sh*t out?!
November 28, 2007

JeffC
QOTD: I dont usually spit, so pallet fatigue? somewhere into the equivalent of bottle two or loss of consciousness. Whichever occurs first.
November 28, 2007

joel delon
hi Gary ! What a slow beginning ! from a french point of view it’s soporific after a tough day of pruning in the languedoc vineyards Please choose your usual active start that suggests a violent thunder! you’re right !
have a good work and rest…
November 28, 2007

JimVarney01
first?
November 28, 2007

Mr. Cabernet
Gary, I thought this was a very good episode. I think you can occasionally present wines that you have already tasted and think highly of. BTW we had a fabulous dinner out with friends the other night. We have the 2005 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume with a Foie Gras terrine with figs–absolutely astounding wine. This “sweet” wine was so well balanced that there was no hint of cloyingness. (The Ch. St. Jean 1996 Cinq Cinpages–it was great and I think it is not over the hill–long finish and pleny of fruit. And the 2004 KB Somona County Pinot. We had watched your rating of this great wine and are in agreement.
November 28, 2007

DannyG
GARY IS THE BEST!!! I love this guy! I love to watch the show to learn about all the different wines but also to hang with Gary for a couple minutes on my lunch break each day. Thanks for keeping it real Gary. I think the shows you do when you’re a bit loopy are the most fun. Keep on rockin’ it!
November 28, 2007

Brian Vanaski
I’m a newbie, so I’ve never had more than 2 wines at one time. But if I when the widget contest that could all change!
November 28, 2007

JerseyGirl turned CNY vayniac
Way to show your dedicatioon Gary… 142 wines in one day is a LOT! Such a trooper! Great show Gary. Rest that tounge up!

That second wine sounds delish! Might have to try it…
November 28, 2007

KNode
QOTD: I don’t know how many, but I’d certainly be up for finding out!
November 28, 2007

JerseyGirl turned CNY vayniac
QOTD: It’s hard to say when my pallet starts to get tired… it tends to largely depend on how much spitting I’m doing. Unless I really can’t stand a wine, I find it very hard to spit. I hate the thought of wasting wine, esp if it’s good! So for me the issue tends to be less about when my tounge gets tired and more the issue of when the affects of the alcohol start to cloud my judgement… I guess that doesnt really answer the question though. Oh well.
November 28, 2007

John Witherspoon (J DUB)
Hey Gary
Cool show – thanks for giving it too us even though your were whipped.

QOTD: I would say probably 40+ and then I can’t pick out individual nuances but can still pick out varietals and stuff. Over 60 and it is a crap shoot. haha

Keep it rockin
J DUB
November 28, 2007

Gretchen Crebs
I was listening, but watching the baby on the computer the whole time.
QOTD: I can only taste well for about a dozen wines.
November 28, 2007

Reeve
What’s with Chad’s jersey up there? You seem to hate the guy!
November 28, 2007

Dan H
Gary. the wine club I’m in, The Wineo Collective, doesn’t usually (really, ever) spit, so my tasting limit is pretty low in this case. I think after about 10-12 I’m losing perspective.
November 28, 2007

sky
love the purple tounge…been there done that, but honestly i usually dont spit (much,anyway) so i get DRUNK at wine tastings before i catch pallete palette? fatigue. Hey im just being honest. then I begin to rant and rave profusely and unnecisarily but its a whole lot of fun especially when you end the evening with some ports or desert wines and they really send you off the deep end.
November 28, 2007

MtnCharlie
QOTD: Haven’t tasted enough wines in one sitting to reach that limit. At most, about 15. Intoxication gets me first.
November 28, 2007

sky
he he he ………….love the baby pics and the blue tounge. way to go gary. keep it up
November 28, 2007

Clinton
I peak out about 20 – 25 wines when winery touring (Okanagan – British Columbia’s wine country). Otherwise, I like to enjoy one or two bottles a week. GV and Winelibrary TV have broadened my horizons significantly. I loved the Shistes from a few weeks back!
November 28, 2007

Erik T.
Gary,

It’s shows like this that makes you the man! When most would give up, you pull through and deliver! Thanks Gary!

QOTD: I also haven’t tasted enough in one sitting to get fatigued. Though, there was this one time when my friend made his own wine in empty milk jugs with Welches grape juice…it only took one taste of that to get fatigued. :/

Erik T.
November 28, 2007

Caribal
Went to a New Zealand tasting recently. After 10-15 Sauvignon Blancs in a row – palate was tired but I sniffed, swirled and sipped on. Then went on to Pinot Noir and found the same feeling.
November 28, 2007

Carly
Great show: I like it when you mix it up a little. We can’t expect you to be the same all the time, and I’m amazed that you were able to get through two more wines after a full day of tasting! Keep up the good work

QOTD: I have yet to attend a wine tasting, so the most wines I’ve had at one time is about 5, but that was over a long 7-course dinner. I don’t think my palate was fatigued after that, but hard to tell since I was not spitting at all!
November 28, 2007

WineHawk
QOTD: Funny you asked that Gary, my fiance and I recently went to a wine tasting at the local community market. I found that after about 35 wines, I became aware of lack of feeling in my entire forehead plus the inability to destigush between the wine and the bottled water that we were using to rinse glasses became. In hindsight it wasnt palate fatigue at all, and we were drinking a majority of the wine not spitting it into our buckets.
November 28, 2007

Jason S.
QOTD: Can’t say I’ve ever reached “fatigue,” but usually can’t taste anything else after having a dessert wine.
November 28, 2007

Phil G
QOTD – I would say that I start losing the ability to really differentiate flavors after 15-20 wines… guess I need to practice more!
November 28, 2007

ryptide
So at what point is one no longer a “lurker” ?

QOTD: I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten fatigued. Of course, I’m not drinking 140 different wines in one day either.
November 28, 2007

BF
QOTD: Usually I’m done after 3 bottles.
November 28, 2007

Stanvh
Nice baby pics. Glad to see that you are a Mac person.

QOTD: Not spitting — about 10 wines. Spitting — I’ve done about 40 at some of the “walk around” tastings and was beginning to fatigue at that point.

Get some rest. I was rooting for the Jets on Thanksgiving but I guess it didn’t help much. Sorry about that.
November 28, 2007

Social Project Brian
I like how people talk about their tired “pallet”. Do they need a forklift?

My “palate” gets tired after about 10-20 wines, depending on mood, food, and other factors. Great little episode Gary, I always end up wanting to buy every wine you try. It’s dangerous to my bank account.
November 28, 2007

Andy
QOTD— Thanks for the love G … I say about 10-15 wines , it tough to stay focused on sight, smell and taste …. It is great to try new things and to remember what they are.
November 28, 2007

BruceP
QOTD: Depends. If it’s a single variety tasting (Pinot Days), then probably after about 30. If I’m mixing it up a bit, I can go up to 50 or 60. The different varietals seem to refresh the palate a bit.
November 28, 2007

Karl B.
Hi Gary,

QOTD: when I visit wineries I start to lose distinctness on my palate after about 25 different wines. Of course, I am not spitting them out as I go along………………..

Who is the baby??

Regards,
Karl B.
November 28, 2007

mbannon
QOD – About 30.

Great baby pics!!
November 28, 2007

Orion Slayer
Holy cow, a purple tongue! How many days does it take your tongue to return to its “normal” color? I’ve had a purple tongue before, but it only took one grape popsicle!

QOTD: The most wines I’ve tasted in one setting has been 15. It was a Rhone tasting. I think my tongue was fine, but my inexperience mind had trouble.
November 28, 2007

B-727
QotD: Only about 20-25 until my palate poops out and my brain gets fuzzy.
November 28, 2007

downtnmark
QotD: Well, when I go tasting, my brain poops out before my palette. I can go about 25 wines and still be able to appreciate each one, but I need to sit down for the ;ast two. So, I do not know what my palette is capable of.

It’s a good thing you weren’t tasting young syrahs, or your teethg would be stained purple too.
November 28, 2007

Gersh
I honestly don’t have the self control to spit, so i usually am feeling the alcohol before I’ve exhaustedly the tounge.
November 28, 2007

Andrew
Hey Gary

QOTD: For me palate fatigue tends to happen at large tastings, especially if all the wines are in a similar style like a recent Medoc tasting I went to. A big part of being able to taste and still be aware is the environment – adequate water, a seat, somewhere to make notes etc.

I believe the best way to casually taste wines is on a day’s winery touring as happens in Australia. You can visit five to ten wineries in a day; at smaller places you often get to talk with the winemaker, you can try a producer’s whole range and by trying a wine on location you build up a relationships with the wine.

Andrew
November 28, 2007

Bernie Bearnaise
I emailed you and mentioned the Sojourn Cellars in my WLTV comments about two or three times a few months ago when I had some that a friend of mine brought back from California. I’m glad you finally got to taste it. They didn’t make too many cases and it reminded me of Caymus also. I am anxious to try their Pinot Noirs which they have taken on the big boys with and won Gold. The story of their winemakers is on the label and they started out playing tennis together and got the idea of producing a quality wine. I believe they buy the grapes and have them crushed in batches. They are in fact a value in the Cali Cabernet Cult category.

I usually am drinking something from across the pond so thanks for the Bergerac tip.

It sounds like too much of a good thing at over a hundred wines. I’ve never had more than 30 or so and you need to take immediate notes if you are going to remember much….Even the slight amount of alchohol absorbed through the membranes of the mouth will add up after a while and take its toll. I give Parker, Vaynerchuk, Tanzer and Meadows great respect for their prolific tasting ability and service provided.

There is a slightly enhanced experience of taste when you swallow and let the wine finish its job at the back of the tongue. I have noticed that whenever you really appreciate the wine you will swallow some to get the whole effect.

BB
November 28, 2007

canadian-kid
QOTD: when im drunk or ive hit about 50 wines….which ever comes first. I try to spit at most tastings but sometimes its too much work to get at the bucket.
November 28, 2007

pawncop
Good show.
Unable to answer the QOTD have rarely tasted more than one bottle at a time
November 28, 2007

Pastafari Pirate
QOTD: never have tried tasting/drinking so much that I’ve reached palate fatigue. Generally only drink 250-350ml per night, occasionally as much as a bottle, but that’s rare. And at just one 750ml, no palate fatigue in sight. So no experiential basis for valid empirical assessment.
November 28, 2007

Herm
Thanks for the show after a long day of wine tasting…..I can’t distinguish aromas, tastes or textures after 6 or 7 wines…..Herm
November 28, 2007

terroirist
After the Holiday shows when the wholesale people are selling their wine – my tongue gets tired after about 20 wines..

are you guys selling the Bordeaux?

terroirist
November 28, 2007

pforty
Great EP!

QOTD: Never reached a tired palate yet, but my nose gets overloaded to the point I can’t discern things quickly. Especially if I can;t figure out what the component is that I know I have smelled before.,
November 28, 2007

KennyPetersenII
Like the off view, thanks for gutting out a Thunder show after a THUNDER Tasting!
November 28, 2007

vivaitalia
My toungue looks like that every night after only drinking one bottle of wine! Thanks alot for still giving us a show after a long hard day, don’t think that it goes unappreciated. The most wines i’ve had at a tasting is about 80 and I was impressed at how my palate held up. The last thing I did was the blind table and won it. Now I always swallow them so I think my head would leave me before my tongue!
November 28, 2007

Nesto
My palate is dead after about 6 or 8 wines – even if I’m spittin’ the whole way.
November 29, 2007

Arttu
Hi!!!

Just to congratulate you for your show!, i think that is a great idea what you are doing and all my circle of friends and me aprecciate your effort. You once answered me about a naive question and i aprecciate that you did it. By the way, I’m writing from Helsinki-Finland…I’m suppose i’m not the only one but anyway is nice to know that your show it’s seen all over the world!

Cheers

Arttu
November 29, 2007

ev
I have heard one should not attempt to try more than 20 wines to effectively taste without palate fatigue. I have experienced a change starting around there. My problem has been at big tastings where I don’t sit down first and pick out my top 25 that I really want to critique for myself, my eyes get too big. After about 40, I feel I’m not being fair to the wines, my customers or myself, so that’s when I relax, have a glass or two (to drink) and NOT critique and relax and enjoy myself because I don’t want to look and feel like GV did in this video. Hey GV, I know.
November 29, 2007

warhwk69
why is there a Pennington jersey on the wall? Why not Testiverde next to it!!
November 29, 2007

Todd Smith
QOTD – I only go to 1 or 2 tastings a year with more than 100 wines and rarely have time to try them all but, I’d say 40-50. As the bad/boring wines begin to blend together, it’s harder to distinguish the flavors. But even then I can still spot a great wine, and can distinguish the flavors in it – balance is the key.
November 29, 2007

SoCal
QOTD: By the second or third bottle
November 30, 2007

tarheel17
Palate fatigue sets in for me at/around 10 wines. Even with spitting. I’m working on increasing that number, of course….
November 30, 2007

Susan
Gary-Is that Erik’s baby??????????????
November 30, 2007

Susan
QOTD: After about 30 wines!!!
November 30, 2007

AaronS
First bottle. What can I say? I’m only in my 4th week.
November 30, 2007

wayno da wino
Yoooo GeeVee!!!
It’s a Tuuuff Job (tastin’ 140 wines), but somebodys
gotta do it!!! Hey, Ya need any help over dhere??

QOTD: Fatigued Palate?? I never got close to 140
wines….dat would be a little much…. Most I ever
did was maybe 20 and da tongue was hangin’ in dhere,
dhouh i was slightly Crocked………
November 30, 2007

Mr.Ambassador
Thanks for the heads-up on the Sojourn; it really sounds like a winner.

QOTD – Concerning palate fatigue: I used to think I would be good for about 15 wines before losing the ability to distinguish various tastes and nuances. After I had the opportunity to attend a vendor tasting I found that I was not having problems differentiating even after 40+ wine samples. It was a fantastic opportunity and really taught me quite a bit about my palate.
November 30, 2007

Matt the Lurker
QOTD – well I drink wines, not just taste them. So I’d say around 10 to 20 or so. Don’t call me a lightweight either because I’ll pound a few yager bombs and go straight back to drinking wine. Anyway, pallet fatigue is good times.
December 1, 2007

zach m.
Wow I actually was writing a paper when I watched this episode lol. Gary have you considered being a psychic?
December 1, 2007

winelynn
Enjoy the show GV! Five is my favorite tasting number. Keep bringing the thunder!!
December 1, 2007

yowens
GV- I like an episode here or there with a different format and with wines you have tried already. QOTD: 5-10
December 2, 2007

The Oak Monster
I showed up today and Gary still liked me.

The Oak Monster
December 2, 2007

lee
I have not exceeded 100 too many times, but at one IMPORTANT tasting I hit the wall right around 100. And i was not able to do my best with the cotes de nimes, and the languedoc.
December 2, 2007

Ant'ny
QOTD: Depends on the day. If we end out tasting a bunch we like, I can go through about 2 dozen before everything starts tasting the same. If we end out not liking a bunch of stuff we’ve tasted, then 6 to 12 will be about the limit!
December 2, 2007

jason
QOTD: i did about 100 to 120 wines over the period of 4 to 5 hours and by the end, my mouth was kicked. the best thing was that i spit pretty much the whole time except for those really nice ones, i felt bad spitting. i will say though that after 100 wines , there were some wines that i tasted that blew my sox off . i ran to my friend and said, you must try this st. emilion!

peace
j
December 3, 2007

Karl Laczko
Nice episode, probably the only one I’ve watched where I kept having to remember to re-focus back on you and what you were saying, the cute baby pictures on the Mac in the background were ace!

QOTD – I’ve only made it to a couple of large wine tastings, each about 40 bottles. By the end I was glad it was over, I think I was still OK to taste, but couldn’t have gone on much longer.
December 4, 2007

Cliff and Darcey
What a TROOPER!

QOTD: I’ve only tasted perhaps 40 different wines in a sitting and didn’t feel palate-fatigue, per se, then, BUT … if I swallow every time, THEN I admit that it is harder to discern the layers of complexity, though I can still tell swill from elixir!

Thanks GV for all you do … as I always say: You’ve changed OUR wine world … rest assured that what you do makes a big difference.
December 4, 2007

Angela
wow! that is a lot of wine tasting. still catching up on a lot of missed episodes, thanks for all your hard work!
QOTD: went wine tasting yesterday, 5 wineries, about 50 wines, lots of spitting and a tired tongue.
December 5, 2007

JayZee
Catching up on a lot of episodes – good one, GV. You are fun when you’re “loopy”!

QOTD: The most wines I’ve ever tasted was probably this June when I toured Paso Robles. I think the one day, my wife and I tried about 50 wines and I think that may have been about the limit. The last wines we tried were at Four Vines and I could still distinguish flavors/aromas, but I doubt I could have been effective with many more. So I’ll go with 50!
December 10, 2007

Skippy
ok ok no lurking! My palate is still pretty immature, so after half a dozen or so I start to lose focus.
December 11, 2007

GR8Wine
I like the episode and even though you hesitate to reco a $40 wine, it’s a good deal if it’s comparable to $70-$125 price point wines.
QOTD: Depends on whether I’m spitting or not. If I’m not I start to lose it after only a dozen or so. I’ve never had the opportunity to taste more than 80 in a controlled environment when I was spitting. I was doing OK on that one when I finished but probably getting close to when I would tire.
February 8, 2008

sev
I appreciate your dedication.

QOTD: I have been to two big trade tastings and after about 30-40 wines I can’t really taste anything specific. I am a pretty new, unfocused taster though.
December 30, 2008

Dessert Wine Nerd
Ok first off I have to point out your wonderful Pennington jersey in the background. As a longtime Dolphins ( Seahawks first ) fan, I thank your front office for the trade. Do I think the Jets would have won with Pennington? No, but worked out for us in the end. *grin* Secondly, sorry about that massive tasting. That had to be painful. Thanks for bucking up and doing a show for us, i love you too. QOTD: Im not sure. Ive been to two restaurant trade tastings ( pays to be in the business!! ) and theyre small ones ( local wineries ), but it was still upwards of 60 wines or more I tasted. I didnt feel any fatigue, but I did get smashed both times. God I need to learn to spit!
November 13, 2009

Phredd
QOTD: Went to a vendor tasting recently, and I hit my limit around 60. I kept going, but after that it was pretty tough. Too bad, because I’d saved some of the powerhouses in the room for last. I also learned that it is possible to get tipsy even with religious spitting. Strange to be spitting $100 champagne, but I still had to take a break before driving home.