Sounds like the crowd is yapping together with you..it's bit annoying so it's a pity seeing you so passionate delivering your stuff and they keep on yapping away......very sad.

Glad you liked the Donatello, I went by in Nov '08 and I think I liked the regular pinot more than their reserve. Too bad about the price, but Chris is a cool guy and the place has a sweet deck for a lazy afternoon lunch. I wish I'd stayed up to date with the episodes, but I'm working through them to catch up ASAP. In fact, I don't think I've missed an episode since... around #450 maybe?

Think I could catch some shwag? That Vayner Nation sweatband is bomb.

QOTD: Just started lacrosse coaching, and when you're new to it, looking tough in front of 40 guys decked out in full gear is a bit daunting. Give me a few weeks, and I'll have it down :)

Nice show. Sounded like the crowd was more interested in talking to each other than paying attention to you. Shame..... Those were some damn pricy wines for what they brought. Think I might buy on the low end before I start tossing $50 around. QOTD: I get nervous in front of crowds, so I try to avoid public speaking of any kind.

QOTD: Only when someone pulled down my pants in front of the entire band- scarred for life.

Hey, did you ever reveal how you got that scar on top of your noggin?
A lot of perfumes smell like Raid to me. Or have a Raid-like component.
Oh shit, sheep butt exploding in your face is not a pretty picture.
STOP HATING ON THE PATRIOTS. Can't we all just get along :-).
QOTD: Not for a while.

QOTD: Yes, but not all at once!

Rowdy indeed. Actually, the sound kind of sucked.

Damn they were rowdy!
Didn't enjoy this show as much as others.
QOTD: yep .. and more.

QOTD: Oh yeah, every Thursday night!

As people have said this may not have come across too well on video, but I think it would have been pretty cool to be there! I also think it is so cool how big this program has gotten. Commenters, go back and see the first episodes of this show and you will be blown away by how far this has come. It's all because of Gary's hard work and dedication. Thanks for all you do!

Gotta love the live shows Gary, lots of Patriots references the past few episodes, I think you may be alerted to the scent of dominance resonating throughout the AFC East...oh wait...that's the Bills.

Hey!

QoTd
I work with a smaller group, but it's every day! It's hard to work when people are yapping.

I agree with a lot of the commenters - this seemed like "Gary (TM)", not the cool guy who shares all his knowledge and interest with us. I very much prefer watching the personal individual shows.

And the review of this EP is... Decent but stern attack (on the bubble), nice midpalate (keeper but I'm still not dropping 48 bones on it), and a bitter finish (passzzzz). Overall you sounded like the ringmaster introducing a cage match between Superfly Snuka and Pan Parel Purple. Props to you for making the best of a loud situation.

Sorry, Gary, but this show really didn't do a thing for me. I was too distracted by all the noise from the disrespectful people in the audience. I thought the number of people talking during the taping of the 500th episode in SF was bad, but this was plain awful. Maybe episodes with big crowds aren't a good thing. I much more enjoy the opn-site episodes with the French winemakers.

That looked stressful, Gary! ; )
It sounded like no one was listening! haha
I'm sure they were though.
Yeah, it's always nice when people pay attention to you!

Dude - you seemed either angry or drunk! I know that you usually don't like to drink too much, therefore I doubt that youe were three sheets to the wind.
Seemed like you pieced this episode together to add to the count, rather than seriously indulge.
QOTD - I am a guitar player and one of my favorite things to do is play for people and make them smile.

Oh well, that was bad. Don't do it again, Gary. Sorry to bring you down again, but I think you have to stick to information and content, not silly slogans and posing. Doesn't seem to come across natural, more like a business modell.

oh my that was crazy. it was like you had 30ppl watching and 300 talking what was that about. QOTD: only once but that was only becasue i had guns

Wine Rockstar you're not!!!!! WaYYY too over the top Gary!!!!! Stick to the studio stuff,that's just a little too much dont'cha think??????




P.S. WHERE THE F*CK IS MY WRISTBAND????????

Was anyone listening to you? I hope all that were there had fun, cause it was not my favorite episode to watch.

The live audience was a nice change of pace, but I prefer the studio, especially when you tip the glass and display the color. Also holding the mike throws your rhythm off--couldn't they fit you with a collar job? It was interesting to hear how the large space affected your voice--even though you were entirely dependant on the sound system, you shouted because you felt the space--I'd guess that pitchwise, you were singing about a 4th higher than usual.

Just observations. I enjoyed the show very much, and thanks for the tip about
Donatiello. And that pass-it-around gesture was great!

QOTD: The bailiff would only allow 200 in court--can I count the people standing outside?

You DID seem a little too "on". Selling harder than usual. You were sreaming into the mic as if you didn't believe it would carry your voice out to the crowd. It was like the school prinicpal came out into the yard at recess to make a speech to the kids about how much fun it is to play outside.

HI Gary, Just checking in to say how forward the Hughes are looking to:
1. The Thunder Cruise
2. And, she said hopefully, a yummy champagne free ship offer.

Be well,
Naples Kathy aka Champagne Lady

I agree that the large and noisy crowd is completely distracting to us, AND to you. Still, I'm sure it was FUN to all present! Forty and 50 dollar Pinots definitely deserve better attention, and closer inspection than from a shitty little glass, in a dark, noisy and drafty room. Kinda like watching a great director's work (a la Kubrick or Bergman) on your i phone. (with a bunch of rad peep talking throughout). And excuse me, but, IMHO, while Veramonte wines can perform for everyday purposes, to cellar wine like that for even 3 or esp. 5 years is loony. Even their Reserve level. Just sayin'....As always, G, your opinion is valid, and the important thing is, you lay out your disclaimer that my, or your opinion is no better'n... theirs.

Solid episode.

QOTD: Yes, being a musician I have been honored by several large audiences. The backround noise was distracting to the content of the show, but I liked it anyway.

As with many other people, the live shoots aren't as entertaining for me, but I know it's hard to play to the audience and the camera at the same time and so much of the quality of a live show depends on the audience. When you have 20 or 30 people, then you can maintain the intimacy. When you have 200 or 2000, half of which are having side conversations, then you find yourself competing with the other stuff going on and it's hard to maintain the focus. You do a good job of it though.

QOTD: Actually, I give presentations to rooms full of people several times a year. Doing 4 more in France in about 2 weeks. When it goes really well it leaves you pumped and stoked for the next one. When the people aren't engaged or interested, then you wonder what the hell you're waisting your time for. It's give and take, but it's a living. ;-)

Yo G, NIIIIIIIIIICE Pinots!! Ya got me salivatin' for somma dat
"sheep-butt explosion" action (Donatiello Pinot) in da Grill Piece....

QOTD: Public Speakin' to da Peeps?? Not really me Bag......

Nice show, Gary.
Not as taken with the live shows. Maybe they could be used to explore another aspect of wine or a Q&A session with the crowd.

NOT A GOOD SHOW..ALL THE CLICHES CAME OUT..OBNOXIOUS LIKE...KINDA PHONY..OR SO IT SEEMED.

Love these live shows. We need more of them.

QOTD: I avoid large crowds - wrong vibes for me. But I do admire and respect the ability to grab the attention of a large crowd and to be committed enough to something to share it with a lot of people. It's kind of a talent and also a big responsibility, really.

Sure, but after seeing this show, the 500 episode, and a few others in front of big crowds (Boston) I think you're much better in smaller settings, where your humor comes across more playfully. Its doesn't need to be a contest between you and the crowd, just some fun with wine. Maybe leaving the football booing too... Why be negative on such a happy positive show?
But thanks again as always for the insight on the wines. I'm looking forward to exploring Anderson Valley Pinots soon.

oops nvm. im wrong

apparently my last comment was moderated out? :(

Love the Energy Gary

Cool Show!!!

I like the live shows thrown in every so often.

QOTD: Unfortunately I have not had the chance to stand and talk bout what I love in front of that many "rad" people.

--RH

Thanks for keeping it real G ,, Interesting pinots from all over and good info
QOTD--- Not really