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 9, 2008

Scottie P
Awesome, awesome, awesome show! George was entertaining and very fascinating! Please bring him back again! I still haven’t had the chance to see Bottle Shock yet, but I will at the first opportunity.

QOTD: I don’t even consider the closure when shopping for wine. As long as the wine is properly sealed I don’t care how. Although, there is a pinch of nostalgia/romance associate with a cork.
December 9, 2008

Ben Janssen South Australia
qotd: If I could I would travel trough time 50 years from now and see what affect the screw caps have had on the BIIIIG premium wines that will last for that long. Then I would travel back in time to December 2008 and answer this question properly. But for the moment screw cap – less air gets in and out of the bottle. That has to be a good thing right ?
December 8, 2008

Bobo36
gary: u had GT in the house & no book signing for him? Shame. I would had drove the 2 hours up from south NJ for that! good episode anyhow.
December 8, 2008

pawncop
Wow, great show and great guest, you have really done yourself proud these last few guests.

QOTD – I am so new to the wine world, I am not certain, but the screwtop seems to be superior.
December 8, 2008

kaybee
QoTd
Sorry, but fine wines should have a cork. It is because of ripple and reunite, you know.
December 8, 2008

Sharon
Oooh, sorry about the Jets, Gary. I know it how it sucks when you’re a die-hard and your team lets you down.
Hey Gary you did a good job with the questions this show. Bravo.
My Dad used to do a hilarious impression of Julia Child drinking vino.
QOTD: Well, screwcaps are fine for wines that don’t require aging. But I do prefer the cork. Guess I’m a traditionalist that way.
December 8, 2008

Little Jonny H
Interesting show, neat to see a writer on the show!

QOTD: No strong preference as far as taste, but prefer screw cap for environmental reasons.
December 8, 2008

Sonnenuhr
After the Jets loss (I think they might need a new coach), Gary is way to depressed to tape a Monday episode

I think the Jets may not even make the playoffs. Prediction: They squeeeeeze past the Bills, get pounded by the Seahawks and get crushed at home by Team Tuna in a triumphant return the Avenger Pennington. Ouch!!!
December 8, 2008

Mark
I’ve actually started collecting enclosures in order to make a cork board, and I learned that there are two different sizes of corks. My favorite as far as looks and convenience is the smaller fake corks. Also, don’t worry about the Jets too much, at least you guys still have a shot at the playoffs.
December 8, 2008

Dominus
Highest score tonight for any of wines = 50 pts

Sorry about that devastating loss.
December 8, 2008

Bryan Hope
Great show. I saw George speak at a book signing for his book on closures a year or so ago. He brought two wines I believe they were Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. Everything was equal, cultivar, vintage, winemaker, etc., with the exception of the closure. One was closed by a cork and the other by twist-off. What a difference. For my pallet and experience I feel that twist (not screw, which describes something else) works beautifully well for whites and light reds while cork is still my preference for heavier reds. Although I recently saw, but did not purchase, a Napa Plumbjack Cabernet Sauvignon under a twist for around $200. Both of George’s books are must reads for anyone with serious interest in wine – vayniacs! I’m very fired up to hear that he’s got a new book coming out about wine tourism since that’s my business. Sorry for the shameless plug but if anyone is interested in learing about Organic and Biodynamic grape farming in Santa Barbara, not to mention tasting some insanely great wines (check out Gary’s review of one of our visited wineries Ampelos) check us out… sustainablevine.com Thanks Gary and keep up the great work.

Bryan
Santa Barbara, CA
December 8, 2008

Jayhitek
QOTD: I like the screw caps. So easy!
December 8, 2008

Don
QITD: Cork or screw tops not _that_ important to me. I’m a little concerned on screwtops over time, but I rarely let wines stay around that long anyway.

Great guest. Marvelous banter about some terribly interesting times. Keep it up. Love the show (first time commenting, btw)
December 8, 2008

RADV
Nice show!

QOTD: CORK no doubt (tradition and romance my friends – in my opinion very important aspect of wine drinking in general).

Screwtop would come in second by a wide margin. Will not stop me from buying a wine but always have that feeling that something in the experience is missing.

Hate the synthetic cork. If you are going for tradition – do it right – with a cork.
December 8, 2008

Chippewamike
OUTSTANDING SHOW! Loved Judgment of Paris.

QOTD: Still like corks (don’t hate screwcaps though). Have not changed much in the past two-three years. Its the “experience” of opening the bottle and hearing the “pop”.
December 8, 2008

Sergio
What do you mean 9ers are dead? More like Jets were “SPANKED”. Favre is dead.
December 8, 2008

wayno da wino
Yo Guys, SUUUUUPER DUUUUUPER Episode!! Mooooocho Thanx!! Bought
“Judgement of Paris” a couple years ago. A FIIIIINE Read for all us
Vino Geeks….

qotd: As long as da Juice in da Bottle is Yummy….either one is
coooool wit me……
December 8, 2008

danseng
Gotta say I really like the few glass top enclosures that I’ve seen. Other than that screwcaps are fine with me, and that has changed over the past few years. I don’t think twice when I see them on more expensive wines.
December 8, 2008

Deano
Great episode….I will check out the book when it comes out.

QOTD:
-I prefer a screw top they are so easy
December 8, 2008

Stan Reitan
I have never avoided a wine because of the closure. I prefer the screw cap not only because it is easy, but also because a majority of the winemakers I have talked to have given many reasons for the advantage of using this type of closure. The only thing I would miss is collecting the corks. It is really cool to pull a cork out with the name of the winery on it and having the memories of that bottle brought back to mind. Wineries should think about putting something on the inside of the cap. Remember the caps on Lucky Beer?
December 8, 2008

Hido53
Gary!

Wasn’t able to watch this episode until this morning . . . Absolutely fantastic show! For me, this was out and out the best guest show I’ve seen! George Taber absolutely brought the Thunder! You guys even got in some football smack talk! Killer!
QOTD: I’ve only had wines from bottles which used cork, synthetic cork, and scewcap. I’m more of a traditionalist and prefer the cork, but to be frank, if there was a screwcap, it wouldn’t prevent me from buying the wine.

Oh yeah . . . my Niners . . . Dead? . . . I THINK NOT! . . . still sticking with my 10-6 prediction for the Jets.
December 8, 2008

Derek
Awesome show!

QOTD: prefer cork just cause it feels fancier. but like the convenience of screwtops and that you can nearly reseal the wine when you screw it shut.
December 8, 2008

Cellar Muse
I am not as passionate about the wine closures. I love the pop of a cork (real or synthetic). The screw cap does have the stigma of a “cheap trick” bottle of wine.

The guests are great – Keep up the awesome work!
December 8, 2008

mr wino
great, great show. your guests are consistently interesting, but George may have been the best so far.

QOTD: the closure doesn’t matter to me. If I like the wine or am interested in it, I’ll buy it regardless of how it is sealed.
December 8, 2008

Thom Calabrese
Gary
I love WLTV. I worked for a wholesaler for over 10 yrs here in N.C. and in the mid 90’s repped Freemark Abbey,Grgich, and Stag Leap Wine Cellars. They were fantastic then and it was great getting to meet Mike G and Warren W and all the folks we meet from Freemark Abbey.
I think like many Calis they lost there way either in PQR or Style or both.
I thought I heard you mention that you hated the New York Giants and as a Jets fan I can understand it. I grew up in Jersey City and all my family is still in Hudson County and have always been a Giants fan. Living in the south I find it interesting that people don’t understand why if you like the Giants you wouldn’t like the Jets. The reasoning being the both play at Giant Stadium etc.
I have always maintained, as a Giant fan, there is somethings you just don’t do and one is cheer for the Jets. It’s just wrong. Like sleeping with your sister. Nope can’t do it.
Having said that and understanding your dislike of the G-Men I have only 1 question????? Why would you(or anyone for that matter) root for the Jets???
Keep up the good work and I will make a point of checking out the store when I come up for my next visit(probably for holidays).
Go Giants!