California Zinfandel Death Match

California Zinfandel Death Match – Episode #448

April 21, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk explores 3 very serious Zinfandels on the thunder show and talks a little more about his new book!

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“QOTD: Late to comment once again, so Im not sure how I could help book…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“GARY:
USE A WHITE TABLE CLOTH OR A WHITE NAPKIN ON THE SET . WE COU…” by JIM
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Tres Sabores Rutherford ZinfandelNapa Red Zinfandel
2005 Neyers Zinfandel High ValleyOther California Red Zinfandel
2005 Ridge Lytton Springs ZinfandelSonoma Red Zinfandel

Links mentioned in todays episode.

403 Responses

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April 21, 2008

clell
Q1 = put the audio book on itunes for a similar price.
Q2 = this week try some of the Idaho or if you can find one Montana wines.
April 21, 2008

Grapedigger
Oh, here is another idea for the book, could you ask your 5000 facebook friends to put your book on the “My PAGE” section (you know like I am a fan of…you gotta create this though, just as the one for WLTV).
April 21, 2008

Grapedigger
Good Show GV. For promoting the book, you tapping again into the WLTV viewers you may go for a draw for book buyers after 1-2 month whereby the winner would win 10-15 bottles featured in the book. The more books you buy, the more entries you’d get into the draw. You could also try doing the same strategy at the WL store & other possible wine stores. Also could you sell signed copied over WL stuff? Get a wine critic to a popular mag review the book (could always backfire though!!).
QOTD: I’d like to see a show dedicated to Tannat. Cheers
April 21, 2008

David Harris
I second what tooch said.
April 21, 2008

Little Jonny H
QOTD1: I’m no marketing strategist… and therefor can’t think of much here. Maybe a contest for the folks who buy 2+ books to come on the show and taste with you…?

QOTD2: Sweet wines (Tokaji, Georgian, or even Port) would be a great way to spice things up! You always say that reviewers of sweet wines are suckers for sugar… so a show that exemplifies the other characteristics we should expect from these traditional dessert wines would be very intriguing. I know my lady loves dessert style wines, and this type of show would help us develop a more discerning palate that can get past the sugar and pull out some other aspects of the wine. I’ve often tried to analyze sweet wines and ultimately said: This tastes great, but what else should I expect? -especially on the mid-palate and finish.
April 21, 2008

Senor Sangria
QOTD #1: Get yourself onto the IRON CHEF and promote the book there. You would be a kick ass judge and it is filmed in NYC.

QOTD #2: How about a BRANDY show? That’ll be different and can be fun. Brandy is made from grape wine….
April 21, 2008

Amber
Show ideas for this week-
Blind tasting! Take a grape variety from three to four different regions (Like Pinot noir from Burgundy/New Zealand/Oregon/California or Sauvignon blanc from Washington/California/New Zealand/Loire/Bordeaux, etc) at around the same price point (and vintage) and see if Gary can name which one is from which place. It could be fun and educational to see how one goes through the blind tasting process to pick up the clues as to a wine’s identity.
April 21, 2008

Rhonda
I don’t know how you feel about mead but I have tried a couple from the Redstone Meadery that I have really enjoyed. http://www.redstonemeadery.com/

I would love to see a show on mead because I don’t know much about it!
April 21, 2008

Stefan T
QOTD II: It would be very interesting to see some wines that have eco-friendly packaging, tetra paks, plastic bottles and the like.

We’d see if we could save the world and still have decent wine.
April 21, 2008

Dirtnut
Gary, I LOVE your show. I am new to the wine world and it’s great to see someone cut through all the wine snobberie BS.

I’d like to see a show explaining the “aging” of wines. I don’t have a clue how to tell if a wine needs more cellaring, if it’s ready to drink, or if it’s DRAINO time.

Another idea – many episodes back (#212?) you tasted the wines of 2 bone Chuck. Bronco has another line called Crane Lake that is available outside of Trader Joe’s and is in the 3 – 6 bone range. I would appreciate your opinions on these wines. I am tasting my way through the current vintages and find some best used for tie-dying, but a few that are surprisingly drinkable.

Keep up the good work and thanks for “changing the wine world”.
April 21, 2008

Jonathan Oakes
Gary “THOR” Vaynerchuck. Keep bringin the thunder baby.
Book promotion?
Tell people that the book smells exactly like the greatest wine you ever drank.
Seriously. There are directories for every winery and merchandise/accessory company throughout the US. Link it up and make some cold calls and get your book in every damn tasting room throughout the country. We open in New York in a month and we would be happy to carry it!

*you also need your own line of pickles

Show ideas?
Explain the similar components of:
Valpolicella (superiore)/Amarone/Recioto/Ripasso
Take us to Austria:
Gruner Veltliner/Zwygelt
A new world take on an old world grape? Semillon in Austrailia and Cali.
Take us to British Columbia. A ton of great Okanagan wines.
Lets explore Torrontes.
How about a dont mess with Texas showdown.

Cheers! Go Bills!!!!!!!
April 21, 2008

Newman
QOTD: I’m not sure how to advertise for your book, but I think you should do wines from British Columbia. We have some pretty awesome wineries, and it would mean I might actually be able to get my hands on some of the wines you review.
April 21, 2008

Byron Chen
qotd—get your book linked up with all the wine related searches on search engines. qotd2—- cognac tasting?
April 21, 2008

Chippewamike
Awesome show!! Welcome back! I am hosting a wine tasting Saturday and would love a show on Gruner Veltminer, Albarino, Malbec, Rose (Nine Vines of Australia) or Vionier.
April 21, 2008

E
Get thee on the Colbert Report!
April 21, 2008

John Cabot
How about a cal rhone blend show. Our Kimberly’s Syrah/Vio coferment, that you have, would be a good contestant.
John Cabot
April 21, 2008

Vinay
I want to see you discuss some cali pinot noirs, flowers, bela gros, or some others you may think are good
April 21, 2008

manonthemoon
Love the Zins and most of the neyers I have had have brought the thunder.

QOTD: I think the book tour will bring the most attention to it as other people have mentioned, but only if it includes a DC tour stop

QOTD: I would love to see some German Reisling, or I always love some oregon pinot. I would love to see GV review the 2006 Sineann Schindler Vineyard Pinot or the 2006 Elk Cove Five Mountain Pinot.
April 21, 2008

espressokev
QOTD1: Advertise on Rev3/Boing Boing again.

QOTD2: Wines from the Midwest. I gotta represent.
April 21, 2008

stevo
I’d like to see a show dedicated to Pinot Noirs of the World. I don’t like pinots that much so it will be tougher for me to buy those wines for my next First Freakin’ Friday in a few weeks (my version of “Third Thirsty Thursday”). Bring it GV!

To sell the book: buy some ad space on drudgereport.com
April 21, 2008

Melissa Falkenham
qotd #2: as a member of the ckc crew i would love to hear about some more $10 + under wines that i can actually go out + buy!
April 21, 2008

KenP
GV,
I’m a little annoyed. You didn’t begin to explain why Zins might express such wild differences. Here in Cali a Zin from Russian River will taste unlike a Zin from Sonoma Coast or from Paso or from Santa Cruz Mtns, El Dorado, Temecula, etc. Hot climate, cool climate, whether in granite or loam, whether irrigated or dry farmed. Zin is peculiar in that its wines are all over the map! Slamming Ridge is not useful. What does a ’score’ mean if no thought is given to the AVA in which it is grown? Ridge is simply different. And difference counts.
I met a man in a tasting room just last week. He travels all over Cali looking for interesting Zins. His wine library numbers over 100 expressions! No point in asking him for ratings points. He celebrates a grape that does such uniquely strange things wherever it is grown. Talk about terroir…
April 21, 2008

Marshall
YEAH NO KIDDING WHERE WAS MY B-DAY SHOUT OUT BACK ON JAN 29?????????????
April 21, 2008

SKN
QOTD #1: I bought the book today (2 copies, of course) so I hope that helps you get back up on the best-seller list.

QOTD #2: a tour of the Wine Library (for those of us who haven’t been yet).
April 21, 2008

Beth
Hey Gary! I’m very sad, where was my birthday shout out last week?? Wednesday, April 16 ring any bells?? Fellow vayniac Kristen put in the request. I’ll be watching to see if you come through this week. That’s all right. No hard feelings

QOTD 1: Have the book translated into other languages and tap into the international market.
QOTD 2: I challenge you to NOT use the spit bucket for an entire episode. Don’t be a girly man! And don’t do this on some ‘laid-back Friday’ either. I want an entire episode of you, bringing the thunder, and DRINKING it also!!