Malbec vs Malbec – Episode #417

February 27, 2008

It’s the new world vs the old world as Gary Vaynerchuk continues with the head to head battle of Malbecs from France and Argentina.

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Comments on this episode(329) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: Just had a craving the other day for black forest gateau, chocol…” by richardvinifera
“I rarely eat dessert, but probably anything my mother makes me. Chees…” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Origine CahorsCahors
2006 Punto Final Classico MalbecArgentine Malbec

329 Responses

February 27, 2008

Hinrgman
I’ll try to be there..
February 27, 2008

Hinrgman
1st 2 days in a row!!!
February 27, 2008

Panosh
Wow. hit it right today.
February 27, 2008

GregStefos
Four!
February 27, 2008

Hinrgman
QOTD – teramesu
February 27, 2008

Anthony L.
Malbecs are very cool
February 27, 2008

BargePlus
Haven’t finished watching this episode, but wanted to weigh in with my thanks for putting together these royale matchups. And now with one of favorites: Malbec
February 27, 2008

Dr. Mike
QOTD: NY Cheese Cake
February 27, 2008

DavidB
Love the melbac and Argentina wines are getting better and better
February 27, 2008

David L
Fruit and cheese plate.
February 27, 2008

NeutralAngel
QOTD: Mmmm, banana spring rolls from P.F.Chang’s sound pretty delicious right now!
February 27, 2008

Susan
Gary & Mott- Malbec?? LOVE Malbec!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 27, 2008

BiggRigg
some chocolate truffles and port has always been my favorite dessert.
February 27, 2008

Panosh
QOTD: Homemade Tahitian Vanilla Custard Ice Cream with a drizzle of 100 year old basalmic vinegar.
February 27, 2008

MW_DM,IA
QOTD: May be a little boring for some, but angelfood cake, strawberries, vanilla ice cream, it takes me back home.
February 27, 2008

sobojosh
15
February 27, 2008

MagnumGourmet
Top 20…Woo Hoo!
February 27, 2008

Anthony L.
QOTD: Cannoli
February 27, 2008

musicmanryan
I have always found Malbecs to be hit or miss. I can honestly say that one Malbec, and fortunately I forgot the name, was the first wine I truly disliked. However, if you find the right one, i.e. Crios, it can be a great, and unique experience. Good episode–short and sweet.

QOTD–I just made a really good batch of Ol’ Fashioned Apple Crisp, which I guess would be my favorite dessert currently.

Cheers!
February 27, 2008

Loweeel
Top 20 I hope!
February 27, 2008

DavidB
QOTD: I tend to like olives and cheese after dinner with more wine, but if I had to go sweet either straight dark chocolate or cheese cake.
February 27, 2008

Bob Sherron
QOTD: Carrot Cake. So much so that we attempted Carrot Cake Soup ala Penny Arcade: http://crackerandcheese.com/?p=347
February 27, 2008

Dave Canada
Gotta be Creme brulee…boring I know but damn good!
February 27, 2008

Loweeel
QOTD: Favorite dessert is currently Tawny Port (or the Aussie takes on it).
February 27, 2008

Roro
Darn, just missed the top 20! Haven’t seen the episode yet, but looking forward to it. I haven’t really liked liked any Malbecs in the past. Not bad, just not my thang.

QOTD: big warm brownie w/ chocolate syrup a la super mode.
February 27, 2008

Susan
Gary- You were speechless??? WHAT?????????
February 27, 2008

KNode
QOTD: I love anything and everything that has to do with apples. If there is some kind of apple crisp, cobbler, or tart on a dessert menu then there is a very high probability that I will choose it every time. Make sure it’s warm and add a scoop of Vanilla Bean and I am in heaven!
February 27, 2008

MagnumGourmet
QOTD – It’s hard to beat a good slice of cheesecake.
February 27, 2008

sobojosh
QOTD: Chocolate volcano cake, scoop of caramel ice cream
February 27, 2008

Robertico el cantante
QOTD: Dark Belgian chocolate

See you on the 29th
February 27, 2008

Susan
Gary-QOTD: Favorite is hum…… have to choose 2: angel food cake & tiramisu.
February 27, 2008

cameron w
Cheese.
February 27, 2008

Shadowbird
Digging the sort of announcing the card thing at the beginning of each episode this week.

QOTD: I had chocolate chip cookies for dessert yesterday at lunch. Yummy.
February 27, 2008

sharon
QotD:Hot caramel sundae.
February 27, 2008

Phil G
QOTD – it is more candy than dessert, but I really like Kinder Bueno imported chocolate bars…
February 27, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: At the moment, home made chocolate chip cookies.
February 27, 2008

Beardo
QOTD: I would have to say…umm…fried pastry creme with orange marmalade, yum.
February 27, 2008

eyezonwine
fresh baked choc. chip cookies
February 27, 2008

dank
QOTD: strawberry cheesecake

to echo the sentiment from the show, Malbec is definitely a solid solid purchase and a great and serviceable wine. rolls through at under $10, and simple.. fine by me..
February 27, 2008

Patrick
QOTD: Vanilla yogurt (all natural) covered with grated dark chocolate and a few pieces of dark chocolate thrown in the bowl. Damn good.
February 27, 2008

Dano
chocolate bread pudding from the lighthorse tavern – jersey city nj
February 27, 2008

Shawn
Punto Final Reserve is excellent – not a fan of the regular !
February 27, 2008

John P
QOTD: Has to be Taramisui(spelling?)
I do not like most Malbec’s(Argentina), and none under $10….
just a lot of bad experiences with them….
February 27, 2008

Boog
QOTD: Really good hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla on it and a Bailey’s on the rocks.

Got my Secret De Cardinal today. I’m GEEKED!!!!!
February 27, 2008

AZTrojan
QOTD- Half backed macademia nut white chocolate cookie dough with vanilla ice cream on top – aka pizookie.

Love the Malbecs – Alamos from Argentina is my favorite and rolls in under $10!
February 27, 2008

Kirk (AKA: slave2thevine)
QOTD: I went to a wine tasting about a month ago and someone made Brownies with raspberries in them…it was great. i really really enjoyed them and have thought about them more than once since then….
February 27, 2008

T. Reasoner
Mango’s specifically a molokai variety that is awesome served with mint.

aloha,

TLR
February 27, 2008

Samuel Paes
PUNTO FINAL is a great everyday wine!
this one I have in Brazil
this producer is very careful with his wines, but I believe it will be better in a couple of year, no doubt about.
February 27, 2008

GrapeStuff
QOTD: Favorite dessert is an english pudding with caramel sauce from a place in Oakland called Bakesale Betties – it is run by the previous dessert chef from Chez Panisse – and you can get the dessert to go and just heat it up at home. Absolutely amazing!!
February 27, 2008

Grapedog
QOTD- Been kickin it old school with rhubarb custard pie… can’t beat it!!!

Malbec is my favorite everyday wine, always have several bottles from different producers on hand. I don’t find many wines in the $8-10 range that can stand up to a decent malbec.
February 27, 2008

JeffK
Great haircut Gary, you kinda have a Keyser SÃ¶ze look going on!

Anyhow thanks for the great match up. I totally agree with you, one great thing about Malbec is the price point where you can still find good malbec for cheap. I’ve been enjoying the Terrazas Alto Malbec from Argentina, a great deal for under $10!

QOTD: My favorite dessert right now is the “warm butter cake” served at Mastro’s steak house. Once you go “warm butter cake”, you never go back! Seriously though, you have to try it!
February 27, 2008

JohnBlueLabel
GV,
Love the format, and the shorter episodes. Much easier to commit to watching every day.
Favorite dessert: Key Lime pie from Sweete Shoppe Bakery
February 27, 2008

underivy
QOTD: Crusty Italian bread, toasted with a little butter, black currant jelly and bleu cheese on the side. Yum!
February 27, 2008

NC Carl
My Ice Cream – Cheesecake Base, Caramel Variegate
February 27, 2008

VinoVixen
hmmmm it is Spring time and it is cadbury carmel egg season…gotta vote for them! Probably go nicely with a 20yr Tawny!
February 27, 2008

Chippewamike
QOTD: Tiramasu! Love it when I can find it.

Great show. Enjoy the rest of the FLA trip!
February 27, 2008

Kev and Ams
QOTD: Fresh Blueberries.
February 27, 2008

Derek
Great show…I iam a big malbec fan

QOTD: chocolet moose
February 27, 2008

bigmay
QOTD: Have to go with English Toffee Hagen-Dazs. Amazing and easy.
February 27, 2008

PeterT
QOTD: homemade Tiramisu made with mascarpone cheese and real Italian ladyfingers.

I really like the new head to head format with two glasses. Maybe you should consider using multiple glasses when you go back to old format as it definitly will save time and you can easily go back and forth between wines.

Love the Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec from Mendoza
February 27, 2008

John Jackson
QOTD: I’ve been really craving some PB&J recently.
February 27, 2008

Jaybird
QOTD: There is a bakery in my town and they make a crumb cake with a layer of custard in the center, impossible for me to turn a piece down. For something easier it would have to be chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.
February 27, 2008

TeelaJBrown
QOTD: My sis made an apple pie from a recipe in (no lie) the new Disney Cookbook — the apple pie came from one of the hotel restaurants in Orlando. This was the BEST apple pie I’ve ever had! Recipe called for caramel in the pie with candied ginger — phenomenal taste and with some vanilla bean ice cream to top it — decadent.

I need to try more Malbecs…
February 27, 2008

Greg B.
Big G, Wow not even 9 minutes and no Links for the Mottster.

QOTD: Port of course…….
February 27, 2008

Leslie
Banana pudding with ‘nilla wafers!
February 27, 2008

Joe Po
Gary,

These little grape battles are great! Thanks for the thought.
QOTD: Tiramisu can be the best.
February 27, 2008

Snogging
QOTD: Creme Brulee…Just made it this past weekend with fresh fruit on the top.
February 27, 2008

LudwigVan
What’s going on? 62 coments? Thats all? QOTD: Creme Brule.
February 27, 2008

georgie k
my kind of battle. both priced for me and my CKC. I actually had the punto final with a few buds and we loved it. maybe our newbie, underdeveloped pals enjoyed the simplicity. QOTD: rich raspberry cheesecake. What’s the wine equivalent to raspberry cheesecake? i should find that out.
February 27, 2008

Neil
Gotta go with applepie a la mode.
February 27, 2008

Gdizzle
QOTD: Panna cotta hands down.
February 27, 2008

Erica37
Gary – I am in love with Claim Jumper’s Lemon Bar Brulee. Its a good thing there isn’t a Claim Jumpers in Walla Walla or I’d be in poor physical condition. I liked the Malbec show-down! I’ll need to get my hands on some Malbec since I’m a novice at the moment.
February 27, 2008

Palmer
QOTD: generally I’m a cheesecake guy, unless you hit me with a really good chocolate souffle or my mom’s apple pie.
February 27, 2008

Linderelli
You should try Walla Walla Vintners Malbec (2005) – it’s near perfect. . . for me anyway. And sold out, not distributed. But the Whoopem Up Hollow Cafe still has it on their wine list. LOVELY I have had a few others, namely Lo Tengo, in that
February 27, 2008

Mandy
It would be cool if there was this kind of showdown at least once a week.
February 27, 2008

Fangorn81
QOTD: Do I even like dessert? Not, really…but carrot cake is one of my favorites when I swing that way.
February 27, 2008

Mike L
QOTD: Lately I’ve been enjoying my girlfriend’s brownies. Totally kick ass.

I’m enjoying the head to head shows…I agree, one of those a week would be awesome..we just need some Rocky B music!
February 27, 2008

Vette Tony
QOTD: Ice Cream – Either B&G Cookie Dough or Strawberry.
February 27, 2008

Syrahhhhhhhhh
OH, I tell ya, I really miss the coconut lemon cake at the Silver Grill diner in Atlanta, GA. I lived in the area for 10 years in the decade of the 90s and that dessert was just like old fashioned Southern cooking, comfort food. If I had a Southern Grandma, that’s how she would have done it.
February 27, 2008

JC
QOTD: A chocolate shake made with quality ice cream (aka Taylors, Haagen Dazs..)
February 27, 2008

billyg
Not a big dessert fan. A small piece of very dark chocolate with some red wine once in a while is good.

I like the battle format and the 10-15 minute shows.
February 27, 2008

purplejuicebruce
The local bakery makes something called a Raspberry Devil Dog, that is out of this world. There is a layer of chocolate devils food cake with a large dollop of raspberry moose covered in a hard shell dark chocolate. And when paired with a nice red wine it can’t be beat.
February 27, 2008

mikey lennon
QOTD: My favorite desserts are all of em, I have a massive sweet tooth that gets me in trouble whenever it is around. But all in all its either scotcharoo’s, seven layer bars, cheese cake, or some good ole fashioned chocolate chip cookies. Oh and mint chocolate chip ice cream as well.
February 27, 2008

KVolk
QOTD: Since chocolate is a sweet I will say homemade fruit pies or cobblers ala mode.

GV loving the head to wine tasting very cool.
February 27, 2008

KVolk
uh head to head that is…….
February 27, 2008

Adam A.
QOTD – Apple Cobbler!
February 27, 2008

Primo Bo
QOTD: Cannoli! Nothing is better than a good cannoli. The fact that they are becoming increasingly elusive outside the NYC area makes them all the more special when you find them. In the south its like hunting down Big Foot. You would be lucky to find a bakery.
February 27, 2008

AVP
QOTD: Apfelstrudel – but in the end any quality sweet wine and/or a cheese plate will do.
February 27, 2008

Christopher J
Thats easy, Cherry Pie in general. And, a restaurant I love to visit in Chicago makes an awesome raspberry pie.
February 27, 2008

Hamid
QOTD: Cheesecake… yum.
February 27, 2008

*/^_^\*
qotd: this moment and any other…. tiramisu
February 27, 2008

Sayle
QOTD: Honey. Yes, I said it. Nothing tackles your sweet tooth and makes it beg for mercy more than drinking (I did say drinking) some Buckwheat Honey. Gross you say? I say, “Have You Tried It?”

GV- Had the Punto Final 2005 RESERVE and it rocked…I think it is about $15 a bottle…white label.
February 27, 2008

Dominick Mack
QOTD – PECAN PIE
February 27, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: blueberries
Looking forward to the 2006 Posta del Vinatero Cocina
February 27, 2008

laurie in VT
QOTD: Dried fruit -figs, apricots, dates, strawberries (yes, strawberries)- dipped in dark Callebaut chocolate. Or the jam-filled molasses cookies I make from my mom’s recipe.
February 27, 2008

The Shadow
Sign me up for cheesecake all the way, unless you have a cannoli handy
February 27, 2008

EvanR
QOTD: Ice cream, pretty much any flavor
February 27, 2008

Marshall
QOTD: Cherry pie and blue moon ice cream, but not together.
February 27, 2008

HungryChuck
Hey GV, Why did you select such cheap malbecs?…….(8 bones)…. hard to believe you’d get a quality product at that level (given the cheap dollar)…..
February 27, 2008

allan
holy grapevines batman – I’m driving home from work and thinking “man, Gary should do a battle royal between Malbecs” as France is where the malbec grape was traditionally used in blending to soften a wine, and Argentina is known most famously for growing malbecs – and whad-do-ya-know, he pulls out the match of matches – great job and great wines think alike (i mean ‘minds’)
February 27, 2008

M K CT
I don’t know why
I like cold custard pie.
February 27, 2008

chenrys
Glad you tried some inexpensive Malbecs…and they were not too bad. We enjoy finding wines in that price range for every day.

QOTD: A nice glass of red wine.
February 27, 2008

The Fanjestic
Qotd: Strawberriers and Hersheys chocolate sauce. We don’t have any Vanilla ice cream or that would be in there too!
February 27, 2008

Robert Howells
Chocolate fondue with fresh fruit.
February 27, 2008

JonE
Crios for the money G-Man.

QOTD: I still dream of the green tea Haagen Dasz from when I worked ion Japan. Although Cannoli and cheesecake are always my personal dessert battle royale.
February 27, 2008

J.F.
Great episode! I’ve always been curious about wine from Cahors. I would gladly purchase a bottle from your store, but alack, I live in GA and we have draconian laws pertaining to the shipment of wines across state lines.
February 27, 2008

Ted Vaughn
Hagan Daz – Mayan Chocolate ice cream….unbelievable…it changed my life. I met Jesus in it…along w/ some serious cinnamon and coco. Eat that w/ a cheap malbec and the wine only gets better.

TV
February 27, 2008

Taylor
Loving the week, but i think i would go for the cahor instead.
QOTD I had a great flourless chocolate cake the other night it was pretty amazing.
February 27, 2008

Sassodoro
I haven’t had a lot of Malbecs, but among the ones I’ve had there have been some huge differences in style, to the point that I don’t think I would recognize some of the wines as being made from the same grape variety. I guess I’ll just have to try more of them to get a clearer idea of how they vary.

QOTD. I don’t eat it often, because I’m usually watching my weight, but I do like chocolate and I do like vanilla ice cream.
February 27, 2008

ev
qod- curry coconut ice cream……………..YUM!
February 27, 2008

Dominus
Very good show showcasing a varietal that is making a splash though can be hit-or-miss but for 8 bones becomes a no-brainer. Maybe a Riesling faceoff between Germany and say Australia. I’m guessing a blitzkrieg would be the result.

QOTD: Good one . . . it depends on the season and where I’m having the dessert. Summertime at the beach it has to be Key Lime Pie and during the rest of year I’m in heaven with a very nice creme brulee and a glass of Sauterne. Ahhhhhhhhh

Cheers!

P.S. This 2000 Gravner Bianco Brege is burning a hole in my wine frig. Should I drink it now?
February 27, 2008

Senor Sangria
QOTD: Chocolate Cream Pie or Cheesecake from Whole Foods… it is very very good….
February 27, 2008

Social Project Brian
Gary, dig the haircut – Travolta at the Oscars! http://partyhopper.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/forest_john.jpg

As for Mott’s moptop – yeah, I’ve been advocating for Mott’s face to get onto the Link It Up, Mott! (LIUM) t-shirt. That would be redonkulously cool.

I’m enjoying the new head-to-head New World/Old World (NW/OW) format. Less linear, but good for comparison. How about an ultimate Wrestlemania with Monastrell vs. Mourvedre, Petite Syrah vs. Dourif, and Zinfandel vs. Primitivo.

QOTD: Favorite dessert? Caramels.

User participation idea: How about putting up 15 wines for voting, and the top 4 will be an episode?

Good, tight show today. Thanks for being there.
February 27, 2008

Zinny
Great show, Gary! Malbec is a favorite of ours – coincidentally, making beef bourguignon w/ 2 Argentinian malbecs tonight – decided spontaneously while in the wine shop this afternoon! The Archaval Ferrer 2006 and the Catena 2005 are what I got. I read the comment from Allen as well . .freaky . .must be a Malbec vibe in the air today. Keep up the good work!
February 27, 2008

Katherine
Please don’t knock the Midwest. Without Midwestern American corn this world might just stop turning. I’m not kidding. And without the Chicago Cubs this world would definitely stop turning. Midwestern grocery stores aren’t any worse than grocery stores anywhere else.

QOTD: I’m on a peppermint ice cream kick. Made from milk from Wisconsin (yes, another MIDWESTERN state) cows with more butter fat than you dreamed possible. If you have to ask about the fat content of this ice cream, you shouldn’t have it.
February 27, 2008

Barb C
Mmmmmmm….I’d love a glass of that Malbec from Cahors right now. Too bad you can’t ship to Massachusetts.
QOTD: Creme Brulee! Or pecan pie or cherry pie. And the rest of the bottle of Malbec!
February 27, 2008

chateaunoname
Desert about two hours after the meal. Strawberry/Rhubarb pie with french vanilla bean ice cream. Hurt me.
February 27, 2008

Andy Hanson
QOTD: I like warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream on top…my wife is a fan of warm chocolate fudge brownies with vanilla ice cream. Great episode Gary, we’ll have to get some Malbecs and try them out.
February 27, 2008

Happyuke
Hey Gary
February 27, 2008

lawschooldrunk
great episode, gary. yeah, it was a beautiful day today- if you were dressed for the wind chill. nice haircut, too, but I would say to keep the insulation until spring arrives.

good match up today even though none of the wines were kosher. Any kosher malbecs that you recommend?

there was one spit you did today that wasn’t blocked by the bucket- now I see how its done

care to do a battle of ports? or kosher v non-kosher? how about matching wines from politically different countries/areas and see how their “policies” battle out.

get fa’shnikin!
February 27, 2008

Kristen
Loving Malbec from both regions- I need to try more, thanks for the inspiration!
QOTD: I’m a classic chocolate and PB girl. My friend made this awesome choc moose the other night for our Oscar party that I can still taste. But as I am trying to expand my wine pal I am also trying new foods. I’ve never been a cream pie fan but I recently had a banana cream tartlet topped with homemade english toffe candy that rocked. Try new foods!!
February 27, 2008

late-start
QOTD: easy one-my grandmother’s blueberry pie
February 27, 2008

Tom T.
QOTD – flan, or mint chocolate chip ice cream, or cheese cake.
February 27, 2008

GregO
I appreciate the shorter episodes. I don’t have a half an hour everyday to watch WLTV.
February 27, 2008

Fiorentina!
Probably a Blueberry, Apple, Cherry, or Blackberry pie….seems to be a pretty popular choice.
February 27, 2008

antony
Last couple of nights I’ve been woirking my way through a box of left over luxury Valentines Day chocolates I found on sale in the supermarket… all by myself. Not glamorous but delcious.

Malbec… I just got back from South America where I did 2 weeks fairly solid work on the Malbec followed by another 2 weeks almost exclusively on Carmeniere. I was down for nailing them. There are obviously great examples of both but, on balance, I think the Carmen’ has more to offer – more punch and verve. Carmen’ can also be SCREAMINGLY good value.
February 27, 2008

MattUS
Great show! QOTD: Right now I am really into Girl Scout thin mint cookies straight out of the freezer, nice and cold. Even put some over the Thin Mint ice cream, now that was a treat!
February 27, 2008

Turd
Man, reading all these desserts makes me realize how much I like dessert. I love them all but key lime pie or ice cream sandwiches does it for me….ooh, or one of those molten chocolate cakes with ice cream.
February 27, 2008

Sharon
QOTD: So many… one of my all-time faves is Indian Pudding, warmed, with vanilla ice cream. Yummmmmmm. It’s basically corn meal, molasses, and butter. Not a low-cal treat, certainly!
February 27, 2008

John Farrin
Alright, I’m a week and a half late but I opened my second bottle of 2004 La Noblaie Chinon Les Chiens-Chiens tonight and, fortunately, there was something really wrong with the first bottle that I had last year. Is Cabernet Franc my favorite varietal? No. But at least I don’t think that all of you who do like it are completely out of your minds.

QOTD: Blowing my own horn, probably my original Chocolate Triflemisu, a cross between a chocolate trifle and tiramisu.
February 27, 2008

FJDR
QOTD: Pie – apple, pecan or pumpkin, with whipped cream on top.

QOTD2: What am I gonna do when the Mott runs wild on me? Run away, run away!
February 27, 2008

Withnail
QOTD: cheese.
Sweets don’t interest me at all anymore, but I like trying all kinds of cheeses.
February 27, 2008

vivianovino
QOTD: Gooey butter cake!
February 27, 2008

Kristi
I always have a profound addiction to cheese and breads but right now I’m into tomatoes. I’m planting 9 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes.
February 27, 2008

Kristen
I like Social Project Brian’s idea of viewers choosing some wines for GV to try. And funny, I was having some Trapiche Malbec ($7) tonight. It was pretty rough at the start (a gross burnt rubber smell) but after decanting it’s definitely serviceable.

QOTD: Don’t even get me started on desserts! Well, you did so here goes. If I was in France, it’d be those small cups of cheap mousse au chocolat noir from Carrefour. I would go though at least two of them every night!

But nowadays it’s either Ben and Jerry’s (Americone Dream or Vermonty Python) or these really cool espresso/chocolate mousse things that I found at Trader Joes yesterday. Mmmmm…think I might eat one now!
February 27, 2008

kaybee
I like the malbec I’ve tried so far. (bought a case of one that was super)

QoTd
In order: chocolate cake, (dense and dark), lemon meringue pie, tiramisu.
February 27, 2008

Antonio TouriÃ±o
Nice Malbec episode GV. I have to agree that the Malbec is, generally speaking a great QPR. Here in Panama, Argentinian wines can be bought very cheap so it’s even better QPR here. Cheers!
February 27, 2008

Alex
cheese cake is the best… and good ice cream.
February 27, 2008

jfoobar
QOTD: Peanut butter pie
February 27, 2008

RickyB
QOTD- profeitiroles
February 27, 2008

Mark from Hackettstown
GV, Love the format of putting two wines head-to-head.

Favorite dessert of the moment is Good Humor Toasted Almond ice cream bars.

Also, nice Randy “Mancho Man” Savage quote at the end of the show. Loving the 80’s WWF toys. My mother has a ton of that stuff sitting in her attic.
February 27, 2008

Carly
Love the haircut. So stylin’, my man!

QOTD: Plum tart! I made it for Valentine’s Day for me and my sweetie, and it is the BOMB DIGGITY. Check out the recipe/review on my blog: http://bringtoaboil.blogspot.com/2008/02/valentines-day-extravaganza-plum-tart.html
February 27, 2008

kaybee
Hey you Washington WA peeps,
I just want to give a shout out to you. All the good value wine from WA is better than Cali. where they boost the price for what? I’ve been impressed with the Columbia Valley, Walla Walla quality. Cheers!
February 27, 2008

bfrankphoto
QOTD: Recently had a really, really good CrÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e with fresh raspberries and mint. So good.
February 27, 2008

CoolHandLuke
Can’t say I am a big dessert guy. but once in a while I would be tempted by a chocolate souffle
February 27, 2008

Moselman
QOTD: Currently, carrot cake can be really scrumpt-dilly-icious. Would quite enjoy nightly battle royale between a couple of slices of different ladies’ offerings.
In earlier times, in Germany where they knew how to make it dry as a bone rather than North American pudding-y, CHEESECAKE was a passion.

Oh, and almost forgot, saskatoon pie, once a year; our saskatoon tree produces the juiciest, most heavenly-tasting crop of berries just in time for a Canada Day pie (July 1st). Also for you furriners, saskatoon trees/bushes are somewhat analogous to shadbush/serviceberry or amelanchier canadensis. No taste remotely like cooked saskatoons!
February 27, 2008

Dan Fontaine
ben and jerry’s anything!
February 27, 2008

Brian Kachel
Aww man… favorite dessert is Tiramisu by far… I love it! It’s gotta be a good one from an italian dessert maker… although Fresh Market here in Raleigh has one of the best!

Rought day.. week at work.. sitting here polishing off a bottle of Dubakelle Pinot by myself as I watch about the malbecs.. I may have to finish this off and open up a malbec.. really rough week.

Gary… we better see you in Raleigh!!! Don’t forget my offer to host an after party/tasting!
February 27, 2008

E-Dub
E-Dub had to respond when Gary threw up “the dub” tonight!!!

QOTD: Wife’s homemade creme brulee. Light, fluffy texture with some real vanilla seeds and the carmelized top. Doesn’t even need fruit, but throw on some fresh red rasberries and that is heaven.

BTW love the head to head format. As others have said, this is certainly the way to learn the most about wine. I just wish I could roll deep enough to open two bottles every night!
February 27, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
Penney made homemade Somoas, and those are pretty rocking. Honestly I’m not a huge dessert person.
February 27, 2008

agentorange
QOTD: Lacey’s dark chocolate almond cookies (Whole Foods)

Yum.
February 27, 2008

Andy
Man Malbec is a cool wine dude, Go to go New World though. People really don’t know that Malbec is used sometimes in a Bordeaux wine gives it more structure.
QOTD—- Apple pie w/ice cream
February 27, 2008

Adam_W
QOTD: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
February 27, 2008

Rhonda
I just got some Trader Joes Cherry Granola cookies and I can’t stop eating them!!

The new haircut looks great!
February 27, 2008

John Cabot
Sundays, good ice cream, high quality melted chocolate. toasted cashews,- it’s the bomb!
Drinking a 2006 Pasqual Toso Malbec, Argentena. Very good for around ten bones. Definately a major buy.
February 27, 2008

dz
Chocolate souffle with a little whip cream and a scoop of real vanilla-bean ice-cream. If you’re on the big island of Hawaii, go to Roy’s and try this, it was the best $9 I ever spent.
February 27, 2008

SGoodwin
QOTD – although I’m a fool for anything peanut butter related, my all time favoority dessert, now and forever, is ice box cake. To die for…
February 27, 2008

Mario Salas
QOTD: Can never go wrong with a hearty slice of carrot cake or bread pudding.
February 27, 2008

Obama_Man
Good episode, I love my 12$ bottle of Malbec!

QOTD: I’ve been a big fan of carrot cake these days!
February 27, 2008

J vandersloot
My wifes chocolate chip cookies
February 27, 2008

KyserSoze
QOTD: I like a nice cigar with a glass of 20 year tawny port.
February 27, 2008

Little Jonny H
I love the price point, GV. I haven’t had and old world malbec, but will be sure to give a Cahors a shot if I find one at my local shops. I’ve been pleased with the value of those I’ve had from SA, but overall they’re just not my style. Too one dimensional/fruity.

QOTD: Bread Puddings
February 27, 2008

Billyd
Homemade vanilla Ice cream with just picked blackberries slightly simmered with a little sugar..
February 27, 2008

Gabriel
I really dig Malbec. There was a 2004 Finca el Portillo, Bodega Salenstien (or something), that was pretty decent that should be around the 8 bones range back home we used to be able to pick up here. The 2006 vintage tastes like they made it from rubbing alcohol even after decanting or leaving open for a few hours. It’s fun to drink blue berry bomb sometimes, though.

Desserts….anything with chocolate in it. I’m not picky.
February 27, 2008

Cosmo108
QOTD: ice cream with a little bit of sea salt
February 27, 2008

dustin
yo gary,

my fav. sweet is japanese daifuku. its a gooey rice ball filled with sweet bean paste. you can also get em filled with fruit (grape, banana, strawberry, orange)
you ever had one?

be easy,

dustin
February 27, 2008

NB_SPAZZ
Have only had Malbecs from Argentina so far. Will have to look for an old world one to sample. Thanks for the heads up.
QOTD: Homemade lemon meringue pie when looking for something with sugar, and Swedish Vort Limpa bread with cream cheese when eschewing the glucose goblins.
February 27, 2008

BryanJ
QOTD: Key Lime Pie topped with whipped cream.
February 27, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: Cheesecake.
February 27, 2008

Sev
Fun show! I love Argentinian Malbec, incredible values! La Linda is a recent favorite. Gary could you please get drunk on the show one day? I know it might be a little unprofessional, but I bet there are a lot of people out there who would find it extremely entertaining! Just a thought…

QOTD: Favorite dessert at the moment is anything with a peanut butter and chocolate combo. I am an absolute sucker for it.
February 27, 2008

Paul
Key Lime pie is my all time fav. The wife and I have tasted pie from Florida to Texas, and have found many variations. Some bad, some good, and a few make it to great.
Malbec has always proven to be a good value for the price.
February 27, 2008

Nathan
QOTD: Cheesecake, period. It can be done in so many ways but still maintains that cheesecakey goodness, lol.

On a side note. I love the actual side to side comparison format that you have going on right now. The shows are short but I feel they still bring “the thunder”. It actually seems to give me a slightly better understanding of each of the wines. My only recommendation would be to add a couple of minutes to explain a little more about how each wine compares or differs to similar wines in the region from where it hails. Only because as a person with limited ability to taste larger amounts of wine it would help me put a little more knowledge with the flavor.
February 27, 2008

tuscanbob
Not a huuuuge fan of Malbecs, but I enjoyed a Bodega Norton Reserva recently. Overall the Argentinian Malbecs are simply too hot and too overdone. I haven’t had any French Malbecs…I’ll have to give them a whirl.

I’m not a big dessert guy but my wife makes a spectacular flan. Put a canoli in front of me and it will disappear quick. Love real gelato…any flavor, especially pistachio. If you’re ever in Rome there’s a chain of gelaterias called Blue…yowza. Guess I am sort of a dessert guy after all.
February 27, 2008

In Vino Veritas
I like these head to head match-ups. Very interesting. I don’t think I’ve tried Malbec yet. These two wines are in my price range. Maybe I’ll do a little head to head comparison this weekend. Thanks.
February 27, 2008

pete c
No like Malbec.

QOTD- panna cotta, but only in Italia
February 27, 2008

Hugh
QOD: anything with semi or bittersweet chocolate
February 27, 2008

nougat
Bananas Foster
Bread Pudding
Warm strawberry-rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream
Flan

All tied for first place.
February 27, 2008

Pastafari Pirate
Argentine Malbecs are rockin QPRs!! Mendoza in da Howse!

QOTD: at the moment, sour cream doughnuts. But I have a sudden craving for raspberry-rhubarb pie.
February 27, 2008

E
Authentic key lime pie, esp. the kind I made earlier in the evening.

Pity you didn’t have any Pepiere Cot, wonderful light and bright stuff that’s neither harsh nor overly frooty, and changes your whole idea of what malbec can be.

Speakin’ of which, I won’t be able to Be There unfortunately as I have my own charitable wine shindig to prepare for …
February 27, 2008

AmandaM
Nice haircut. You’re looking sharp.

I was pretty happy to come home and see that you did a show on Malbec today since that’s what I bought at the store on my way home. Not the same one, but I enjoy tasting along never the less.

QOTD: Cannolis. They are so good. Especially the ones with chocolate morsels.
February 27, 2008

steve
Actually I think I’ll have the rest of the cake
February 27, 2008

Jen
I totally want to see Motts hair now. Love Malbec, appreciated the comparison in decently priced wines. Thanks GV!

QOTD – Loooooooove Creme Brulee, can’t help it, oh and also a fan of butter biscuits with fresh rasperry sauce & sweet cream. Oh yeah!!

Cheers!
Jen
February 27, 2008

TJB
QOTD: Mom’s home-made apple pie!
February 27, 2008

RB
GV,
Help me with the Malbec’s…..what do you pair with food and cheese with this wine. Not a big fan of Malbec’s….

QOTD: I love stinky cheese, a great bottle of Port and some big, plump red grapes as my favorite dessert. Throw in some great wheat crackers and I could have dessert all night long. If I had to pick another dessert, it would have to be grandma’s homemade apple pie (with all natural ingredients….sugar, cream, lard….the way grandma cooked in the 60’s…with vanilla bean real ice cream…not the fake stuff…..my mouth is watering now…I am not sure what wine would go with this….maybe a Hungarian wine…..
February 27, 2008

David Harris
pistachio gelato
February 27, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Love Malbec!

Q-A Giant Chocolate Malt
February 27, 2008

SKN
Favorite line of the day: My Little Pony toothpaste
Question of the Day: Blueberry Klug (YUM!)

When do we get to vote again for the Mott t-shirt?!?!?
February 27, 2008

Keith
I’ve only tried one Malbec, from Argentina, it sort of confused me, started OK, but I ended up pouring out the last glass or two a few days later, it seemed to fall apart quickly after opening.

QOTD: In Phoenix there is a Mexican food chain called Garcia’s, they have something called Chocolate Chimis, chocolate tortillas wrapped around a cream cheese center, deep fried, then covered with choc syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We order this with our meal, eat dessert first (it turns gross once it cools off), and take home whatever is left of the actual dinner. We don’t take any chances that we’re full before we order dessert.
February 27, 2008

familydoc
QOTD: Homemade vanilla ice cream with dilettante ephemere chocolate sauce (and sometimes raspberries from the garden too).
February 27, 2008

Nickyb85
QOTD: I just made and ate me some mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt…. mmm tasty.

I like the Malbecs in fact I think a malbec was one of the first wines I ever had. Have a good one GV!
February 27, 2008

DaveA
Great session. I have tried Malbec’s – not impressed. Need to try more. I am in search for these two. how could would that be to have both and re-watch your session? hmmm. big screen, neighbors, some munchables to go along… wow.
GREAT.
February 27, 2008

DaveA
Favorite dessert? I’d say a choco mouse. oh. my. 60+ dark chocolate.
yes. a totally red Zinfindel.
February 27, 2008

Capt M
Great little show; I love taste off’s. I’ve never had a Malbec from France. Often times I take my Malbec from Argentina with a grain of salt, b/c I think that they often come rather young and hot. However I’ve found some good ones lately. QOTD: Apple pie!!
February 28, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

QOTD: I would have to say…hmm……this is actually a tough question. Probably will have to go with my best friends mom’s cookies she makes over christmas. DAMN GOOD COOKIES!!!

–RH
February 28, 2008

t_moderne
Malbec? I don’t think so. Keep it a blending grape.
QOTD; There were two questions. Dessert and “What you gonna do when the Mott runs wild on you?” or something to that effect.
Both QOTD will not be answered.
February 28, 2008

Grape Expectations
I’m really enjoying these taste-offs. Thanks, Gary.

QOTD: At the moment I’m into all things Italian, so I’m going with panna cotta.
February 28, 2008

Machine
QOTD: sticky toffee pudding @ Little Giant (Broome & Orchard Sts in NYC). My girlfriend and I still refer to it as ‘the best thing ever’, a pet name we ripped off from the table next to us the first night we ordered it.
February 28, 2008

Ryan
raspberry sherbert
February 28, 2008

Dennis
QOTD – Wife made a “Frozen Lemonade Pie” on Sunday . . . I’ve been enjoying it all week. I have a 2006 Gascon Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina in my wine fridge. It will be my 1st Malbec.
February 28, 2008

Bruce
QOTD – Fresh Peach Cobbler with the crunchy good stuff on top.
February 28, 2008

steve-o
Gotta say I’m a BIG fan of northwestern (Read:WA) Malbecs for bringing the peppercorn hardcore. never tried any “old world” offerings, tho…consider it on my list.

QOTD: Recently I’ve been ordering desert wines instead of an actual dessert when i go to nice places. tried my first sauternes recently(big thumbs up), but i think if i had to choose it’d be tawney port.
February 28, 2008

matthews
fior di latte gelato from capogiro is the truth
February 28, 2008

ryan
hot churros with chocolate sauce and ice cream
February 28, 2008

Cephalopunk
I was a little disappointed with this one – as you said, this would have been an interesting tasting at $15 to $17. I understand a lot of people like buying wine at this price point, but I don’t find too much that’s interesting under $10. I’m not trying to be a snob about it, because I’m glad that wine exists at this range, but I don’t find myself buying at it (Not that I’m buying a whole lot of Premier Cru and First-Growth, either).

QOTD:
I had a phenomenol hoji-cha (charcoal-roasted green tea) ice cream two weeks ago that I couldn’t get off of my mind. Also, I’ve been really impressed with Thai tapioca and sticky rice desserts, lately.
I can’t wait for strawberries to come back into season, so I can enjoy strawberries macerated in balsamic…
February 28, 2008

Scott
Great show. I’m missing the full lengthers this week though. I’ve got to try some Malbec.

QOTD: I’ve been eating Key Lime Pie lately like it’s been going out of style. My parents own a frozen custard shop (way less cooler than a wine store), so that’s always a winner too.
February 28, 2008

john maki
QOD: In San Francisco – Zanzie cheesecake, light as a feather;
Stella Bakery -Sacrapantina, also light
and WOW – Mangos with sticky rice (esp black) Marnie Thai
February 28, 2008

Justin L Ove
I love the Head to Heads! This is awesome.

QOTD: Thick rich chocolate cake, easy on the frosting.
February 28, 2008

RickD
QOTD – dessert? home made pie. My last was a pure rhubarb with some orange zest with vanilla ice-cream – killer!
February 28, 2008

Bill Ward
Gary,

Great idea on the head to head tastings. I have noticed a lot of focus on value priced wines from the Mendoza-Argentina region in the last year or so. Some are terrific and some a big Pass. Can you tell me what regions of Argentina are considered the better terroir and what the heck is Bonarda? I just tasted a wine by Hector and Pablo Durigutti with was a 2005 Bonarda and I’m not sure what to think (old world? Crap?). What’s been your experience with this varietal.

Thanks Gary!!

P.S. What’s up with Mott’s T-Shirts?
February 28, 2008

bob c
QOTD: soft twist ice cream cone, or cheesecake, or chocolate chip cookies.Dang, no wonder I can’t loose weight…
February 28, 2008

Dan A
QOTD: I’ll have to go with Baklavas!
February 28, 2008

James H
I’m all about dark chocolate lately. I got some organic dark chocolate at the grocery store the other day that I’m kind of fantasizing about a few days after eating it all. Oh, dark chocolate… I pine for thee.
February 28, 2008

Chris D
GV – hope Tampa treats you well, come over to the East Coast & Palm Beach !

Did you say a Mott Posseâ€™ that has a mop top ? I think Iâ€™m in

QOTD – hot chocolate cake with the oozing middle of more chocolate like a flour-less tort or something.
February 28, 2008

Ryan
protein shakes
February 28, 2008

TsTank
QOTD: My favorite desert is a Chocolate Razz berry fool. Custard, Dark Chocolate, and Razz berry.
February 28, 2008

Kevin C.
GV, I love Malbec with pizza!

QOTD: Bananas Foster
February 28, 2008

vibemore
QOTD: I’d have to go with Tarheel 17’s special chocolate cheesecake concoction at our Seattle offline last week. GO TO the forums and check it out.
February 28, 2008

Bundydb
I’ve never been a big sweets eater but I’d have to say good ol’ Banana Pudding made right. I’ve also gotten into eating Kringles. It any of you have never had one I have to order them from this site cause no one makes them her in Mississippi… http://www.bendtsensbakery.com/default.aspx

Anyway, great show GV! I’m loving these face offs!! Keep’em coming!
February 28, 2008

Yoni Rabkin
QOTD: Creme Brulee
February 28, 2008

lynelle
not too sweet custards
February 28, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: Right now? Moist, rummy Tiramisu.
February 28, 2008

chester
love these episodes. right now my favorite dessert is a Reeses peanut butter cup sundae with cookie dough ice cream from Friendly’s.
February 28, 2008

stephen
Like the take on the vs theme for wines. I agree that Malbec offers some great value at the affordable price pointm try the Dolium Malbec if you get the chance. As far as desert I would have to say my Moms ginger pudding with hot custard is the bomb
February 28, 2008

fatdoi
fav dessert….. cheery soup with sorbert
February 28, 2008

Steve B
QOTD: Maine Black Bear ice cream made by Gifford’s.
February 28, 2008

BobbyTiger
It’s my fortune that one of my sons is a trained chef, who flew in from LA to do a benefit this past Monday. His presentation included a serving of samplers made from farm fresh ingredients. For dessert, he served up a very light cheese cake, (don’t know how it was prepared), with a dollop of wiped cream, (the real stuff), and a drizzle of honey. It was certainly outstanding, and is currently my favorite- at least until the time he comes East again, and cooks up something else. Love the Malbecs. We really got into them when we visited Argentina last fall, and have continued to explore and enjoy their wines. Have not tried the French Malbec, but will probably give a whirl.
February 28, 2008

Trucbinouche
Good show Gary. I for myself like cahors better specially for the old world taste of it. It would make a good battle if you went up in price range.

QOTD: My favorite desert is Pudding ChÃ´meur – typically QuÃ©becois, witch is a cake dipped in brown sugar and maple syrop. I guess it’s kind of an upside down cake.
February 28, 2008

TxBigD
QOTD: Frozen Margarita with Grand Marnier, no salt
February 28, 2008

Robert
I totally agree with you on the Malbec’s. I had one when I was in Argentina last summer, it’s what got me into wine tasting actually. So you can say I have a little bit of an attachment to it, but I try to get different stuff, so I haven’t had any in a while. And I probably won’t for a while, because I definitely do not drink enough white wine and do need to try that a bit more for my personal tasting. But I’ll definitely try one the next time I go out to eat with friends.

QOTD: My personal favorite dessert is german chocolate cake. It’s what my mom makes as my birthday cake every year. That and cherry cheesecake on the holidays.
February 28, 2008

Lindsey
QOTD: I am big on cheese for dessert with sherry or dessert wine, but when it comes to sweet stuff I heart coffee ice cream with crushed oreos, warm rhubarb crisp, coconut sorbet! YUM.
February 28, 2008

Wednesday
I like the comparison angle.

Probably a souffle.
February 28, 2008

Tom G. of the CKC
I really appreciate this sort of show. Although my taste in wine is slowly graduating to more sophisticated bottles (read: more expensive and bad for the wallet!), I do regularly try under $10 bottles, especially from regions I rarely try.

I’ve had more than a few cheaper ($7-14) Malbecs and I’ve NEVER been impressed. They are always too tannic and too alcoholic…so disjointed. People always recommend them to me and I can’t see why. Just from your tasting notes, Gary, I’d steer clear from these as they seem to be similar to the others I’ve had in that range. I’d be curious to see a more expensive bottle tasting head-to-head, though! That’d be quite interesting.

QOTD: I’m not a dessert fan, but I appreciate a solid tort.
February 28, 2008

italianwinelover
LOVE the new format…short and sweet and great info!! Like the side by side.

QOTD: just had it on my birthday for the first time…gelato with espresso poured over it. EXCELLENT!! But my all time fav is a pineapple upside cake -growing up thats what my grandma always made me on my birthday!!
February 28, 2008

Donna Marie
QOTD: Creme Brulee, homemade sorbet, biscotti, and would even opt for cheese, if cholesterol wasn’t so high.
February 28, 2008

JerseyGirl turned CNY vayniac
QOTD: My favorite dessert… hard to pick since i have the biggest sweet tooth! If I had to pick, I’d probably go with chocolate chip cannoli or soft-serve Gannon’s ice cream – YUM!
February 28, 2008

Scott EJ
No one favorite dessert as I love them all. However, I recently had some carrot cake w/cream cheese ice cream that blew me away.

I haven’t met a dessert I didn’t like….and I’ve tried alot.
February 28, 2008

NathanN
Cool Malbec show! I need to drink more of this varietal.

QOTD: Any kind of bread pudding.
February 28, 2008

Lb in KS
Ah……… Malbec. This is how I came across WLTV, researching a yum yum Ben Marco Malbec. QOTD..I’m digging these little 2 bite size cinammon roll thingees that I pick up at Dillons, take a bite then follow with some walnuts, then milk.
February 28, 2008

Christian
Don’t really have a sweet tooth, but if I had to have one out a restaurant I’d order Bananas Foster.
February 28, 2008

Kathleen Lisson
Birthday cake, because it comes with free presents. I enjoy a late harvest Gewurz with vanilla ice cream and yellow cake and pound cakes.

Port is a really good pairing with dessert-type foods.

Kathleen Lisson
February 28, 2008

AV
Very entertaining and informative. Will try the Argentina bottle. Favorite dessert? Molten chocolate cake.
February 28, 2008

GR8wine
Thanks Gary,
Always wondered how new vs old world might stack up. Have the same curiosity regarding some of the other varietals (of which you’ve done a few).
QOTD: Don’t normally eat dessert, but probably probably something simple and decadent, like a warm fudgey chocolate browney with a banana on the side piled with chocolate and vanilla ice cream and topped with nuts and chocolate sauce, (and of course the cherry on top). MMM, gettin’ kinda hungry, maybe I need to go have dessert.
February 28, 2008

Karl Laczko
I’m starting to like the head to heads, maybe you should run that format again in a month or so, how about 2 bottles of each type though, for a better average?

QOTD – Vanilla ice cream, boring I know, but I hardly ever have dessert so that’s pretty much it.
February 28, 2008

streamertyer
QOTD –

Tough to pin it down to just one….

Bavarian Apple Torte (combines the best of shortbread, apple pie and cheesecake)

Good ol’ Blueberry Pie

And Yalumba Antique Tawny – not that YOU would know anything about that…. slacker.

Doug Nalle
February 28, 2008

BoiseBob
Good Head-To-Head on Malbecs. Question of the Day: Last night we had a wonderful Coconut Cream Chocolate Pie. And believe it or not, it went very well with a 2006 Steele Old Vine Pacini Vineyard (California) Zinfandel.
February 28, 2008

Ari M
Portillo’s Chocolate cake, obviously. If you are from anywhere near the Chicagoland area and don’t know what that is, you are a worthless human being.
February 28, 2008

shawnandlu
I love the Argentinian Malbecs. Great Drinking Value.

QOTD: Flowerless chocolate cake with Framboise. I know it’s a beer and not a wine but it is absolutely wicked with the dense, rich, bittersweet chocolate cake.
February 28, 2008

JeffC
Really like the head to head format of the show. I like the idea maybe doing head to head, at comparable price points. That would be cool.

QOTD: Cant eat much in the way of deserts with sugar anymore. I used to really like cheese cake. Now, I go for good piece of stinky cheese and some fruit (ripe pear).
February 28, 2008

Shawn
When you say black licorice, do mean like the sweet stuff? Because here in Denmark black licorice is very strong and salty.
February 28, 2008

joel delon
QOTD : nothing better gary than french pastry ! or a piece of parmiggiano
(the vines are crying here in the languedoc in a plot of land planted with chard elsewhere ?)… good show again
February 28, 2008

LauraG
Right now? It’s Girl Scout cookie season man!
February 28, 2008

George from NEPA
QOTD: I would totally have to say this chocolate Godiva soufflÃ©s that this one restaurant sells by where I work. It is AWESOME!!! Liquid hot chocolate in the center and vanilla ice cream on the side. YUM
February 28, 2008

mindpirate
QOTD: Right now I’m a fan of the cinnamon Roll Ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s.
February 28, 2008

Rebecca Christophersen
Hi Gary,
Would you please do an Italian Sangiovese versus New World Sangiovese episode???
February 28, 2008

Krista D
Anything with salted caramel. There’s a great new wine bar in central NJ called Daryl that has a chocolate tart with salted caramel. And Haagen Dazs recently started selling a fleur de sel ice cream which is really good too.
February 28, 2008

SaraMHCRU
Loving the match-ups. I’d enjoy seeing you do a vertical tasting sometime – don’t know if you’ve done one recently. I got to do one at a winery visit once and it completely opened my eyes about how different two years can be on the same vineyard.

qotd: total sweet tooth. I’ve been craving really good cupcakes lately but I would have to say any kind of ice cream. lately, haagen dazs’s fleur de sel has been rocking my world.
February 28, 2008

Dan C.
mmmm …. QOTD of deliciousness!

Cheesecake! … BAM!!!

Btw I will definitely join up to the Mott Posse …
February 28, 2008

brent
QOTD: anything that includes a pinch of fleur de sel!
February 28, 2008

Redmeat
QOTD

REAL Spumoni….with Rum, and Nuts, and candied Fruit…..tis heaven!
February 28, 2008

C-BusWineMofo
South American Malbec is good value, but not for very long it’s getting very popular. California grows it fairly well but interestingly enough I was passing through North Carolina and they were growing it there.

QOTD – A perfect dessert for me is some stinky cheese and a nice dessert wine.
February 28, 2008

Graziella
Favorite Desert of the Moment: My homemade vanilla cupcakes “a- la Magnolia Bakery style”…mmmm, with lots of vanilla frosting.

I like the haircut, by the way…now let’s see Mott’s!

So I’ve inquired about this on the forums, but no response…do you know where to find red fragolino wine (a sweet sparkling Italian wine)???? I’ve only been able to find it in a few regions of Italy. I’ve found the white version here, but the red is sooo much better! My birthday is coming up, and I’d love to have a few bottles on hand
February 28, 2008

Dev Gupta
QOTD:Chocolate Chip Cookies. the chewy kind.
February 28, 2008

MikeH
Can’t say I’ve had a malbec that I liked……yet.

QOTD: my wife’s strawberry rhubarb pie.
February 28, 2008

Paul
QOTD-Cheesecake
My question for Gary would be, without cleansing your Pal with something what kind of effect does the first wine tatsed have on the second? Maybe my Pal isn’t as definitive, but it would seem, and it is with me that some of the taste of the first wine will alter the taste of the second.
February 28, 2008

wyldshaman
ICE CREAM!
February 28, 2008

Josh in Burgundy
QOTD: My favorite dessert right now is Galette de Roi which is a pastry made here in the shape of a pie with almond paste and there is a little souvenir inside and the person who gets that in their piece gets to play king or queen for the day.
February 28, 2008

kjemt
QOTD: Odd as it my be, I’m all about bread pudding, but I can’t say no to a whole host of other desserts!
My local wine shop had me try a malbec for the first time a couple months ago-very nice-adding it to the list!
February 28, 2008

brorjace
Orange Sherbet is about the only dessert I eat regularly, also vanilla ice cream. pretty boring!
February 28, 2008

Christine
I really enjoy Malbec and have started giving bottles as gifts. Not sure that I’ve had any from the Old World, so I’ll have to rustle some of those up.

QOTD: I had my new favorite dessert on my birthday: Caramelized apples with rosemary on a toasted cornmeal poundcake slice which is then sitting atop apple butter — AWESOME!!
February 28, 2008

B.Swanson
Favorite dessert right now…Edy’s slow-churned peanut butter cup ice cream – lights out!
February 28, 2008

Harley Stan
I have had several Malbecs, some just OK but others have been really good for the money.
QOTD- Chocolate chip cookies ( fresh baked and still soft and gooey)
February 28, 2008

Peter Wood
Totally agree with you GV, that Malbec under $10 (or Â£5/Â£6 for me in the UK) offers much more value than many other grapes. It was a Malbec that was the first wine that I said I REALLY liked when I got into the wine trade. (Cahors St Didier Parnac, haven’t a clue on the vintage, but I drank it in 2001).

QOTD: Home made Vanilla Rice Pudding, made like a sweet risotto with milk, sugar, cream and vanilla pods…I’m SO hungry now…
February 28, 2008

Jason Bonds
these days, I am down with a nice piece of French Silk pie.

Nice episode format, I would like to see this format maybe once a week?
February 28, 2008

Ben F
I recently had a Argentine Malbec from Budini it was very good for $11… Anyway QOTD I am love just a piece of dark chocolate…
February 28, 2008

jenjen
qotd: my favorite dessert is souffle…i love desserts!
February 28, 2008

Kevin
You’ve inspired me to have a head-to-head format for my wine tasting group! Fun stuff.

QOTD: Dessert. We do a lot of crÃ¨me brulÃ©e around here, but really, my favorite, is any proper cheesecake.
February 28, 2008

Matt
Cool ep GV. I love the Malbecs. Argentina is hig on my list of wine tour destinations for the next 5 years.

QOTD – creme brulee
February 28, 2008

Jx
Strawberry shortcake – February, March, July, November, doesnt matter the time of year. Love it.

Jx
February 28, 2008

ScottG
Good show. I love Malbec and should buy more. We tasted one last weekend that was good–a 2006 Septima.

QOTD: Creme Brulee!!!
February 29, 2008

downtnmark
QOTD: mmmmmm… fudge brownies with vanilla bean ice cream.

Gary, you do so much work with cheeses and wines, why not an episode of dark and milk chocolates and good red wine counterparts? (Maybe a Merlot?)

I had a 2003 Cohort Malbec that I really enjoyed. It was sort of a poor-man’s Bordeaux in the French restaurant. It was even tasty the next day after opening it. But for $36 in the restaurant, I found it online for $10-12.
February 29, 2008

randulo
Brilliant! Many laughs as usual, but make no mistake, behind that hilarious improvisatory style is solid content! Thanks Gary.

Added a link here:
http://french-malbec.com/archives/84-Gary-Vs-Malbec-vs-Malbec.html

Gary also did a cameo a few weeks ago on our audio Malbec podcast:
http://french-malbec.com/archives/52-Gary-Vaynerchuck-on-Cahors-and-Malbec.html

Gary V is one of wine’s most valuable resources.
February 29, 2008

Sam Lydecker
My favorite dessert? . . . More wine
February 29, 2008

No Filtering
hi gary,

actually, it is pronounced “origeeeene” since there is an “e” on the end of the word. you should get a french friend to help you with your pronunciations before the show–we can all stand to learn the proper pronunciations of the many languages of wine. i happen to know that this is not a co-op wine, but a private label made by a Cahors producer (origine is the importer), and i’m sure this vigneron would quite enjoy your take as he has a good sense of humor, although he’d say his terroir is a little off the highway. always good to remind us that generally, french wine is best with food–for a wine like this…beef stew or burgers, and if you’re more of a cook, lamb, duck, cassoulet, boar. you’re right, take the other one to the cocktail party and pour half of this into your stew and drink the rest!
February 29, 2008

LarryTheWineGuy
Anything Chocolate with a Glass of Port. Also love strong Blue Veined Cheeses With Pedro Ximenez Sherries. On a side note G.V…. just had the 05 Mischief and Mayhem Bourgone Pinot Noir…. and it cracks me up when you read the Winery’s Tasting Notes and then Your Tasting Notes are so much more Dean On than what they say or other nuances that Reviewers Pick Up. No other reviewer would say the Wine Had Aromas of Fart Bombs, Dirt Bombs And Radishes…. and Vayniacs…let me tell you as a Certified Sommelier…that’s exactly what the Wine Had…plus my nose picked up some (Marinara Sauce, Tomato Type Aromas As Well)…Great Wine and as you noted a great way for people to understand what Pinot Noir used to taste like before the Movie Sideways!! Great Job G.V.!!
February 29, 2008

Rolf Lydecker
Was drinking Niara Malbec from Argentine the day before this episode posted. On the same page with WLTV. Awesome.

P.S. Favorite desert right now is this apple crisp in the frozen section at my local Stop & Shop. It’s like crack.
February 29, 2008

Rolf Lydecker
P.P.S. I mispelled the wine I listed…it’s Naiara Malbec…

Typos rule!
February 29, 2008

Mike Z in SD
Favorite dessert? Good ol’ chocolate cake w/ whipped cream.
February 29, 2008

LaRosee
I’m digging the new format, though the longer episodes are best for watching with a bottle. Yes, I DO know where the archive link is.

QOTD: Someone already said it best: more wine.

Cheers!
February 29, 2008

missalyse
Dessert= tiramisu
Thanks so much for the Malbec show!
February 29, 2008

Lyn S
QOTD:

New York style cheese cake.
February 29, 2008

Sheila S
Green Tea Gelato, with a really bitter edge.
February 29, 2008

NADINE
I am glad to see you sought out the Argentinian Malbec. When we want an every day wine, value wise and for around 8,00$, we usually get this bottle from Argentina. I recently through it away so next time I will write it here. I found this show for me to be somewhat educational as I am new to Malbec. So will seak them out. Thanks for bringing them to our attention For favorite desert or more common would be cheesecake and a fancy desert would have to be creme brulee, have a nice day
February 29, 2008

mateo21
The ganache covered cheesecake in my fridge!!!

I’ve never found a Malbec I truely enjoy… I’ve only tried 4-5 of them, but they all had some funk (sharpness, bitterness, etc.) that I didn’t like! blah.
February 29, 2008

ValerieM
QOTD: Favorite dessert right now is Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake!
February 29, 2008

ChezJosh
I’ve been on a bit of a cake kick (say that three times fast). Just made devil’s food cake in the form of layer cake and cupcakes. It came out delightfully, but I really need to learn how to make a proper buttercream. Further cakes to be baked in the near future.

I had a Cahors malbec that absolutely blew my mind with the QPR. Eleven bones, I think, but with the punch of a $20-25 bottle. It was quite nice.
February 29, 2008

SoCal
QOTD: Pazukis…SP? It is where you have a warm cookie toped with ice cream……but that has only been with in the last few moths…….
February 29, 2008

yowens
I don’t think I’ve had a Straight-up French Malbec. QOTD: Cheesecake (GReg), Carrotcake (Tara)
February 29, 2008

Eric
QOTD: Specialty’s cookies. I have to check the forum now, there is an entire contingent of people there that want to see Cahors stay as far off of the radar as possible. Great episoide.
February 29, 2008

JayZee
QOTD: My current favorite dessert is a chocolate souffle. Yum!
February 29, 2008

Dom
chocolate chip cookies
March 1, 2008

Blake
QOTD: My hands down favorite dessert of the moment is the PF Chang’s Great Wall of Chocolate. Its a 6 layer chocolate cake, with chocolate icing, sitting in a thin layer of strawberry/blueberry/raspberry sauce. MMMMMMMMM
March 1, 2008

Paris
QOTD: Just a straight up cappuccino (and then more wine, of course!!!)

Just did a 2005 Norton that was pretty tasty. Sitting on another couple of bottles to see how it holds up.
March 2, 2008

Scott who didn't win an Apple TV
Great show GV. I love these Head to Head formats! Please do more of these. I’m glad you started with low end price points and hope we can see more up the scale as well.

QOTD: I’m lactose intolerant and just found organic soy ice cream a few months ago. Its been about ten years since I’ve had a bowl of ice cream and I’m just lovin it!
March 2, 2008

Brian Johnson
GV,
We’re always trying fancy desserts at restaurants and my wife loves whipping up delicious desserts, but I’ve been craving one of my old favorites. Green, mint-chocolate chip ice cream.
March 2, 2008

Marls
Granny Smith apple cobbler HOT with a scoop of REAL vanilla ice cream.
March 2, 2008

Daniel O
QOTD: Dulce de leche cheesecake *drool*
March 2, 2008

malliemcg
QOTD: Fresh fruit, perhaps w/ a little yoghurt would be my go-er for dessert of late. Really nice, refreshing and somewhat healthy.

Loving this series of head to heads!

M
March 3, 2008

billr
QOTD: Key Lime pie
March 3, 2008

pawncop
This was a great episode. Always learning from you. Will consider Mabac’s with my next purchase.

QOTD – Traditional Texas answer cherry pie with nilla ice cream.
March 3, 2008

Rob P
My favorite dessert is definitely a turtle sundae. My wife loves chocolate lava cake. Recently had my first cahors and loved it.
March 3, 2008

John B
Great show! I heart malbec.

QOTD: Anything with chocolate and peanut butter. I’m talking anything from restaurant chocolate/peanut butter dessert to reeses peanut butter cups.
March 4, 2008

J-Pipes
QOTD: I love chocolate chip cookies. Always. Or Cheesecake Factory Cheesecakes. Or cupcakes. Also, ice cream. And pie.
March 5, 2008

Andrew
QOTD: Boston Cream Pie, no doubt. It’s the only cake that’s fit to be called a pie.
March 5, 2008

JÃ¸rn Idar
QOTD: French Gourmet Chocolate Cake!
March 5, 2008

Mr.Ambassador
Great question of the day. We’ve been trying many new dessert recipes over the past month but my all-time favorite is still a tasty home-made pecan pie.
March 6, 2008

MtnCharlie
QOTD: Dark Scharffen Berger chocolate, +70% Cacao
March 6, 2008

Karl
QOTD : Panforte…did in Vino Santo !
March 6, 2008

Karl
Sorry,

QOTD : Panforteâ€¦dip in Vino Santo !
March 6, 2008

John Witherspoon (J DUB)
QOTD: Brownie Sundae fo sho

cheers
J DUB
March 6, 2008

Andy
Blue cheese and sweet wine (normally stilton and tawny port)
April 4, 2008

Brit Hammer
Posting this way after it aired because…I just picked up a Malbec rosario the other day at the supermarket – I wanted to try something other than my usual choice of whites. And I’m enjoying it! Had I not already seen this episode I wouldn’t have known that Malbec was a varietal – and so I had to watch this episode again ‘just because’. And then I started Googling and came across a handy site (especially for anyone living in the Netherlands) that has some information about flavor profiles of the kazillion varietals…which I didn’t know existed (site in English, German, & French). http://www.twis.info. Gary, I wish I had your tasting knowledge on a PDA for when I go to the store! And again thanks, Gary, for opening my eyes wider than the wine tasting classes I took! What a huge service you do to the industry and to us!
Best wishes,
Brit
April 21, 2008

LuvsChandon
QOTD: Enjoying strawberries dipped in Elena Late Harvest Riesling
November 3, 2008

Ray Barnes
Another enjoyable episode..always interested to see a review on a French wine from a so-called minor growing area, in this case Cahors (pronounced kah-oar, two silent letters).

QOTD – zabaglione, have had it less than a handful of times. excellent with one of its ingredients, a glass of marsala
November 25, 2008

c
I just tried an amazing new wine from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina — called Belasco de Baquedano Malbec. It’s 100-Year Old Vine, but just introduced in the U.S., its website says (www.belascomalbec.com). I had the Llama, and there are three others (Swinto, AR Guentota, Rosa rose) all from the same Malbec estate. Have you tried this? What do you think? I was amazed at how low the price is, about $15 for the Llama. Are all Argentine malbecs so excellent?
January 8, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
QOTD: A flourless chocolate cake. The denser and richer the cake the better, coated with chocolate ganache. Served with a 20 or 30 year port. Total decadence.
July 12, 2009

Miguel Javier Ayup
Gary´s scoring and preferences reflec his personal standpoint. Mine is problably the opposite. 84-85 for Punto Final Malbec 2006 (Lujan de Cuyo) is 86 and 86 for de Origen Malbec 2004 (Cahort) is 83-84 or even less. If its not very drinkable its no very good at all! Toothpaste component? That´s akward to a wine.
Anyway I liked the way Gary put every bottle on the table.
August 25, 2009

Chillon
WTF just drinck and enjoy the d@$m thing.I most be new at Wine drinking thing (be drinking wine for 10 years now) but can stand all the fu@4#ng words this people use to descrive them wine ,it reminds me of and abstract painter (a quack) overlaping diferent colors on a cambas and calling it art ..go figure.
September 9, 2009

ulu ulu ulu ulu
I rarely eat dessert, but probably anything my mother makes me. Cheesecake.
October 20, 2009

richardvinifera
QOTD: Just had a craving the other day for black forest gateau, chocolate and dark fruit, mmmm!