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
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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

April 21, 2008

manonthemoon
#1
April 21, 2008

David Dickinson
First again! Whew Hoo! Love Zins Gary.
April 21, 2008

David Dickinson
OK, so I was 2nd by 3 seconds. That’s because I typed 7 words.
April 21, 2008

Brian Kachel
Hi guys! Top 5, oh and Nyers Shiraz kicks ass!! Need to try the Zinfandel!
April 21, 2008

John S
In at the top …Oh yes my friends!

Shame about the Ridge, Lytton Springs has always been a personal favorite.

I’d like to see you do some wines that were actually READY TO BE DRUNK!

Gary wha’ we gonna do with you?
April 21, 2008

chalz
top ten once again
April 21, 2008

AnthonyS
Can’t wait to check this ep. out.
April 21, 2008

evolvingmonkey
Had a HELL of a time getting back to Cleveland from New York… Oh it only took me um.. a FULL 24 hours to get a flight out of JFK/LGA. Gotta love ‘em… I don’t know why I keep going back. : ) But I had an amazing weekend.
April 21, 2008

Withnail
Great topic! Looking forward to it. Been wanting to try some new Zins lately.
April 21, 2008

MagnumGourmet
Top 10…Woo Hoo!
April 21, 2008

Medo
Good topic Gary, but I’m missing some German stuff lately on the Thunder show!

Got a 2003 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel a couple of day ago.. looking forward for this!
April 21, 2008

Don Reynolds
QOTD: Top buyers gets to guest host with you plus a particular bottle of wine and an autographed book. Maybe set a minimum amount of books bought to qualify. Or some sort of MLM referral program.
April 21, 2008

Micha
QOTD: Thanks Gary for #448. Tasting some Reds from NZ could be fun?
April 21, 2008

drew
Top 100
April 21, 2008

Ed Salonia
Great job GV. Congrats again on the book.

Thank us for letting you do this?!? Thank you for doing it!

Keep up the good work.
April 21, 2008

Dr T from N. Carolina
Sorry, my wife has all the wrestlers packed away back in New Orleans, otherwise I’d happily donate.

I’ll skip the main QOTD.

What I’d like to see: About once every two weeks, I’d like you to compare three wines blind (not double blind): compare three different bottles of the same varietals, with v. different price points (say $10, $16, $30) or very different locations(say a Loire cab franc, and one west coast and one east coast)

“T”
April 21, 2008

Michael Mohammadi
QOTD: Write a good book
April 21, 2008

Danny C
QOTD: Guerilla marketing is always a good thing, but that would be something for the books street team. You need something where you reach a large # of people that might not watch WLTV. Maybe if people did a company wide email with a link for your book, you’d be attracting a market that might not otherwise be infiltrated. Might work…

As for the WLTV, I’d like to see a “mailing list” show, maybe with wines like Sea Smoke, Bond, William Selyem, etc. If possible that would be cool!

Great show, thanks GV!
April 21, 2008

GrapeStuff
mmmmmm CALI ZIN….yumm!
April 21, 2008

Don Reynolds
I would like to see you test drive wines from America’s Midwest unless there’s really nothing out there worth the effort. Also I couldn’t find anything in the archives concerning Tempranillo. That could be cool too.
April 21, 2008

Adam J
Sorry, first QOTD is not my ballpark. Second question- I know it would be a pricy episode but a Tokay tasting of each of the 3,4,5,6 puttonyos and even the essencia’s would be really cool…or I’m always down with more growers champagne episodes. No,no Gary..Thank you.
April 21, 2008

Jaybird
QOTD#1: Have Wine Library marketing put together a PDF book promotion that we can access and print out ourselves. Once we have printed, simply take it next time we stop in to our local retailer (wine shop). Many know there wine merchant (I know I do, and they know my credit card number by heart), and if we have been loyal to them they should have a few minutes to listen to a customer and consider finding room on there counter to display the book. It could turn profitable for them as well by purchasing some of the wines that grace the pages in the book.
April 21, 2008

Scott EJ
Love the Zin. Surprised about the Ridge.

QOTD a: Call Oprah.

QOTD b: Spring wines.
April 21, 2008

Dennis Jackson
Good episode! I really want to try that Neyers! I’m going to think for a bit and see if I can come up with a good way to promote the book.

Thank YOU, for your show and for giving us the opportunity to change the wine world! haha.
April 21, 2008

indigo
QOTD: put a “golden” book mark in some books… willy wonka style. Winners get 12 of the bottles of wine you mentioned in the book.
April 21, 2008

randy d
Good show gary

QOTD1-Go onto diggnation and promote the book with kevin and alex, you three together would be epic…or you could go the Radiohead route and give the book away for free as a PDF file or something and let people donate whatever they think it is worth (a portion to the publisher and the rest to charity maybe i think that would be just great)

QOTD2-This week on wine library i would love to see a episode on
1. Txacoli- would love to see your opinion on this grape
2. 1996 Vega Unico or whatever year you have(recentaly tried the 1994)
3. a progression tasting Muga Reserva, Muga Prado, Torre Muga
April 21, 2008

Jaybird
QOTD#2: I’m a big fan of St. Emilion, would like to see a 2005 match up, and learn a little more about that AOC.
April 21, 2008

indigo
You mentioned PORT around the 11 minute mark – any thought on doing a PORT show? I’m an amateur Port drinker and I’d love to hear what you have to say!
April 21, 2008

drew
Ideas –

Taste a few wines from your book.

Let Mott pick out wines for a blind tasting.

Get rid of the Jets bucket so you can spit into a Giants bucket.
April 21, 2008

David Dickinson
I like the Match Ups: Chianti’s, Cab Franc’s, and more.
How about an episodes where you compare Rhones against Bordeaux or other regions of France?

I’m not a marketing guy, so I don’t have book ideas.
April 21, 2008

GrapeStuff
Had the ‘05 Neyers Tofanelli Zin and was not nearly as impressed as you were with the High Valley – I will have to give this one a shot and give Neyers another chance.

QOTD2: I agree with the mailing list episode, but dunno if you could pull that together in one week.
April 21, 2008

brent
GV! Pop a bottle of the MATASSA ROUGE and some of the other wines from SW France! I’m curious to find out if you’re as into their reds as you were the white (Matassa) a few months ago.

And try Petalos from Palacios! I don’t think you’ve ever tasted a wine made from Mencia on the show.
April 21, 2008

Purple Tooth
Thanks for the show on Zin. I would like to see a show on California red blends. See if you can get wine stores to carry your book and contact Sams, Costco and World Market (Cost Plus). They sell alot of wine. Also Whole Foods and Central Market (Texas). Good luck. Can’t wait to get my copies!
April 21, 2008

brent
Oh, another idea… there are a bunch of Moscato d’Astis available from the wine library… you could do a summer-themed Moscato tasting!
April 21, 2008

Jaybird
QOTD#1: Just had another idea… for anyone that posts in Wine Spectator or Robert Parker forums ask them to change their signature to say Something about May 13th release and put link with it.
April 21, 2008

jason
QOTD 1. maybe you can start buy a new wine book day : )
april showers brings may wine books

QOTD 2. how about some 2005 CDP : )
some german wines?
05 barbera
5 wines you have never heard o

if i still had my wrestlers, i would send you jimmy snuka or ricky steamboat…. superfly was bad assssss (that is 6 s’s) big john stud too. i just saw that he died a few years back and he was the masked executioner too. crazy
April 21, 2008

jason
forgot, i had a ridge zin 04 (forget which one… maybe ponzo) anyhow, it was like eating a frikin’ lumber store. i could not finish the bottle with friends. it was the 4th of july in france and i thought we would have some americain wine. it killed our bottle of CDP afterwards. never again. i am still curious of the monte bello though
April 21, 2008

BF
QOTD: Send an autographed copy of the book with every WL purchase over $100 (or whatever)
April 21, 2008

T. Reasoner
I had a private tasting at Maui’s Winery and the area ulupalakua is absolutely awesome! the wine is ok they have a decent sparkler and a decent syrah.

Bring the thunder show to Maui and I guarantee a great time!

A show of the wines of Hawaii… which you could include a local hawaii boy making wines in cali
Kaena Winery has a grenache blanc as well as some other really good wines. check em out!

QOTD
sell more books have them mail a reciept in for coupons for free shipping.
April 21, 2008

Deano
Gary great episode i am surprised that the ridge was weak…i have had many solid ridge zins in the past.

QOTD:
-Not sure what you could do i am not much of a marketer. But i will put the widget up on my pages
April 21, 2008

Dominick Mack
QOTD2 – MIX IT UP! LETS SEE A SINGLE MALT SHOW!
April 21, 2008

KVolk
QOTD: I think you need to do gift baskets out of WL with the book and some of the wines in the book together for Holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions.

QOTD2: I would like you do a tasting of different varietals and give us your take on how they compare. Like a cab, a zin, a cab franc etc.

thanks for the Zinfindal show it is a wine I have tried to play with and I want to see if I can get the Neyers locally.
April 21, 2008

cameron w
Show for this week? How about a Petit show? One Petit Sirah, one Petit Verdot, and a Petit Chablis.

Agree completely on the Lytton Springs – really disappointing.

QOTD: Do a cross over guest appearance on the Food Network. Maybe with Alton Brown?
April 21, 2008

Omallley
QOTD #2 – I would *LOVE* to see an episode on fortified wines – and I know you are all about the QPR, so maybe an episode on Sherry or even Madeira? (I know you’ve done a sherry episode in the past, but it could be worth exploring again).
April 21, 2008

Shervin M
Hey Gary,

Thanks for bringing up the wrestlers from the ijustine ustream, I knew Sheik and Volkov would be the best tag team, and so did you!

QOTD: Georgian Sweet Wines or Non Alcoholic wines.
April 21, 2008

Von P
still looking for the pics from the wltv party weekend! where the hell’s the show? I guess that is going to be my answer for QOTD!
April 21, 2008

Jes
QOTD #1: Like someone previously mentioned, maybe doing a Willy Wonka-type giveaway.

QOTD #2: Swiss wines!
April 21, 2008

Brendan
Longtime lurker, first time commenter…

QOTD #2: Would love to see some more Canadian wines (Ontario preferred). If not, how about some Virginia wines (yes, Virginia)?

Thanks,

Brendan
April 21, 2008

Brandon T.
how about if gary flies a hot model to the thunder show and they smear petit verdot jelly all over their bums while pouring zinfandel over their bodies while reciting poems and laughing with excellent sexuality?
April 21, 2008

MTMike
QOTD – Have a contest similar to what you did awhile ago where Vanyiacs showed you what they were doing to promote WLTV, do the same thing and people can show how they are promoting the book.

#2 – Montana grown wines. Havn’t seen any shown on WLTV before. I didn’t even knew thy grew any in this state. I figured it was too cold, like everyone else.
April 21, 2008

BF
Thank you for doing a zin episode. It’s my favorite “drinking” wine — you know, the kind you don’t need to pair with food but can just drink on its own. I don’t know why people insist on serving bad cabernet as cocktails…
April 21, 2008

Shadowbird
QOTD: Sign at the draft. WWE/TNA-style.
April 21, 2008

The Lukas
DUUUUUUDE!!
I’ve been sick for a week, and i sit down to catch up on the WLTV today and hear about this book. Amazing. And luckily it’s on the Amazon.co.uk so i can get it to (although $13.57 vs Â£9.11, why would amazon do that? grrr). I’ll have you know i’ll be purchasing a couple or copies and throwing them at all my friends until they actually read them.
Hope i’m not too late to get in on the bonus stuff for buying more than one, but to be honest, i’m sure the book will be awesome enough on its own.

QOTD:
well, the obvious thing to do would be a web 2.0 attack of the internet.
Have some sort of TWITTER “twit off”, spreading the word of the book.
Have a FLICKR poster competition.
Make a badge people can put up on their blogs/websites.
Similar things on FACEBOOK and MYSPACE.
The idea for a promotional video is good, and that can float around YOUTUBE and VIDDLER and VEOH and all of them.
You know and love web 2.0 more than most, PROVE ITS POWER.
Oh, and make a competition out of it so people feel more like doing it.

That said, people aren’t so likely to buy a book about something/someone they aren’t already interested in. Especially from something they’ve heard over the internet. Well, that might not be entirely true, but anyway….
The most likely way of selling them, in my opinion, it to get Vayniacs to buy them and give them to friends and family as gifts. Wine brings people together, and so do gifts, drinking wine on your own isn’t anywhere near as good as drinking wine with friends. Who wouldn’t want to spend a small amount on a book in order to get a friend into wine??

Or you could set up some specific wines, or maybe gift packs, or mystery packs, which come with a half price book or some other deal.

If all that fails, go with my method and just throw the book at people until they read it.

I’ll let you know if i think of anything else.

This week on WLTV, i’d like you to drink wines with foreign labels that you know nothing about. If such a thing exists.
April 21, 2008

Zinny
I tried a few 2005 Ridges recently and was also disapointed. Particularly in the Geyserville – which I usually love.

Anyway – here’s some ideas for this week . .
1. Roses from Provence
2. Sparkling wine deathmatch – Cremant De Alsace vs Cremant De Bourgogne
3. Gamay deathmatch new world vs old world – Edmunds St John Bone-Jolly vs a Cru beaujolais.
April 21, 2008

chrisbutts
QOTD – 1. Get on Leo Laporte’s radio show and/or TWIT (or any podcast you can get on)… 2. Viral videos – have the fans create stuff for you

QOTD #2 – How about an episode on Canadian (eh?) Ice Wines?

Great zin show, looking forward to trying out the Neyers.
April 21, 2008

Claudio Werneck
QOTD 2: Wines from Uruguay.
April 21, 2008

Michael M
QOTD: Free shipping is HUUUUUUGE buying motivation.

QOTD2: More Steak & Wine!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big badass wines that can stand up to a ridiculously thick, aged, marbled, knock you into a como, oozing goodness, grilled rare Ribeye.
April 21, 2008

Bronsont
Run a contest for a private wine tasting by GV if you buy the lucky book!
April 21, 2008

shawnandlu
QOTD: 1 I don’t know, marketing is not my thing. Sorry.

QOTD: 2 Central California coast Rhone blends. I was blown away at some of the stuff we tasted last week on our wine scouting week. I was looking for small production stuff that was hard to find in San Diego. I would love to see you try 2005 Core Elevation Sensation. I thought it drank like a beautiful French wine with California fruit. From a larger producer, I said it yesterday and it is worth repeating, Tablas Creek 2005 Esprit de Beaucastle and their 2006 Roussanne both knocked it out of the park.
April 21, 2008

Nick
do some La Mancha wines from spain! how about some airen and macabeo. how about going back to basics..do gallo and woodbridge just to see how bad or good they are after all these years as a massed produced commodities
April 21, 2008

Genghis Philip
QOTD1: What about distributing copies of the book to local restaurants/winebars as a bar book? I’m not sure how viable that is because of how things tend to walk off, but it would get wide exposure to non-Vayniacs. Also, all it would take would be one good hit and people’d be hooked.
April 21, 2008

Nick
why not do a show on cortes de cima from portugal.
April 21, 2008

Genghis Philip
QOTD2: How about Wine Progressions? I don’t know if you’ve done it already, but a show that talks about wines that lead well into each other through appetizers, entree, and dessert would be awesome. Not sure how that format would work though.
April 21, 2008

TWalk
How about some Nero D’avola wines…..sicily seems to bring the THUNDER!
April 21, 2008

Greg Z
Hey Gary, I would love to hear you talk about and taste one of Jean Grivot’s pinot noirs. Maybe the Vosne-Romanee. Give us a sneek peek of one of your books favorites.Thanks
April 21, 2008

Kev and Ams
QOTD: Buy a TV spot during the NFL draft to promote the book. Tell everyone that the proceeds from the book will go towards removing Vinny Testaverde from NFL history.
April 21, 2008

DerekH
QOTD 2: Try some English wine.
April 21, 2008

Kev and Ams
Side QOTD: I would like to see an Albarino head-to-head.
April 21, 2008

Mojave Joe
Show: Old-World-style wines from the New World.
April 21, 2008

Wes M
QOTD 1: If you could get sales in wine shops not just bookstores that would work great. Probably not possible though.
April 21, 2008

ChrisR
QOTD 1: Put an ad on Google. It’s simple and VERYYYY effective. And also a crap-load of money. But it’s effective.

QOTD 2: I’d like to see a Chinese wine taste off. You’ve only had one wine from China on your show. I know you don’t carry any, but it would be fun. If not China, then from some other crazy region that gets zero press. Hey, it’s all about expanding our palettes, right?!

My 2 cents on the ‘05 Ridge Lytton Springs: I got an opportunity to visit them in Feb, and I noticed that their Zins range all over as far as taste and quality. They do so much sourcing out that it really comes down picking their single vineyard stuff. For example, the 40th Anniversary Geyserville was a big hit with a lot of people in the tasting room, but it seemed weak and what you would call “flabby”. On the other hand, their Carmichael estate release, which is only available through their wine club, blew me away. It tastes like a serious zin should taste like, and I wanted to join their club just for that wine alone. I guess my point is that maybe you didn’t pick the best of the bunch that Ridge puts out for today’s battle, and I’m a little disappointed in that. Still, it was a fun show to watch.
April 21, 2008

Wes M
QOTD 2: You did a Barbera episode a while back. I’d like to see some more of this grape especially in the value priced range. As a post-college-kid-crew (P.C.K.C.) I have even less money becuase of loans that I had while in college.
April 21, 2008

ozzybeef
Thanks Gary for the birthday shout out! YOU ROCK
April 21, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD …. I would like to see more Petite Sirah and more Zinfandels please.
April 21, 2008

Dave from Temecula, CA
Great to see another show on Zins … (my fav)

Wow, the Neyer sounds great – balanced, earthy, big pepper. right up my alley.

May need to head out to BevMo later and see if there’s any around.

——
Dave
Twitter = SoCalDaveL
April 21, 2008

hank
How about some shows that move away from evaluating wine and focus on the concept of selecting wine?

One thing I’m always faced with is finding a good sipping/drinking wine for before a meal. A similar concern is wines that we know we’ll pop and pour – what would characteristics would you suggest looking for? Pull a couple bottles you haven’t tried, based on that criteria, and tell us how you do – why the work or don’t.

Another idea would be to try and pair a wine to a food. Sometimes you try for similarity, sometimes contrast. How do you make calculated guesses when confronted with unfamiliar selections? How do you make unconventional decisions that end up being homeruns?

You’re doing a great job helping us define our palates, I think it would be interesting and helpful to help define buying patterns too.

Just a thought.
April 21, 2008

Alex Linebrink
Great show, Gary. I’d been waiting for some good Zin suggestions.

And now a PR announcement….

Hey VAYNER-NATION!

GET GARY V back into the Amazon TOP 100!!! I’ve started a Facebook event to get all of our friends into the Thunder. Go RSVP and INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS at:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11707558773

Cheers -

-Alex
April 21, 2008

Palmer
PINOTAGE
April 21, 2008

jseeds
QOTD:

1. Get it on Oprah
2. Drop books from helicopters onto wine festivals
3. Get it into restaurants – give a stash to sommeliers to slip patrons
4. Vice-versa get it to somms from your street teams
5. Drop a few $250 WL shopping spree coupons in a few books…
6. Accept yellowtail and 2-buck-chuck corks for book discounts
7. Have Parker rate it a 96-100
8. Sexy wheat-paste poster campaign NYC
9. Have guerrilla street teams ambush tastings w/ posters & stickers
10. Make them rare – only release 500 copies, generate all kinds of hype, then throw the rest up on ebay for $100 each. Give the auction $$$ to charity.

QOTD2: MORE BLIND TASTINGS!
April 21, 2008

SS Chris
One word —- OPRAH!!!!

Get CAA working for you man!!

Gary, Seriously….actully, maybe I should say Siriusly….what about an apperance on Howard Stern? Huge audience…Howard drinks wine…it’s not as crazy as it sounds!!
April 21, 2008

Fangorn81
QOTD 1: been thinking about it since you tweeted yesterday…still coming up empty. Some kind of Twitter tag? Maybe a WLTV impersonation contest? Though, I’m not sure how either will reach non-Vayniacs.

I am having the same problem driving traffic to my Radiohead contest entry!!! (hint, hint…click my USERNAME!!)

QOTD 2: I’m still waiting on a vegan wine episode!
April 21, 2008

SS Chris
BTW, You’re up to 1292 wines tasted on WLTV including todays EP.

I keep a tally of how many wines you’ve tasted at the top of the SS….where the “ABBREVIATION KEY” is. So yo can always look there to see where you’re at.
April 21, 2008

Derek F.
Rocking show man!!

QOTD: maybe you can make business cards with advertisement for both WLTV and the book, I go to a lot of wine tastings and I could pass them out??
April 21, 2008

Derek F.
QOTD: how about another show on port wine??
April 21, 2008

KW
QOTD 1: Get distribution of the book in Wine stores. Do a book signing for your customers.

QOTD 2: More verticals – how about of Americas Cabs?
April 21, 2008

Mandy
As much as it’s fun to hear you butcher foreign wine names…

Sabores: Sa-BOAR-rays

Go on Jimmy Kimmel or Conan again to promote the book, that would be sweet! The Howard Stern idea isn’t too far fetched either.
April 21, 2008

sharon
Read some of your book on WLTV. You know, just a few pages, a teaser. Have a wine tasting and book signing at a really good wine bar. Or, I don’t know, hire Hulk Hogan as your spoke person.
As far as what to do next week…I sure would like to find some organic wines that tasted good. Is there such a thing?
April 21, 2008

Jay
It’s a tough task to get back up into the top 100. I love the Willy Wonka idea someone had above.

QOTD 2: I really enjoyed your beer episode a while back and would like to see another one. There are so many great styles out there. It’s nice change of pace.
April 21, 2008

organicguy
Luv da zins——-how about a South American white taste-off
April 21, 2008

Sonnenuhr
I would love to see another show on Gary’s personal favorites! Also a show on obscure Italian varitals: Lagrein vs. Sagrantino or Teroldego vs. Schiava – Deathmatch Italiano!

Book Ideas:
Invite Oprah to come on WLTV – that would be a nice change-up!
Add a centerfold – Miss WLTV
T-Shirt: “Link it up, Mott” (front) “101 Wines” (back)
April 21, 2008

wayno da wino
Yo Gee , Looooooove dat Zin !!!!

QOTD1: i ain’t got NO “market savvy”……so can’t help Ya dhere………

QOTD2: How ’bout dat Vosne-Romanee Episode???……huh?……huh?…….
huh???………
April 21, 2008

Jeff R
QOTD1: I agree with whoever said Oprah.
QOTD2: Dessert wine show! maybe with a steak pairing like i had asked months ago (reminder)
April 21, 2008

TeelaJBrown
I love this episode, as I just did some Zin tasting this weekend. Had XYZin 2006 of their 10 year, 50 year and 100 year old vines. Fascinating the differences between them. I ended up liking the 50 year the most — It’d be cool if you could try these, to compare vine ages.

QOTD: Find podcasts to be on to promote — there are a ton (as you well know). I’m tapped out of ideas right now, I’ll think on it.
April 21, 2008

Neil
QOTD 1: It all depends on how much you want to spend on self promotion. I think the “send in a receipt and get something from WLTV” is a great idea. Perhaps you could offer a special free shipping WLTV secret tasting pack – a tasting pack culled from some of the 101 wines you discuss in the book – and then do a show based upon them. People have to submit a receipt from Amazon to qualify for the free-ship pack.

QOTD 2: A 2005 Bordeaux vs Napa Meritage death match.
April 21, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

QOTD: Maybe throw up some random posters in big cities in just odd but well seen places promoting the book (similar strategy but without the negative impact that the mooninites had in Boston).

What I would really like to see this week is more Petit Syrah tastings, Lebanese wine tastings, and smaller, more boutique-style Napa cab tastings. Also, feel free to do a Chateau Petrus and Ausone tasting….Im just dying to hear your tasting notes on wines of that caliber, both in price and reputation.

–RH
April 21, 2008

David Cole
I LOVE Zins and there are so many out here in Cali, from the Jammy to the spicey. You mention you might be on a roll again with Zins, thry some from Paso Robles and the Amador Foothills region. Not only will they be great, but way better in Price than Napa and Sonoma!!

What’s the goal in book sales?
April 21, 2008

cma82
Zin zin zin zin zin zin

QOTD1: Free wine in washington square

QOTD2: Rose from around the world….its finally warm out, and I’ve been consuming the pink stuff like it’s my job
April 21, 2008

TonyStro
get on the Stern show (my Sirius stock needs a bump!)
get the book onto wine.woot.com

BIG show: for educational purposes, red grapes & core characteristics. Arrange from mild to bold with 1 bottle that exemplifies each grape. Of course you’d need to limit it to about 4 to 6 of the most common grapes.
April 21, 2008

Alex Linebrink
How about getting a wine bottle suit made and doing youtube videos of it crashing through walls yelling “Oh YEAH!” like the kool-aid man? Or maybe he could yell “BRINGIN’ the THUNDER!”

-Alex
April 21, 2008

Eastportorican
QOTD1:Send a free copy to Instapundit.com.He’s huge and frequently links to food and beverage. QOTD2:More QPR value wines.
April 21, 2008

Joe Giampapa
How about packaging the book with Wine #1 and Wine #101 and try to get some other wine stores to carry the gift set or make it avalable thru wine library if mass distribution thru other wine stores is not a possibility
April 21, 2008

JonE
Yay Neyers! One of my favorites. Ehren Jordan (if I’m not mistaken) is still the zin-maker @Turley. Right? Bad news on the Ridge, quite a surprise given the track record.

QOTD: OPRAH OPRAH OPRAH-you did Conan, Ellen, Nightline-time for the Queen Bee.

QOTD2: Vosne?,Vertical tasting non-Bordeaux,Benjamin Romeo-roll it out G-Man
April 21, 2008

NJ-Vettester
QOTD: Do a give-a-way: Buying a set quantity (case, two) will get you a free copy of the book. Also, how about every 50th customer at the register gets a copy. Finally, how about the first person or two to guess the “Mystery Wine” from posted close picture gets a copy.

QOTD: How about something totally different like, sampling wine offered on airline flights to see who has the best.
April 21, 2008

JordanW
I’d love to see a Chambourcin show. This week I tried a Cab Franc / Chambourcin (Pelee Island eco trail) and it was fricken awesome for $10 CAD.
April 21, 2008

Tyler
GV!!!!

QOTD: California dessert wines plz
April 21, 2008

Paul C
How about a show on Provence reds?

How about a show on Bandol rosÃ©s?

How about some more Rhone?

How about some Alsace?
April 21, 2008

Len
Great show! Ridge was a surprise, thought it would have done better in the tasting even with the low rating WS gave it.

Not sure about marketing…book signings leading upto going on Oprah…

QOTD2: Would like to see more of your favorites…your top 3 wines.
April 21, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Get the CKC’s involved. In fact, they should be your best audience. If there are parents on this list with 20 something kid, get them a copy. I ordered one for my 20 something and he is a watcher already. A street poster campaign in NYC and San Francisco would also help.

I have to agree on the Ridge Lytton 2006. I tasted it at the winery in March and told them there I didn’t like it and they were surprised to hear that.
April 21, 2008

Aaron S.
QOTD: Send some copies to wine columnists at assorted big newspapers (NY Times, Wash. Post, LA Times, SF Chronicle, Chicago Trib., The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA, my hometown paper), etc. They’ll read the book, love it, love you, and write about the book, WLTV, and everybody wins!

QOTD: This week, I think you should try wines from up-and-coming places, like Israel (2004 Tishbi Jonathan Tishbi Special Reserve, Single Vineyard Red, Bordeaux-style blend coming it around 30 bones perhaps??), Chile, etc.

Oh, also, your imperial majesty, you might want to link up this article (http://wineeconomist.com/2008/04/15/the-new-emperor-of-wine/) about you as the “New Emperor of Wine”; it’s written by Mike Veseth, professor of International Political Economy at the University of Puget Sound.

Appreciated the fun fact for us kids about the Petite Sirah / Syrah difference in punch. I didn’t know that; now I do. Also, if I buy two books, can I send one of them to you in NJ, so that you can sign it for my dad’s birthday? His birthday is May 16, so I know that’s cutting it a little close, but he’s a big wine fan, and a Vayniac-to-be, so, what do you think? I’ll include an addressed return box and postage! Thanks man
April 21, 2008

Carilius Maximus
Adelaida Zin 2003 westside Paso Robles. MASSIVE cab like structure. This wine made me reconsider zinfandels’ potential.
April 21, 2008

JohnL.
I’m always in a good mood after watching your show, thanks.
How about a show on Spanish Cava, I’m a huge fan.
April 21, 2008

Stan Vasily
Try The Tobin James Fat Boy Zin it is very very nice!!!!! Lets do a show on Red or White Burgandy ?????
April 21, 2008

smitty
GV…love the show as always…you always get me motivated to hit the liquor store. Please can you give a shout out to my nephew Jeremiah Taylor. Much appreciated.
April 21, 2008

Aaron S.
I forgot! more QOTD: Send a copy to magazines, like Esquire, Sports Illustrated (maybe?), etc. and I know everybody else is saying this, but GO ON OPRAH! People will a) buy your book, and b) love your personality and start watching WLTV! Maybe taste some of Oprah’s favorite wines on the show??
April 21, 2008

Andy & Edie
You should do a tour to promote your book going to each of the 50 states to try wines from that state. Free admision and private wine tasting with a receipt from Amazon or Borders.com. You can do book signings at each stop as your doing your shows. Or at least come to Montana if nothing else. Thanks Gary!
April 21, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: A show with some more obscure Italian varietals. Here are a few ideas.

http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=36499
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=36049
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=38813
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=37438
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=33483
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=36641
April 21, 2008

Andy & Edie
Moscato d’Asti episode.

How about another cheese and wine episode?

We would like to see another hilarious training your palate episode too.

-Thanks!
April 21, 2008

Nick R
QOTD: Try to market through wine email lists, grassroot marketing! Could you sell a wine gift basket that had perhaps 2 bottles featured in the book and wrapped up as a gift? That would be cool.

I’d like to see more
- Bargain Wines and whole shows devoted to wines under $15
- Sparkling Wine, particularly cheaper ones, as I don’t think people drink enough sparkling!
April 21, 2008

Porter
I think you should do Rose, but in particular, can you taste a Rose from Portugal. I’ve heard good things about touriga nacional rose but I haven’t seen one.
April 21, 2008

Rich G
QOTD: Market the book at the NFL draft!!!
April 21, 2008

Brian
QOTD: A) College Tour. I know that there is a big CKC fan base. I’m one of them. Do it at the begining of the Fall semester that way when we ask our parents for book money we’re not lieing.

B) I wanna see you shout out to my CKC WLTV episode that I sent you .
April 21, 2008

Joe
Great show Gary!

I personally would like to see a Root Beer show sometime, I’ve heard you bring that up in another episode before.
April 21, 2008

crank
QOTD: Get everyone to buy it at 3:00 a.m.. It’ll be top 100 until the morning.
April 21, 2008

DaveyDonut
QOTD: I think if you personally bought 10,000 books a day, that’d get you back in the top 100. Number 1, even! But short of something like that, it’s hard to get back there after the initial push… but perhaps just wltv isn’t your only push? What about placing an add in the new york times? That’d may do it. Of course that’d cost a lot of money! Or getting reviewed in some major press. Any way to set that up?

QOTD Part 2: I don’t even want you to do an episode on 2005 Red Burgundy any more. We’re on to 2006 by now! How about an episode on white wines from Alsace?

David
April 21, 2008

Rick D
Great Zins show. Zin is a style that offers reasonable pricing for good quality. I hate seeing Cabs or Pinots heading north of $50 for run-of-the-mill quality.
April 21, 2008

Michel Dugas
It would be cool if you could present a sample of 4 wines out of your new book (that I am waiting right now from Amazon)

Michel
April 21, 2008

crank
QOTD2: Wine with Food pairings!!!
April 21, 2008

James
UFC was huge this weekend! Serra was right about St. Pierre drinking his red wine. It obviously gave him strength.

The 2006 Orin Swift The Prisoner Zin blend is probably the most distinct Zin blend I’ve ever had. I can’t find it in-store anywhere and getting stuff shipped to Boston is just tough.

I’ve got a great 2004 Cab Franc from Greenvale Vineyards in Rhode Island. Any thoughts on wines made in the northeast… well, more like north of NY?

As far as viral marketing goes, getting a book coupon piggy backed onto the bottle neck of any wine producer you’re friendly with would be amazing. You’d probably give their brand a big boost as well as get your book out there. I used to see coupons and little gimmicks on bottles at the liquor store I worked at. They tend to stick out.

So, this makes me a lurker no more.
April 21, 2008

Susan
Gary- I like rubber wrestlers but REALLY !! Did you wrestle in school?????
April 21, 2008

Christopher
QOTD: Stop by Rev3 or Diggnation during taping again to give it a little pluggy-plug! That’s the viral geek side. If you want it to blow up, crash Oprah or the Food Network. I’m going to the Savor ‘festival’ thing for craft beers in May, that may be a crowd to try to get interested too. That’s where I’m coming from, and I am!
April 21, 2008

M
QOTD1: Others mentioned this already…Stern show.

QOTD2: Bierzo please; or you already promised CA Rhone style blends
April 21, 2008

The Original Marc
QOTD #2: Cinsault episode. I know I havem’t seen such thing as 100% Cinsault, but maybe you could do some wines that are at least 10% Cinsault. I always seem to love wines with that grape in it.
April 21, 2008

Travis Lewis
QOTD: PETITE SIRAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2003 La Storia Petite Sirah from Trentadue. it seems like 100% Petite Sirah wines are becoming more popular these days
April 21, 2008

Susan
Gary-QOTD #1: I like the whole T shirt idea. I think this would promote much conversation about the book = more sales of the book. How about: “What ?” on the front & “101 Wines” on the back. Of course you would have to decide on this quickly. Also you need to give all of the Vayniacs a discount on the t in order to get the t’s out there so that they can promote the book asap.
April 21, 2008

Marc
GV, as you know, you can’t do this by yourself! Hire a PR company, and I’ll be happy to send you the contacts of the various media outlets that have done stories on China Wine Tours lately (New York Times, Newsday, CNBC (airing in about a week!), and others). Also, promo books…we do wine tastings and I’d be happy to offer your books at most of them. I just bought 2 copies, and 1 copy will be going to China so I can start spreading the word there! You’re the best!
April 21, 2008

BrokenLyre
QOTD: As of this point her name appears eleven times within all of the comments on the page, and for the twelfth… if Oprah will poke around at a brain and try a shot of Cod Oil, I’m sure we could get her to taste some salted rocks and grass with grapefruit juice.

QOTD2: I want to know what aged wines you’re opening up right now. The ones that have been in the cellar for x-years. How are they now compared to your first run.
April 21, 2008

BobM
Gary- I was disappointed to hear about the Lytton Springs. Although I’m a big fan of Ridge, I’ve only had a couple of vintages of the Lytton Springs Zinfandel, and they were light, but extremely well made and balanced with good noses. In fact, I always thought that the nose of the Ridge wines was one of their great features. They always seemed to jump out of the glass, with elegant, clean aromas. In particular, I remember a 1975 or so Montebello Cabernet that just knocked me out, from the nose through the finish. It seemed like the perfect wine, and it was shortly after I’d had a 1974 Stag’s Leap Cabernet (which I recall sold for about $8.00 at the time). I’ve visited the Ridge winery and tasted some samples there, which also impressed me.

For future Zinfandels, I wish you’d try some others from Alexander Valley, which to me produce some of the most distinctive Zins. I think the grape is a kind of chameleon that can assume the identity of many varietals, depending on how and where it’s made, but the Alexander Valley wines were all similar. Of course, this was many years ago, and I don’t know if it still holds true, which is why I’d like you to check it out. I remember being impressed by the Phelps Alexander Valley Zinfandel, and by Alexander Valley Vineyards’ version.

I’ll have to think about book promotion ideas for while because nothing comes to me right off the bat.
April 21, 2008

Rexhame2
Last week you mentioned Vosne Romanee. I would love to see a show about this region within Burgundy. I don’t know much about wine from Austria, so that would be interesting as well.
April 21, 2008

TGatesman
CHEESE!!!!
April 21, 2008

Andrew D
Hey Gary

QOTD 1: Try and get it as the topic for http://www.winebookclub.org/

QOTD 2: Perhpas too hard to find, but Japanese wine? (surprisingly decent). If not then lesser known, but high quality Australian wines – Tasmanian Sparkling, Yarra Cabernet, Rutherglen fortifieds etc. You always abuse Barossa Shiraz, but I buy at least a case of Australian wine a month and basically never buy Barossa Shiraz…

Cheers Andrew
April 21, 2008

Susan
Gary- QOTD #2: I would LOVE to see some serious challenges between Rioja wines and/ or a matchup between some Bandol reds or Bandol roses.
April 21, 2008

Saftig
Terrific show! 1st QOTD: Boost book sales by having your Dad and other families guest co-host for the week.
2nd QOTD: Fun fact week, how they price wine in restaurants, how many grapes make a bottle of wine, biggest importers, biggest wine drinking nation, health benefits etc. Like Letterman’s top ten each day.
April 21, 2008

Evan
Props on mentioning the fight. I was shocked that no one in Washington watched boxing…it’s my absolute favorite sporting event to drink wine while I watch. Question of the day: If Joe Calzaghe was a vino, what would he be? As for the episode, please do a Santa Barbara episode that gets into their Rhone style wines…I’ve had some great stuff from there but want to know more.
April 21, 2008

Ned
i would really like to see a serious burgundy episode. i feel like it’s been a while since you’ve covered that particular region.
April 21, 2008

Chad Spacey
QOTD: Easy, book tour through wine areas… not book stores but like small wine cities… maybe in grougs of 3 or 4 places… I live part time in the San Jose area and the other part in the Santa Barbara/Los Olivos/Paso Roblas area. There are tons of wine places, I know nothing about them but would go and visit some if you were to come by for a book signing.

Geek cube idea… Make a Wine Library poster and hang it in your work cube… send in/post on flickr pics of poster with your work computer setup… little geeky I know… link to amazon.com for book
April 21, 2008

Harley Stan
happy monday! great show tosay, I havn’t really played with zin that much but I enjoyed that last one I had a few months ago.
QOTD- get the book into restaraunts
qotd2- one side of the valley verses the other side, just pick any valley such as the Rhone or Loire valleys it would be interesting to see if morning sun or afternoon sun makes a big difference on your pal
April 21, 2008

GreginND
QOTD1: Did I miss the question? Didn’t hear it. Something about book promotion? Heck, man, you don’t need no help with that.

QOTD2: I would love to learn more about unusual grapes. Like Austria’s gruner veltliner. There must be some interesting grapes from eastern Europe too that we know nothing about.
April 21, 2008

Chad Spacey
Hey, Gary!

Just wanted to say you are a great person and the Real Deal!
Man when I met you at Ad Tech it was like we were already friends.
That’s how cool you are. The Real Deal! You really mean what you say!

As for what I’d like to see… you may have done this but…
when you talk about grapes, I’d like to see an episode where you show
what the grapes looks like… real grapes…
maybe a show tasting different real grapes…

maybe a small icon/pic next to the name of the wine that shows what grape
the wine is mostly made of… just a thought…

Thank you very much!
Chad
April 21, 2008

John
Gary,

I apologize if I missed it but exactly what kind of information does the book provide?
April 21, 2008

Askold Shegedyn
How about an Alsatian Gewurztraminer tasting of the 2005 or 2006
April 21, 2008

Tony
QOTD: Can you package the book with like a few of the wines in the book and sell it through WineLibrary? Maybe you could mix up the wines. And every package doesn’t necessarily have to be the same mix of wines.
April 21, 2008

BrianKC
QOTD: Where should WLTV go:

I know it’s tough and you’re incredibly busy, but some of my favorite shows were “remote” shows. Like the show on the different wine cellars and at the wine bar in NY. From KRose’s Qik account, I KNOW you’ve been out in California’s wine country a couple of times recently …

Every show doesn’t have to be about a tasting. As long as its fun, educational and remotely wine related, I’ll watch.

Get out of the office and mix it up a little!
April 21, 2008

Ozzy
How about a show about dessert wines? You know, the super-sweet, super-high-sugar things that some people LOVE and others turn their noses up at, saying anything that sweet isn’t REAL vino…
April 21, 2008

Adam
Hey, you should have the actor Lorraine Bracco on the show. She played Dr. Jennifer Melfi on the Soparnos. I read in Wine Enthusiast some time back that she also a wine maker. Think of the possibilities! Check it out:

http://www.braccowines.com/

AGW
April 21, 2008

Nathan H
What I want you to do this week:
Try the Razors Edge 2005
or beer.
April 21, 2008

Hido53
Great show on Zins Gary! Very surprised by how the Ridge performed. Normally the Lytton Springs is a pretty big wine. Even more surprising than the lightness is the fact that the oak monster didn’t make an appearance in any of the wines, especially the Ridge. Seems like that’s been the trend of late . . . Will definitely need to search out the Neyers. Tired of the huge, over-the-top Zin liquers that some makers are making these days. I see a backlash happening very soon!
QOTD #1 – Maybe a big full color ad in the Spectator or Wine X magazine (they seem to be targeting the new generation of wine drinkers – Seen them at ZAP in the past).
QOTD @2 – Definitely we need some Rhone Rangers – maybe a show focused on red wines with some white aromatic grapes blended in. I’ve made such a blend with some buddies at our local winemaking club and when folks ask us what we used, they always give us the “what the heck are you doing!” look when we say we’ve added some Viognier or Orange Muscat to the blend.

Cheers!
April 21, 2008

NB_SPAZZ
QOTD #2: One thing that would be great to see this week is the long overdue announcement of the MOTT LINK IT UP! shirt. (That’s the next WLTV swag I’ll buy. After that, maybe I’ll consider the book… gotta do things in order.)
One the wine side, how about sampling some different Nebbiolos from Piedmonte?
April 21, 2008

Lurker
QOTD: Scotch tasting.
April 21, 2008

Brian Kachel
Show us your nipple!!
April 21, 2008

Christopher
QOTD 2: Wines of Gettysburg! Or better yet, battlefield wines! I know there’s a few from around Antietam and Harper’s Ferry, too, but I don’t know where else.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled lurking.
April 21, 2008

ev
“Rubber wrestlers”?? I thought this was about wine.
April 21, 2008

Kirk (AKA: slave2thevine)
QOTD: Wow…I would think that if you want to see book sales increase that you would hold a contest that allows you to track people who push your sales. Ie: A wine store buys 1,000 copies to sell…and says that “john doe” gave them that Idea….then you figure out a way to tally up to total sales of the book and John Doe gets his prize…but the twist should be that John Doe gets to pick his prize…(worth up to a certain dollar amount) That would be my thought….
April 21, 2008

Johnny
Awesome show Gary I can’t WAIT to get the books! I’d like to see you do some Spanish wines, I think that would be totally radool!
April 21, 2008

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary, another great one!!! QOD #1: Let’s get your agent to get you hosting SNL!! Ridonculous!! QOD #2: I would love to see you choose one wine from one wine maker and compare different vintages of that wine. Would love to see how different years compare…
April 21, 2008

nmyra
Get some nice glossy postcards printed up promoting the book — relatively cost effective. I’m sure someone on Twitter or the internet world will hook you up price nicely. Send out a stack to select followers in big markets (first) — SF, NY, Chicago, Houston, etc. Have these followers leave them at their favorite local wine bars. Most wine bar owners probably won’t mind since I’ve personally seen a lot of material left at the counter. If the card itself won’t sell them, maybe they’ll check you out on winelibrary and become a die hard and buy the book then. Grassroots but it may work. nmyra on twitter.
April 21, 2008

Rick Fischer
Hi Gary,
My suggestion for your contest would be, if at all possible, announce 1 winner that would accompany you to a New York Jets home game in the 2008 season.

Best,
Rick
April 21, 2008

Kirk (AKA: slave2thevine)
What would we like to see you do for your show this week??? :

I would like to see you do an aged wine show series (5+yrs, 10+yrs, 15+yrs) over a course of however many days…I would also like to see you revisit the Teachworth bottle that I left with you to taste again on the show. decanting about 3/4 of the bottle and do two side by side tastings of the wine in one glass that was decanted with no sediment and the wine that was in the bottle with the sediment to see how the wines differ in flavor profiles and to show what decanting a wine to free it from sediment can do for a wine…
April 21, 2008

Johnny
QOTD: Maybe you should make fliers and billboards and stuff of that nature and have random Vayniacs come out to NY and just stand around and do random stuff to draw crowds. make sure some one can make a Youtube post and then digg it! kinda like those ads to stop big tobacco, except promoting your new book? But its gotta be something big and crazy and outlandish. Nothing you couldn’t handle
April 21, 2008

Eric B
QOTD #1 – use an episode or two to do excerpts from the book.

QOTD #2 – food, food, food – all promise, little delivery – so show us the thunder!
April 21, 2008

Tullia
(Coming out from the shadows of lurk-dom)

QOTD #1: Aren’t you the advertising wiz with this whole interweb blogging, web 2.0 thing? Come to ROFL.con [http://roflcon.org/] in Boston and bring some books with you.

QOTD #2: More Spanish wines…maybe something from the South.
April 21, 2008

Araldite
You might want to mention that by ordering 2 books on Amazon you qualify for free shipping, which saved me 5 bones.
April 21, 2008

OB
You finally got me to stop lurking with QOTD #2.

With the book coming out and new fans certain to tune in, I think it’d be nice to have a back to basics week. For example, I’d love to see you discuss what makes a cab sauvignon a cab sauvignon and then offer wines at different price points that you think are “exemplars” of that particular varietal (or region, etc.).

QOTD #1: Skywriting.

Thanks for all the entertainment and knowledge you provide.
April 21, 2008

Tooch
QOTD 1 -
I was a publicist at Random House a couple of years ago – so some basics are making sure ARCs of your book were sent to every major newspaper/food magazine in the country for review. If your publicist was smart a link to this website should have been included in the press release that accompanied the book..the combination of book & website make it a hard book NOT to review. Also, any details on any sort of book tour? You’ve got such a widespread following that visiting a couple key cities (NYC, Boston, Philly, DC) in your vicinity would lead to a spike in sales.

QOTD 2 – Would love to see some reviews of not only wines, but great places to visit. Every state in the country has a winery, and I would love to get ideas from you about which are the best to visit.
April 21, 2008

Kristen
Hey GV! Nice episode today- wanna find that second wine.

QOTD1: I like Eric B’s idea- use the show as a platform for your book. Also, why not go on Colbert? He’ll taste dirt with you!

QOTD2: Georgian wine! Can you tell us if it’s good or not? Found these in your stock:

Mukuzani- 7238
Kindzmarauli- 22671
Khvanchkara- 34711

Can you tell us if they bring the thunder?
April 21, 2008

Ben F
Wow this for me is a very fun QOTD: Marketing. make some phone calls to your buddies, Ellen, Conan… maybe they would have you back on… Also the Fine living network i am sure would do a quick tip spot light they always have local successful food and wine people on there giving 1 minute quick types then plug the book at the end… The book signing thing at selected venues where you know the vayner nation rolls will work too. Hmmm what else.. Bring one to the NFL draft you know you will be on TV hold it up to the camera!!

Shows for this week… I have a few ideas… I live in PA so i would like to see wines that are more readily accessible i also enjoy shows that feature wines under 10 bones….
April 21, 2008

Tim Halberg
get the wine magazines to review your book… it’d be a kick to see what they have to say! haha… actually, that’d be funny/cool!

Second:
I’d love to see stuff on wines people have probably never heard of, pushing us to expand our pallettes with trying to new stuff!

I’d love to see you do comparisons of wines like a true Bordeaux and a true Chianti and then compare them to their american counterpart attempts… specifically ones attempting somewhat to stay true to a classic of their genre/type.

Also, on Friday someone mentioned Tablas Creek as a winery to try, I’d agree, I’d love to see you try some Tablas creek and maybe even compare them to their mother/sister winery: ChÃ¢teau de Beaucastel and see how they’re doing holding up to their name/quality/style.

More wine!

And yes, food would be fun!

Do I win for longest reply?

If so, do I get a free T-shirt or some cool schwag to show off in Santa Barbara?

Sick if so!

If not, crap… either way, I need to order some wine!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Foxen 2003 or 2005 Sangiovese Volpino…

That’s about it I think!
April 21, 2008

JimChem
QOTD2: What about some serious Beaujolais?

Jim
April 21, 2008

Taylor
I know exactly what you mean about the pomegranate, the first time I had one I didnt know you just ate the seeds; an embarrassing day!
QOTD Go back to Ellen and Conan or some other tv show!
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!!
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

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

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

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

espressokev
QOTD1: Advertise on Rev3/Boing Boing again.

QOTD2: Wines from the Midwest. I gotta represent.
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

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

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

E
Get thee on the Colbert Report!
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Harris
I second what tooch said.
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

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

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

Bernie Gehret
Easy. Get Vaniacs to hold the book up at sporting events (a la “John 3:16″ with the rainbow hair).

Also, put a coupon in there for a free bottle of wine worth the price of the book (payable only on orders via winelibrary of course). Buy the book, get free wine = free book! (plus more internet traffic = more advertising $$$, etc.).

My girlfriend wants a special on Rose, as she’s had really, REALLY bad ones as well as good ones. Summer is coming!

Come visit us in Portland, Oregon, and we’ll uncork my favorite Quilceda Creek’s for you.
April 21, 2008

SteveM
Gary,

Good luck with the book. Come to Dallas and do a book signing and you’ll sell a ton of them. I would love to see you concentrate a few shows on wines of the Central Coast, focusing on some of the cabernets and pinots that mere mortals can get their hands on. Would love to see your comments on Fess Parker Syrahs and Pinots, along with Jaffeurs and Blackjack out of Santa Barbara. Thanks!
April 21, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: #1 Footwork – get back on that plane and hit all the bookstore in the U.S. #2 You could always try free shipping as a lure
Spend some time on Spanish and Portuguese wines – as that is your area of expertise.
April 21, 2008

Michelle Moye
Hi Gary – I don’t have any suggestions about the book (I already bought my 2 copies).

QOTD – ‘05 vs. ‘06 Oregon Pinots…I think that the ’06s are drinking better than the ’05s right now.

Great show – I love Zin!
April 21, 2008

fondue-stl
QOTD
You should start a rumor that there was a disgruntled graphic design artist that added something illicit to the cover art. You’ll sell millions!

How about a show on “Don’t be THAT guy/girl.” Discuss how trying to force high end wines on unsuspecting wine newbies is the best way to ensure that they “do not like wine.”

Dave
April 21, 2008

CuriousInStLouis
and WHAM! the Neyers is sold out already!
April 21, 2008

Kelly
Got my book ordered! The Kentucky Derby is coming up and the field this year is exciting and wide open. The first Saturday in May is a great day to enjoy with friends and the drink is BOURBON! How about tasting some of the high end, single barrel bourbons that have exploded on the scene in the past decade. My new fav: Elmer T. Lee.
April 21, 2008

Tim Ray
Hey Gary,

Interesting show on the zinfandels! As a huge zinfandel fan, I really appreciate those. Have you ever tried Bella, from Dry Creek Valley? If not, get your hands on some and review them! They absolutely rock. HUGE fruit, serious old vines (80-110 years old for the Big River Ranch), and stupidly high scores (the 2005 Lily Hill Estate scored 94 points in WS.) I would love to see your review on that one….

As far as show ideas, I think you should do a review of SPOKANE, WASHINGTON wineries!! We have Robert Karl Cellars and their Horse Heaven Hills sourced fruit (amazing, highly structured, age worthy wines that receive rave reviews from everyone), Barrister Cellars (getting famous for their Cabernet Franc, although their syrahs are very serious efforts, and their cabs and merlots are also monsters), Grande Ronde (Walla Walla fruit, very good stuff), Nodland Cellars (they do a Bordeaux blend that is very nice), Townshend Cellars (nice whites, very good Cab Franc, and some great daily drinkers at the $9 to $17 price point), and several others. We now have 12 wineries in the Spokane area, all using Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley fruit. I’m telling ya….. some of these wineries are stupidly good! And I will put up a $28 Robert Karl Cab or syrah or merlot…. or a Barrister ANYTHING up against any Napa Valley wine at twice the price. Just a thought! Cheers, Tim
April 21, 2008

Andrew & Christina
QOTD: It’s time for a Rose Death Match! Bring the Thunder, baby!
April 21, 2008

RnD
Good show GV! I look forward to watching every evening. QOTD 1: Talk to Eric over on Cellartracker.com I know you two are working deals 50000+ subscribers… how can you go wrong? just think if each one bought 2 books!!!

QOTD 2: With summer just around the corner, how about some white bordeaux.
April 21, 2008

Paul Horan
QOTD #1: One word… OPRAH.

QOTD #2: Go completely off the board and do wines from completely unheard-of areas, like Moldova (great Pinots) or Hungary (Cserszegi FÅ±szeres or HÃ¡rslevelÅ±)

Paul in VA
April 21, 2008

Steve & Marilee
We agree Pink Death Match time! Spring will come someday soon.
April 21, 2008

David Scott
The BEST idea for the book is maximizing word of mouth exposure, which it looks like you’re doing already. As a follow-on book, have a contest to select maybe 25 of the Vayniacs who ordered the book, and let them provide their own reviews/comments and get involved (kind of like the wine project). I have to tell you, I see a magazine coming soon, Gary V!

I haven’t had a 2006 Pinot yet…I HAVE had a 2005 Duck Pond and overall it was a pretty “elegantly” styled wine – almost delicate – but overall kind of flat. I thought I read somewhere that the 2005 was a slammin’ vintage – I didn’t taste it. Sad thing was, I let it sit on the bar uncorked overnight (an oversight, not on purpose!) and it tasted better the next afternoon.
April 21, 2008

CORSkier
QOTD1: Google advertising.

QOTD2: Southern Oregon wines! If not those, at least try and showcase what comes out of this state BESIDES Pinot Noir. Or maybe a Petite Sirah show? That would be cool. Or Roussanne, I know there are some of those popping up in the states. I love your episodes on wines that aren’t as well known.
April 21, 2008

Justin Viger
Your welcome.

What was the first question of the day? I forget already. Oh right, marketing ideas. Trust me I am not the one to ask. I would just say let people buy it if the want.
April 21, 2008

JeffH
Gary, great show. My wife and I really enjoy zins. I have tried some Ridge but the other two are new to me. You got me pumped about the Neyers. I will track that one down. Had a very good zin from a small Napa producer last week, Laura Zahtila Vineyards 2005. Makes a nice cab also.

QOTD #1: Get a copy on the next space shuttle flight!

QOTD #2: How about 3-4 spanish red blends or Ribera del Duero 2003 from 3-4 different winemakers?
April 21, 2008

Jerry the 2thdr
QOTD You need a national TV appearence to push the book. Perhaps on the food channel or Oprah. How about a Corton-Charlemagne tasting perhaps head to head with some top Chardsfrom around the world. Jerry the 2thdr
April 21, 2008

Mike Godkin
Hey Gary howz it goin,

I just wanted to say that I started watching your show about a week ago and have since watched about 30 episodes, I have to say that I don’t think I learned more about any particular subject quite as quickly as I have learned with your help on the thunder show. You’ve inspired me into becoming an avid wine collector/sampler. Ill be picking up one or two of your books up in the next week or so (Mums day coming up). Have you done a British Columbia wines show? I haven’t seen one so far. Anyway keep up the good work and Ill be watching.

Mike from Vancouver Canada
April 21, 2008

Steve & Marilee
QOTD publish random sections (selections) across the web … put 40 to 50 out there as a tease. Or start dropping 102 through 150..
April 21, 2008

Justin Viger
For the second question of the day:

I agree with Newman about wines from BC. It would be nice to be able to get the wines you review and then watch the episode again and see if I can tell what you are talking about.
April 21, 2008

Phillip
Do the Teachworth Kirk left! Should be really interesting to see if there are any differences.

Go for some Shane Syrah that you tried some of in Cali.

More Cali Grenache–Dry Stack is doing some & I know there are a few others fairly acclaimed.

Most importantly, lots of blind and DOUBLE BLIND tasting! Chyeah, grow some.

And I like the comment about Iron Chef America…would be fun, great food, great promotion.
April 22, 2008

DirtWineKen
Gary, your shows only get better — thank you. OK down to business!!
QOTD1: I don’t remember tha question.
QOTD2: California Petite Syrah!!! Pls include Eaglepoint Ranch 2005.

I’m gonna ask now, any many times in the future,for an awsome GV casemesque shout out for my big 60 this year on August 5, 2008!
April 22, 2008

Roberto
Hi Gary,

I thought it would be a great idea if you had a 3 wine, blind tasting episode. Mott (or someone) could get the 3 wines (varietals from around the world) that have already been “rated” by a major publication, and then go ahead and do your tasting and rating… I think it would be different and frankly, quite interesting to us Vayniacs.

QOTD: best way to sell a book is advertising… word of mouth is free, but nothing like a good quote from a respected wine writer (matt kramer comes to mind) and a small (1/8th of a page) in the USA today… really, think about it.
April 22, 2008

Andrew VItale
Gary,
I think a great idea for this week would be to do a DUNN HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET tasting. Start with 1992 and you can perform a vertical tasting or even compare Howell Mountain to the regular Napa valley bottling. Thanks
April 22, 2008

ZJK
Gary I have commented so many times to push you toward trying this wine…I REALLY REALLY want to see you do a *NORTON/CYNTHIANA* wine in the very near future (this week.) MAY 13th CANT WAIT FOR MY BOOK!
April 22, 2008

Cookiedds
The Neyers is a killer value and wonderful Zin. I brought it to a Zin tasting, it was corked and it still rocked the rest of the wines there.

QOTD: This week….get into the Napa Cabs: Ladera; Howell Mountain, Lone Canyon and Napa Valley. Jessup Cellars; “Table for Four” and Napa Cabernet. Reynolds Family Winery 2004 Persistence.
April 22, 2008

Chris D
QOTD1 – get on the talk show circuit plugging your book. get it known out there beyong WLTV. I Look forward to a book signing in South Florida.

QOTD 2 – Sangiovese vs. Chianti … show us the differences
April 22, 2008

Phil G
QOTD – three words: oprah book club.

QOTD2 – draft day predictions? also, how about some dessert wines?
April 22, 2008

bundydb
QOTD: Think Ellen or Conan would have you on again to try some more wines and pimp the book? Would be good to see you on tv again anyway.

QOTD2: I say doing another tasting with AJ would be bad ass. We’d have you as the pro and AJ there to see the reaction of someone who’s new to wines as some of us are.
April 22, 2008

ChrisH
QOTD: I agree with what many of the others are saying about the television publicity. It would be awesome if you could attract the attention of some of the network daytime / late night shows for a guest appearance. And, of course, if you can get Oprah behind you the book will turn to pure gold in your hands overnight. Maybe reach out to the Vayniacs to write into the networks requesting to have you on the show. It is obvious that you could get hundreds of e-mail out in a day making that kind of request. I have been telling everyone about the book and have posted about it and put a widget on my blog. The more people who do that the better as well.
April 22, 2008

Achilles Mike
QOTD 1 Put a page up on your website so people can see what it’s like.

How about some more cheese and wine shows?
April 22, 2008

ChrisH
QOTD2: It would be fun to see you cover some small wineries from lesser known wine states. I would be happy to send you some wine from Oliver Winery just south of Indianapolis near Bloomington, IN. They actually make some good wine. I just went there this weekend and I was very pleasantly surprised (especially by the Zinfandel I tasted there ironically).
April 22, 2008

Ryan
QOTD #1: Wait until the first of the month as people may be waiting to get paid (points to himself).
Also a national TV appearance would do wonders.

QOTD #2: I would like to see a port tasting.

Thanks,

Ryan
April 22, 2008

Top 300!
Yeh!
April 22, 2008

Oklahoma Michael
Qotd- VIOGNIER CONDRIEU come on!!! 2006 is getting great ratings, you can talk about it shutting down into the “dumb” years, it will be great, and what a great spring wine!!!!!!!
April 22, 2008

glenn
marketing ploy: semi-nekkid hottie on the book jacket works >90% of the time.

dude – yet another Zin episode with no Amador or ElDorado Co wines in the hizzy? where is the love for The Shenandoah Valley?

QotD: Tocai Friulano or the wines from Friuli-Venezia Giulia. it is white time my man.
April 22, 2008

Omallley
QOTD2: After re-watching the sherry episode, it sounded like you were really hankering to do a sherry/cheese episode. Come on Gary! Submit to temptation!
April 22, 2008

Origin
Awesome as always!

Would like to see some ports reviewed, and maybe some wine/cheese or even wine/food pairings. Maybe some more episodes on cheap wines (under $10 at least). The 2 buck chuck episode was a lot of fun, even if it’s a little TOO cheap.
April 22, 2008

Andrew H.
QOTD2: I would love to see some wines from vineyards in Livermore Valley in California. I particularly enjoyed the Wente Vineyard. The Nth degree series is amazing and very true to the fruit.
April 22, 2008

TWofPasadena
Thanks for the Zin episode. I’ll definitely be picking up some Neyers.

Fly in local entertainment reporters from LA & SF ($400 rt on Jet Blue) to interview you about the book. They’ll come. Give ‘em some free wine and joke around with them a bit and you’ll get a 90 second segment on a couple of major markets for not much $$.

Can’t wait to get the book.
April 22, 2008

Roy Biran
Would love to see you taste some of the wines being produced by Core, a little winery in the Santa Barbara area. They do mostly Rhone-like blends. Absolutely amazing. Parker is a big fan, and I have to agree with him.
April 22, 2008

jmcaruso
I would love to see you do a cheap @$$ wine section for college students! Rock on gary
April 22, 2008

Big D
I usually like Ridge Wines too so I was disappointed to see the performance of the Zin.

QOTD1: Every idea I thought of is already in the replies.

QOTD2: California Pinots!
April 22, 2008

EvanR
Good show, sorry I don’t have any good advertising ideas though…
April 22, 2008

Zume
How about doing some wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains. I work for a small winery up there and could use your tasting ideas on our stuff.
April 22, 2008

Yoni Rabkin
QOTD#1: Offer 10% off a single wine mentioned in the book per person per copy of the book that person has. You effectively turn one of the pages of the book into a coupon.

QOTD#2: Are there any Japanese wines out there?
April 22, 2008

Zume
Autographed copies seems to be a pretty good one. Or why don’t you approach some of the wineries that are represented in the book and have them put up a link where the wine club members or general public could buy the book from their website. Then whichever winery sells the most books gets an appearance by the Chuck live in the flesh…
April 22, 2008

Patrick O'Day
Great Zin review. I would like to hear your thoughts on a wines potential to laydown and improve with time or if it’s a drink now wine. Also if the wine might be food friendly or not. You cover those issues now and then and I find it valuable.
April 22, 2008

vibemore
QOTD#1 – Go Willy Wonka style. Put 101 winning labels in 101 random books and whoever finds the label gets to send it in for that bottle of vino! Brilliant!
QOTD#2 – The runner-ups. How about giving us some of the wine that got close, but couldn’t quite make it into your 101 wines from the book. However, this probably makes more sense after the book comes out.
April 22, 2008

Greg B
Big G, Great show. I’ve had the Nyers and it is very good. I can’t wait to have a look at that Book of yours.

QOTD: You could try and do some tie ins at places like Santa Barbara and Napa. Something like what they did with Sideways. Mass Brochures.

This week I’d love to see more Spanish Wines. I’m in a Big 04-05 Kick.
April 22, 2008

thecobalt9
Port episode!!

Root Beer episode!!!
April 22, 2008

Moselman
Being a sucker for the hang tags on/over the bottle necks, I have to agree with James. Not sure what the one week timeframe someone mentioned has to do with the book promo, tho’.
April 22, 2008

T. Bone
People make millions on book tours. You have already been on the talk shows, this is your “second movie” – get back on there, talk it up, no better way to sell it. You don’t need to eat dirt (although that was fun). You need a quick, one or two liner that differentiates (positions) your book relative to all the other options – why is it different? People don’t need much, they just need: 1) a reason to like you, 2) a reason to be interested in the book, 3) enough information to make it *easy* to buy it.

If you get back on the talk shows you really need to have them push the Vayner-nation and your show. You need to come across as someone with draw, not just some nut job who likes wine. You have serious credibility and a real audience, and that should come across. Street smarts sells, and you’ve got it, my man.

For this week, how about: Aglianico (just because), sparkling reds (Brechetto d’Acqui, Australian options, etc). Aged semillon (I have heard this is incredible at 15+ years from Australia – do you have any?). Would love a Rioja episode – new world style v. old world style. Clean v. dirty. Oak v. rustic. Fruit v. terroir. What’s to know? Have you done a Tokaji episode? I need to check your archives. Would love to see that too – I have found Tokaji goes amazingly well with gingerbread….

Just keep kicking butt, GV. The next level is coming, just don’t worry about it – let it happen.
April 22, 2008

Corey C
It would be great to see you do a Condrieu tasting or maybe compare Condrieu to Viognier’s from other area’s.
April 22, 2008

Eric Gardner
QOTD #1 I think that it took you a long time to succeed in the wine world, and you started out by meeting customers and studying them. Later, once you knew the wine world, you branched out into the viral world and did very well.

But I think that your wine success is based on your knowledge of the wine world. I think that you should apply the same methods to help your book succeed. I think that if you want to be as successful in the book world as you are in the wine world, you have to spend some time in it. Learn as much about it as possible, and meet as many book customers as you can.

Also, you are a terrific salesman and I’m sure that you have a great product. I think that your first move is to go to as many public appearances as you can and bring books and sell them. Give wine away at the public events, but sell books. I think that if you go out to as many public events as you can (books tour, wine tastings, vaynernation gatherings), you will learn enough about the book business to start another revolution.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that there is a short-cut to success in the book world. Your greatest strengths are your sales ability and your sincerity. Once you put in some time pressing the flesh and kissing babies, you’ll figure out the next step.

QOTD #2
I think that it would be nice to mix in some short head to head battles, I miss the short (10 minute shows). I think that if you mix short shows with long shows, you won’t kill yourself trying to top every episode. Also, I love learning about unusual grapes and unusual locations. The main thing is to mix it up. Cool Short Episodes & Extended Special Episodes.
April 22, 2008

Davis
QOTD: More Aussie wines! (or at least wines that are available in this neck of the woods)
April 22, 2008

Chrisfs
Post a wine a day from the book on it’s own webpage, and then have a link at the bottom leading to a site that sells the book. Sure over 100 days, a person would be able to read the book for “free”, but how many people are going to do that vs how many people will go ahead and buy the book after reading a few (or after reading them all, just because it’s nice to have a nice printed copy to take with you to the wine store.).
OR
everyone who buys two books gets a LINK IT UP MOTT T-shirt!

Special Lambic tasting episode please!!
April 22, 2008

Phil M'Glassup
I have five ideas that are so good. . .but to hear them, you’ll have to pay me (unless you meet one condition, which is one of the ideas).
(cryptic, eh?)
But my show idea is gratis.
Demystifying the Wine List.
Go to both an upmarket and neighborhood place and show us how to make the most of their lists.
What’s an appropriate markup?
When do we send back wines?
What does a corked wine taste like?
How do we handle the ritual of ordering?
This really is the show everyone wants to see.
April 22, 2008

Neil
I love when I open a Cali Zin, then turn on the Thunder Show & the topic is Cali Zin. Unfortunately, the one i’m drinking is Ravenswood 2005 & it sucks. No body, off balance, boring, wimpy. Wish I was drinking the Neyers.
My suggestion for the book is to do a “book wine of the day”. Review 1 wine from the book each day on the Thunder Show. The Vaynaics will buy the book so they can tune in & follow along in the book.
April 22, 2008

David
QOTD: I think it would be great to do a show on a specific bordeaux region like the episode you did on st. emilion. It would be great to see a pouillac, margaux or st. estephe episode!!
April 22, 2008

Leif Erik Sundstrom
SHOW IDEA: I wanna see an esoteric regional show… First pick would be you drinking and discussing Jura wines from Puffeney, Tissot, et al. Second pick would be whites from Venezia areas– specifially Gravner, Radikon, kante, and la castellada. Something a lil super geek for us out here.

MARKETING IDEAS: shelf talkers!
April 22, 2008

Tomek Gulik
What about non-Alcoholic wines? just saw them the other day at BevMo … Never tried them and probably never will, what’s your take on them?
April 22, 2008

Obama_Man
QOTD: GV, I’d have an opening welcome screen for all new IP addresses that go to winelibrary.com. Just as you’d see if you went to hillaryclinton.com or barackobama.com.

Wish I had watched in time to get myself a Neyers!
April 22, 2008

M
QOTD2: MÃ¼ller-Thurgau or Lagrein or Mencia
April 22, 2008

salvatore
Rosso Di Montalcino !!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosso Di Montalcino !!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosso Di Montalcino !!!!!!!!!!!!
April 22, 2008

Metal Dave
QOTD 1: Free International Shipping

QOTD 2: Gigondas or wines from Puglia i.e. Appollonio
April 22, 2008

Jason
QOTD: since i am a member of the CKC out here in NJ, I would say get more interest from college kids and people new to wine, specifically the 21-25 year age group by marketing at colleges locally first.

For my suggestion for this week, I would love to see a CKC episode where you try out some new world and even some old world wines that can be a great starting point for getting new people into the wine world.
April 22, 2008

Alfredhayes
QOTD: Team up with Kindle ot Sony’s E-reader? Embrace the new… Seems to work for you so far. Or Audible and iPod (as you LOVE the Apple)…
April 22, 2008

Alfredhayes
QOTD #2:

Wines with playoffs (Hockey or Basketball)? How to break the stigma of Beer. I have written a short piece on it (http://www.adamandelizabeth.com/?p=162) but would like to expand it with some more ideas/wine combos.
April 22, 2008

Donna Marie
QOTD: Offer the book as part of a book launch secret pack, include it in a Mother’s day gift basket or secret pack, same with Father’s day, special CKC graduation pack. Have it at the check-out counter at Wegmans, Kings, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, any upscale markets, cheese shops,competitors wine shops.
Some promos with BYOB restaurants, or a special BYOB pack(we might prefer to bring a less expensive(under $30.) bottle to a BYOB because we can’t go through any decanting rituals, etc. Have a free shipping for life contest.

This week–Earth Day wines–something organic, Celebrity wines, NJ wines, more Petit Verdot, Sherries and a cheese pairing.
April 22, 2008

Andy
Thanks for the Zin …….. need to try the Neyers(never had it)

QOTD— Get some NYC chefs and let them comment on the book on the show …… help with food pairings.

QOTD2- Have some more showdowns (Old world vs New world) same varietal stuff…
April 22, 2008

Giggleloop
QOTD: Don’t know if this is in the comments already, but you should talk to the Woot guys about maybe doing a Launch Day on Wine.Woot! The day the book is released, they could offer it on Wine.Woot – or maybe even on Woot.com itself! Just a thought. Love the show!
April 22, 2008

Donna Marie
QOTD: Part II: Do a wine stemware promo. Buy 2 Big-Ass Tasting glasses get a signed book by Gary. This can be a special store event. Get the book in all wine and chef catalogues or websites–Sur La Table, Williams-Sonoma, Wine Enthusiast, all wine publications, the Spectator, Food and Wine, etc. Team up with local cheese and beef producers for an in-store tasting promo. Make an appearance at one of the many Farmer’s Markets in NJ–Westfield –has many BYOB’s, a cooking school, etc., great retail and unique shops—very food savvy town. Have a Gary V. vs. Gary F.(from Gary’s Wine and Marketplace) do a blind-tasting wine challenge.
April 22, 2008

torquey
QOTD #1: Clearly some promotion involving a Mot T-Shirt is required.
April 22, 2008

torquey
QOTD #2: Garagista wines!
April 22, 2008

Karen
QOTD: Hey G.V.–Any time that you put things together for people (i.e. the secret 4-pack, etc.) it excites people. So, summer is around the corner–how about pairing your book with one of the low-priced under $10 wines (or something along those lines). Market the upcoming summer, festival, Fourth of July, Mom’s Day, Dad’s Day, etc. type of themes. I publish books and have a sense about how much they truly cost. The more that you pair your book with anything, people will be eager to purchase. True, it isn’t the holiday gift giving season, but far more explosive are all of the fun summer opportunities that people want to bring a bottle of wine as a hostess gift, etc. Throw in the new G.V. book, and BAM, what a great gift
April 22, 2008

ray-ray
Great Show GV, now to search out some of those Zins…

Qotd: I agree with the idea of Book signing/Blind tasting. Bringing the Thunder live, the personal approach cannot be beat. Also I agree with my fellow Vayniacs, asking for more BC wines….
April 22, 2008

jeffe
Loved this show â€” Zin’s by far my favorite varietal. Now I’ve got a new one to try* and I’ve been spared from blowing 30 bones on the Ridge, which like you, I would have bought simply on past experience.

If you only did Zins on WLTV, you would have at least one happy fan.

*WL doesn’t have the Neyer? Oh, that’s just mean.
April 22, 2008

Ralph
Hey Gary!

How about featuring some Arizona wines. Page Springs Cellars, Arizona Stronghold and Caduceus are all doing some amazing things with grapes out there in the desert. Check them out. Keep up the great work, sir!

Cheers,

Ralph
http://www.twitter.com/level3media
http://www.level-3-media.com
April 22, 2008

Omallley
QOTD2 (redux): I have to echo the call for wines from British Columbia – if you have a chance to get a hold of some, I think it could be some redemption for Canadian wines after the Pelee Island ones that didn’t show so well. If you could get your hands on a Quail’s Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir…
April 22, 2008

evolvingmonkey
A reliable selection of quality Canadian wines we will see/should seek out on restaurant wine lists.
April 22, 2008

Kenneth
Zinny Zin Zin! Great! What do you think about Dry Creek Zins? and is it true that Zins were part of the original Bordeaux grapes. Peace!
April 22, 2008

Ryan Mac
Thx for the show on Zin… would love to see a show on the wines of North Georgia. Wolf Mountain, Blackstock, Frogtown Cellars, Habersham, etc.
April 22, 2008

Dori Blakley
QOTD:

Some friends of mine had a wine party where they picked about 8 or 9 bottles of wine for us all to try with the only qualification for the wine being that each bottle selected had to be around $20 and have a “cool looking bottle.”

I know a lot of people that pick wines this way, however, I’ve tried many very poor quality wines using this method. Let’s do a show on wines that have cool designs on them that retail for around “20 bones” as you would say. Then, I’ll be able to suggest some for my friends’ next wine party. )
April 22, 2008

HeadWino
QOTD-1: Market the book? Let me come up with something, back to you later.

QOTD-2: Always enjoy your “value oriented” shows. VO to me is priced between $12-$20. Domestic REDS would be a great place to start.

B
April 22, 2008

Sean
Gary,

I think it would be great to see you do a show on one of my favorite kinds of wine, Port. Love the show, as always.

PS. This is my first comment (another pod cast person comes out of the woodwork)
April 22, 2008

*/^_^\*
qotd: replace the cover with pictures of scantily clad women

qqotd: a rhone rangers show with robert parker

8.75
April 22, 2008

Ozzybeef
Ideas for Shows:
– Have Kara Hogan (Ellens producer) on the show
– Ideas for wine tastings at home – what types of wines to try
– With spring coming – wines to take with a picnic basket
April 22, 2008

LauraG
QOTD 2: Ribera del Duero, or Priorat! Thanks!!!
April 22, 2008

Lb in KS
qotd…a show on syrah/ viognier blends?
April 22, 2008

The JOB
QOTD1: Possible give away of wrist band to those who buy two or more and friend you up and Tshirt for the person that advertises your book in the most creative way (just like the appleTV giveaway).

QOTD2: Can you do an outside episode?

Love the show.
April 22, 2008

Ozzybeef
A Cotes Du Rhone episode could be good.
April 22, 2008

Johnny C. a.k.a SmokinActuary
1)Tie ins with the wineries listed in the book

2) I would like to see you do a repeat tasting of age worthy wines that you have had a year or more ago.
April 22, 2008

Jason S.
QOTD: Have Vayniacs start an IM or email chain – everyone should send the book info to 3 people they know (maybe with a coupon for free shipping or 10% off or something if they send a receipt to book@winelibrary.com)

I’d really like to see an episode on the Napa cult wines. Are they even worth the astronomical prices they charge? Are there wines that bring as much thunder for half, a quarter or tenth the price?
April 22, 2008

theemptyglass
This comment will answer both QOTD,

I think that you should do a little video about the essence of the book. From your point of view, why is it so good, why should we buy it? What inspired you to write it? What is the main thrust of the book? What does the book offer that your free online videos don’t?

I am a fairly new vaniac and although I have been watching the past couple of weeks, I’m not quite a fanatic. I’m not gonna buy the book just because you want me to, I want to know more about the book than Amazon can tell me.
April 22, 2008

SGoodwin
QOTD: Somehow, some way, get yourself on Oprah. I’m not a fan but I know the lady can sell books! Plus, I think the two of you would have a great rapport.

Suggestion of the week: I think it would be fun to see you do some blind tastings and see how you do identifying varietal, location, producer, etc.

Keep up the great work!
April 22, 2008

Christine
QOTD1: I agree with another of the Vayniacs (Donna Marie) regarding distributing the book, i.e. make it part of a secret pack and include the book.

QOTD2: I’d love to see a port or ice wine tasting in the near future.
April 22, 2008

VinoVixen
QOTD #1-maybe offer some sort of incentive for wine tastings clubs or offer a monthly wine tasting pack including a coupons or something to buy the book?
QOTD #2- since I am hosting our neighborhood wine club in May and the theme is Spain….a start to finish i.e. Cave-Priorat tasting would be great!!
April 22, 2008

NickJW
QOTD: I like the pairings with food and cheese. I’d love to see some showdowns old world vs new world.
April 22, 2008

Amber
Some great show ideas. I want to bump up and mention my favorites.

1.) New World Meritages vs Old World Bordeaux
2.) Rhone Rangers vs Old World Rhones
3.) Sparkling wine death match. Champagne vs French Cremants/Cava/Sekt/Am. Sparkling
4.) Box wines-Some of the stuff coming from Australia and the Languedoc are pretty good but the category has a bad rep in the states.
5.) South American wines. Uruguay/Malbec/Torrontes/Carmenere
6.) Other side of the Valley (Same grape variety from different parts of the Loire/Napa/Sonoma/Rhone, etc Valley. Very terroir driven episode)
7.) “Total CKC” all wines under $10, all mass produced and can be found most anywhere.
8.) The other side of Portugal-Everybody thinks of Port but the red & white wines from there get very little love.
9.) California Cult Wines-Are they worth the price? Better yet, taste them with a “half price/third price” alternative that you think will bring just as much (or more thunder) for a fraction of the price and compare the two.
April 22, 2008

Xavier
qotd: reward once every week someone out of people who bought 5 or more books with a secret 3 pack of your choice at their next winepurchase at winelibrary..

mh ild like to see u taste the selvrarossa 2004.. 3 glasses in G.R. for under 15 euro! I ordered some here in here europe for myself as well. More CDP tastings always welcome as well.. or perhaps a vertical tasting sometime.. clos mogador 2005.. guess i could go on for a while
April 22, 2008

bfrankphoto
QOTD: Buy thousands of copies. Then return them. Works well in the record industry.
April 22, 2008

Giggleloop
Regarding QOTD2: I’m a new viewer to the show, I’ve only seen a few episode so far, so I’ve no idea if you’ve ever done these or not, but how about some wines from Missouri wine country? I’m in St. Louis, so I’m a bit biased, but I’d be interested to see what you thought of some of our St. James, Hermanhoff, Stone Hill, etc. wines.

I had a lovely honeyed wine this past October at Chaumette Vineyards in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri… I think it was their Bouvet Blanc. I also liked their Huguenot Red. (I’m not a big wine drinker, and prefer sweetness to dryness) Just a thought.
April 22, 2008

Ryan
you should do a downtown NJ show on the street…
April 22, 2008

Colin
GV – Fun show. QOTD – Since couldn’t sell a gold watch for $5 – my thoughts are nill. Something with Facebook friends perhaps? Gifts for 2+ purchases is a wonderful idea.

QOTD Dos – I’ve never had wines from the UK (even when I lived there!) or you could do digestives/digestivos! Or how ’bout a flight from one winery – say Bonny Doon or Simi, etc.
April 22, 2008

sokolow
I’d love to see another show on Ontario wines. Pelee Island is just alright, but there are some stand up wineries concentrated in the Niagara region. Henry of Pelham’s Speck Family Reserve Riesling is great, and their Reserve Baco Noir is really interesting. Fielding Estates makes a mean Riesling too. Flat Rock Cellars has a really nice Pinot Noir you should try. Prove it to the Americans that Canada can indeed make good wine!

As for book marketing – try organizing tastings/book displays at different stores around the country. Draw people in with the wine, get them to buy a book.
April 22, 2008

Kathy Hughes
To get the book out there…send an autographed copy to Oprah, Ellen, Conan, etc.

THis week – can’t get enough champagne information.

All the best from Naples Kathy aka Champagne Lady
April 22, 2008

Luis Felipe
QOTD #1: Colaborate with the wineries that you mention in the Book. Everyone wins in that situation
April 22, 2008

Luis Felipe
QOTD #2: 17 seasons is a looooong time, so why not revisit the first few episodes’ wine selections to see if YOUR pallate has changed?

Maybe Mott could do a split-screen of Gary 17-season-ago and Gary 17-seasons-later. You know, to juxtapose your two reactions as a play by play.
April 22, 2008

MikeyB
Would love to see a show about affordable whites for summer backyard sippin!
April 22, 2008

Kyle Battis
Hey There Gary,

First time viewer, long time wine drinker.

I love the show first off and I have heard great things about you.

Anyway, I actually work as an internet marketer and have a couple friends that teach people how to create Amazon Best Seller campaigns.

Mark Joyner (the man who created and sold the first Digital e-book online) has a training on how to put together an Amazon Best Seller Campaign.

I am not sure where he has it for sale but you can probably find out at his main site called Simnpleology.com.

Hope that helps and best of luck with your campaign.

Sincerely,

Kyle Battis
Concord, NH
April 22, 2008

KWC
Not a big Zen drinker, but this definitely had my mouth watering.

QOTD – What about incentives for referrals, basically you collect emails from others whom you convinced to purchase it, X number gets you an autographed copy, XX number gets you a bottle of wine from the book, XXX gets you the ability to select the topic for a show, XXXX gets you 3 bottle pack from the book, and the top referal person gets to be a guest taster next time they are around winelibrary. Just one long thought.

QQOTD – I saw a few people suggesting doing a cult cab episode, which would be interesting. How about potential future cult cabs, there are a few newer low production cabs that are getting a lot of press but aren’t at the “cult” price levels…yet. These would be pricey but not over the top (50-75 bones)
April 22, 2008

Angelwuss
QOTD – You could offer a raffle for some private wine classes with you. Go through a tasting of a few different smelling and tasting complex wines. Really break it down for them by having real food to show the different smells individually. It is kind of an “Improve your palate with Gary V” idea. You could even do this on the show, which might be fun.

Another idea would be to have someone on the show to do the tasting with you.
April 22, 2008

Angelwuss
As a further point to what I said below you could have every book you buy be 1 ticket into the raffle or something of that nature.
April 22, 2008

pokai
Ideas for book: The best Restaurants, clubs, etc. that promote your book and show in house (with video or picture proof) will be entered to contest for you to visit sometime this summer. This coincides with a book/wine/rv tour across America. Gary tours across America visiting colleges, local TV shows, drinking wine, giving away wine, books, etc.
April 22, 2008

Kevin Carpenter
Idea for book:

Talk to the people at Wine and Spirits. I don’t know how you’d go about getting a book sold there. Surprisingly, they have a lot of different wine accessories, but I have NEVER seen a book there. You could be the first. That would be big.
April 22, 2008

Dom
04 Barolo pleeeease! I have been hearing so much about it and I would love to get your take on it!
April 22, 2008

Sarno
I’d like to see a show where we get to see “the” new Mott Link it Up shirts. You know you have them…
April 22, 2008

Stevie Ann, the Wine Chick
Gary V!

Hey, Stevie Ann in the Phoenix area here. Love, love, love your show. Longtime lurker, first-time commenter. If you haven’t already, try the Tres Sabores “Porque No?” Zin. It’s one of my faves â€“ Julie Johnson is such an amazing, talented winemaker.

QOTD 1 – A: Marketing ideas for your new tome …

— Do something on the streets a la Jay Leno during the week of your book’s release. Except where his segment is called Jaywalking, you could call yours Vaywalking (I want credit for this!). Interview people on the streets of NJ/NY about wine and if they answer questions correctly, they get a signed book. Give locations of where you’ll be on the prior day’s episode so that there will be mobs of people there, which will create the curiosity factor, spike interest and generate sales. Mott can film the segment(s) â€“ it’d be hilarious.

— Have a “game show” of sorts on your book release day â€“ modeled kinda after Michael Feldman’s “Whadya Know?” I listen to on Saturdays. While his is a radio show, yours could be a live gig at a local auditorium or at an outside venue â€“ and a media event. Your game show could be called “101 Questions” and winners receive your autographed “101 Wines” book, Thunder wristbands and a Link It Up, Mott t-shirt.

QOTD 2: Future show ideas …

— Dude, it’s hot here … can you do a show about rosÃ©s? Favorites of mine have been Selby and Charles Melton. Curious what you might taste …. I’d like to see what you think about what’s out there in the rosÃ© world.

— Perhaps compare major U.S. label wines with their second label wines (the ones they usually make with leftover fruit or extra juice). See how the higher-priced, more well-known major labels compare in terms of taste and $$ to their lower-priced, lesser-known wines.

— How about tasting non-alcoholic wines? I used to be a wine steward in a gourmet store here and I was surprised how many people would come in asking for them for variety of reasons: on meds, pregnant or nursing a baby, serving a dinner guest who’s alcoholic, yada yada. Not tons of people, mind you, but enough to raise my eyebrow. I never tried these “why bother” wines before.

— I have in-laws in South Dakota who drink berry wines â€“ no grapes in ‘em. It makes me want to gag just thinking about it, but hey, it’d be more fun to watch you do it.

— Also, I agree with Ralph â€“ include some Arizona wines. Page Springs Cellars and Caduceus are the best, IMHO. surprised how many wineries there are here in AZ …..

Thanks for your show, Gary-man. I have you to thank for introducing me to so many wines that I thoroughly enjoy … especially Boudreaux wines from Rob Newsom in WA.
April 22, 2008

Anthony L.
I’d like to see some Southern Italian Wines, such as Montapulciano di Abruzzi
April 22, 2008

steven p
Gary

One of my favorite bloggers is the marketing guru Seth Godin. Godin always makes a portion of his books (sometimes all of the book) free to download. It is amazing how this drives sales. Offer a few nuggets (more than a teaser which is just cheesy) and see if people will pony up to read the rest.
April 22, 2008

M
QOTD2: Malagousia or Xinomavro
April 22, 2008

Dan McHugh
Gary,

Great episode. I was at Ridge about 18 months ago, and since have been drawn to their wines – I’m a little disappointed to hear the latest Lytton may not be up to par. Also a big fan of Neyers stuff recently. I was wondering about doing an episode with some of the “gimmicks” out there supposed to improve wine – such as the Clef du Vin and the Vinturi. Maybe select a wine that has promise, but perhaps isn’t quite ready, and see if any of these these things can help, and get your take on these types of things in general. Keep up the great work. Gotta go order my copies of the book.
April 22, 2008

italianwinelover
Send your book to the wineries you suggest they can sell it at the winery, sign copies and send to major media figures, what about in boutique wine stores around the country…too many than major wine stores! And of course send it Oprah although I can’t see her as a wine person…

Never can get enough champagne
or
what about Organic Wines in honor of Earth Day 2008!!
April 22, 2008

BW
QOTD – Do some sort of buyer #x gets to be on the show with you

What to do this week :
I am looking for some good QPR Washington St reds & some good QPR Gewertriminer’s
Would love to see a show on either or both
April 22, 2008

Rob C.
i had an awesome collection of the wwf ljn figures as well as the thundercats..but when i was in high school my mom threw them all out during a spring cleaning session. i was also a big fan of the wff thumb wrestlers. ill be representin the vayniac nation this weekend at the james river wine festival in richmond, va, sporting a wltv shirt. keep up the great work!
April 22, 2008

Linderelli
what’s QPR? Why don’t we see gravatars anymore? My 30th birthday was awesome by the way. best birthday day ever.

And the way to sell your book?? Gratitude. To be grateful for everything you already have and fill your heart with love that you’ve already sold a butt-load. That gratitude will open the door to plentitude.
April 22, 2008

Toby
Hey,

Thanks for today’s great show!

QOTD1: Maybe a combo-solution – if you buy a pre-packed case with 6 or 12 different wines described in the book, you get the book at 50 % of, or something of that nature.

QOTD2: PORT + CHAMPAGNE! PORT + CHAMPAGNE! PORT + CHAMPAGNE! PORT + CHAMPAGNE! PORT + CHAMPAGNE!
(please)
April 22, 2008

Linderelli
oh I forgot – you didn’t give me a shout out on my birthday. Oh well – still the best birthday ever.
April 22, 2008

ChrisR
New Eps? How about one on Pommard? Those are tasty, and possibly a good varietal to enjoy as the summertime starts
April 22, 2008

Aaron
QOTD#2: How about some wines from the Livermore Valley area. So will be over priced because of small production, but they have some good stuff coming out of there.
April 22, 2008

Mick Piper
I would love to see you do a show on Zins from Lodi. Also Italian varietals coming out of the Shenandoah Valley, near Sacramento. Cheers!
April 22, 2008

terroirist
Nice show.. It would be nice to see a Hermitage and Croze Hermitage show.. Perhaps even Cronas, St.
Joseph or Corteaux du Tricastin… BIG QUESTION – How long does the free shipping code last when I order my two books?

Terroirist aka Mike in Nebraska.
April 22, 2008

Christophe - Titus Vineyards
QOTD #1 Talk to wineries that you have amped sales for or are going to amp sales for. Have them run a promo that basically states for every customer that buys product x the winery will buy the book for the customer and ship it to them as a bonus.

QOTD #2 Wines from Eastern Europe
April 22, 2008

kaybee
QoTd
#1 GV you have to have a book signing event with wine/cheese tasting, of course!
#2 Highlight some small wineries and do 4-5 of their varietals or a vertical.
April 22, 2008

JC
I love Zins! The last really good one was Harrison Zebra Zin. The book is a must have for waiting rooms everywhere!
April 22, 2008

RobRx
QOTD #1 – Give some teasers of what is in the book on the show. All I can see so far is the cover is kind of “meh”.

QOTD #2- Do a show on Ports my native wines. Maybe compare with what is available in the new world. Hint- Best CA port is Miller Wine Works made by Gary Miller former chef, former asst. winemaker at Biale who has gone out on his own now. He uses real Port grapes like Touriga Nacional grown in CA. It brings “Major thunder” and while not Taylor or Fonseca 1963 or 1977 it compares to many ports from less than perfect vintages. You will be surprised.
April 22, 2008

Snarf
GV, do a show on Veneto/Valpolicella wines!
April 22, 2008

chenrys
We love Zin and drank some while we watched the ep.

QOTD1: Can’t think of anything not already mentioned.

QOTD2: Really like the match-ups of less familiar varietals.
April 22, 2008

Cliff and Darcey
Hey GeeVee … I’d like more blind tastings!
April 22, 2008

Blake
QOTD: Put it in Wine and Spirits stores, a commercial maybe???

Future Shows: You always rate wines you normally have never had, how about a show of your ABSOLUTE favorites. Or maybe your favortive “affodable” wines (10-25 bones).
April 22, 2008

Glenn
Love the Zin, Will have to seek out the Neyers. Two of my favorites are the Peachy Canyon Schoolhouse Zin and the Earthquake Zin from Paso Robles and Lodi. Do more Rhone wines.
April 22, 2008

playasanchas
QOTD #2 Carneros pinot or possibly some Syrah, if WL has it. I’ve heard it suggested that Carneros is falling out of favor as a “true” (Burgundian) pinot site in California because even with the fog it just get too darn hot in the summer afternoons. Some have suggested that Carneros is now better for a northern rhone style Syrah, I’d love to hear your take on Carneros the Carneros region.

Some possible wines:

Saintsbury Pinot Noir Carneros 2006

Type: Napa Pinot Noir
Size|750ML Vintage|2006 Library Code|37836

Acacia Pinot Noir Carneros 2006

Type: Napa Pinot Noir
Size|750ML Vintage|2006 Library Code|37707

Etude Pinot Noir Carneros 2005

Type: Napa Pinot Noir
Size|750ML Vintage|2005 Library Code|34474
April 22, 2008

agentorange
QOTD #1: http://www.dailylit.com/about

QOTD #2: To celebrate spring, and follow close on the heels of your greco di roma tasting, how ’bout some “green” Mediterranean varietals, such as:

vinho verde
verdicchio
vernaccia
vermentino
April 22, 2008

BobMac
QotD1: Send the book to the wine bloggers and ask them to review your book

QotD2: How ’bout some more ports?
April 22, 2008

pawncop
QOTD I would love to see a presentation of examples of the various variatals that demonstrates the qualities of each major grape and/or blend.
April 22, 2008

ScottG
Nice show–I love Zin.
QOTD #1: Free schwag for answering questions about things in the book. How about celebrity endorsements?

QOTD #2: Pick one decent wine and taste it in different glasses–crystal, plain glass, plastic tumblers, paper cup, etc.
April 22, 2008

vinaceus
Gary ~ Your watch on backwards? You know what that means? Means you didn’t put your watch on correctly, dude.
April 22, 2008

J Crazy
we’ll go backwards from QOTD2: Definitely need to do more organic and biodynamic wines from anywhere…but especially from Alsace, Burgundy, Languedoc/southern France, and AUSTRIA.

Get some Austrian wines! The whites are awesome and the red’s are bringing some serious “mom’s blueberry/spiced pie” action…look for a little Mozart goodness.
April 22, 2008

thefanjestic
I am big Riidge fan so that was interesting to see GV’s reaction to the new vintage – I’ll have to try and see if I agree.
April 22, 2008

J Crazy
QOTD1: Take notes from the masters of self-promotion, our presidential candidates, and go on a bus tour complete with 20 cities, coast-to-coast action, Mott, two weeks, book signings (once people have it), a big (bio-fuel powered) bus, celebrity endorsements, etc. Just leave out the mudslinging and contrived speeches.
April 22, 2008

RANDI
I think I still have my stretch Hulk Hogan somewhere…hhmmm…

QOTD: I think its cool to see you outside the office…on location at a wine bar, restaurant, walking down streets of NYC…you can show everyone what city garbage looks like!! LOL

GARY!! The book is already a great success….we’ll all buy it…and market thru word-of-mouth becuz we love you…I want to know …
WHEN DOES THE MOVIE COME OUT?!?!?!
April 23, 2008

MagnumGourmet
I just bought a zin for a friend the other day. She was looking for something on the “over the top” level. Picked up a Gamba, it was 16.4%. A bit out of hand if you ask me.

QOTD#1 – Do a book referal contest. Have people that purchase the book send in the name of the person that suggested that they buy the book and whomever refers the most people gets one bottle of every wine reviewed?

QOTD#2 – How about a little desert. Maybe some Sauternes?
April 23, 2008

Justin L Ove
QOTD#1: GO ON OPRAH.

QOTD#2: I’d love to see you do another double blind tasting.
I’d also like to get your thoughts on any of the Linne Calodo wines out of Paso Robles.
Rock on dude.
April 23, 2008

Capt M
I’m behind in my WLTV watching and commenting. I love Zinfandel! Maybe I just don’t like to admit that it is my favorite varietal of all. But I love it. Nice show. QOTD: Do a show on middle eastern wines, Gary, please do. And while you’re at it, taste the 1999 Chateau Musar from Lebanon WL35525 Thanks!
April 23, 2008

Christian
QOTD #1: Two words, book tour.

QOTD #2: I’d love to see you do a show on wineries here in the states that are not commonly known.
April 23, 2008

bgood
Question #1:
Get it on the shelves in wine stores and grocery stores (i.e. Whole Foods) somehow

Question #2:
I would love to see more on lesser known wines of Italy like primitivo, salicce salentino, vino nobile di montepulciano, roero arneis, aglianico, amarone, tintella (of molise), etc etc

Also maybe a show on Blaufrankisch / Lemberger wines…
April 23, 2008

pierazzo
You missed the basic thing : translation in Italian
:@) (just kidding)
April 23, 2008

Micmcgee
Gary,

QOTD #1:
I think somebody already mentioned this, but you’ve got to get it in the wine stores. Maybe a tough sell because it promotes you, which then promotes Wine Library, which may hurt the other business, but you can make it happen. It would be especially good wherever you can pair it with one of the 101 wines reviewed. Outside the base fans, this book will probably be mostly gifted, so you want to put it in front of gifters and make it appealing.

QOTD #2:
Either more secret pack shows, or just try and release which wines you will be tasting before the show. I am the coolest guy in town when I throw wine-tasting parties where we can taste along with you. Maybe once a month you could have a planned show where we can purchase wines ahead of time?
April 23, 2008

SaraMHCRU
qotd1: well, for sure when I see it in a store I will subtly move it to a display area, if it’s not there already! hmm, otherwise, see if you can get some foodie bloggers to plug you…

qotd2: yesterday was earth day and wine enthusiast’s may issue has an article about wine and the environment. how about an episode where you taste wines from “green” wineries or carbon neutral wineries, or wines that came over from france on a cargo ship or something. I’d love to know what some good ecofriendly wines are.
April 23, 2008

Mack
Hey Gary; How about a book signing and wine tasting event in one of the greatest food cities in the world, New Orleans! I think you and NOLA would be a perfect match. Think about it….you and a bunch of Vaniacs in the Big Easy!!!!!
April 23, 2008

Scott the ex wine dude
Love Ridge zins!
QOTD: How about a show with old vine zins?
April 23, 2008

Shawn
Gary, I love you. I just bought the book. You kick ass. I am however, and always will be, a Patriots fan.

QOTD: I am lovin’ me some sangiovese. But holy crap, there is a lot out there. What should I be looking for? I like me some dark, spicy, complex wine. The best wine that I’ve tasted in recent times is the Mitolo Savitar from Australia. How do I find a sangiovese that can compare?
April 23, 2008

Raphael S
Gary,

I think it would be a fun exercise if you did a blind tasting of some of the wines that you have scored in the past; both low, high and middle scores. It would be fun to see where you would score them if tasting blind.
April 23, 2008

Bobby Wino
QOTD 1. You should go to a few of the main wine regions that are included in the book and do shows at some of those wineries. I hope something from Paso is in there so you can come here and check out the fruit bombs in person!
April 23, 2008

TonyStro
another idea for promo – Emeril Live! I know there’s the whole lag in airing the taped show, so no immediate bump. But it would give the book some “legs”.
April 23, 2008

TonyStro
and another show idea.. have one of the guys (Brandon, Ian, Matt, Julius, Mott, and best of all your pops Sasha!!) pick 3-4 wines that they like. Let them give their tasting ntes & then have you review them.
April 23, 2008

SoCal
QOTD: I think that you should do an episode some of the wines from the book.
April 23, 2008

TonyStro
get on “The Man Show”. Is that still on the air??
April 23, 2008

normanzo
QTD1: Perhaps a couple of your sports heroes could give an endorsement of your book? Once the reviews get indexed on the social networking sites, the book could potentially get some big traffic.

QTD2: idea for this week…kind of late in the week for a suggestion, but are there any wines from your early reviews that you would like to revisit –after 2 years additional aging in the bottle? Can 2 years make a significant difference?
April 23, 2008

tuscanbob
dude…Tres ‘Sabros’? c’mon….it’s ’sah-BOR-ays’…Three Flavors for pete’s sake.

anyway, QOTD: gotta get the talk show circuit crankin’.
April 23, 2008

tuscanbob
as far as stuff to do in future shows, those head to head showdowns are awesome. Those matchups of same variety from different regions are very interesting and the shorter format I think is better.
April 24, 2008

SkinnySteve
Have you done a Whiskey tasting? I’d like to see you compare single malt, blended, etc, and describe the characteristics of each type.
April 24, 2008

cheech
Gary, drink your wine do not spit , it makes the show and you more interesting…anyway love ya, peace
April 24, 2008

tom
biodynamic and organic wines…..? argentine malbec…..rose — has their been an all pink line up?
April 24, 2008

lawschooldrunk
wow, I thought zinfindel only came in white!

QOTD: taste some friggin kosher wines with your dad.

and explain why there is a mezuzah on your dad’s door to his office…
April 24, 2008

yowens
We’re big on Zin, thanks for the show. QOTD: A show on 05′ burgundy
April 24, 2008

Rory
Ideas: Cabernet Franc – from Virginia? Just had a Corcoran (formerly Waterford) 2005 Cab Franc that was decent. I want so bad for Virginia to come up in the wine world. Maybe a comparison of French vs. Virginia Cab Francs? Like Lambs to the slaughter?
April 25, 2008

jaydanahy
Thanks for the Zins….love August Briggs in Calistoga, ever had their Zin Gary? It’s my favorite…

#1. This may have already been said, but why not give away one bottle of each of the 101 to anyone who buys two books and sends the receipts? That would rock.
April 25, 2008

Dan-o
Educational show:
- Pinot Noir from around the world – ORE, CA, Burgundy, NZ
- Petite Sirah from around the world – CA, AUS (Durif)
- Syrah from around the world – Cote Rotie, CA, AUS, South Africa
- Malbec from around the world – FRA, ARG

you get the picture…
April 25, 2008

Ray Crouse
Gary

Great show. I also love Zins. I will have to try the Neyers as I haven’t had that one before.
April 25, 2008

Big Sig
Gary,

Not sure if you have ever tried Wine Away? I tend to wear my food and drink, makes me enjoy it better, so my girlfried always caries this product. Anyway, it has always worked for us, even on a tuxedo shirt stain. Give it a shot.
April 26, 2008

Karl Laczko
I’ve liked the (red) Zins I’ve tried so far, plus the Italian Primitivos I’ve had as well – not a variety I have too regularly, but one I’ll keep coming back to.

QOTD 1. Looks like most of the good ones have already been presented. So what marketing commission will we get for giving you these book promo’ ideas?

QOTD 2. No point giving you a suggestion, I’ve been away on business and am only reading this at the end of the week!
April 26, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD #1: Doing book signings with a tandem tasting at book stores or (more feasibly) in wine shops would be a fantastic way to target your clientÃ¨le, taste a couple of the wines in the book, an sign some books.

QOTD #2: This week: maybe mix it up: one head-to-head battle, one old world 100% varietals vs. new world 100% varietals from the same vintage, maybe a VALUE SPARKLER EPIDODE (right up my alley).
April 26, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Fun at show. Need to try that Neyer!
April 26, 2008

sev
great show, the neyers sounds awesome. the ridge geyserville 2005 was really good too.

QOTD: get yourself on some more tv shows to talk about your book. or get a foodtv person to endorse it on their show.
April 26, 2008

JOEL M
Been on vacation. Got to admit GV. I am a little disappointed you guys never did a Masters show like you promised me by email. Check with Ian, he did say the thursday of Masters week. Oh well. So to request anything else at this point would be useless. I was looking forward to that show. I get the feeling that you only do shows that either make you money or promote something else you are up to. Hence, I won’t be checking in much anymore. Was a big wine fan before you came along. Will be moving on to other sites for my information. Joel M
April 28, 2008

DARREL LAS VEGAS
QOTD 2,: Peteite Sirah, Gewurztraminer shows!
April 28, 2008

Sharon
QOTD: Well, when I get regular emails from Borders sometimes they have video interviews with the author discussing his/her new book, and that’s a good sales tool there. I will buy 2 copies of your book very soon.
That Neyers looks AWESOME. I do love good Zin. There must be someone in CT I can have it shipped to!
April 30, 2008

Grape Expectations
I know this is a late comment, but I’m running behind on my viewing and I’m just catching up.

I know you’re all about the internet(s) but I’d like to put in a word for your friendly neighborhood local independent bookstore! The people who live in your community and scratch out a living competing with the giant booksellers who get all sorts of special treatment from book publishers. (I can say this. I work in the publishing industry.) A place where you can go into the store and actually have a conversation about books.

Anyway, I’m going to support my local booksellers and I’ll be buying my copies when the book actually hits the shelves. I’m hoping there’ll be a book tour and I can get my copies signed by the author! So I hope to see you, Gary, at Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle or Village Books in Bellingham–two of the few remaining great independent booksellers.
April 30, 2008

Ron
A Cognac/Armagnac show would rock!
May 2, 2008

markie
why didn’t you taste one of the Rosenblums???? I love richard sauret vineyard…try this one!!!
May 17, 2008

Vincenzo
Gary – passionate about great Zins — hope the 2006 Neyers futures can match up with the 2005 you enjoyed. Here’s to a pepper base …
May 19, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
I never bought a book Gary. I just don’t feel like it would be the same as watching the thunder show.
May 27, 2008

Goncasurus-Rex
you need to get on the report, if you and stephen Colbert hooked up it would be epic. not to mention with a “Colbert bump” your book sales would skyrocket, I dont know how you should accomplish this but its an idea. Ill post on colbert nation that he should have you on and maybe youll get it (but you proly screwed your chances when you when on conan O’brien
July 13, 2008

Stapy1
I definately know what you mean about going through “phases” with different varietals of wine. This is my first post, although I have been following winelibrarytv for a couple weeks (I’m late in the game, I know!) Anyways, I have enjoyed viewing past episodes and am glad you keep them all available. It’s funny to watch the progression since the first few episodes. I also ordered my first bottle from winelibrary so hopefully it will arrive in NC in good shape despite the summertime heat!
August 12, 2008

Mary Baker
Hey, Gary, we have made you an honorary member of The Pepper Rebellion, for your comment “I love TONS of black pepper!” Death to cabalicious, white bread zins! Thanks for a great episode on zin, and good luck with the book.
October 13, 2008

JIM
GARY:

USE A WHITE TABLE CLOTH OR A WHITE NAPKIN ON THE SET . WE COULD SEE THE COLOR BETTER. ITS A MUST IN WINE COMPETITIONS..

JP
January 10, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
QOTD: Late to comment once again, so Im not sure how I could help book sales. My idea is actually yours, just to have contests. Funny how people will buy things, even expensive things, if they’ve got a shot at winning something. We love to gamble, baby! Being a sweet freak, Id like to see more dessert wines. Maybe a 3-6 puttonyos Hungarian show? Hungary is in my blood, after all.