Washington vs New York Riesling Taste Off

Washington vs New York Riesling Taste Off – Episode #440

April 9, 2008

The Thunder Show is on the road! Coming to you today from Qwest Field in Seattle WA, Gary Vaynerchuk has a taste off between Washington State and New York State Rieslings. Does the home team hold the field for a victory or do the visitors come in and take one on the road?

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Comments on this episode(236) Leave a comment ›

“qotd: living in vancouver been there a couple of times, the drive down…” by Weston
“Howd you like our Seahawks ( our pathetic Seahawks with our backup QB,…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Herman Wiemer Semi Dry RieslingNew York Riesling
2006 OS Winery Champoux Vineyard
2006 Dr. Frank Dry RieslingNew York Riesling
2006 Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling
2006 Sheldrake Dry Riesling
2006 Chateau St Michelle Eroica RieslingWashington Riesling

236 Responses

April 9, 2008

GrapeStuff
1
April 9, 2008

pauly
2 BE CONTINUED…
April 9, 2008

Kristen
holy crap GV! I’m pumped!
April 9, 2008

mazdaspeedy3
Thanks for bringing some great thunder today.
I’ve really been enjoying some of the better rieslings lately and so many people dismiss. It’s sad because they can be some serious and interesting wines.
April 9, 2008

thecobalt9
NICE!!!
April 9, 2008

Phil G
Looking forward to it – love Riesling – hope NY represents!
April 9, 2008

Hinrgman
Great episode again Gary

thanks
April 9, 2008

Palmer
love Riesling. bring the Thunder!!!
April 9, 2008

Hinrgman
What is with the audio????
April 9, 2008

UES Chris
Love the idea. Next up — GIANTS staduim!
April 9, 2008

Rick D
Hey Gary talk to santagaryvee, maybe he can set you up with a wristband! Not the biggest white wine fan, but you get me jazzed to expand my horizons.
April 9, 2008

cameron w
Sweet, I can see my old office in the skyline.
April 9, 2008

Phil G.
Sweet, I made the top 20. Love Seattle. Love the food, the weather, and the great access to wonderful fresh ingridents. Seattle truely is a great town.
April 9, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: We’ve spent some time in Seattle. Loved it. Hope to go to Walla Walla this year.
Nice set up at the Jets Seahawks game. I believe that I predicted almost exactly this scenario some time ago. No need for thanks.
April 9, 2008

Rick D
What a Jet fan doing drinkin’ from a Viking glass?
April 9, 2008

Loweeel
Top 20!
April 9, 2008

Palmer
QOTD: love Washington state and have lots of family and friends there — Ivar’s Acres of Clams in Seattle, Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, the Glass Museum in Tacoma, and the Hood Canal are some of my favorite spots.
April 9, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

QOTD: No, never been to Washington state…..always wanted to visit though….. hopefully soon.

–RH
April 9, 2008

Marshall
Damn, that wind.
QOTD:No not yet
April 9, 2008

Tom Coombs
Seattle, one of the best towns I have ever been to. QTD: The coffee shop down by Pier 57, followed by a ride on the ferry over to Bainbridge.
April 9, 2008

Erica37
The whole AW crew just got back from Taste Washington in Seattle – it was great to meet you and I’m sorry I missed the party Saturday night!

QOTD: My favorite thing about Seattle is clearly my SEAHAWKS! I’ll hit the occasional Mariners game as well, but the overwhelming favorite is Matt Hasselbeck and the gang. We are going to whoop the Jets so bad.
April 9, 2008

Jeff H
Echo Hinrgman on the audio on this one??… but I love your shows!

QOTD: Been to Seattle a couple o’ times and Bainbridge Island is a great place to visit.
April 9, 2008

Dr T from N. Carolina
QTD — nope, been to 40 states but not WA
April 9, 2008

ev
I’m 15 miles east of where you were, on Cougar Mtn. A bit positively surprised by the Poet’s Leap and surprised by the Eroica. I’ve had at least 2 vintages of the Eroica before, thought them to be on the good side of serviceable, but not that much better. It always seems to get 90-91 in W.S. along with a lot of their other lower to med priced wines. Ste Michelle is also a huge advertiser with them.
April 9, 2008

Jay
AWESOME background. I’m not afraid to say that the Hawks v. Jets game is going to end much in the same fashion as this riesling battle. I’ll tell you something, that train whistle is downright scary across the street at Safeco (especially with the roof closed). It is ridiculously loud when there’s a lull in a baseball game.

QOTD: SODO on a gameday (either Seahawks or M’s) or out on the lake in the summer. Can’t beat it.
April 9, 2008

Gonzo
QOTD: The U-District, hands down. So many great places to grab chow, great grocery stores, and the occasional wine shop. Pike’s place downtown would be a close second.

Thanks for the ep Gary, love the WA riesling and appreciate your take on some of my favorites.
April 9, 2008

lawschooldrunk
where in the world is carmen san- I mean gary vaynerchuk?
April 9, 2008

J-Pipes
QOTD: YES. On a Starbucks business trip a few years back. My favorite part is the market and the crazy fish mongers! Oh, and the first Starbucks ever is kinda cool and historic.. I like the city.
April 9, 2008

drew
Hey GV welcome to Seattle. I assume you enjoyed your time in my city, future home of the 2008 New Jersey Jets LOSS.

QOTD – Yes, I live there. Best part is a secret. We locals don’t give that kind of info out in a public forum. The best part come the Fall is Qwest field when the Seahawks smack the New Jersey Jets. I assume youâ€™re supplying the Jets free wine for the flight back home.
April 9, 2008

Linderelli
QOTD: I used to live in SEATTLE for 10 YEARS! Love that joint. My favorite part? The restaurants! Dahlia Lounge, Chizo, Lola, 5-Spot, Shallots, Jak’s the list goes on and on. Pete’s wine shop was a pretty cool thing too. . . great wine selection for the Boat People livin’ on Lake Union. Those were the days.

Taste Washington was so much fun and it was great to visit some of my favorite places while in town. But I don’t regret making the move to Walla Walla at all.
April 9, 2008

Sasha
QOTD: I grew up in Seattle for part of my life….and really, the two best areas are Capitol Hill and Ballard (although Fremont is a close third). Even though you didn’t ask, Ill tell you, the WORST (bar none) is Bellevue. Don’t go there – its the pit of doom…

p.s. you chose a spot that has a major port, airport, and a train station all within 5 miles of the stadium. I’m surprised we could hear you at all. Lucky you didn’t get the true Seattle welcome of a nice rain shower.
April 9, 2008

BobM
Gary, what happened to the color comparison? You only commented on the Sheldrake color. It would’ve been fun to see the color of the Poet’s Leap.

QOTD: I’ve been to Seattle, but only to drive through it on my way to Vancouver. So I couldn’t name any part of the city, let alone my favorite.
April 9, 2008

Tstank
I love Seattle, my favorite place in Washington is grandma house. Go number 11!!! U of O baby yeah.
April 9, 2008

espressokev
fun stuff. I’d LOVE to see you on Soldier Field this year! ….Even though i wouldn’t be there and Illinois wines probably suck. =)
April 9, 2008

EllenKF
EV- you are right to be surprised by the Eroica. I’ve had the 2000 and 2001 vintages and they were great! Almost effervescent, very interesting. I also, unfortunately, had this vintage just a few weeks ago and have to agree with Gary-very average.
April 9, 2008

BargePlus
Another great battle royale, and a great setting. I almost never think of Rieslings when I think of wine. However, rieslings do come up when I’m looking for a wine to pair with a particular style of food, a particular starter, a cheese, etc. I guess I’ll have to (say it with me) expand my palate – and the Poet’s Leap looks like a good place to start.
April 9, 2008

elron
Thanks for freezing your butt off for us Gary! Great show!

We liked Seattle. We went there for an Alaskan cruise which was awesome! Went to a little spot called the Tasting Room which was cool and tasted some local Washington wines. And then proceeded to enjoy more Washington wine on the second leg of the trip.
April 9, 2008

Kenneth A
QOTD: Never made it up to Washington but I’m hoping to visit and may end up moving there for a while.
April 9, 2008

JimChem
QOTD: Gary, the great Northwest is where it’s at! I live 8 miles south of the US border in Birch Bay. I am sorry I missed you in Seattle. It would have been fun.

Jim
April 9, 2008

Purple Tooth
Pike’s Market is a “must see”. Watch out for flying fish.
April 9, 2008

Alex Hopgood
loved this episode gary, was really fun to watch.
April 9, 2008

KVolk
I can’t believe it wasn’t raining….
April 9, 2008

J.R. Young
Get that ugly ass Jet’s jersey out of Quest Field [okay I'll watch the rest of the show now ]
April 9, 2008

manonthemoon
Great show, Long Shadows is a winery I want to get into because where it is a group of great winemakers from around the world doing their take on Washington wines.

QOTD: Haven’t been yet, but after my recent trip to oregon, walla walla is next on the domestic wine trip list.
April 9, 2008

Adam McD
Qwest Field!! Seahawks!! That is my team! Sorry, no Jets love here. I wish I would have known you were going to be in Seattle Gary!
April 9, 2008

Stefan T
QOTD: I was in Seattle a long time ago. Favourite thing (I learned after) is that Seattle is the city with the higher percentage of people who know CPR and are able/willing to help in case of an emergency. Definitely living there after my first triple bypass.
April 9, 2008

Michael Beck
Not only would it be AWESOME to have the show at every stadium in the NFL, but if they could get a player to guest on the show with you too! (Also sent via Twitter, I’m @hoopadoo)
April 9, 2008

Kev and Ams
QOTD: Yes and yes. I loved the northern part of the state. Very quaint with a bunch of berry farms.
April 9, 2008

J.R. Young
I lived there for 25 years, hit up the Pike Place Market and Salumi, if you want to go way local hit up Paseo’s in Fremont.

For the PP Market avoid the fish tossing clowns, great show, no go. Just like Napa Chardonnay. If you want the goods head north in the market (about 50 yards from the fish tossers) to Pure Foods Fish Company, and talk to Walter or Harry. These guys are the real deal, they have the best fish and will work with you on prices, no clown act required.

Salumi, Mario Batali’s dads place. It’s right near Qwest and has received plenty of attention.

Paseo’s is a cuban sandwich shop in Fremont, with no signs or anything. You’ll drive by twice without seeing it except for the line out the door at lunch time. This is a local Seattle hot spot that doesn’t get the attention like the others.
April 9, 2008

JCfromtheWC
First of all, the Jets aren’t going to beat the crap out of anyone this year. Do they play the 49ers or Raiders? If so, they might be able to squeeze out a 6-3 victory. Maybe.

Second of all, awesome episode. Having grown up in Seattle, I may be biased but I love seeing WA dominate.

QOTD: Best part of Washington? Seahawks.
April 9, 2008

gaeyia
QOTD: Best part of Washington? East side. Try my hometown Spokane – a sleepy city that’s really starting to grow up. No major stadiums though…
April 9, 2008

Kristen
That’ll be interesting when you go to Gillette! Can’t wait to see that…

QOTD: No, but I’d love to go!
April 9, 2008

Neil
I had a few college friends at UCSB who came from there. Bellvue Brats. Alex’s dad owned KROQ. Later I also had some friends who went up there for Grad School at UW. Go Huskies, right? Years ago I paid some money when they were redoing Pikes Place and my name is on a tile in the market somewhere. I remember Capitol Hill and the view from the park on Queen Anne’s Hill. One time we celebrated NYE under the Space Needle. Seattle rocks. I remember enjoying Chateau St. Michelle’s tasting room in Woodinville, although it was an afterthough after visiting the Red Hook Brewery. I loved visiting there and will go back sometime, although as far as the Northwest I’d have to explore the Willamette Valley first.
April 9, 2008

RonD
Wasn’t one of the Thunder Cats blue?? I thought so…
April 9, 2008

Eric G
QOTD:Seattle is a great town, looks like you got there on the one day a year it didn’t rain (Ha Ha). Many years back, I built a trail for the forest service in the Cascade Mountains just below the border. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been.
April 9, 2008

EvanR
Sweet episode, love the background… Unfortunately I’ve never been to Seattle except for the airport.
April 9, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: Yes, I’ve been there and loved it. I think my favorite part was the restaurant scene, and I mean that in the food sense not the “scene” sense. There was one little spot in the Market that I absolutely adored where I had a great lunch and a glass of wine.

GREAT episode! I’m a huge Riesling fan and my wife loves them even more than me. We’ll have to find that Poet’s Leap. If you want I would be happy to loan you a wireless lavalier next time you’re going on location. Don’t know that I could do Gilette, but might be able to get you into Fenway, Gary.
April 9, 2008

Pete G
Yeah Man! Did the Seattle thing last year – Washington Wine Hwy wine festival at Ch St Michele – great way to taste WA wines from all over the state. Big props to Herm (Wiemer not Edwards) THE BEST wines in the finger lakes. His reserve reislings (select late harvest & TBA) are straight out of Mosel. Worth the trip! Great call on the Poet’s Leap. Wine Enthusiast had their 05 rated 93 pts/#19 on their tops of 2007 list.
April 9, 2008

Andrew
Cheers Gary nice show

QOTD: no?

QOTD 2: Who’s been to Hong Kong?

Andrew
April 9, 2008

Moselman
Love the pink spit bucket :>)

QOTD:
A dozen or so years ago I took a squadron of Royal Canadian Air Cadets down for a spring-break stay at McChord AFB â€“ a citizenship tour. Favourite spots for the youth were the Boeing museum and Bremerton, where we got to tour USS Georgia, nuke sub in drydock. Both awesome. At McChord, favourite activities were the K-9 training centre and the fire hall, with obnoxiously big crash trucks.

But the highlight of the trip was the tremendous hospitality extended to the teen boys and girls back at McChord. That, and the copious amounts of great food at the dining hall!
April 9, 2008

Ben F
GV way to step it up!!! Love the NFL stadium tour idea!!!
QOTD: Yes i have been in Seattle. I am not much of a site seeing person But i loved the space needle but i don’t recommend you eating dinner there it was blah and expensive. That was 8 years ago…
April 9, 2008

Dominus
Are you sure that wasn’t a backdrop and you were broadcasting from Newark! “Eat at Joe’s” billboards, trains and alot of noise. The “flight” you referred to was the jets taking off. Man that was loud. Other than that and the infamous “Not Available” it was a good show.

Bring out the German Rieslings to put a Blitzkrieg on the Seattle wines!

QOTD: No, I have not been to Seattle specifically though I’ve been to the Pacific NW, Idaho (Cour d’Alene) and Oregon (Willamette Valley) for some good Oregon Pinot. Some day, beautiful country.

Have fun G-Man
April 9, 2008

Orion
QotD: I’ve been wanting to go there for a while now, but haven’t made it out there yet.

In other news, I got a present in the mail! Request fulfillment here: http://tinyurl.com/62zvlz
April 9, 2008

sweetnote
So terrific to see you on the road! Thanks for sharing the Thunder from the Northwest! Gotta agree on the Patriots (BOO!) and although I haven’t been a NEW YORK any team fan, you’ve given me a whole new perspective. You Jets fans aren’t so bad after all…course we have DaBears which suck OAKMONSTER! Super Show! Feeling the Thunder! Want some of that Wiemer! YUM! Keepemcoming, we’re watching! GROUP HUG!
April 9, 2008

Little Jonny H
I love this format for the number of wines tasted and the showdown, though I didn’t find it very exciting. I just couldn’t get fired up like like normal… maybe due to the large number of distractions, poor sound, and mediocre lighting (just some thoughts). I can’t wait to see the other stadiums! If I weren’t a lowly grad student, I’d hook you up at the horseshoe Gary!

QOTD: Haven’t been, but have heard it’s fantastic (and has been since the 50’s when my grandpa was stationed there!
April 9, 2008

SoCal
QOTD: My wife she is from Redmond WA
April 9, 2008

Jarvis
QOTD: I live in Seattle, and I love this city to death. I love the diversity of the city, and the diversity in climate in WA.

Couldn’t make it to the meetup unfortunately.
April 9, 2008

ray-ray
Great Show GV, Thank-you for bringing the Thunder to the Pacific Northwest, now we just need to get you across the border into BC

Qotd: Yes quite frequently, due to the proximity to Vancouver. Favorite part of Washington is the Gulf Island, followed by the Gorge perhaps the most Magical concert going venue ANYWHERE. PERIOD… and as for the city itself I have friends in U-Hill and just enjoy the Neighborhood because of that…
April 9, 2008

brorjace
Wow, this is shaping up to be an epic week! Awesome show! Again, I don’t get to drink much New York, but it seems like the west won this battle.

QOTD: Was in Seattle on vacation with my fam 14 years ago (Good Lord, I was 13). Cool city, the seafood market is really cool, and the meal in the space needle was pretty rad too.
April 9, 2008

Brad
Great show! Hope to get you to the Mile High city soon. I have never been to the North West yet, but hope to go soon. I have a some friends in Portland, so they will have a ton to taste!
April 9, 2008

CuriousInStLouis
I love Rieslings.

Never been to Seattle or Washington State. Was in Oregon for a couple of weeks but that’s it.
April 9, 2008

Taylor
Good episode, would have liked to see the east coast pull out the victory.

QOTD I have not been to washington, but my brother recently took a job out there wand would love to kill two birds with one stone.
April 9, 2008

agentorange
Great to see you out, about and obviously happy.

QOTD: Yes. The brother lives there. Will be back in the summer for his wedding. Like the trees and the water (and the tasty salmon therein)
April 9, 2008

Barstool
QOTD: Love Seattle and miss it horribly. Love it like GV loves manure and veggies. More, even. Still have a tiny condo downtown that I think of as my real ‘home’. Love being able to go downstairs (literally) to Pike Place, buy my fish from Harry at Pure Food, walk 4 or 5 hundred paces to Pike & Western Wine for a bottle of something tasty, stop at DeLaurenti’s for bread and olives as I walk back home…fix dinner and watch the ferry boats pass my window.
Did I mention that I really, really miss Seattle? But – I will be there next weekend for the first time this year! Hurrah!
QOTD 2: Why the hell did I leave there?
April 9, 2008

Karl B
Hi Gary,

yes, I have been to Seattle a bunch of times and always stop in to the Metropolitan Grill on 2nd St (Ave?). They have the best steaks, cigars, seafood, and anything else a hungry man could want. That is my favorite part of Seattle.

Karl B.
April 9, 2008

John Farrin
QOTD: When I was working for RCA inthe 70’s and 80’s Washington was part of my region that was based out of San Francisco. I remember vividly that on my first 7 visits to Seattle I never saw the sun. In fact, it got to be the standard joke. The Seattlites would always say, “You should’ve been here yesterday, it was 80 and sunny”. To which I would routinely reply, “It’s NEVER been 80 and sunny here on the same day”.
April 9, 2008

CORSkier
QOTD: Seattle has to be my favorite place in WA, and probably my fave big city in the West. There’s this guy with a donut cart down in Pike Place and he brings me joy (and makes me five pounds fatter) every time I go. I also love the Walla Walla area for their Syrah prowess.
April 9, 2008

Oklahoma Michael
QOTD – I lived in Seattle for three years I LOVE everthing about that town!!! Seattle I miss you. ps. it used to be called SAFECO field
April 9, 2008

JC
Cool a s s show!
April 9, 2008

CW
Ok, so why would one pay $24 for a Washington Loosen (say with me everyone Low-zen) consulted wine when you can get one of Loosen’s Erdener Treppchen Wines for $19, the 2006 Kabinett won the German Rieslingspreis (Riesling Prize). $24 for meh vs $19 for Ausgezeichnet ! Sorry, I am not THAT patriotic.

QOTD: I like the ferry rides to the islands. A unique PacNW experience. Afer that the food, then the wine.
April 9, 2008

damien
that show brought the thunder, i was born in seattle. moved when i was six, but loved gas works park as a kid. also remeber my 1st baseball game in the kingdome.
April 9, 2008

*/^_^\*
qotd: i wish i lived in seattle

i give this episode 8.45 +/-0.45, when taking the wind into account
April 9, 2008

Dr. Dan
The Big Time Brewpub near the UW campus has a great university-town feel to it. Good food, great beers. Just two blocks away is the UW campus, which is one of the prettiest university campuses in the U.S., and I’ve been to a lot of different campuses. It’s like a big park, and a great place to walk around.
April 9, 2008

Katherine
Never been to Seattle, but I’ve been to WA many times, because I have family in Vancouver WA (right across the border from Portland OR). I was there was when I was a kid in 1980 & Mt. St. Helens had just blown her top. There was ash all over the streets and sidewalks, and I still have a jar of ash that I scooped up. Prior to the eruption I remember being able to see the mountain from the front yard. After the eruption, no top left on the mountain… had to stand on top of the roof to see the volcano. Amazing.
April 9, 2008

Jonathan Newman
Sniffy-sniff-O-vision might come sooner than we think!

http://tinyurl.com/637ln4
April 9, 2008

ianchudson
QOTD: Been to Seattle once, would love to move there for a while.
April 9, 2008

Eric
QOTD: Never been to Seattle. Keep hoping my wife gets a business trip out there (or Orygun) so I can tag along.

Great show. I did a double take when I opened the site. Wait … is that a … stadium?!
April 9, 2008

Araldite
QOTD: Went to Seattle a few years ago. Wandered around downtown, checked out the underground, went to the market where they throw fish, took some ferries, went up the needle, sci-fi museum. Don’t have a favorite place, just had a good time.
April 9, 2008

Robert Howells
Gary,

I love going to Seattle for concerts and visiting the original Starbucks at Pike Street Market. When the Seahawks play the Jets in Seattle will you have a tailgate party? I will bring Vayniacs from Vancouver,Canada with me.
April 9, 2008

elMattador
NICE! Gary you are the 12th man for a day. That train drives me crazy during Mariners games too. Sorry New York couldnt outshine the Washington states but I kinda figured that might happen. Great show, Hope your you had fun out there.
April 9, 2008

Scott EJ
Great show, GV. Love the Rieslings and the concept. Very cool.

QOTD: Never been to Seattle or WA, but WILL be in Walla Walla this weekend specifically to go to wineries and tastings. They’re having a big shindig there this weekend showcasing a bunch of restaurants and wineries and my gal and are pumped. I’m on a big WA fruit kick lately, so it couldn’t come at a better time.
April 9, 2008

SKN
Instant classic episode! Looking forward to more shows from sports venues!
April 9, 2008

ScottG
QOTD: Yes, I’ve been to the Seattle area–in fact I live there!! I don’t really have a favorite place, as there are so many. You mentioned the trains (they run on the east side of Qwest Field), the planes (going to Boeing Field or SeaTac Airport), and wondered about boat sounds. Too bad one of our many ferry boats didn’t welcome you during the show (they’re just to the west in Puget Sound).

I hope you had a good time here’ I certainly enjoyed meeting you and watching you tape a Thunder Show. Come back anytime!
April 9, 2008

NB_SPAZZ
Herman Wiemer’s sounding better all the time. Maybe I’ll pop one of their Gewurztraminers this weekend.
QOTD: Haven’t been to Seattle & WA for a few years, but always enjoyed the ferry ride to Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC (actually its the destination that’s great) and the San Juan Islands… sea kayaking, orcas, etc.
April 9, 2008

James Marinello
Great show!! I love to see washington state kick the crap outta NY!!! Haha I’ve actually been wanted to check out NY so this is a nice intro!

QOTD: I live in spokane which is about 280miles from seattle. I absolutely love that town. I have season tickets to the seahawks (altho I’m a raiders fan! long story) so I’m there all the time during football season. I love the football, baseball the piers, great food and wine and the peeps aren’t bad too!!
April 9, 2008

SteveW
Great Episode, Top 10 all time.
Love the pink Jets spit bucket, I hope you will use it all the time as it
kind of fits with how well the Jets play.
QOTD: Seattle is my home town, and I was sad to miss you last week as I
was down in Florida with my family for spring break.
I can’t wait for the Seahawks Jets game, I hope you will have another
party when you come out for the game.
April 9, 2008

BringTheNose
Been to Seattle for business meetings with Microsoft.

What did I like about it?
How GREEN everything is.
How good the coffee is.
How good the food is.
How much Seattle folks don’t like people from L.A. — especially if they have plans to move up there.
April 9, 2008

Hugh
Yes, same time last year i was at Qwest Field for Taste WA….
Seattle is a great town….Pikes Place Market is tons of fun and there’s a great little wine shop nearby
April 9, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: Sadly no
April 9, 2008

thefanjestic
That was pretty sweet! Wish I had some connections to get you onto the Chiefs field, but alas I do not. However- you’ve had Dick Vermil on the show – maybe you can call in a favor! Then the Vayniacs can show you around KC!

Qotd: The fish market. and of course Starbucks.
April 9, 2008

Nico
Gary, Wow, only the big guns from WA. About some Pacific Rim at $12? Gee, I felt left out.

QOTD: Love Seattle but the in laws lives there, so I try to avoid it….
April 9, 2008

Marshall Weldon
I”ve never been to Seattle, but I loved the show.
April 9, 2008

familydoc
QOTD: My favorite thing about Seattle is my family. Close second is Zoka coffee, UW, Greenlake, and July through September. I lived there for 14 years and was very happy.
April 9, 2008

EricOv
GV – As a lifetime Washingtonian and avid Hawks fan, your boys in green better tune up their game to stand a chance in one of the loudest stadiums in the land. The hawks will be much better!Seriously, I see a tailgate party in your future and local security needed for you in your Jets jersey!

By the way, it was a pleasure to meet you, Lizzie, Mott and Matt in Seattle. Wonderful folks! Oh, and thanks again for the LaFleur!

QOTD: Seattle sucks, it rains all the time, don’t move here!
April 9, 2008

DocJohnson
I LUV Washington state. Been to Seattle a few times, Tacoma several times (actually born in Tacoma), Olympia, Olympic peninsula, Spokane. But my most favoritist place in Washington has been the very Northwestern corner – Friday Harbor, Orcas Island. Was there this last October and it was beautiful. Stopped by the real estate windows just to see how long before I could afford a nice home on the island there. You definitely owe it to yourself to make it out there in the summer or early fall.
April 9, 2008

Bernie
LOVED the show–big fan of Seattle. Been twice, headed back this summer (to Olympic Peninsula), going to check out some of the Puget Sound wineries. Love Experience Music Project, Safeco, Olympic Sculpture Park–SO many great things to do.

Go Giants–repeat in ‘09!
April 9, 2008

C-BusWineMofo
Great show, will you come to OHIO and taste ohio wines?

QOTD – I spent 3 days there last year and loved every single second of it. If my wife said we are moving to the Pacific Northwest we would be on a plane, bus, or train tomarrow (she makes all the money so she makes all the calls).
April 10, 2008

Mike S,
Enjoyed the traveling show. Never been to Seattle or WA, but hope to get there soon.
April 10, 2008

C-Lo
Fun show GV. I know you’re an NFL guy, but if you want to bring the thunder to the real heart of football (aka, the college football field), we can start discussing a taping of the Thunder Show at Notre Dame stadium.

QOTD: sadly, the only part of Seattle that I have been to is the airport on a layover. It’s on my list of places to visit!

Keep it real.
April 10, 2008

Vinsant
Canlis, Starbucks at Pike St, and the W hotel.
April 10, 2008

NeutralAngel
QOTD: My favorite part of Washington is the Hoh National Rainforest in Olympic National Park. It is the most beautiful place I have ever visited.
April 10, 2008

Glenn
GV, Way to bring the Thunder today, those are my old stomping grounds. I lived for 18 years an hour north of Seattle. What I miss the most are the people. More down to earth and friendly than here in SoCal. Riesling rocks. I really enjoy the Eroica and will now seek out a Poet’s Leap. Wish I had the pull to get you into Qualcomm Stadium here in San Diego but I am just a nobody important.
April 10, 2008

ChrisH
Thanks for the huge shout out Gary!! You rock and I have been spreading some major thunder tonight because of it.

QOTD: I have not been to Seattle even though I have always wanted to ever since the show Frasier was popular haha. I will get there soon though as my girlfriend has a friend who lives there.
April 10, 2008

J Crazy
been to Wash. state but not all the was to Seattle.
Favorite part is by far the nature. Absolutely one of the most beautiful areas of the world and throw on top of that awesome, laid back, openminded people (and WTO protesters )you have an amazing combination.
April 10, 2008

Nathan
I’ve been to Seattle and am actually heading there tomorrow afternoon. I love the togetherness of some of the smaller businesses. I also enjoy the pubs in the market…bring on the wines!
April 10, 2008

MagnumGourmet
Gary, thanks for making the trip out to the NW. It was great to get to chat with you a bit at the party as well as the grand tasting.

QOTD – Yep, have been to Seattle. Actually have been living in the greater metropolitan area for just over 30 years now. It is very hard for me to pick just one area that I love the most about the state, so I will have to give three shout outs.

1) The gorge in george – Come see a concert there, you won’t be dissapointed

2) Bellingham – Everyone loves a college town

3) Camping up the Icicle River – Great place to get away from it all
April 10, 2008

Withnail
QOTD: I really like all of Seattle. The Eliot Bay Book Club is pretty great.
April 10, 2008

Chrisfs
QOTD
I have been to Seattle twice. Bith times to see a circus festival called The Moisture Festival. It’s great.
My favorite parts of Seattle are, Fremont, it reminds me of Berkeley,CA, my home. It has the Fremont Troll and the largest statue of Lenin is the US.
I has a neat sushi place called Blue C Sushi. I also like Pike’s Place because I like farmer’s markets in general.
April 10, 2008

Lou G
keelen clemons boo.. but that was big of you to wear his shirt in the pacific Northwest , maybe we can trade him back home
April 10, 2008

CRZYWinemaker
Gary ~ awesome ep. Sorry the Washington wines stole your Thunder !
It was great to meet you at Taste Wa. Hope you had a blast, I sure did.

QOTD: I’ve grown up in the Seattle area and there are a ton of cool places, but if you ever get the chance to go up to the tower club level in the Columbia Tower, it’s a view not to be missed, you can look down on the Space Needle, totally cool !

Cheers ~ Max
April 10, 2008

L
This was an Excellent episode, i really like the wine flight taste-off format. Wiemer makes awesome riesling. The 2005 dry riesling was one of the best i’ve ever had, and i’ve had a lot. I’ve been to the winery, it is a very small operation and wiemer himself is a pretty crazy old dude. Last time i was there, he had just, minutes earlier, crashed his tractor into several cases of wine. You should do a WLTV on location in the finger lakes.

QOTD: asian food
April 10, 2008

Syrahhhhhhhhh
GVNC,

First off, let me say what an outright honor it was to meet you, talk to you and shake your hand. Your taping of the Thunder Show at Taste Washington was the highlight of the weekend for us all. And meeting Mott and Matt was great, too. Mott is so humble. The Vayniak party was incredible with 100+ bottles of great Washington juice. We’ll be seeing you during football season then…

My favorite things about Washington State…

1. University of Washington…Go Dawgs! The cherry blossoms in spring on campus.
2. Walla Walla. Amazing food and wine.
3. Olympic National Forest. You love green, right? The Jets…Well, this is GREEN. Moss, the fuzzy kind, not the player(s), waterfalls, it’s awesome.
4. Riding the ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle on a cold morning with hot coffee in my hand and never getting tired of Mt. Rainier looming in the distance like a floating ghost and the spray of mist and wind in my face.
5. Washington Syrah. Just the best.
6. Pike’s Market
7. Canlis.
8. The Columbia River.
9. Port Townsend
10. Leavenworth

But not in that order necessarily (well, UW is #1).
April 10, 2008

Luke
Wow, awesome. I love the passion you put into these shows! You are creating something for people that don’t take themselves so seriously.
April 10, 2008

KennyMac
Another great show. Love the format. And re: the QOTD, as a person from Vancouver, BC (a mere two hours north of Seattle) I have indeed been to Seattle and Washington State many times. Favorite parts included the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands (I can see them from my home), Mt Rainier. Mt Baker and Mt St. Helens (fascinating if you get a chance to visit), many parts of Seattle, the incredible drive through the North Cascades on Hwy 20, and Whidbey Island.
April 10, 2008

Isaac
Awesome show GV…I’m surprised it wasn’t raining there.
QOTD: Never been there!!!
April 10, 2008

Caleb
QOTD: Yes, not much, but the little restaurants down on union bay are nice. Nice dinner, nice wine, look back up at the space needle, it’s great!
April 10, 2008

A-Gar From Spokane
QOTD: I’ve spent some time in Seattle, but honestly, Spokane is where it’s at. Great wineries, great wines, great people. I’m a big fan of Washington wines, especially Columbia Crest and Hogue, and feel like the best thing about Washington is the people.
April 10, 2008

YoungDave
FANTASTIC Ep. and location!! I hope you keep up the quest to tape a show from every NFL stadium in the country.

QOTD: Unfortunately, no, but I’d love to. Maybe this fall.
April 10, 2008

Leif Sundstrom
QOTD: Love restaurants in Seattle: Harvest Vine and Lark (MUST EATS). Also, love my friends that live there, and french fries till 4am (FRITES).
April 10, 2008

Leif Sundstrom
Also, just drank the poets leap blind recently at a friends riesling tasting. It was showing differently for me a bit :http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=239490
April 10, 2008

Pardus
I had the Herman Wiemer Semi Dry Riesling back in 97 or 98 and I loved it. I became a Herman Wiemer fan immediately.

QOTD: I went to Seattle to visit my best man a little over a year and a half ago. Besides seeing a friend I hadn’t seen in several years my favorite part was our trip to the wine tasting rooms outside of Seattle and a visit to the Red Hook Brewery.
April 10, 2008

kEITH
Loved the show, I’m a Riesling fan, agree with the Eroica comments (the only one of the bunch I’ve tried).

QOTD: Wife and I vacationed in Seattle area in 2001, one of our all-time fave vacations. My favorite was Mt Rainier, my wife’s favorite was Pike Place (?) market.
April 10, 2008

JordanW
QOTD: Never been. Would like to visit.
April 10, 2008

T. Holland
QOTD: Went to Seattle about 3 years ago to visit friends. Had a great time in the city, but by far, my favorite part was going to the Cascade mountains (just a short drive from Seattle). Had a great time camping out there & it was incredibly beautiful.
April 10, 2008

joel delon
Hi gary so far from my languedoc countryside too grey and too noisy for me (QOTD : never been in america) like those pink buckets f the jets would like to spit our wines in such buckets where can i order such a handy little tool ? for our local tastings
April 10, 2008

Donna Marie
QOTD: About 3 years ago, did an Oregonian wine junket and briefly visited Washington State(Mt. St. Helens). I yearn to go back and do Washington Wines and Oregon again. Absolutely beautiful and incredible. Definitely visit your NY neighbors, Herman Weimer.
April 10, 2008

Adam J
QOTD: Love Seattle!! Half my whole family is there so I spent lots of time there growing up. There is (at least used to be) a place on a pier called Elliots Oyster Bar, I did my first oyster shooter there when I was about 5 years old, wonderful memories!! Have a blast!
April 10, 2008

Sharon
Funny show! Love the Gary being the center of the noise universe vibe! So, you really want to tape a show during a Jets – Patriots game at Foxboro? Or can it be week of / before / after? There is someone I can ask. (not guaranteeing anything)
QOTD: No, never have!
April 10, 2008

Jaybird
What a cool episode…picture perfect.
QOTD: Never been but if I do I have a cousin up there and would love to visit. I would have to go in August, which is when they said it is possibly the most beautiful place in the US.
Must be the only time it does not rain!
April 10, 2008

Ryan D
QotD: I have been to Seattle, but not in a very long time. I think I was like 10. Don’t remember that much about it.
April 10, 2008

MTMike
Of course I’ve been to Washington, I was born there! Right in the heart of Columbia Valley, the Tri-Cities. I’ve also been in Qwest Field, sitting about 20 feet to Gary’s right. Awesome show! Way to step up WA wines!
April 10, 2008

Glen... winecrazy.com
Very cool……. Question is where was I…???
April 10, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
I was just there in March. I like the Olympic peninsula and Olympia as well as Ranier. Seattle, itself has so many interesting places and Archie McFee is there. No thrilled with the format today as it was somewhat difficult to hear well. Not a huge fan of any American Rieslings as they don’t have the character of German or Alsatian.
April 10, 2008

Pete W.
Great episode. Can’t wait for you to come to the Metrodome!

QOTD: I haven’t been to Washington state (let alone Seattle), but I’d love to go. Maybe for an upcomming vacation. Someone in the know should @petewall me some recommendations on what to see and do.
April 10, 2008

IPBrian
QOTD: Never been there, but would love to check it out.

Keep rocking Gary!
April 10, 2008

Brent Marshall, Bellevue WA
AWESOME episode of the Tunder Show from my team’s field (you have to admit, the way the stadium sits with a view of the city is great). Especially loved the Seahawks spit bucket making the cameo.
April 10, 2008

gayle
QOTD: Yes,I’ve been to Seattle. My mother went to Queen Anne High School there during the war (that would be WWII). Love the Pike Street Market.
Thanks for the riesling lesson.
April 10, 2008

KP
Love the show Gary, but the wind was LOUD! I live in wine country NY, although I’m not a huge fan of NY wines We do enjoy a day of winery hopping though. It’s a beautiful area. I would love to tour Washington and CA some day.

A few days ago you commented on drinking white wines at room temperature…I totally agree with you. I drink chardonnay almost exclusively, and I always pour it an hour or so before I plan to drink it so it comes to room temp. My family thinks I’m nuts, but the cold temperature definitely masks many of the flavors!

I look forward to watching your show at work every day on my ipod!
April 10, 2008

Cristina-Las Vegas
Walla Walla is amazing! if you have not been, you need to go. Seek out any wine from Long Shadows- they are the best!
April 10, 2008

Andy & Edie
Great show on location. The planes, trains, and wind just wouldn’t let up! Being from Montana we get a lot of Washington wines and most of them are pretty darn good.
April 10, 2008

hb
Loved the NY vs WA Riesling show!

QOTD – Been to Seattle at least 30 times in the last 20 years. Love the spring, summer and fall there! I love shopping downtown on foot and love going to baseball games there!
April 10, 2008

Nathan H
QOTD: never been. Want to though.
April 10, 2008

George from NEPA
QOTD: I was out to Seattle for a day on a business trip. Funny story, the guy that was supposed to train me tried to bring tools as a carry-on on a plane post 9/11. So he got delayed in NY and I was out in SeaTac Airport for 12 hours solo. Did I mention that I didnt have the rental car?? Luckily a friend of mine is studying at U of Wash (U Dub) and I took a cab and spent the day with him. Seattle was cool but not as big as I expected. I think NYC as a big city but Seattle was like if I blinked I would have missed it. All in all it was a cool place. Good food but shady casinos haha. We went to Wanatche WA for the rest of the week to work and had to drive thru the Cascades (Stevens Pass) in a snow storm. Beautiful area but I dont know if I could live there.
April 10, 2008

LauraG
Great show!! QOTD: Love Seattle, but my favorite part of the trip is always Bainbridge Island, right across the sound. Funky pastoral – very cool indeed.
April 10, 2008

Shadowbird
QOTD: Nope, I haven’t.
April 10, 2008

Ricky B.
QOTD- Being that I live in the Pacific Northwest (Portland) I have been there many times, I really like Pike Place Market.
April 10, 2008

brook
Gary,
I live in Seattle but didn’t get to see you while you were here. Hopefully next time.
Take good care,
Brook
April 10, 2008

sobojosh
QOTD: My brother lives there.
April 10, 2008

bfrankphoto
I’ve been a huge Seahawk for for as long as I can remember, but have never been to Seattle. Love the new stadium.
April 10, 2008

Jose
Met Gary at The Taste of Washington this past weekend. Saw one of his videos the night before for the first time. My cousin William turned me on to this guy. I’m a fan. He is spot on with his critiques. My wife’s become a fan too. Jose from Bainbridge Island, WA
April 10, 2008

Matthew R
Gotta love Pike Place Market! I’m in Colorado right now but as soon as I can I’m moving to the Seattle area!
April 10, 2008

RnD
I love the head to head shows. The Eroica Riesling is one I’ve had in the past and always enjoyed. Haven’t had any 06 though, but your tasting has made me curious. Will definitely look for the Poet’s Leap. Keep up the good work.

QOTD: Been to WA twice, but never got past the terminal at the airport. They make some damn good wine though.
April 10, 2008

Steve B
QOTD: Not only have I been to Seattle and Washington many, many times, the last time I was in Seattle I chatted up Gary V at Taste Washington. Favorite part of the state? Probably the High Cascades, followed by the beautiful high desert country beneath the Blue Mountains, which also happens to be the site of some of Washington’s best vineyards.
April 10, 2008

Steve B
QOTD: Not only have I been to Seattle and Washington many, many times, the last time I was in Seattle I chatted up Gary V at Taste Washington. Favorite part of the state? Probably the High Cascades, followed by the beautiful high desert country beneath the Blue Mountains, which also happens to be the site of some of Washington’s best vineyards.

The Poet’s Leap is truly extraordinary wine, by the way. You gotta try some!
April 10, 2008

bigmay
Apologies if anybody else pointed this out but it looks like the WA wines covered the 8.5 point spread with a final tally of 268 points to NY’s 254.

QOTD: Only ever had a layover at the Seattle airport. Need to get out there and spend some time.
April 10, 2008

Karl Laczko
Fantastic show, and to think we get this stuff for free!! The backdrop was stunning, the sound effects were great (especially all those trains!), and to top it all you do Riesling, and lots of them – very cool.

QOTD – No to either part of that question, maybe one day….
April 10, 2008

Cookiedds
QOTD: I am heading to Washington for the first time this October, 7 days in Walla Walla tasting through the offerings to stock my cellar.
April 10, 2008

Derek F
Awsome show bud!!!!

QOTD: Never been there…sorry.
April 10, 2008

PA
I’ve been to Seattle, although I spent most of my time on the absolutely stunning campus of UW. It’s a really beautiful place, and the rumors of constant rain are planted by natives to keep people away IMO.
April 10, 2008

cgf
Great episode GV. I have been lurking for awhile, but wanted to come out and say hi. A wiemer riesling will do that to me.

I have had all those FL rieslings, and the eroica. We match up on our assesments. I have always been underwhelmed by eroica. I can’t believe you have not been to Wiemer yet. It is a great place. Hermann recently passed on the torch and sold his winery to his longtime assistant winemaker Fred. I hope to see the quality continue under his stewardship.

I have found that winemakers had more success with their gewurtz’s and semi-dry’s in 2006. It seems you do too. You were tough on Hermann’s 2006 Dry riesling awhile back, but I think rightfully so. The 2005’s, both from Dr. Frank and Hermann, rocked it in the dry style however.

Hope all is well. God luck with the other stadiums.
April 10, 2008

CindyW
Awesome show, GaryV — almost as good as the one you taped the day before with all us Vayniacs.

QOTD: Too many favorite places to list here, but I think that if I ever move there will be two special things I’ll miss. 1. Riding ferries in the Puget Sound. 2. Wine get-togethers with the Seattle Vayniacs.
April 10, 2008

Alan E
Just too excellent of a show to stay a lurker Gary. Just wanted to say how amazing I find your ecstatic passion about wine and this show still at such high levels after more than 400 episodes. I doff my hat to you sir.

QOTD: Flew into Seattle on my way to Vancouver and had a two day layover. What I miss the most is the salmon sushi – that sweet, succulent, supremely buttery slice of fresh fish that I have yet to find anywhere else.
April 10, 2008

TonyMc
Great show. Love the posting that notes that Seattle covered the spread. Wish I had thought of that.
April 10, 2008

Valentin
I’ve never been in Seattle but I will surely visit it when I’m in the UK next time.
April 10, 2008

Travis
Please get a lapel mike or something to cut the wind. Annoying!
April 10, 2008

MtnCharlie
Really like the location shows. Liked the Riesling head-to-head.

QOTD: Love Seattle. Almost as much as my home town San Francisco
April 10, 2008

TimCub
I have been to Seattle, and although it was several years ago, my favorite part of my visit was performing for the GALA Choruses Regional Festival at Benaroya Hall.

Great show, Gary, and keep it up!
April 10, 2008

Mike L
Great show, Gary! I’ve been on a Riesling kick lately. Yum yum!

QOTD: Went to Seattle once. It rained, I was on a business trip. So my first impression was meh but I’m hoping to go back for some personal/fun time soon.
April 10, 2008

DAveA
I am into Rieslings since my trip to Germany in November. HOGUE makes a great cheap one! Good show, liked the train! I’ll check for the local high school football field to see if they’d let us host you. Good show!

Loved the thunder (wind) noises, made me feel like I was in Tampa during summer storms. smile.

Horseradish covered clams, ugh? I must ponder…
April 10, 2008

SarahB
Never been to Seattle.

If you make it to see Weimer than you should check out Dr. Frank as well. I know you weren’t that impressed with the Dry Riesling, but they make some fabulous wine there. Look out especially for the Rkatsiteli.
April 10, 2008

Jennifer
QOTD: No, but I have cousins who live there. Great show, GV.
April 10, 2008

Kelly
Yes I have been to Seattle and loved it. There is a place downtown called “The Tasting Room”. Great place to go tasting lots of Washington State wines. Also enjoyed Pike’s Place market, the fish throwing guys and the Original Starbucks.
April 10, 2008

Tony
QOTD: I was in Seattle last summer – if your in town, have dinner at the “Wild Ginger” great Asian dishes served family style – good wine selection as well. I also went to Mt. Rainier – very, very cool…especially being from NJ and never really being around mountains.
April 10, 2008

pawncop
Good show.

Have never been to Seattle and it has been a long time since I have been to the west coast.

Recently tried a very dry Australian Riesling last week and it took a while for it to mellow out a bit.
April 10, 2008

sev
awesome show! I would love to see you at soldier field, go bears.

QOTD: I have never been to Washington, but I would love to visit either wine country or Seattle sometime soon.
April 10, 2008

Sleak
Great show, GV. Looking forward to future offsite shows. Too bad the ‘06 Eroica disappointed because some of the earlier vintages I’ve had have been quite good.

QOTD: My grandfather lived in Queen Anne so as my family traveled flew from Omaha to visit him every summer from circa 1980-1994. Some of the best memories of my life are in Seattle. Its also the site of my first tasting at a winery. We always would visit the beautiful grounds of Chateau Ste Michelle and have a nice picnic lunch and feed the coy fish.
April 10, 2008

rich caccamo
Tell Mott to get a wind sock (a foam cover for a shot-gun microphone) if your gonna tape in any more stadiums.Secondly, it’s Casey Kasem (notice the EM) not EN.You’ve finally got this lurker to comment after about 325 shows,congrats.Rich C.
April 11, 2008

Mark Simkins
If I can get you onto the Sydney Football Stadium or the Melbourne Cricket Ground …will you come and visit us Downunder??
April 11, 2008

Beardo
QOTD: Indeed, I have been to Seattle (many times in fact) and I would have to say that the Capitol Hill/ South Lake Union areas are my favs.
April 11, 2008

Peter
Great show! When you like Riesling you have to visit Germany. We have the best Rieslings of the world. Sorry Austria.
And then you must visit the BVB at the Westfalenstadion (now called Signal Iduna Park) in Dortmund. We have the largest free-standing grandstand in the whole of Europe with an capacity of 25000. Itâ€™s absolutly awesome. But we play soccer instead of football. However we name it the same.
April 11, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Very cool show!!

Q-Not yet.
April 11, 2008

David
QOTD: Seattle is beautiful in the summer, I’m out there pretty often since my grandparents live in Kirkland
April 11, 2008

Chippewamike
Cool show. Detroit has a wine show/fundraiser on Ford Field in October– you could do a show there!

QOTD: Not had the chance to get to Seatle but hear it is FABULOUS.
April 11, 2008

Joe Po
Was in Seattle a few years ago and had the same view but from the mezzanine on a beautiful blue sky day!!!!! The enitre area is a treat to visit.
April 11, 2008

JÃ¸rn Idar
No, I havent, but who know’s what will happen soon..?
April 11, 2008

RieslingRon
Awesome riesling show down………..really great. I’m glad the Weimer did well and I have one been waiting to get into.

QOTD: I was is Seattle in ‘62 for the World’s Fair. That’s before the Seahawks and before I really got into wine.
April 11, 2008

Jessica
I live in Seattle and after 3 years of living (and 15 of visiting off and on) I still am in love with this town. From Pike Street, to Alki, to the wineries in Woodinville and the hiking in the mountains or boating on Lake Washington, you can’t get better than Seattle!! *unless it was sunny all the time!!
April 11, 2008

chenrys
Great Riesling show. We’re fans.

QOTD: Carl’s never been to WA state. I lived there as a kid – Pasco, on the eastern side of the state. Been back to visit – mainly Seattle and Bellingham, for my 21st birthday. My sister lives in Everett so we might get out to visit – maybe this year if I get artwork in an international show that opens in August.
April 12, 2008

Sassodoro
Great show, Gary!

QOTD. Went to Seattle on vacation with Mrs. Sassodoro a few years ago, and we found it to be a great food & wine town!
April 12, 2008

wayno da wino
Yo Gee, Classic Episode !! Sounds like You was at a Train Depot with a
Tornado goin’ thru !!

QOTD: Loooove Washington State & it’s Parks: Olympic National Park,
Mt. Rainier National Park, and Mount St. Helens……Beautiful, Beautiful,
Beautiful !!!!!
April 12, 2008

ChrisR
dude, it’s Shel-drake Point, not Sheld-rake Point! That was the first vineyard I visited, and what a great place. Great people making great wine there, maybe that vintage wasn’t killer. IN the past, the dry reisling has been some of my favs from them. Great NW show!
April 12, 2008

mikeyrad
QOTD: We’ll be going to Seattle and Vancouver for a conference in June. Can’t wait.
April 12, 2008

mike brewer
I agree with the Wild Ginger recommendation. Amazing place to eat. And, if you like hole in the wall pubs, try Mt. Si Tavern East of the city on I-90.
April 12, 2008

I.T. Rockstar
I’ll say I prefer the muzac in your office as opposed to the wind…but great show anyways!

QOTD: The Purple Cafe…one of the best wine and cheese places in Seattle…especially if you get a couch in the loft. That and there’s this awesome french bakery down by the market, but I can’t recall the name of it.
April 12, 2008

DJB
I live in Seattle and love many parts of it. I think that Fremont, Ballard, and Greenlake are some sweet spots to hang.

Great Show Gary. I can’t wait to see you in other Stadiums.
April 13, 2008

Jacob S
Yes, had a short trip to Seattle and it’s a great place to go. Food and wine scene is great. I like the Ace hotel and Belltown.
April 13, 2008

Dan-o
I have never been to WA State, but I am a big fan of the wines and the west coast scenery. I would love to go some time.
I have always like the Leonetti, L’Ecole #41, Columbia Crest Reserves, Waterbrook Syrah, Eroica Riesling. There seem to be a lot of good reasons to go there.

GV – have you ever had Matthews Wines from WA State? I have got their “Red” and another called Claret. Classic Bordeaux blends – the Red is awesome!
April 13, 2008

PeteDinNYC
Native Seattlite now living in the Big Apple… GO HAWKS!!!! (Sorry GaryV)

Best things about Seattle are definitely the summers, wine and the people… In fact I like the wine and summers SO much I’m getting married at DeLille Cellars this summer rather than doing to wedding in NYC.

Hope you enjoyed your trip…
April 13, 2008

Blake
QOTD: Never been to Seatle or WA……but the WA state wines that i’ve had are really quite amazing!
April 13, 2008

Rich White
QOTD: I have lived in Seattle for over 20 years. GV, you have to visit Walla Walla. I know you are a big fan of the wines and if you go, you have to hit Whitehouse Crawford. The only sad thing is that WA wines have been discovered. It was a lot cooler when no one knew how kick ass the wines were. If you like a good neighborhood steakhouse, check out Jak’s Grill.
April 13, 2008

SacramentoCharlie
The Wind ?, The Train ? The Cold ? Suck it up, I never heard Mike Nugent complain that way

QOTD: Beautiful place when the sun is out.
April 14, 2008

Bobby Wino
sweet location. I’ll see what I can do in my area to get you on a football field!

QOTD. I visited once a few years ago but I’m looking for an excuse to go back up there. I’ve spent a ton of time in oregon and washington is next on my list
April 14, 2008

JoshL
Green Thunder!? PFFT!

Nice to see you at Taste!
April 14, 2008

Mr.Ambassador
Go Washington Riesling.

Live in Washington State and love it here. My favorite region is that which we call home: Puget Sound!
April 14, 2008

Harley Stan
great episode!!!
QOTD- I have not been there yet.
April 14, 2008

yowens
Yo GV, I love the stadium idea. I think NY rielsing can be fantastic and relatively inexpensive compared to other whites.
April 15, 2008

cumpari
Great episode! I fully agree with your assessment of the Poet’s Leap. Excellent wine. Too bad its tough to get, though I know the WL carries it!

QOTD: Lived there for 9 years and am trying to get back! Seattle is a great place to live, the Olympic Peninsula is a great place to play! Walla Walla is a great place to dry your shoes and whet your palate!
April 15, 2008

brandich
August 7: Jets(boo) at Browns (yea) preseason game. Seems like a good excuse for you to take the show on the road to Cleveland.
April 16, 2008

GR8wine
GV: love the episode, nice to see you on the road, and congrats for taking Mott with you!
QOTD: only been to a few places in Washington (Seatle included) but not enough to proclaim my favorite. I suspect if I ever got a chance to visit Columbia Valley or Walla Walla I might pick one of them.
Last comment . . love the Reisling – tasting on the Mosel is what got me into wine.
April 17, 2008

ValerieM
QOTD: Yes, Back in 98 I saw Jonny Lang and Buddy Guy on the Pier in Seattle. It was a blast!
April 17, 2008

LuvsChandon
I love Rieslings, nice V-Blog Gary! Suprised myself when I drank more wine than beer when I had the chance to visit Germany a few years ago.

Catching up on past episodes, QOTD: Love the energy at Pike place market! Plus Seattle kind of reminds me of my favorite city, SF.

I’d go open a bottle of Riesling now, but its not even 11 am. Bought a Martin Ray Angeline I’m excited to try. Go CA!
April 20, 2008

lee
gary,

great show. love the riesling props. seattle has a great nudist parade.
April 22, 2008

no92
Great Show. I am getting more into whites and sav blancs so i think rieslings are a possible next step for me. I have had a Loosen at a local place called juicy wines here in Chicago that i have liked very much. Look forward to meeting you in chi town for your book signing.

QOTD: Dude, I went to see my friend Casey in Seattle last year and he is a chef at Purple Cafe, the folks there are great, I got stranded on an island when i missed the ferry. City is a hidden gem.

Peace,
McD
April 22, 2008

JayZee
Nice show (way behind and trying desperately to catch up this week!!)!

QOTD: Yes, I’ve been to Seattle and other parts of Washington State. Let’s see, the best part would be… the wineries!!!
April 25, 2008

Porter
I am glad to post my views and points in this blog.
April 27, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
I just got back from vacation in Seattle. I got a Porron, saw an octopus eat a fish at the aquarium, and went to some solid wineries in Woodinville.

I had the 2006 Eroica at Chateau Ste. Michelle on my trip, I thought it was awesome. Just picked up a bottle from WL (for 32% under other SRP, 15% under other retailers).

Brian Carter Cellars was our favorite of the wineries we visited, both for their wine and for their hospitality.
April 29, 2008

Matt
My wife and I just visited Seattle this past December and fell in love with it. I’d visited when I was 11 and swore back then that I’d end up living there, but thought of it as a pipe dream until we came back from our vacation and the two of us decided to move there at the end of 2009. Now we’re counting down the days (just 598 more to go!).
May 7, 2008

victor
Gary,

This episode was filmed on my birthday Apr 9 so it is my
present to you that if you (and “Ma”) want to come up to
Edmonton Alberta Canada I’ll get you into the Stadium and field?
for a CFL Edmonton Eskimos game WLTV podcast. Whadya say?
May 19, 2008

Zin Guy
I live in Seattle on the north end of Lake Sammamish, just down the hill from Microsoft. Lived here my whole life, love it. Favorite thing about Seattle would have to be the seasons in conjunction with the great natural resources we have out here…love the summer and getting out on a lake in the boat, and I love the winter and getting up skiing in the mountains some of which are less than an hour away.

Hey Gary, good luck on your Jets beating the Seahawks prediction, we’re pretty tough at home. Care to place a little wine wager on the game? I might be able to score some nice tix for you if you decide to come out for the game…
May 30, 2008

Wanginator
I am from Washington — family lives in Olympia. But I moved to Morristown, NJ, to become a Jersey boy, and, no, it was not because of WLTV, I am sad to inform. I frequent the WL in Springfield about twice a month, and I honestly had no idea it was that close! Anyway, Jersey is a beautiful state, and people don’t give it enough street cred.
June 11, 2008

Tony
I will second the comment on Wiemer being the best in the Finger Lakes but, I will admit, I haven’t tried them ALL yet. Still, the style is BY FAR the closest to a genuine Mosel Riesling. I am a particular fan of the Late Harvest and Select Late Harvest which are as close to a Mosel Spatlese and Auslese as you can find in the USA. They exhibit a Urziger Wurtzgarten type strawberry and cream flavor. GREAT stuff.

Also high on my list are Prajean and Fox Run. Fox Run could be OUTSTANDING on the same level as Wiemer is they didn’t dry out their wines as much. The alcohol level is a tad too high and it throws off the balance between acid, sugar and alcohol, for my tastes. But I can tell from tasting their wines that they have the same potential as Wiemer. For “Ice Wines” I also like Wagner and Castel Grisch. For fruity wines I like Torrey Ridge. For dry Riesling try McGregor’s from Keuka Lake. For Chardonnay I like Lamoreaux. For red wines I think Red Newt is by far the best in the finger lakes.
June 13, 2008

SEO Consultant
Seattle is a great place to live.
June 13, 2008

SEO Writer
Iâ€™d visited when I was 11. Its really a good place.
July 22, 2008

vibemore
I can’t believe I am just now seeing this ep! I’m out of the loop I guess. I’m a big fan of almost all that Long Shadows is doing, including Poet’s Leap. QOTD: I’ve lived here for 8 years and love it here.
January 10, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Howd you like our Seahawks ( our pathetic Seahawks with our backup QB, no less!) ripping out the heart of the Jets in that game? Oh you thought the snow would work to the Jet’s advantage, huh? Enough talk, at least you had a shot at the playoffs. Good show, and theres part of me that likes the fact that the first stadium you were at was us, not your BE-LOV-ED Jets. Ok, ok, said enough talk. Anyway…. I knew the Washington reislings would take it, but I was surprised at your score on the Eroica. I was thinking it would have taken it. Still a great show and Im glad you had a great time here. QOTD: I live here, baby! I love everything about this area except for the traffic. The wines, the restaurants, the scenery, the weather, etc. Its just magic.
July 26, 2009

Weston
qotd: living in vancouver been there a couple of times, the drive down is nice all the green, its a nie green state.