George Taber Talks Wine and Drinks Some Too!

George Taber Talks Wine and Drinks Some Too! – Episode #591

December 5, 2008

George Taber stops by the Thunder Show and talks wine and other things.

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Comments on this episode(184) Leave a comment ›

“This is one of my favorite episodes. Im half way through “Judgment of …” by Pangaea
“What a fantsastic guest to have on the show. It must have been an ama…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Chalone Chalone Vineyard ChardonnayOther California Chardonnay
2004 Freemark Abbey Cabernet SauvignonNapa Cabernet

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

184 Responses

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December 5, 2008

MattieJ
QOTD: I like the cork.. It’s how I’ve always pictured a wine bottle… I’m not into the “investment” side of wine yet so I drink the wines I buy within the year. So preservation isn’t an issue for me. Been lucky so far with the bottles I’ve ordered, no bad corks!!
December 5, 2008

manonthemoon
Nice show.

QOTD: Has to be glass closure, easy to pop and can reseal just as easy.
December 5, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: I probably need to read the book to make an informed decision, but I’m fine with screw tops. I don’t think I’ve ever felt strongly about wine bottle closures.

Very entertaining show. I like to hear the gossip behind the scenes. I’m looking forward to George’s third book.
December 5, 2008

Keith Brown
Another very interesting guest! Back in the late 80’s I lived in Sacramento and used to spend maybe a weekend a month wine tasting in Napa. Freemark Abbey was a regular stop. I don’t think I’ve had any of their wines since. Might have to check it out. QOTD: I love, love, love the screw top, or Stelvin Enclosure if you insist). I think I’ve heard several experts say that they actually are better for aging wine than corks. I’ve had a few “corked” wines, and for disadvantages of corks that edges out a close second of being on the road, buying a bottle of wine, then realizing I don’t have a corkscrew. Grrrr!
December 5, 2008

brorjace
Pretty good show. QOTD: Screwcap all the way. Corks are nice, and its still fun to pop a cork, but at the end of the day, its nice to know that the wine hasn’t leaked, or made the wine taste like wet cardboard.
December 5, 2008

SteveC
QOTD: I prefer corks. The reason for this is because I recycle the bottles, putting my own wine in them. Screw tops are not something the home wine maker can use themselves, as the required machinery is far, far too expensive, so screwtop bottles are useless for recycling.
December 5, 2008

Glen,....winecrazy.com
Interseting how at the end you said… you, with a little bit of me….and then toatally dissed Mr. Taber…. usually adding your coment, and with guys like this, or and with awesome people like Mr. Taber….but no, you just told him be careful….. LOL

That’s funny Homey.

Wish I was giong to SF this weekend. Have fun.
December 5, 2008

Eddie Brown
It is impossible to age wine with a screw cap…
Trace amounts of oxygen is needed to change the chemical balance inside a bottle of wine. Corks are wood, wood is porous, wine bottles “breathe”
as they sit for several years, Allowing the wine to oxidize slightly over the passing of time that in turn changes the taste and structure of the juice.
Screw caps are air tight…what you taste now, is exactly what you will taste in ten years. Kinda like a shrink-wrapped twinkie.
December 5, 2008

Jess
Wonderful show, loved George Taber! He was knowledgeable and of great substance.
QOTD: As long as the wine can be safely preserved, I don’t care what you use to close it. Old habits die hard, and I really enjoy the ceremony of opening a bottle of wine. For this reason, I think synthetic corks are ok.
December 5, 2008

Scott Williams
Very interesting and entertaining guest. I’ll have to check out his books. Personally, I don’t mind Gary’s interview style. Taber seemed to have a tendency to ramble on a bit, and Gary was just trying to ultimately bring it back to the wine.

QOTD: Screw Cap
December 5, 2008

DAve A
Fascinating guest. No idea of the background, but he was interesting to listen to.
QOTD: favorite closure? a ZIPPER… oh, you mean on wine bottles…Cork when on date night or when I make my own wines (add to the experience), personally, I’d rather have screw top for all other wines. I finally have enough cork openers and will put them with my slide-rule someday.

Come to Raleigh! Opening new winery in January! Very strong wines, I think. (I’m not owner, but involved) We could do 2 shows, one there and one at catering site to match wines as chef whips something up. Raleigh is in NC… south of Jersey. smile.
December 5, 2008

Dominus
Need to be able to edit posts. “Cheatin’ Pats”
December 5, 2008

Dominus
“Turn off the camera Mott!” I can’t believe he slipped through the Vheatin’ Pats screening?

All kidding aside, a wonderful guest. They get better all the time and I’ll need to buy the enclosure book of his.

QOTD: Good question. If I pay over 50 bones for a wine, I want cork. Anything less, I don;t give a rat’s arse as long as the wine is good. I’ve never had an embarrassing moment for me or a sommelier whilst opening a bottle of wine and having it corked. I guess it also comes down for me as: whites–screwcap; reds — cork.

Cheers and your Jets prediction is right on.

P.S. Do you know ANY Colts fans?

GO COLTS!
December 5, 2008

DF
QOTD: What are men going to do anymore if they can’t be handed a bottle of wine and told, “Open this” by the hostess at a party? This was the only place you could demonstrate your muscle with a bare bones wine opener. I guess we’ll have to be content with great wine if not great admiration of our “guns.”
December 5, 2008

Canadian Vayniac
QOTD: gotta say I like real corks because they’re just more traditional and I enjoy opening them, however, if I think practically then screw tops are the way to go. Great episode! Gary: will WLTV ship Christmas packs to Canada?
December 5, 2008

Slushpuppy
Gary: Your dentist must be very impressed with your spitting ability. At best you would be drinking a very small glass of wine. George was wonderful; I will be buying his book! Please have more regular guys and gals on that love to drink wine!
Smell it first. TR
December 5, 2008

DrEdwardo
QOTD: Screwcap & has been for at least 8 years!!

Edwardo
December 5, 2008

Orion S.
I have to admit to loving the pop when opening wine sealed with a cork, but it doesn’t affect my purchases. I don’t discriminate against screw-tops.
December 5, 2008

Timinspokane
Great show, fabulous guest! I love hearing from people who were “there” when cool things happened or who were influential, or at least a part of, seminal events. Gotta buy his books! Sound like some nice reading in front of the fireplace with a big ol’ glass of vino….

QOTD – if I were spending a ton of dough on a bottle to cellar for a long time, I would rather have a screwtop since I know the chances of having problems long term are much less. I do like the pomp and circumstance of popping a real cork, though. Oh – I HATE those fake corks! They are impossible to get off of my corkscrew!! Anyone who uses those pieces of crap should really just go with the Stelvin screwtops. Cheers!
December 5, 2008

JudeMurphy
Corks forever, man!! There’s no explaining it- they’re just sexy!
Nice one, can’t wait to see this bungee jump!
December 5, 2008

sam
Great show, good times, fun guest.

Keep bringin’ the thunder.
December 5, 2008

M
Fascinating show!!! Two great guests this week, George Taber and Jorge Ordonez.

QOTD: I can’t stand synthetic corks. I broke my Screw Pull with synthetic corks. I like a good quality cork with my new $1.99 opener. Although I find myself doing back flips when I discover the wine I’m opening has a screw top. It’s sooooo easy to open. I brought a screw top Central Otago Pinot Noir (Amisfield) to a BYOB restaurant and the server did a back flip. She’s very excited when guests bring screw tops.
December 5, 2008

Weston
QOTD:
Favourite Enclosure I don’t buy my wine by Enclosure because of my wine club.
I work in the restaurant industry and I know my server buddies like Corks at table side because of the show, the bartender behind the bar likes Screw caps for by the glass.

As Long as my Wine isn’t Corked
Doesn’t taste like plastic from synthetic corks
or doesn’t taste like Metal from Screw caps

I don’t really care

You recommend a wine I’ll drink it no matter the enclosure
December 5, 2008

F Jackie Martling
Good show. Gary does remind me of Chris Matthews (Hardball) when he talks over people, but that keeps the pace of the show going. Screw Cap
December 5, 2008

Dr. J
g,

last year for Christmas, i got, and read the Great Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. i was fascinated and totally enthralled by the history, and impact that followed the great wine tasting. the book was a great read, and i did not put it down for two days because i got sucked into it. so i really enjoyed today’s show and have great respect for George Taber. now, i will have to get and read his latest book(s). you have been doing a great job as of late with your guests, and they have added a positive and new direction for WLTV. keep up the great work. the guests have been terrific, and you have a great synergy going !

QOTD: as long as the closure keeps the contents safge and sound and intact, it doesn’t matter what they use. and btw, i was not aware of the history of the cork until George pointed it out to us. Thank you for the terrific factoid !