I like the oak monster when he behaves, when he's got a nice suit and class!!! Chocolate, tobacco and coffee aromas and flavors, come on Gary you can't deny that sometimes you like the oak monster!!!

I think Rioja can seriously kick some Bordeaux ass.....

Come on Gary, of course your not diggin the 2004 Torre Muga, you actually LIKE wine! Try the Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva, its traditional style with a little push forward in ripeness without being eaten by the oakmoster or over extracted. Even better, why not do a Rioja Traditionalist show moving progressively forward: Lopez de heredia, then La Rioja Alta or CUNE, then Prado Enea.. etc. Now THAT would be a great way to show what Rioja is really all about!

Loved this episode. Hope to see more like this.....

This was a great episode and I was lucky enough to be in SF for the taping of it. Been a fan ever since, even if the Jets are a joke with the Bill clearly being the better team.

Did I mention how much I love live shows? God I wish you would do more of these, because you interact with the crowd really well. Congrats on 500 and I hope everyone had a blast. QOTD: I know the game was already played but I HATE the 49ers and without Googling the score Im going to say Jets 35 - 49ers 13.

Having finally seen this episode on November 5/08, it is my second favourite after the appearance on October 30 of Jancis Robinson. While I sometimes find Gary's very animated style mildly off-putting, I think in front of a live (and it would appear well-refreshed) audience it works very well. As always (even when sick), Gary's wine evaluations are original and detailed.

In spite of the (hardly unexpected) disparaging of my favourite sports team the New England Patriots, this was a great show. Excellent visuals throughout. I hope episode 600 will also be done live. Notwithstanding the wine remarks, I think Gary's skills as a keynote public and motivational speaker were shown to excellent advantage.

Belated congratulations. :-)

QOTD: I think the Jets will win by 7 points, and the 49ers coach will drop his pants in public in disgust.

awesome episode! this is my first night watching the show. love it!

haha funny . i know im late gary but i wanna arm band dammit !

Congrats Gary.
I'm moving back to Brazil next year but i am not going without visit you at WineLibrary in NJ.
I wonder see you hosting a TV show on TV...
Man, You're the best!!
Huges...

The 49ers are going to get a whole lot of Farve in their face!

Score: Jets 27 - 3

You know Gary, I am really scared when I am contemplating about the jets....yeah...Clemens is not razor-sharp at the moment you know, those family problems he has are too much for him. Yeah... what can I say.. the jets they are having really a hard time...

Niners 12 jets 2

Alotta energy GV, congrats on 500! QOTD: jets 3, niners 2 in penalty shots.

Congrats on the 500'th episode Gary! Great work so far!

LOVED It! fINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH! kEEP IT GOING- AND i'LL TRY THAT 2ND WINE WITH YOU ANYTIME!!!

G, Cheers on 500...!

OK, let's get to it, the QOTD:

Niners 17
Jets:13

This has all the makings of a field-goal-battle-royal (12-9), but Gore will score, twice, period. Leon might represent the J-E-T-S, but Crap Pennington throws not one, but TWO red-zone INT's to flame out gloriously -- after which, you G, will grab that one bottle, from the guest show with 'Vaun from Calgary', and chug it straight from the bottle, and, like you said, it'll taste like a 95+ touchdown. Sounds like a win to me...

Hey Gary,
Hope you don't mind the honesty here. #500 sounded like you were much much much too pumped up. Sounded like you'd been drinking a bit more than you'd like as well (we know you tooooo well!). And it looks like you got a little out of hand with the audience at times (big crowds, even when quiet, are loud. Especially when drinking & celebrating), etc.
No questions from the audience? You got a lot of great feedback regarding your q&a from Boston... I think you were just wrapped up and rolling with the emotion of #500.

Sound = fine. You're still finding your way with production. I didn't mind it at all.

Def shorter vid than I expected too, but it probably took an amazing amount of effort to do what you did there anyways, understood.

Again, sorry about the honesty. But if there is anyone who could appreciate the value of an honest comment (even if it's negative) it's def you.

Met you with my wife at the Boston show. I was the one who interrupted your last sniffy-sniff with the line, "Smells like a Celtics' victory!" You were nothing but fantastic to us and we'll continue the daily support.

Thanks for everything you've done to entertain us and big big congrats,

Scott & Kath - Boston

Gary and the Thunder Crew,... Huge, huge congrats on #500 !!
This Canuck joined the vayner-nation at around #395.
Looking forward to the next 500...keep up the awesome energy - its contagious.

QOTD: Jets 27 - 49ers 24 ( a close one, but the JETS will prevail.)

Cheers !

cheers on 500....*clinks glass and accidently breaks it

Amazing! My favorite episode by far.
Do you think you could do a live episode from Florida? Please?

Congrats on #500, Gary & crew!

Sorry, I'm just catching up at this point. ;-)

I've had some pretty good Riojas but what I'd like to know is how well do they keep?

This has always been a question for me. Which varietals keep and which ones don't? We all know Bordeau can keep for 10 years. How about Riesling? Rioja? Cabernet? Chardonay? Merlot?

In general, what can I keep in my cellar to age and what should be consumed as soon as possible?

Great show Gary! Sorry about the late post, had to catch on WLTV via podcast between Seattle and Boston. Am looking for the perfect Sangiovese....please help! :-)

Jets 7 49's 21

I am in man love with Gary

HAHAHA very entertaining. i love how Gary goes to SF and hates on the 9ers. im from bay area so the 9ers are my team. jets are gay. keep up the great show!

I finally get to see the episode number 500. I thought it would be longer.

I have always been keen on Spanish wines, specially Riojas (I studied in Pamplona which is to the east of the rioja region where they make good strong wines-Navarra) and I agree with you on the bordeaux compatibility. they go well with food. I have tried very bad wines from around la mancha or ribera del duero, but only two or three. They are still my favorite wines I believe with the exception of Monte Xanic, Torres Alegre, wines from Bordeaux and Beaujolais.

QOTD: score NY-17, SF-7

I would like to know if you would ever do a show in Stamford,CT I'd love a wristband(the new one) go jets!(the giants won the super bowl) its the jets' turn now

You need to do more shows in front of live audiences. Great show!

QOTD: I think the Niners are on the verge of turning the corner.... Vernon Davis and Frank Gore are going to have support, and LB Willis is the next Ray Lewis.... I have to give it to the Niners at home, 31-27.

Hi Gary! Happy 500th show.....I really enjoy Riojas....I'll will be seeing your show more often and I hope ther is 500 more to come....

Keep making wine fun! Every time I fall behind several episodes, I feel like I've missed out on a party.

Cant believe 500 was on my birthday!!! Congrats to us both! ha ha...

Loved the audience interaction. Do more!!! thanks Gary

Congrats Gary on your 500th episode! Sorry I'm a little late on posting a comment, been out of town with work. I'm really grateful for the awesome wine education you provide everyday with your show. Your honesty and passion bring the Thunder. Thanks again and cheers to many more episodes of the Thunder Show!

Great show, been away for a while and now catching up. SF is always a good place to go. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the WL summer sale.

QOTD Jets 24 SF 21 (OT)

Been away for 2 weeks visiting Gary's mother country among others. Congrats, Gary, on episode 500. Will have to catch up on 2 weeks of WLTV so I can still be a Vaniak who has seen every !*#'ing episode. Looking forward to # 1000!

QOTD: Jets 16
Niners 9

I'm giving you guys a safety because I love the signal for it. (oh and because they're badass)

I'd like to say that it was a great show - but I won't. It was very energetic, but Gary sounded like he was in a very large tin can. And no questions from the audience? C'mon Vayniacs, you can do a lot better.

QOTD: Niners 13 Jets 17

Gary - Enjoyed your 500th from SF but I wanted to know more about the location, especially what was in all the barrels behind you...

great show!
too bad wrist bands don't make to BRazil...

Great show Gary, way to get to 500!

QOTD: Jets: 31
49ers: 16

Gary,

Somewhat of a lurker here...you lured me with the potential of my FIRST vaniac swag ;)

Anyway, You rock! Keep up the great work! I hope the jets deliver a sonic boom of thunder of the 49ers!

42-3

- j