Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Are You Afraid of the Dark? – Episode #571

November 5, 2008

The video came out a little darker than usual, but we had a fabulous time tasting wines during Bacchanalia at the Napa Valley Grille in Paramus, NJ.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(135) Leave a comment ›

“Just found the show! Yea! Good stuff! And, lo and behold, another PV h…” by Kell Brigan
“QOTD: By far its Cafe Juanita in the Seattle area. Ive typed about t…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Round Hill Oak Free Chardonnay
2006 Flora Spings Napa Chardonnay
2006 Trinchero Family Pinot Noir
2004 Twomey Cellars Merlot

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

The Napa Valley Grille in Paramus NJ

135 Responses

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November 6, 2008

Scottie P
Hope you feel better GV. Fun show with great energy! Using the economy as a reason to drink my face off… consider it done.

QOTD: Tough question as I don’t get out too much. Ton of great places in Philly! Try Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s or Pod.
November 6, 2008

HuskerJamie
QOTD: We like the Dish Restaurant in downtown Lincoln, NE. They do a great job with my wife’s gluten allergy.

http://www.dishdowntown.com/
November 6, 2008

Classico
Hope you feel better soon.
Nice show…

Groetjes,

Classico
November 6, 2008

Eric S.
My wife and I have been to the Napa Valley Grille many times, love the fact that you can order flights of wine. Don’t see that too often in this area. As for restaurants that we have been going to frequently, both in Hoboken, NJ, and both BYOB, Robongi (sushi) and Anthony David’s (italian).
November 6, 2008

karlkons
Good luck fighting the weather! If you happen to come to Cologne in Germany, reserve your table at Le Moissonier – the boss of the restaurant is sommelier by profession, so you won’t be disappointed by the wine list!
November 6, 2008

JD
QOTD: Most interesting US restaurant this year: Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder, Utah.
Great organic restaurant where Western and Himalayan influences meet.
November 6, 2008

Diana Santos
Hello -

Wrote a post on my BLOG which including Wine Library TV.

Thanks so much for your encouragment to explore “The Wine World”.

Feel better!

Diana Santos – http://www.DianasNeighborhood.com
November 6, 2008

Susan B
Favorite restaurants: The Little Owl- Bedford Street, Suenos-W. 17 St., Casa Mono-Irving Place.
November 6, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: Easy!! “TASCA WINE BAR, LOS ANGELES” (8108 W. 3rd St.)
November 6, 2008

rimarfish
QOTD: Carlitos Gardel in Los Angeles, CA.
November 6, 2008

apj_bobswineguy
Not a big fan of Twomey. Not a fan of the way they try to force you to buy it to get more Silver Oak(as a restaurant wine buyer). Not a real big fan of Silver Oak.
I do like the folks that actually work at the wineries-both Silver Oaks & Twomey. Really nice people.
It’s a shame the sales & mkt’ing people on the street don’t reflect the warmth that you get out in Wine Country.
November 6, 2008

Loops
QOTD – Zingermans of Ann Arbor MI. Shame on you if you not familiar, fantastic restaurant, even better deli/market and almost all available by mail order. Probably the best breads i’ve ever had…
November 6, 2008

neutron212
QOTD: pt1) i dont know i really dont have a reason to head east to NJ being from niagara falls,ny. pt2) La Hacendia the best pizza ever or DiCenso’s either one is kick ass
November 6, 2008

Flavio
QOTD: Maybe on my way to/from the WL, next time I have to do some shopping.

QOTD2: Tough question… like asking what my favorite wine is. To keep it simple, I’ll limit to NYC.

Balthazar still is the quintessential go-to spot, day or night. Otherwise… proper dinner: Veritas, Gordon Ramsey; more casual dinner: Bar Milano, Allen & Delancey, Tribeca Grill (exclusively for the Rhone list); wine bars: Inoteca, Terroir; lunch: Momofuku Noodle Bar, Sant Ambroeus, BLT Steak.

I could name another dozen favorite spots. I love this city so much, it’s not even funny. We’re so blessed to have the best-of-the-best right here on our footsteps (and I can drive to the WL in less than 45 min). I could not imagine living anywhere else in this country.
November 5, 2008

jett
naha——————– naha———————naha————()*(&*_(*&()+*()+*)*()_&%$%^$&^%&)_(*_) are you hip to what i’m saying? naha.
November 5, 2008

RANDI
GARY!!
Hope you feel better soon!!
QOTD #1: What mall are you in? Hhmm NVG? Dunno
QOTD #2: Lately, La Piccola Liguria & Asia de Cuba…my palate changes for food the same way it does for wine..
November 5, 2008

CHICAGO MARK
TUSCANY ….the one on taylor st in chicago.
November 5, 2008

Cameron W
QOTD: Le Cirque in Las Vegas.
November 5, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: Maybe around the holidays–it’s a little far to travel for dinner, but looks like a fun place. Favorite Restaurant is David Drake’s in Rahway.
November 5, 2008

Kent
I’m going to have to pull a Jim Cramer and say Olive Garden. That’s value right there.

When price isn’t an issue, I’d go with Anthony’s, which is a place that focuses on Seafood in the Puget Sound area near Seattle. Ridiculously good, but equally expensive.
November 5, 2008

DAve A
I agree – Smell is so important. Good show. I like the dark. Horse voice and all.
ah. you were looped prior to this taping. You still did a great show!

Hope you fell better.

QOTD: NVG? no. Applebee’s. hahaha NOT! like no selection! AS bad as McDonald’s! Xios is mine, in Raleigh – Greek, baby! come to raleigh
November 5, 2008

ScottEJ
Oddly enough, I was at a tasting just tonight that had the Round Hill and thought it was the best of the 5 or 6 un-oaked chards on display. Right off the bat, a clear bottle. 2nd a deep, rich color for being sans oak. 3rd, a nice, bigger mouthfeel for having no butter/oak to it. Good call and a good price.

QOTD: Hard to say. I go thru restaurants like water. I generally like a good byow, though. Cara Mio & Cote du Rhone here in Chi. are good options.
November 5, 2008

Richard Ritter
Boy…did that artwork in back of you add a boatload of class!!! Maybe you should have something similar at WL. Great show, sorry you’re under the weather.

QOTD #1: Napa Grille is a bit of a ride. If I’m ever passing through I’ll be sure to stop in.
QOTD #2: Bistro M, in Glen Head, NY.
November 5, 2008

Matt W
Sergeatnsville Inn in Sergeantsville, NJ of course.
November 5, 2008

Ray Barnes
First of all Gary, I hope you get well soon, and no criticism intended or implied, I hope Chris is not coming down with the same thing. For a “Best of Gary”, I loved this show, even its darkness. It is not something I would want to see often, but on occasion. It also appeared you felt very much at home and the crowd reaction was fun and engaging. As usual, your tasting comments are unique, I hope to try out that final merlot.

QOTD: In my home town of Surrey BC Canada I enjoy the Central City Brewing Company, in spite of its limited wine list – a very common problem here. In Greater Vancouver the retail price is already inflated by high taxes, and then the majority of restaurants will at least double them. BYOB with corking fee is illegal.