Interesting Wine Packaging and Some VERY Interesting Wines

Interesting Wine Packaging and Some VERY Interesting Wines – Episode #508

July 24, 2008

A special guest picked these 3 wines based on their packaging but stumbled into a few fascinating wines worthy of attention on this edition of The Thunder Show.

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Comments on this episode(182) Leave a comment ›

“I was thinking a corned beef sandwich would go good with the Pinot/Cab…” by Todd Smith
“Excellent episode, Gary. Great to see a newbie learning so quickly; “a…” by Todd Smith
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Nun Vinya Dels TausSpanish Priorat
2006 J Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Collection RedOther Loire Red Wine
2005 John Anthony Cabernet SauvignonNapa Cabernet

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The Hulu Contest

182 Responses

July 24, 2008

Palmer
first?
July 24, 2008

Adam J
2nd?!!
July 24, 2008

Withnail
Looks great!
July 24, 2008

BF
good show idea
July 24, 2008

Christophe
Cool. people from the south.

Will have a 4th gen soon.
July 24, 2008

BF
Love the Cecil Cooper reference too!
July 24, 2008

KenP
Top ten!
July 24, 2008

GrapeStuff
Top 10
July 24, 2008

Fangorn81
Rhinokey!!!!
July 24, 2008

Smahlatz
I like the design of thewhite wine label – so I’ll go with that person
July 24, 2008

Karl Laczko
I need to go to bed, will watch tomorrow!
July 24, 2008

Dr T from N. Carolina
Interesting change of pace show. Let me know when you want an historian to pick wines!
July 24, 2008

top 20!!!!
wow wow
July 24, 2008

Bryan Garcia
Very “interesting”. In a good way. loved it, as usual gary.
July 24, 2008

Richard Ritter
Most interesting quote of the episode: Gary says the Nun has a nice punt and package!

QOTD: My favorite artists is me! Click on my name and see for yourself.
I just missed the top ten!!!
July 24, 2008

Purple Tooth
That was a great episode. Cecil was a wonderful guest.
July 24, 2008

abqdeb
Thanks for the birthday shout out GV. I appreciate it.
Nice job Strat. Interesting concept.
July 24, 2008

paryb
Great show buddy, I’ve been drinking wine for years, and still can get turned on by a really interesting label.

I don’t guess I have a favorite designer, that’s Lady Paryb’s bag…but I do dig me some Monet…
July 24, 2008

OzJeff
Don’t know much about designers, but off the top of my head I would say Hundertwasser.
July 24, 2008

LuvsChandon
Philly CheeseSteak with mushrooms and pepper would pair great with many wines!
July 24, 2008

Mark Tolerico
Ok episode, I think there was probably some better examples to pick if you were just doing a label show.
July 24, 2008

Neil
QOTD: Designer: Alpnonse Mucha; Artist: Claude Monet; Musician: Miles Davis; Architect: Frank Gehry.
July 24, 2008

Andrew S
Interesting show idea, fun change of pace… Now I’ve gotta order the J Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Collection Red off WL and give it a go
July 24, 2008

Kev and Ams
Did Gary just make a sausage-fest joke?
July 24, 2008

JimChem
Very interesting show. Design can make or break a sale. I have to find that white wine. I love new grape types.

Jim
July 24, 2008

Dominus
A show close to my heart since I have worked most of my life in the typesetting/printing business and actually wanted to design wine labels when “I grew up.” I even bought the url “finewinedesign.com”

That being said, great show but did anyone “card” Strat? Man o man he is young.

I may need to buy some of that Spanish white since you compared it to a Donnhof Riesling which is hands-down my favorite white wine.

QOTD: Geez, this is a tough one but I’ll go with Giambattista Bodoni. I’m sure Strat has heard of him. He is really “old school.”

Cheers!

P.S. Vintage Stinkor coming your way.
July 24, 2008

Kev and Ams
QOTD: Not sure…
July 24, 2008

Jessica Sloan
What an awesome show!! Strat your great and gary is always great!! Great chemistry.
July 24, 2008

CindyW
A very fun episode — Strat, nice detailing of the labels. You picked out some interesting things.
July 24, 2008

Jack
QOTD: Jonathan Ives ftw
July 24, 2008

purplejuicebruce
Interesting show, listening to the tasting notes of the first wine Rubber hose plastic wood smokey lemons ya 94 points I guess you and I like different things in our nose.
July 24, 2008

Dale Cruse
Dan Cederholm is a friend of mine. But I’m going to have to go with Roger Black. That guy rocks my world.
July 24, 2008

SpoiledinCalbyPinot
QOTD. Wow! I am a little bias on this one,it is my daughter she draws
anime, does flower arrangements and also dabbles in cartoons.

Nice show Gary!! Are you going to do a show about Bottle Shock?
July 24, 2008

Jaybird
QOTD: Favorite artist is Viktor Shvaiko, and favorite labels are usually Greatful Pallet designs, and Mollydooker Love Series
July 24, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Interesting perspective since I rarely pay attention to the art work that goes into the labeling and probably should since they spend lots of money on making the labels look great but I have the same feeling about labels as the fancier wineries. It seems the more they put into the appearance of the winery the less they put into the wine. For example, Peju gorgeous winery terrible wines, St Jean gorgeous but average wines. Some of the smaller places like Elyse look like an overgrown trailer and great wines.
July 24, 2008

CabernetNoir
Great show, Gary!

Hey Vayniaks! Check out my website, http://www.wedrinkmore.blogspot.com/

I just did a small article trying to get new people into “vayner-nation”

WE DRINK MORE.
July 24, 2008

canadapete
GV – I love your adventurous approach to the show – picking a wine newby with an angle – just awesome. Nice guest. Thanks.
July 24, 2008

Sir Lurks-A-Lot
QOTD:

Antonio Gaudi (If you saw Barcelona on TV during the 1992 Summer Olympics, you probably saw some his work)

Gotta go with Frank Lloyd Wright as a backup.

That white wine sounds like it’s in my wheelhouse. I’m a new-ish wine drinker, so I like (need!) a bit of sweetness.
July 24, 2008

glenn
great show idea! will have to try the Nun. gayest show ever with the full-on sausage fest and multiple mentions of “bringing it hard” & “great package” but still terrific content.

QotD: Jack Kirby, 1960’s Marvel world for design influence via pop art.
July 24, 2008

Jay
I lvoe that second bottle. It’s nice because it’s a different design, but still holds onto that classic feel.

QOTD: No idea.
July 24, 2008

Dr. Dan
Great show concept. Wine appearance package is very important. Glad to see you brought an expert on to discuss–personable, too.

Pinot and Cab Franc?? Who would’ve thunk!
July 24, 2008

Brian
Great show as always! Wow, that J Mourat sounds interesting, Cab Franc and Pinot! I like the curve ball with the focus on labels and graphic design. QOTD, definitely Eero Saarinen for the Dulles Terminal, TWA Flight Terminal, and his classic tulip furniture collection!
July 24, 2008

Eli2Tyree
the woman who did the citi bank logo and the Bloomberg building is amazing but I cant remember her name.

also sanford white… amazing archtitect been in a few of his houses in rumson that he built for the duke of york (bruce springsteen lives in one of them now). he also did the arch in washington square and the theater at MAdison Square Garden
July 24, 2008

Dan Manu
interesting show
July 24, 2008

Susan
Gary- It is just SUPER when you take a look at new angles!!! I do remember the whole, ‘You, with a little bit of me, we’re changing the wine world, whether they like it or not.” thing!! Vayniacs just need to remember that and not get stuck in the mud!!! We need to try new wines with new foods and new ways to drink new wines and new labels. Out with the old and in with the new!!!!!
July 24, 2008

JR Moreau
Ralph Steadman, Mr. Gonzo holds it down for Bonny Doon and Flying Dog beers! He’s my favorite designer by far!
July 24, 2008

Zinfreak
Check out my wine labels. Definitely not your average label!

http://www.banknotewines.com/

In each case of wine there are 12 different labels, each label is an actual banknote over 150 years old.

(The wine is delicious too!)

QOTD: Jeffrey Caldewey, and Chuck House. Both design gods.
July 24, 2008

Kelly Goff
What a fun episode. It is so nice to mix it up a little. I love wine labels with flair and I loved the choices that Strat made. I think the label design has more influence on folks buying wine than they realize!

QOTD: I really know nothing about design or art, but I do love simplicity
July 24, 2008

MattUD
Nice show, good to see the labels from the front this time. Picked out a wine today partly based on the label design.
July 24, 2008

manonthemoon
Interesting show, the white sounded like a winner.
July 24, 2008

Frankie Not In Hollywood
Loved the show. Condrieu with a Donhoff. Does anyone blend viogner with riesling? Not sure how that would go, but love the description for the Nun. Gotta try it!
July 24, 2008

dang
great show, been waiting for one like this since label design is such a significant aspect to wine bottles, although not always indicative of the quality of the wine or course. That and I’m a designer myself. My pick will go to Three Thieves that Joel Gott is a part of and their “The Show” Cabernet. THe first bottle of wine that led me to buy a case and get further into the wine world. I don’t buy based on labels anymore, but that one worked out pretty well.
July 25, 2008

PaVo
Great show, love bringing in a designer AND a new wine drinker…freaking fantastic!

QOTD: I love Mies Van Der Rohe, living in Chicago his design has shaped a lot of our city but I just love what he did to architecture and how he drove modernism into the mainstream. Brilliant stuff.

As an outside designer I like Philippe Stark
July 25, 2008

Rowland
NICE … wasnt i just saying how those last 2 very expensive wines had sucky lables! BLAM were totally on the same page.
July 25, 2008

Satty
I really like that you’re always finding new wine topics to cover, Gary. Great Show!

A few years ago, when I really started looking at wine labels, Pacific Rim Winery impressed me. Nice design… can’t wait to see what they come with for Columbia Valley Riesling.
July 25, 2008

E
All I remember from Chattanooga is Rock City; apparently the top of the mountain is in Georgia and the bottom is in Tennessee or maybe it’s the other way around.

Mourat Collection Red, you say? I couldn’t agree more:
http://tv.winelibrary.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8306

QOD: the Stenberg Brothers. Look ‘em up.
July 25, 2008

stephen
YEAH !! i love this episode, i am a graphic designer & Wine lover
I buy bottle’s for there label, even though i know it has nothing to do with the taste, i actually have a empty wine bottle collection at my house, i collect beer bottle’s as well.

i love the yellow label, with the die cut, & nice new sans typeface. look’s very new world, is the wine new world too ?!

i like the lettering on the napa cab sav, it’s really golden, looks more older, regal

& the old school red label with the nice bottle shape is aweome !! i want it !!

*sjb
July 25, 2008

rimarfish
QOTD: Oscar Niemeyer
July 25, 2008

Fred
Favorite Artist…..James Rizzi and Leroy Neiman….great show Chuck…love when you have guests…..convince Lizzie to make an appearance….can she be bribed?
July 25, 2008

IA SHERMAN
Gary,

Great job on calling out Mott on the FLW response to his favorite architect. I had the same previous answer as well because he is the only one I know.. Hilarious!

Great to have Strat on the show.. He seemed like he was getting a hang of it pretty fast.

The second bottle is awesome! More bottling of wine like that would be very cool. It seems very 18th Century Pirate style!
July 25, 2008

brent
“I get a little of that disgusting cranberry…” Amazing!
July 25, 2008

master1228
Gary, if you’re getting up and leaving the table to keep checking uStream, you need to change your setup, so you’re computer and video camera that Mott films with are next to each other so you can get both recorded side by side… just don’t pour wine all over your Mac. Mac’s don’t like wine… maybe a hard cider or something, but not spilled wine.

QOTD: I don’t really know designers, but I usually like simple but smooth lines in design along with solid colors.

Dany
http://raad.wordpress.com
July 25, 2008

Rob Howells
Todd Mcfarlane is a killer toy designer.
July 25, 2008

Ben Janssen South Australia
Good show.
Great idea to mix things up.
Continue the theme of different people in differnet occupations and what their opinions of wines/lables/bottles anything about wines are.

Cheers
July 25, 2008

cellar rat
QOTD: cfnapa.com and Julia Morgan
July 25, 2008

MRPysnik
Great episode! I think the packaging talk actually paired well with the taste profile talk. Keep up the “alternative” episodes.

PS Gary, I NEED that ‘Social Engineer’ shirt!
July 25, 2008

Medo
Very nice show Gary! Your guest did really well!

@QOTD: http://www.pininfarina.com/
July 25, 2008

Leif erik Sundstrom
QOTD::
so many… i don’t like picking favs. But still freshin memory would have to be Antoni Gaudi, from when I visited Barcelona last summer. Truly insane works that can’t be fully appreciated in photograph (but try anyway: http://twurl.nl/gostbm ). his architecture almost seems to breathing it’s so alive.
July 25, 2008

terroirist
I dig lichtenstein and Warhol. However I don’t think they would look good on a wine label. Maybe a Jackson Pollock style wine label would be interesting.. Interesting show. Cool concept and very diverse wine selection.

aka Mike in Nebraska
July 25, 2008

Bart Bohac
As an architect far enough out of school to have begun to forget some of my early inspirations, the question of the day was really invigorating.

Michel de Klerk, an early 20th century Dutch Expressionist architect, whose ‘Het Schip’ apartment building in Amsterdam is a complex, richly expressive and finely-detailed structure constructed of otherwise common and ordinary brick, inspires me to look for analogous opportunities in my own work (which seems similarly limited by mass-produced components and inherently low expectations) to create charming, lively, interesting and beautiful places that might give meaning and identity to those who will occupy or use them. This subversive beneficience seems a higher calling than waiting for that dream client to come along someday and actually ask for something wonderful.

Subversive Beneficience might be a good name for a wine, by the way. Dibs.
July 25, 2008

argus
most excellent episode. i’m also into design and i loved the insights from your guest. he was amazing for a first time appearance and as a new(ish) wine drinker he really hang in there with you. you gotta get him on again, maybe a semi-regular guest

way to mix it up!
July 25, 2008

ev
Once again, when it comes to the spittoon, Gary first, guest second……..maybe.

Cecil Strat, I can already tell, you will go far.
QOD: 2 of ‘em:
Henry Van de Velde, Belgian Art Nouveau designer, died 1957.
Antoni Gaudi, No. Spain architect, died 1926.

These guys designed “WOW” stuff. Wikipedia them. I think I finally win the prize on this one.
July 25, 2008

BobbyTiger
I don’t follow designers, so I’ll settle with Buenos Aires. Cecil really did a good job today. For a non wine drinker, he was a quick picker-upper. He also was thinking of his grandmother, and eats his vegetables. What’s not to like? I too have selected wines by their packaging……with mixed results. It was somewhat like how I used to pick out my dates when I was a young man.
July 25, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: Artist I’d probably go with Frank Miller, architect probably Frank Lloyd Wright and designer perhaps Chip Kidd.

Very interesting episode. Thanks.
July 25, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: I like Ralph Steadman–the guy that does the Bonny Doon labels. I have a book done by him called “The Grapes of Ralph” –very fun. I also like Andy Warhol, Paul Lichenstein and Frank LLoyd Wright.
July 25, 2008

Tyler Walker
molly dooker Carnival of Love label……so many colors
July 25, 2008

Rivethaus
Great Show, I was laughing out loud @ work(got a few looks for it too).

QOTD – Banksy does some great stuff, it is a shame that they are trying to reveal his true identity.
July 25, 2008

Anthony L.
I like the concept of inviting experts on concerning different aspects of wine. very cool idea.

QOTD: No clue, don’t have a favorite designer
July 25, 2008

Jayhitek
QOTD: Don’t know of any designers.. Sorry.
July 25, 2008

Richard LeBlanc
Great ep.

I like the idea of having folks on with different areas of expertise relating to wine, it’s production and it’s marketing. Design is always fun, and your guest rocked.

I’m not up on the world of grapic designers by name or otherwise, but I do like the design for the “J Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Collection Red” bottle and label. The wine itself (and the 10 bones !!) sound damned interesting too.

Cheers!
July 25, 2008

The Aesthetic Elevator
I thought we were going to have a new intro! I was looking forward to your new opening . . . not there’s anything wrong with the current one!
July 25, 2008

Rick O'Shea
Interesting show concept. The packaging does have big impact on most consumers.
July 25, 2008

Alfredhayes
Question OTD: J.Lindeberg. Love the JL.

Quote OTD: “Sausage-Fest”
July 25, 2008

Chief Tootles.
QOTD: I don’t know any, but if painters are considered graphic designers, then I vote for Salvador Dali.

I thought this show concept was neat-o. Especially for people who are new to wine, the label becomes the most useful marketing tool.
July 25, 2008

J Crazy
There was this one designer in jail, T-Bone McGee or something like that I once saw work from. Good stuff.
July 25, 2008

Robin C
One of my favorite shows. Good idea to have guests with different viewpoints. Something interesting to look up is theartistlabels.com It has the Chateau Mouton Rothschild wine labels from 1945 – done by artists such as Dali, Warhol, Miro, Picasso. Artists for Mouton Rosthchild get paid in wine, so that would be a good job for an artist.
QOTD: Frank Gehry is the most interesting architect I know of – I’d love to see the Guggenheim in Bilbao.
July 25, 2008

Alvin Tostig
Gary, I love your show, been watching since around ep.100, and lately I’ve noticed you’re preoccupied with something that seems to be happening on your Mac on the desk off-camera to your right. It’s maddening. I feel like I’m on a date with a girl who’s checking her voicemail every ten seconds instead of talking to me, like there’s something so much cooler going on over there than what you’re talking to me about.

That’s it for my whining. Thanks for focusing on design. Love that. And the Loire. Also, I’ve been really into Terry Thiese’s grower champagnes imports lately. That guy has an amazing catalog. It’d be great to see you give him some love.
July 25, 2008

AB
Good show. I’ll be on the lookout for the 2006 J Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Collection Red.

QOTD: David Carson
July 25, 2008

Derek
Awesome episode! It’s funny how you go in to a wine store/aisle with no idea what to buy and rely on how the labels looks to make a decision as if that’s any clue about the wine in the bottle. I do it all the time, esp when i’m in a hurry.

WOTD: I can appreciate good design, but don’t know a lot of designers by name. I’m much like master1228 – I go for simple, elegant, solid colors, uncluttered, unpretentious.
July 25, 2008

M
QOTD: No favorites. I appreciate art but have no favorites.

I like wine labels. Random thought.

I’ve never seen the funky shaped J Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Collection Red.
July 25, 2008

Sassodoro
Interesting show. It’s very interesting to have guests whose expertise is relevant to wine, but not exactly about wine itself. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of that.

QOTD. I’m afraid I don’t know enough about design and designers to have a favorite. I wish I knew more about it.
July 25, 2008

Adam J
I like a lot of Frank Lloyd Wright stuff. He comes from the same neck of the woods I do, but he didn’t design for tall people often. I like a lot of Italian renaissance architecture as well.

Cool episode.
July 25, 2008

Tyler RM
Cool show idea!
July 25, 2008

Taylor
Great show wish i wasnt in mass right now so i could get some of these recent wines shipped out.

QOTD I dont think I have a particular designer, but artist right now would be Jean Staples she does excellent paintings my hometown.
July 25, 2008

Parker
As the JP representative of Strat, looks like a damn good show!

“smells like alcohol” is the true Tennessean coming out in ‘im
July 25, 2008

KramTV
Yo GV! What up Homes?! I am going to give you a day off (you need it man, you know you do’s!), I’ll do a (spoof) Wine Library show soon. Or bring me to NYC and I’ll blow it up live!

My favorite artist is this guy: WARNING: not safe for work! http://www.markcolman.com

This was a *very* good episode! Good to see things from the art perspective!

Keep it real.
Yo’ sh*t is ill!

Love,
Mark AKA Kram Namloc of KramTV
July 25, 2008

Daniel
nice perspective on look at labels. for me, i know what types of wine i am into, and when i want to try something new i lean towrdas looking at the lables if im stuck between 2 or 3 different bottles in my price range.

QOTD: after spending time in spain i am a Dali fan!
July 25, 2008

Trey
QOTD: M. C. Escher
July 25, 2008

Richard Okimoto
Loved the topic.
July 25, 2008

LauraG
QOTD: Oh boy, I know this answer is WEAK, but I’d have to say Calvin Klein…

Great show – I’ve had the Nun recently, and absolutely loved it as well. Never would have guessed Xarel-lo if I had been given it blind – very intriguing. Not to mention absolutely delicious.
July 25, 2008

Colin Lukens
GV – Good show, very engaging. QOTD – Miedinger, Saarinen, Johnson, H.H. Richardson
July 25, 2008

Palmer
love your use of the von sternberg principle Gary. look that up…
July 25, 2008

Kevin C.
Buenos Aires….oh wait, I mean Paul Rand, Paula Scher, Milton Glaser, Saul Bass, Frank Lloyd Wright…hard to pick just one. Also there’s a new crop of invigorating designers and design groups, that I’m having trouble remembering their names.
July 25, 2008

Chris Hansen
Great SHOW concept.

EVEN BETTER, a reference to Cecil Cooper and Cecil Fielder. Brewer nation applauds on what is a most exciting time for Brewerdom (you can’t say that often either).

QOTD: Living near Taliesin, I have to go Frank Lloyd Wright. My father is crazy for the man’s work as well.

Note to self: Loire Valley wine on the list.
July 25, 2008

CBone
Sweet! Architecture finally made it into WLTV! Note that my list has a total lack of shitty, nonsense, modernist, crap architects who build things that destroy cities while glorifying the architects ego. See “Beijing Olympics” for a list of some terrible offenders, and add Rem Koolhaus and Zaha Hadid, and toss in a little Steven Holl for fun. Grotesque, irresponsible nonsense. The way you are with over oaked wines is how I am with contemporary architects who seem determined to destroy our world. Ugh! but, on a lighter note, here is my QOTD answer…

QOTD: It is tough for me to pick a favorite architect, so I’m giving you a brief list:

Louis Sullivan
Daniel Burnham
H.H. Richardson
McKim, Mead and White
Andrea Palladio
Edwin Lutyens
Julia Morgan
John Nash
Frank Lloyd Wright
John Russell Pope
July 25, 2008

Scott EJ
A white Priorat….cool.

QOTD: Nadda clue.
July 25, 2008

jseeds
great show. the 04 nun vinya taus was caRaZy – diesel fuel for days. Im a graphic designer myself, and bought it because of the label (and ester nin’s pedigree).

QOTD: Graphic:
Herbert Matter
Lester Beall
Stephan Sagmeister

Architects:
Mies
John Pawson
Peter Zumthor
July 25, 2008

Jimmy T
Why you hatein’ on Mott Gary?

QOTD: ???

Great times having a rookie on there. He did quite well.
July 25, 2008

DAve A
ok show.
QOTD: I painted my house once, does that count?
July 25, 2008

Peter Wood
My favorite designer designed racing cars. He was a guy called Colin Chapman who founded Lotus cars in the 50’s. Aside from being an engineering genius, he designed some of the best looking racing cars ever – the Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth, the Lotus 38 Ford Indy 500 winning car and the Vanwall VW5 F1 car of 1958 – stunning cars.
July 25, 2008

mike76
Great episode, my brother buys his wine purely based on the label.
July 25, 2008

dpe111
Hey, nice episode!
My favorite designer/architect is Santiago Calatrava…must see some of his work.
July 25, 2008

brainpain
Just an OK episode. QOTD should have been: Whats the most interesting wine label you have come across?

Too often uneducated buyers lean for the look of the label to choose a wine… hasn’t anyone learned that its whats on the inside that counts!
July 25, 2008

CBG
Great episode GV…youre the Howard Stern of wine.

Marc Newson(nike zvezdochka)coolest shoe ever…
July 25, 2008

tom
Gary, Brett Favre is going to be the quarterback of the NY Jets…….
July 25, 2008

Andy
Great ep G …. Like when you have guest , gives a different prospective.
QOTD— How about Henry Dreyfuss .. a great industrial designer of the 20th century.
July 25, 2008

thebigwineo
As a former graphic artist (still do it on the side) Strat’s first answer was contradicting (2005 Nun Vinya Dels Taus.) He said most labels are plain and then he said this label was kinda plain. I think the modern minimalistic look of the label is what makes it interesting and the die-cut is much different than most labels. Label seems very California New School.

(2006 J Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Collection Red) I agree about the shape of the bottle. Label is ok…looks alot like others.

(2005 John Anthony Cabernet Sauvignon) The use of font in that typographical design is very nice and the paper is much different than most other california wines with very glossy paper stock….label is mix of old and new.

Overall I never bought a horrible bottle of wine just picking by the artwork. I would think mostly that if the producer puts that much work, time, & money into the label, the most likely isnt swill.
July 25, 2008

thebigwineo
David Carson
July 25, 2008

wayno da wino
Yo Guyz, Fuuun Episode !!!! Cooool Vinos !!! Yo G, rumor is…..da
Jets might be gettin’ Brett Farve…….How ’bout dat ????????

QOTD: Me, when i do somethin’ “productive” at me Hizzy……..
July 25, 2008

jason kersley
QOTD: very hard to pick one, but the list would have to include Peter Zumthor ( http://tinyurl.com/6rawal & http://tinyurl.com/5ul7kn ) Todd Williams + Billie Tsien ( http://www.twbta.com/ ) as well as Renzo Piano ( http://rpbw.r.ui-pro.com/ )… main reason is all of these architects are true craftsman. their design is meaningful and thoughtful and as much as personal branding is a good thing, they don’t use their buildings to create that brand like a couple of Franks (gehry & wright).
July 25, 2008

Pete G
Another great guest. VERY interesting concept show. Loved the contrast between the breakdown of the label design and the breakdown of the wine.

QOTD: The late, great Salvadore Dali. What a face, what an artist.
July 25, 2008

Terrance
Strat might be on his way to a sophisticated wine palate. For a newbie drinker he was pretty in touch with his complexity side. And nice to get the lowdown on design.

QOTD: Japanese architect Tadao Ando. He’s a local of Osaka and I live in Kobe (same region) and my neighborhood is full of his buildings. Gotta love a world famous architect who gives back to his community. A Japanese graphic designer I gotta give props to is the late, great Yusaku Kamekura. He designed the posters for the 64 Tokyo Olympics and the 70 Osaka Expo.
July 25, 2008

JudeMurphy
Don’t know any commercial graphic designers.
My favorite visual artist must be Mark Rothko, though!
July 25, 2008

clouder
pretty cool episode here. A nice return from an extended layoff of watching this.

QOTD: I’m going to go with Bill Joy on this one. He’s the creator of Vi, the best text editor I have used to date. The program was designed to be extremely efficient and has changed the way I want to work with my computer entirely. Like wine though the program is an acquired taste and with age both user and program get better
July 25, 2008

kaybee
Nice twist on wine interest, the labels. Sometimes I avoid buying a wine because I think their labels are silly and I don’t want to buy a silly wine.
QoTd
Don’t know graphic design, but in art I love Monet, love B. Makowski leather, and Ralph Lauren.
July 25, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: As an architect/designer/artist myself, some of my influences are Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, PETER ZUMTHOR, CARLO SCARPA, Michelangelo, ANDREI TARKOVSKY, Brunelleschi, Louis Kahn…I could go on and on.
July 25, 2008

John R.
Awesome episode. I kinda like how you guys covered how labels affect wines.

QOTD: Definitely Frank Lloyd Wright also Mott! It started in 5th grade when I did a research paper on him, and then my dad got so into him and now we’ve visited a lot of his places like his home in Chicago and Taliesin West. His ideas were amazing… I would love to go visit Falling Waters!
July 25, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
QTOD – Enjoy impressionist art the most. In architecture I was recently at the Guggenheim in Bilbao and thought it was amazing. So Frank Gehry would be the man.
July 25, 2008

thefaamakesmedrink
Gary,

Some random thoughts about today’s episode:

1. Did you see the look on this goober’s face when you mentioned the word ‘threesome’ about fifteen seconds in? 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000-1 this guy voted for George W. Bush – TWICE!

2. Do you know why his parents named him ‘Basil Rathbone’ or whatever the hell his name is? Because ‘Otis the Drunk’ was already copyrighted.

3. If I had a nickel for every time Billy-Bob said ‘Um’, I could just about wipe out the national debt.

4. When you wondered what food would pair nicely with the ‘Fiefs’, I half-expected Floyd the Barber to say ‘oppossum’.

5. If Exxon-Mobil squeezed all of the grease out of Cecil’s hair, would oil trade below $20 per barrel?

6. Here’s an idea for your next contest. “Who was president when the shirt Ralph Lauren was wearing was actually in style?” I’m guessing Grover Cleveland – 2nd term. Did I win?

7. Why was Junior Sample sweating like Mike Tyson at a spelling bee?

8. And lastly but certainly not leastly, did Frank Lloyd Wright really ask “WHAT is your favorite designer?” instead of “WHO is your favorite designer?”. Based on that, I’m going to have to go with ‘Thing’ from ‘The Addams Family’.

Regards,

Lewis Black
July 26, 2008

nougat
Great job Strat. I thought the Stratmiester did a better job swirling, tasting and verbalizing flavors and smells than more experienced tasters.

Gary, what a great idea, going with a suggestion that had potential. I really enjoyed this. But, bad manners upstaging your guest when he’s doing his thing. I know I sound like Miss Manners but, deal with it.

QOTD: Uhh, the Three Stooges?
July 26, 2008

Rowland
qotd: favorite designer is the Austrian, Gustav Klimt. Also there is an English landscape designer called Capability Brown. Check them out …
July 26, 2008

Cheech
Damn dude people we were not laughing at him, Strat, great job man.
July 26, 2008

Susan
Gary & Mott, VERY glad you 2 are both creative!!! GREAT episode!!!
July 26, 2008

Slushpuppy
TN: Yeah Buddy.

Smell it first
July 26, 2008

KVolk
Love it when you mix it up like this….great show, great guest….

QOTD: No clue….
July 26, 2008

Sara L.
Favorite designer right now has to be Charles Eames. Though of course, my all time is Roger Leib!
July 26, 2008

BargePlus
Way better than the Jim Cramer episode. Keep it real, Gary!.

QOTD: Botero!
July 27, 2008

Nancy Bentley
I am a former typesetter and love typography too! If you study our Kinkead Ridge logo, you will see that it’s a vinifera leaf with a little “K” for Kinkead, in a typeface which is called Blackadder! The K resembles the way grapevines curl around the trellis.
July 27, 2008

Strat Parrott
@thefaamakesmedrink wow, your the only ass in all of the comments, congratulations. And no I didn’t vote GW and my hair wast greasy it was raining out side and I walked from the train, k thanks you lose.

Thanks to all for your positive comments, if you ever have any design questions I can be contacted at strat@stratparrott.net
July 27, 2008

Oscar FL
Hmm, favourite designer… architecture: Jean Nouvell.Mies Van Der Rohe.
graphic design: Vaughan Oliver.

there are so many areas and so many great people, can’t really decide on ONE favourite.

I like priorat wines but never had NUN. Will see if I can find one.
July 27, 2008

Panic
STRAT! Great job representing the C-town!
July 27, 2008

Evan R.
Interesting seeing wine through the eyes of a novice. Looks like sitting there is a bit intimidating, but you held your own. Good job Strat!
July 27, 2008

Dan-o
Cool show – very different, which is good.
Fascinated by the strange french blend.
QOTD – Buenos Aires – oops, that was the wrong question.
I am not too into the graphic design field, but you did say architects.
IM Pei – the designer of the Hancock building in Boston, which reflects the old architecture of the city.
July 27, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Different show, a lot of fun! Also, to “thefaamakesmedrink”…lighten up asshole!!!! The guy came on the show and did a fine job. Fortunately not everyone is cut out to be a liberal jackass like yourself!
July 27, 2008

DougO
Great show!!!

QOTD: I don’t know any Graphic Designers.
July 27, 2008

Vanessa Penagos
Loved this episode, you combined two topics I love: design and wine.

QOTD: Designer-Chip Kidd. I would love to see him whip up some wine labels. Art-Salvador DalÃ.
July 27, 2008

Colin Komar
Great show. The owl wine sounds sensational.

QOTD: I got back from Spain two months ago and I am completely enamored by the work of Gaudi. He thought of everything from religion to science, functionality and incorporation of the elements around him. He wrapped all these things into one and made it work.
July 27, 2008

terrypk1
I think this is quite a joke. Although wine labels greatly influence how people buy wines, it usually only works for the people who are new to the wine world and do not have much understanding of wines. However, i am not saying that it is not important. (otherwise Mouton wouldn’t ask artists to design its label for every vintage) It is important to the point that you SHOUL HAVE ASKED A Designer WHO TRUELY KNOWS ABOUT LABel. THis dude talked about stuff that i could have easily said. he doesn’t seem to have demostrated his spcieality. i don’t think he is qualified enough to talk about labels.
July 28, 2008

pawncop
This was a very good show. I really enjoyed Stratt’s initial responses to the wine. You sir, did a great job. It is fun to see someone out of their comfort zone do as well as you did. As a neophyte myself, I can totally relate to you.

QOTD – I do not know any graphic designers so I guess you are my favorite for the time being.
July 28, 2008

SoCal
QOTD: Favorite designer? I don’t really have one….how about Chip Foose……he makes some bad a$$ cars
July 28, 2008

Wesley Yendrys
I liked this episode! I’m a graphic designer, so I really related to this!

QOTD:There are a lot that I like, but one of my favorite is David Carson.
July 29, 2008

Karen
QOTD. I’m going with artist-Georgia O’Keeffe.
I hate all the liberal comments that preceded mine, esp. concerning Southerners, because I resemble that remark.
Gary, what are you? Acting like a pharmaceutical manager getting up and walking around while someone else does their presentation? Dude, that is so disrespectful and distracting! Please stop this with future guests. That alone makes the Jim Cramer episode better. Wonder what would have happened if you’d left Jim alone with the camera?
Great show for different wines.
July 29, 2008

Jen in the Dirty Jerz
I didn’t like the guest…I thought he was boring.
July 29, 2008

Vasco
Great show Gary – consistent with your efforts to keep it REAL & entertaining. Design does influence people’s decisions & picking someone with little wine experience was totally apropos. (Except I was expecting the opposite results – overly designed = bad wine – in my mind – so I was proved wrong)

QOTD: Eames
July 29, 2008

Kristen
I loved the Xarel-lo I had last time….this sounds so good, but $50 on a CKC budget is just a bit much!

QOTD: da Vinci cause he was an all around genius.
July 29, 2008

Matt
QOTD: Z Cavaricci for sure!

Gary & Strat, great episode, people certainly base the decision of whether or not to buy a certain bottle of wine on the labeling, so I think this episode was appropriate and relevant. With all the different products out there, making YOURS stand out is vital to surviving in the wine world.
July 29, 2008

Justin Viger
I wasn’t aware that Dan Cederholm designed this site, that is awesome.

My favourite designer is Andy Clarke because a video at lynda.com with him and Molly Holzschlag is where I first learned about web standards. Also, even now, he is probably still my favourite.
July 30, 2008

BrianSocial
QOTD: One of my favorite designers growing up was Syd Mead. He gave a futuristic look to lots of cool movies like Bladerunner and Aliens.
July 30, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: My room mate’s answer: Jiuseppe Zanotti?
July 30, 2008

Brian
The Nun label is inspired. Very focused design, the label is meant to mean nothing other than the visual pop of the strong contrast to people not familiar with wine vineyards. To those that do know, the label screams “Earth” with the strong visual focus on the pebbleâ€”focus which leaves the text on the label secondary in importance.

A label that makes a very sophisticated and crafted promise; which makes the extra attention to the materials noted in the show unsurprising, as it fits well with the motif. (Textures and topography don’t carry over to iPod viewing).
July 30, 2008

JayZee
Interesting show. I thought’s Strat’s takes on wine label and packaging design were interesting, but the boy needs to have some caffeine or something – he’s a little too laid back. Nice guy, though and a fun show.

QOTD: I don’t know squat about designers so I’ll with Christopher Wren as an architect I admire as well as Antonio Gaudi. For an artist, that would be Thomas Arvid.
July 30, 2008

Derek F.
Interesting show indeed, a nice little mix up.

QOTD: not sure
July 31, 2008

tarheel17
good show. I liked your guest – very real.
QOTD: uhhh…. my favorite designer is….yet to be determined. I really like my neighbor’s yard, though. Does that count?
July 31, 2008

Alex
Very cool episode. I like the different directions like this. I’m also definitely going to start saving my labels. Excellent idea, Strat. It’ll be easier to remember which ones I really dig that way.
July 31, 2008

Little Jonny H
The graphic design dude brings a novice palate and insightful comments to the thundershow. Not bad!

QOTD: Don’t have one…. I guess I need to work on this!
July 31, 2008

Nan
To the faamakesmedrink:
What bug crawled up you? Sounds like a whole lot of jealousy going on towards the young man, Strat. Did he take your spot or something? I think Strat did a great, fantastic job and the host was great, too. Great idea for a show and I am sure we will see Strat more about town. And to faamakesmedrink….you’re a downer and I am quite sure that more than the faa makes you drink!
July 31, 2008

Grapedigger
Cool episode!
August 2, 2008

FermentedThoughts.com
Gary-

Superb choice in Strat! I cannot tell you just how important a role the label plays in the buyers purchase decision.
Great topic. This show offers perspective and that, is what’s changing the wine world.

Nick Solga
FermentedThoughts.com
August 3, 2008

docent
Good episode, and the wuzzles reference made my day.
August 4, 2008

Beth
Gary, I just got around to watching this episode and reading all of the accompanying positive comments. Picking wine because you like the label is like betting on a race horse because you like its name. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. It was an interesting topic.
As for your graphic design guest, he may be a wine novice, but he was a knowledgable and charming guest. Being from the south myself, I take offense to the derogatory manner in which ‘thefaamakesmedrink’ tried to portray Strat’s southern roots.
To him I say in the most genteel southern manner I can possibly muster… “Just exactly how is it that you can drink wine with your head so far up your ass?” Sounds like a case of sour grapes to me.
August 7, 2008

thefanjestic
Good concept for a show. GV – seems like you were hating on the guest a little bit – I wonder if he rubbed you the wrong way off camera?
August 8, 2008

Vinophile
WOW…GO AWAY, faaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Is there a moderator for this site, Gary? Those insulting, hateful comments should have been zapped. Major League jerk—and do NOT insult Lewis Black, either, by signing his name to your drivel.

Good job, Strat! :>)
August 11, 2008

Sharon
Strat is a cool name, but it means that he should learn to play a Strat.
Cecil Cooper??? Wow, that’s echoing in the windmills of my mind. He played for the Sox back in the day.
Sorry Gary – I’m behind on watching WLTVs am am trying to catch up.
Moths lay their eggs in wool, fur, other natural fibers and the little baby moths eat your clothing when they hatch.
It’s difficult for me to watch you on ustream.tv as I have to close everything else down because my PC is old. But sometimes I do anyway.
QOTD: Fave designer? I’ll say Andy Warhol. Or Mary Quant. The people at Apple do a great job.
August 20, 2008

Nik
This was quite different to watch as a graphic designer myself, but some interesting points. I thought it was a bit weird that he had watched Wine Library more times than he has tried different wines – didn’t think that was actually possible!

QOTD: Neville Brody or Vince Frost
September 19, 2008

Dominic
http://debrujasyvino.blogspot.com/2008/09/nuestras-dos-hijas-miriam-e-ingrid-se.html
January 17, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Strat kicks some serious thunder. Awesome to see a novice come in and get down n dirty with the wines. Good stuff and I liked the whole idea of the labels because labels catch my eye, too. Not sure Ive actually bought a wine on label alone, but I know the big ones jump out at me. QOTD: Kurt Schwitters. Dude was awesome. I mean he made the merzbau! The dada movement was def. some off the wall stuff which is right up my alley.
June 17, 2009

Holladown
what a fantastic show.

qotd: samuel mockbee RIP
July 1, 2009

Weston
qotd: Ill go “weekend” as weekend till the day I posted hah.

A Mendoza Malbec Rose…which reminded me of a rose, by pascual Toso relly interesting

a Tempranillo, 2002, Ribera del duero, too over concentrated with prune juice

Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2006 Pinot Noir, very young lots of acidity bouncing around with tomato stalk/juice and of course pinot fruit a Gary V wine

and a Half bottle of Champagne that I love
July 3, 2009

ben from boston
dude, right on with the philly cheese steak pairing. I had an open chinon that was alot like what your describing, not as interesting but similar style, and my buddy, who doesnt normally drink wine espeically not vegetal earthy wine, brought over a philly cheese steak. I had him drink a glass of the chinon with it ( I had the same thought process as you, with the peppers and shrooms play) and he loved it.
July 17, 2009

wiljak
This wine is from Penedes…IT IS NOT FROM PRIORAT!!! Two different DO’s, very different grapes. Both are in Cataluña but are a good 60 miles apart. Penedes = white wines, cava, etc. Priorat = big, dark, red wines. FWIW, most whites from Priorat are garnacha blanca.

I’ve never had the 2005 but the 2007 is an awesome wine too, will definitely benefit from some time sideways but drinks really well now.

PENEDES, PENEDES, PENEDES.
July 21, 2009

Todd Smith
Excellent episode, Gary. Great to see a newbie learning so quickly; “a natural”. Will seek the white.
July 21, 2009

Todd Smith
I was thinking a corned beef sandwich would go good with the Pinot/Cab Franc blend.