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.

Love these live shows. We need more of them.

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

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.

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……

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. 😉

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.

Solid episode.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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????????

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Hey!

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.

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!