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
View all 184 ›

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

December 5, 2008

KenP
1st again!!!
December 5, 2008

BF
Wow, awesome.
December 5, 2008

Mojave Joe
#3 yeah!
December 5, 2008

MagnumGourmet
Top 5…Woo Hoo!!!!
December 5, 2008

billyg
good timing today. cool.
December 5, 2008

DC7
Nice guest. drink up!
December 5, 2008

David Dickinson
Top 10. Have a great weekend!
December 5, 2008

Tom G
lol Guys try watching the episode before commenting. Gary, great show but you are still interrupting quite a bit. I know you are super excited, and that’s awesome, but you still cut into George’s comments a lot. It seemed like you were trying to restrain yourself, and that’s great.

QOTD: Synthetic cork.
December 5, 2008

DrEdwardo
Top 10 again!

Edwardo
December 5, 2008

John Farrin
10
December 5, 2008

Kristen
oh wow, this is like the autumn of wine VIPs!
December 5, 2008

elron
Jets Stink!
December 5, 2008

Dr T in NC
QOTD — still traditional corks, but Zorks are great for lower end wines!
December 5, 2008

Laurie in VT
George is way cool. What fun!

QOTD: a) screw top (I never thought I’d say that) and b) yes
December 5, 2008

zac weiss
SUCH a good episode! You two really clicked.

QOTD: I’ve been sort of rooting for screwtops, but I’d never get caught buying one, being in France. And having a french mother. So I guess cork? Oh, and those plastic cork-things piss me off to no end, I don’t care if they work or not, they harsh my uncorking-zen.
December 5, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD I like corks but don’t mind the other. I don’t do much long term storage.
December 5, 2008

Withnail
Great guest idea – saving this to watch LATE tonight.
December 5, 2008

Jay Campbell
Good show. I can’t wait to read that book on closures. I love that kind of history.

QOTD: Only because I like playing with it after it’s open, I have to say cork.
December 5, 2008

late-start
Good show.

Prefer cork, b/c I feel “cool” opening it
December 5, 2008

BF
QOTD: This cork stuff is overrated. I know it’s a big deal for producers and retailers, but people who drink wine (even lots of it) don’t sit around discussing closures.

P.S. Great show. Nice to see a good guy who admits luck played a role in his success. It’s true for all of us!
December 5, 2008

Kevin K
QOTD: I like the zork.
December 5, 2008

JonE
The power guests keep coming. Wow, this show is putting fourth more for the wine geeks of the world than any other bar none. Congrats G-Man!

QOTD: First I have absolutely no problem with Stelvin, I like him as a matter of fact. However I am nostalgic and will always love cork. However if one skimps on the cork all bets are off the table.
December 5, 2008

Steve
Great guest, loved the show, even though I did yell at you a few times to shut up.
December 5, 2008

John Farrin
GOOD SHOW! I’m laughing because I have a vendeta with Freemark Abbey. While you were still in diapers they were the first Napa winery (to my knowledge) to start charging for tasting back in the 70’s. I’ve boycotted them ever since

QOTD:I lean toward the screwcap. The idea that you could ruin a several hundred dollar bottle of wine with a defective cork just makes me shudder.
December 5, 2008

Marc-China Wine Tours
Another excellent guest GV!

QOTD: I like the glass ones for the novelty of them, but frankly I don’t really care as long as I can get the bottle open!
December 5, 2008

SargieAZ
QOTD: Whichever one keeps my vino fresh. A good quality natural cork I think is ideal, but I also like the Stelvin closures (high quality screwcap). I have never tried the zork, afraid of the name. I guess I’d take a good screwcap over a bad cork…

Hey vaniacs, there is so much back and forth about with is better for freshness and aging anyone have the “fresh” 411 on it?
December 5, 2008

Neil
QOTD: I’m used to cork, however screw cap is probably the wave of the future.

It’s too bad you are flying all the way across the US to see the Jets choke to perhaps one the worst teams in the NFL.
December 5, 2008

Mari
Great show with Mr. Tabor. I have his book and found it very interesting.
I finally finished my wine memoir, Mouthfeel: Confessions of a Wine Slut, and I invite you and the Vanyiacs to read the opening chapter at http://www.writingraw.com.
Cheers!
-Mari
December 5, 2008

hp
I’m really enjoying the guest appearances!

QOTD: I prefer corks or screw caps. Anything but synthetic cork! I don’t oppose synthetic corks in some mass-marketed wines from any technical or philosophical stand-point per se; they’re meant to be popped and poured anyway, so to speak, and I wouldn’t care what kind of closure they had. Even so, I still think even those producers should move towards screw tops. It just makes so much more sense. No one’s looking to cellar most of those wines (if some are concerned that screw caps may not keep well) and no one’s looking for the “romance” of corks, so why not just close the product with a sensible and durable screw-cap?
December 5, 2008

KenP
Strange ep. Left me thinking of all the good wineries left out of the Paris Tasting, both in France and California. Not sure France had the best representation. Dozens of quality producers in Cali were not present.

Where was Martin Ray, for example?

George Taber is not a historian, we’ll leave it at that.

QOTD: cork.
December 5, 2008

Sarah
Great episode! Great guest…so fun to get Taber’s perspective.

QOTD: Screw cap. Takes a little bit of fun out of the presentation, but you don’t have to worry about the cork. (Synthetic just too hard to get out of the bottle!)
December 5, 2008

Bruce B.
Gary ruins every damn interview he does. He just can’t shut his goddamn mouth for more than 5 seconds. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear what George Taber and all the other guests have to say? The definition of an egomanic–Gary!
December 5, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
I can’t say I have a single favorite closure. I like the screwcap for its lack of TCA and related chemicals, but I do believe it encourages reductive problems. I like the cork for doing such a good job, but I don’t like its unreliability. I like the glass but it seems wasteful and I’m not sure how it holds up over time. I like the different boxes (with or without bag) for cheap stuff. I don’t like the synthetic corks because they are unreliable, they’re not good for ageing, and I believe they leech flavor components from the wine.
Thanks for another great show.
December 5, 2008

Smith MBA
Good show man. Judgment of Paris is interesting for what a non-event it was that subsequently turned into a big deal.
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 !
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

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

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

sam
Great show, good times, fun guest.

Keep bringin’ the thunder.
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

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

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

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

Edwardo
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

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

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

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

Dominus
Need to be able to edit posts. “Cheatin’ Pats”
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

manonthemoon
Nice show.

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

David T
Fascinating guest! I’m going to get both of his books.

QOTD: Screw caps. Especially trying to save half a bottle of left overs- none of that trying to get the quark back in, or using a substitute quark (although I have one from F. Albricht at http://www.thecorker.com that works quite well). And I can’t stand synthetic quarks. A screw cap works 100x better and can’t cost any more than the synthetic piece.
December 5, 2008

urbwes
QOTD: screw caps. Every time I open a cork I worry about corkage.

GV, every time you have a guest you get better and better at the art of collaboration. I think you finally have it mastered.
December 5, 2008

Gary B
QOTD: I have to go with cork on this one

Great show Gary you rocked!
December 5, 2008

Richard Ritter
Great show. It was like talking to Ben Franklin about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He was there…history was made! COOL.

QOTD: My question is this, what’s wrong with cork? It’s historic, an integral and traditional part of opening a bottle of wine, mysterious, somewhat erotic, sexy, gives you something to haremlessly throw at Mott (metal could hurt or damge the lens), makes a great sound as it exits the bottle, makes a cheap bottle of wine seem that much more important, impresses the ladies, a great piece of memorabelia after drinking the wine, collectable, gives you something else to sniffy sniff, etc, etc, etc. Opening wine is a ceremonial act and popping the cork is a huge part of it. VIVA LA CORK!

JETS: 38 – 9ers: 9 (RICHARD RITTER IS AN ARTIST)
December 5, 2008

Kellen
LOVED this episode! (even though when I initially saw that is was california again, I was not excited)–I still love the cork…though in the last little bit I’ve opened up a little more to the screw cap….
December 5, 2008

ScottEJ
Wow…George is exactly like Gary…only more seasoned. Seriously, it was like an older clone; in a good way.

QOTD: I’m a cork guy. If not cork: glass. Sorry, but the twist cap just looks cheap. I can’t get around the difference in sexiness.
December 5, 2008

J Crazy
Love the closures. I think wine is much better with them than without.

I’ve really changed over the past couple few years and find it really interesting to try different wines with different closures.
Glass is always an interesting one.
December 5, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: I like the whole process of removing the cork, but screw tops are so much easier and probably safer to cellar. I despise the plastic fake cork, they ruin your lever screwpulls.

I love George. I used to listen to him on NJ’s radio station 101.5. He was known to sign off by shouting and holding out the word five in 101.F-I-I-I-VE!

Leaving for San Francisco tomorrow. Unfortunately, won’t be able to attend the Fort Mason tasting. Have a great time. I’ll be in Sonoma and Napa tasting wine all week. Can’t wait.
December 5, 2008

jeff
Great guest Gary. Looking forward to that bungy jumping link! Saw the morning show – nice work; too bad you didn’t get to finish all the wines. Man that host had a crappy pallate; “tastes like grapes,” WTF!!
December 6, 2008

Griz4life
Hoss, another great show. I think George liked to talk about as much as you do? Also, I wasn’t going to get the Christmas secret pack because I got the Thanksgiving, but alas, I bought it. Again, because of stupid shipping laws, I won’t be able to indulge until after the New Year.

QOTD: Love the screwtops. I’m searching out a bottle with the zork to see what all the hubbub is about, but I did like the episode with the zork.
December 6, 2008

Marshall
QOTD:Screwcap all the way!
December 6, 2008

Robert Howells
I don’t give a fiddler’s fart about the closure as long as the wine kicks ass.
December 6, 2008

Bobby Bo
Happy Repeal Day!!! You should have done a Repeal day secret pack so we all could be reminded that wine used to be illegal and be thankful that its not.
Great show. You are an awesome interviewer, its always a lot of fun to watch the guest stuff. I am eagerly awaiting Georges new book on wine travel. Maybe next Christmas.

QOTD: I like the natural cork, but dont mind the screw cap. The rubber cork is the worst. I know someone in the fake cork biz, and he talks about how they have chemicals that can sap all the flavor out of the wine. Its like the reverse of a bad natural cork. I try and steer clear of those.
December 6, 2008

Herb
The panicked look on Gary’s face when George called it a “Giants” spit-bucket was hilarious. I was waiting for Mott to bust up laughing.
December 6, 2008

Clemclone
Corks, Corks, Corks!!!
I hate screw caps. I have over 300 bottles in my cooler and I can’t remember the last “Corked” bottle I’ve opened. Screw caps are made of aluminum and are coated on the inside so the content of the bottle can’t come in contact with the metal. The longer the wine sits in contact with the coating, the better the chance a pinhole leak will let the wine contact the aluminum and taint it.
If corked wine taste like cardboard, metal tainted wine tastes like…….. Blahhhggg!!!
December 6, 2008

catherine.
my first thought when the episode started was ‘who are the gers and why are they dead?’ HAHA!

great guest! very interesting and he didn’t seem like he was selling me something.

QOTD: i guess cork? wine bottle+cork=classic.
December 6, 2008

apj_bobswineguy
George Taber, Charles Smith, Jorge Ordonez, that knitting girl – why the h*ll do you do blind tastings. These shows are so much more interesting. You get a little history, a little tasting and a lot of fun interaction. Blind tastings. Just waiting for the bag to be pulled.
George was a great guest.
December 6, 2008

Rob Camacho
Awesome show Gary! I have been watching you for the past month and I will continue to follow…
December 6, 2008

Ray Barnes
George Taber was an excellent and very engaging guest. I wish the episode could have stretched another 15 minutes or more with some French wine in the tasting as well. I read Judgment of Paris, and loved it.

Bottle Shock is being released on DVD on February 3, 2009.

I enjoy the blind tasting shows and the guest appearances the best of all. This was a treat.

QOTD – cork. Call me old fashioned.
December 6, 2008

Withnail
QOTD: I like ‘em all.
Wow – that was a FANTASTIC episode! Top 10 all-time, easy.
8-10 years ago, Chateau Montelena had heavy paper stock reprints of the 1976 TIME article that they handed out at the winery. It was George (uncredited) and a nice read. Mine is framed and hung in the den for a few years – now in storage somewhere – I should dig it out.
Here’s a contemporary TIME cover – about 6+ months before the Paris tasting – with a New Jersey angle to boot:
http://frames.barewalls.com/frames/bw/52/52105,52302/8/10/closeup/j8cov00722021c.jpg
December 6, 2008

rimarfish
Excellent episode!! What a great guest!
QODT: i like them both. Crisp young white wines=screw caps….for cellaring big red wines=cork (although i’m waiting to see how some reds with screw tops are going to react after 5 or 6 years…in that case, if it works well, i’ll go with the metallic…i’ll sacrifice the romance of cork for a good preserved wine)
December 6, 2008

Sonnenuhr
Terrific show – enjoyed “Judgement” greatly. Wonderful to have George on the show.

QOTD – I screwcaps for everday wines; cork for wines that need to spend some time in the cellar. I actually find very few corked bottles these days
December 6, 2008

california cab lover
Great show! Very informative and entertaining.
Love the romance of the cork and the sound when the bottle is uncorked. Hate screwcaps, looks cheap. Save those for beer.
December 6, 2008

Lance Bradstreet
Great guest! The story he reported on in Time isn’t something I knew too much about so it was great to learn more about that.

QOTD -

My wife and I usually try to find wines in the $10 – $15 price point and we don’t see many bottles that don’t have corks. I wonder if we are secretly seeking out the corks and avoiding the screw tops and others without knowing it. Long answer short there is something almost romantic about a corked wine.
December 6, 2008

Phil G
That was great…

QOTD – My favorite is the cork. I like collecting things, and those little corks fall into that category. On the other hand, I don’t really have a preference when thinking what is the better closure. I do not like synthetic cork, though….
December 6, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Great guest, fun show! GV you are doing much better at allowing your guests to talk.

Q – I like cork and screw top, but i have to say over the last few years i have gone from refusing to buy a wine with a screw top to being perfectly fine with them.
December 6, 2008

Chris Bartow
Screw top. I fear that it may have issues in the long run, but I think the jury is still out on that.
December 6, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
Great show. I enjoyed reading George’s book a couple of years ago and have given it to others to read. QOTD – I am starting to lean towards the screw top enclosure lately.
December 6, 2008

Barrelmonkey
I’m suspending judgment. However I slightly prefer cork because I can keep them.
December 6, 2008

JROD
Excellent show; GT was entertaining and very interesting. Can you make him a regular guest, maybe once a month? Read his first book and can’t wait for his third. As for his second, see below.

QOTD: I only want to drink wine sealed w/ cork. I feel like I am missing something without the cork…like taking away the sniffy sniff. The worst is at a restaurant, the waiter presents the wine then twists the bottle and is left standing there looking like an idiot. At that point I am almost too depressed to taste the wine. Maybe I am just too old to change, plus what would I do with my 10+ openers. As for the imitation corks, why even make the effort; just plain lame.
December 6, 2008

Dr. J.L. Sifuentes
Wow! Excellent interview and informative. Gary you should have Warren Winiarski on to further explain the Paris Tasting.

QOTD: I prefer cork and perhaps always will. Something about “screw caps” just doesn’t do it for me. The ritual and spirituality of umcorking a fine bottle of wine is lost in just unscrewing a cap.
December 6, 2008

Rick D
George was a very interesting guest. May have to read his books.

QOTD: I guess I’m a traditionalist since I prefer corks for all the reasons noted by Richard Ritter. Although I don’t mind screwcap wines, if you want to drink “down under” wines you have almost no choice.
December 6, 2008

JCN
gotta go with the synthetics because it’s the best of all worlds. the romance of popping the cork remains without the fear of crumbling.

excellent episode. i enjoy the chalone chard but find it tough to spend $20 on a bottle. to me, either drop the extra $10 on a bottle of cakebread or pocket $10 and pick up something less expensive of similar quality.
December 6, 2008

Jimmy T
GV, Taber put it on you today. Great personality and no shrinking back when it came to the “Giants” bucket. LOL.

QOTD: I am still a cork man. Traditional I guess.
December 6, 2008

Oklahoma Michael
QOTD= Whatever just put a cork in it already
December 6, 2008

Pete G
Great show. George was thoroughly entertaining and informative. BTW I am
a HUGE Central Otago Pinot fan – ever since my first sip of Gibson Valley
I’ve been hooked.

QOTD: Screw It all the way baby. Nothing better than when you go back to
that half finished bottle a day or two later and hear that ‘Tsst’
when you open it up. Freshness garunteed!!
December 6, 2008

Bal H.
George was excellent.

I like corks and screw tops. Most important is what is in the bottle.
December 6, 2008

Shawn_944
Great Show.

QOTD: CORK!
December 6, 2008

SurfCityJay
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I read George’s ‘Judgement’ book in ‘06… it is a MUST read for anyone who is into wine…

Also, by chance, was able to buy a few ‘04 FA Cabs to lay down a month ago… hope they age well…

QOTD: I don’t shy away from enclosure’s other than cork, but do still enjoy the nice ‘pop’ now and again… Cardinal Zin was the first I ever tried with a screw cap… still buy it…
December 6, 2008

Bernie
GREAT show, Gary. Except for the fact that he’s a Pats fan, George Taber is one solid citizen. Entertaining and educational; thoroughly engaging. I’m really looking forward to his wine tours book.

Corks–definitely. The visceral joy of working the corkscrew and hearing that sound adds so much to the experience. To me it’s as much a part of the pleasure of the vino as the sniffy-sniff and the ultimate “whirl-giving”. I collect them, too–can’t do that with a cap.
December 6, 2008

Toni
QOTD: Cork for sentimental reasons. Plastic foam cork is probably the best way to close the bottle. It’s porous almost like a regular cork, but works 100% of the time.

I seem to prefer the stuff under the cork.
December 6, 2008

Smahlatz
QOTD : screwcap. I don’t have a problem with cork, however synthetic cork – urghhhh – it stinks, and ruins the wine.
December 6, 2008

sharon
Terrific show! I loved your guest and his stories.
qotd: I don’t like percolated or instant coffee and I don’t like screw tops and (barf) plastic stoppers. Think about it…if a wine is lying on its side the acids in liquid are leeching out not only bad flavors but some pretty creepy chemicals from the tin and plastic. And of course cork is more romantic and fun to open. It’s not just the wine but the process.
December 6, 2008

Graeme A
Great show with a very interesting guest. Will keep an eye out for the books.

Props to New Zealand, Otago, Pinot Noir. There’s some very good wine coming out of this region.

Tip of the day. Don’t bungy jump AFTER consuming wine and food…

QOTD: Although a romantic at heart I also have a very pragmatic streak which means that screw tops for me are the winner. Its just so simple, no broken corks, no lost bottle openers, easy to reseal and I must repeat that one of the most frustrating things in the whole world is to either forget to take a bottle opener with you on an outing or to rip apart your house looking for a bottle opener that you know is there somewhere, but where, your not sure and finally standing there with a chisel in one hand and a screw driver in the other and knowing that this is going to get messy….
December 6, 2008

Kirk AKA:(slave2thevine)
Great Show…QOTD: Glass closure that Sineann uses is probably my favorite…it’s simple, solid, and looks nice.
December 6, 2008

italianwinelover
FANTABULOUS Episode!! I think this one should go in the hall of famer!! I like this one better than the Jancis Robinson ep.

QOTD: Like the cork on reds and screw tops on whites. HATE the synethic corks they suck..like the zork and the glass tops.
December 6, 2008

Jacob
QOTD: As an Australian, i’ve definitely been exposed to the aforementioned growing mentality that screwcap is the only way to go, and I absolutely agree with this. I really don’t have any time at all for people who yabber on about tradition and romanticism and the importance of the ‘pop’ of pulling out the cork. I find all that rubbish particularly amusing in the context a show about the Paris tasting. The whole point of that story is that a perfectly unique and exceptional new world wine region was being ignored, shunned and rubbished based on unfair and idiotic traditonalism that so often plagues the wine world, but proved itself against the old guard in a blind, unbiased tasting. I’m sure all the yanks here would rail against any suggestion that Californian wine should still be considered plonk simply because *everyone knows, according to tradition and romanticism, that good wine only comes from France, and maybe Italy and Spain.* With that kind of mentality, American, Australian, New Zealand, Latin American and other wine producing countries would never have had a chance.
Unfortunately, despite consistent research and blind tastings comparing the same wines bottled and aged under cork AND screwcap, all of which generally suggest screwcap to be a far superior seal, ignorance and absurd traditionalism keep the cork in circulation. In the end, it’s been shown that the risks associated with cork FAR outweigh those with screwcap. There is no worse a feeling than to pull out a special bottle that’s been hidden away for 10-15 years on a special occasion, romantically and ceremoniously ‘pop’ the cork, taste the wine, and announce to the party that it’s corked….that special bottle you paid 100 bones for 10 years ago and have been looking forward to for ages….buggered. I think anyone who has had that experience would agree that corks MUST go. I’m starting to only buy Australian and New Zealand wine to put down if it is under screwcap.
Finally, I think the dominance of cork has skewed the concept what is considered to be a ‘good’ aged wine. Even when the is no degree of cork taint involved, the vast majority of corks over the course of a wine’s life will allow varying degrees of gradual oxidisation. This means that the common perception of an aged wine looks, smells and tastes like is broken. The slow destruction of the wine is mistaken for development. In the tiny minority of cases (about 2%) where a cork does what it is meant to do (seal the wine and not permit ANY transfer of gases that lead to oxidisation), the result is a properly aged wine that retains the colour, fruit and natural freshness that a well-aged wine SHOULD have. Unfortunately, people rarely experience REAL development in a good wine. The sooner EVERY wine in the world (including the great wines built for aging) are under screwcap, the better.

Ok, end rant. Haha, clearly a topic I feel passionate about.
Great show GV.
December 6, 2008

brian
boring – no more boring guests!
December 6, 2008

Rowland
uh, do you only eat apple cores, cause i dont think they smell different.

did he say “starbucks?”

i love how upset gary looked when that guy said he dosnt have the video on youtube, come on dude, you should be happy its not on VHS

qotd; my heard says cork, but my head says screw cap.
December 6, 2008

digitaldean
Absolutely awesome show. Fantastic to get a first hand perspective on how Cali. wines broke through on the world scene.

QOTD: I usually go to the sub $20 market (can’t afford to regularly buy $40+ bottles of wine). Of those about 30% used plastic/synthetic corks (a lot on the German Rieslings I tried), 10% screwtops and 60% regular cork.

Some of the posts re: the disdain of screwtops, I find strange. If it affected the taste of the wine, I can see it. But if it doesn’t, what is the big deal?
December 6, 2008

John
Classic show!

QOTD: A big thanks to Mr. Taber for his Q and for his facinating summary of the hx of the cork/closure.
December 6, 2008

Kevin Galligan
Screwcap. The idea of losing an expensive bottle of wine due to cork issues is crazy to me. I’m fairly new to wine, and have already had 2 bottles that I was really looking forward to turn out to be bad. As a result, 70% of my stuff is from Australia. Plus, Aussie wine is really good. I’d like to try the Zork.

Cork is best for a date, however (feels “classy”, plus there’s some Freudian subconscious stuff going on there).

Synthetic corks are lame. They’re the comb-over of wine closures. If you lose your hair, embrace it.
December 6, 2008

theemptyglass
QOTD: whatever the wine has! i almost never pay attention to it. I guess the screwcap is a little faster to open, which gets me my wine faster, that makes me a happy girl! =)
December 6, 2008

Goncasurus-Rex
love the guest! cant wait to see the video. QOTD-definatly cork, I hate synthetics they make me angry! and Im not against screw caps but I dont know how I feel about screw cap aging
December 7, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: I’ve always liked the screwtops.

I can’t believe the discount Amazon has on George’s book. I’m definitely picking up a copy. Fantastic guest, Gary. Thanks, George.
December 7, 2008

Dana
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 7, 2008

Derek F.
Very very nice show gentleman!!

QOTD: I will admit I do love the romance in corks. On the other hand I feel a little more at ease with a bottle that has a screw cap, I know that I will not have to worry about that wine being corked.
December 7, 2008

BobbyTiger
Normally, I can take or leave shows on which guests appear…….but George was the exception. Very informative, and the conversation was fun to witness.

QOTD. When I open a bottle, my objective is to drink it, so I normally don’t have to worry about “closure”.
December 7, 2008

Jason Monohan
Great Guest!! Nice Pick…

QOTD: I still like the cork closure, Especially because I am a chef and I like the service aspect of it tableside. But that being said I don’t think it makes a difference in the wine itself.
December 7, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Good show. I prefer screw caps. The only wines that need corks are champagnes in my book. I have both of your guest’s books and he is a very interesting guy. I also remember driving to Chalone past the Soledad prison and up into the hills. We saw a bobcat and a coyote on the way up. The winemaker at the time was there and he gave us a private tour and tasting including barrel tastings because it was midwinter and no one was around. No one gets there by accident. Freemark and Chalone go back to my early wine days of the mid ’70’s so I have a fondness for them but they have been up and down.
December 7, 2008

Riche
GV,
Again A Fantastic guest and a fantastic show.
*****Keep these coming *********
I think you love these as much as we do.

QOTD:
No doubt in my mind. Bring on the Glass Toppers

Rich
UpState NY
December 7, 2008

Danilo
Nice guest!

QOTD: I would say screw caps. Probably because most of the wines I had were young. But I dont know the effect screw caps have on ageing… so, I cant answer.
December 7, 2008

CraigC
Great show. Interesting guy. You have stepped it up allot lately. I ordered 4 of your books one for me and three for wine friends. Ordered some of the wines from the book and we are going to have a little tasting when I give them the books for Christmas.
Love what you do and all you have taught me about wine.
Keep it up. You are more fun than tv as long as football is not on.

CraigC
December 7, 2008

lawschooldrunk
great episode and great guest! He handled himself better than almost any other guest that I can remember.

I must say that I am for corked closure because I like the romance of it. I have never had a corked bottle before. On the flip side, I always think of cheap wines in connection with screw tops.

I also love using my really cool cork-screw.
December 7, 2008

Harry
I think screw-caps are great, but like pulling a cork as well. Synthetics are more iffy with me.
December 7, 2008

rick redekop
screwcap no brainer
December 7, 2008

dkp
one of the best guests ever.

gary, you should put this guy on regularly.

peace
December 7, 2008

Chris in Tulsa
Super guest Gary!!! Loved the book! It was a great story and very educational. Really wants me to check out his new book.

QOTD: I’m a traditionalist and love the whole ritual of opening a bottle of wine with a cork. Kinda like opening up a present. That said I have no problems drinking wines with other closures as long as it’s good wine.
December 7, 2008

KAHUNA
What is great about the Jets-

No matter what bat the Giants do the Jets do something to trup them.

Plexiglass – Shoots himself
Jets- Get HI on the way to 8am practice

Giants lose to Eagles – a team with a winning record
Jets lose to the LOWLY pants off wearing 49ers

THE JETS ARE THE BIGGEST SACK OF LOSERS EVER! Only thing worse than actualy being a Jet is being a JET fan.
December 7, 2008

Eugene
Lurker dropping first comment since my daily viewing in May. QOTD: I work in the wine service industry and love the tradition of the cork. Where will the Somms be in the age of screw-tops? Zesty early drinking whites are perfect for the screw-top, lets leave it there. I am def seeing an awkwardness with the synthetic closers and try to avoid them. There simply is nothing better than cork to age wines and they will never be completely replaced.
December 8, 2008

my2cents
Really liked this episode. Nice flow on this one ! Background on the guest, fun conversation, good wine. A little sports jab or two. The best guest show I have seen. (I’ve only seen about 30 episodes though)

Cork is what I know most. So I wouldn’t say they are my favorite but they are the closure I have had the most experience with. I have had a few screw tops and they seem fine to me. Easier to open on a picnic or at a housewarming when the corkscrew is still packed. I haven’t seen the others.

My question: Does a good cork lend more to a wine than just keeping it in the bottle?
December 8, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

Awesome guest. Definitely cool to see the dude who wrote California in to the wine world.

QOTD: I’ve always loved corks and will always love corks. Glass stoppers are a definite second though.

–RH
December 8, 2008

chukhead-ted
great episode, keep the guests coming!

my favorite closure–screwtop–i mean, come on, no corked bottles! This is the solution, and everyone has stop giving cheap looks when a bottle has a screwtop!

I read a wine advocate article today about a chateau palmer vertical tasting–and the 1961 palmer was corked! How would you feel if that was your $1000 bottle that you saved for near 50 years– corked?!?
December 8, 2008

Rob B.
Great episode — George seems like a great guy.
QOTD: Still a cork guy, but had a riesling with the glass enclosure, which was pretty cool.
December 8, 2008

jenni
hey gary- i noticed you haven’t done a show about frappato. i’m wondering what you think of valle dell’acate il frappato (sicily)
jen
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!
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jayhitek
QOTD: I like the screw caps. So easy!
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

Dominus
Highest score tonight for any of wines = 50 pts

Sorry about that devastating loss.
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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

Jolie Elman
LOVED this episode. George Taber is a delightful, intelligent and charming man. Thanks for bringing him on.
December 9, 2008

MikeF
QOTD: I am happy to buy wines with any type of closure, but there’s somthing about the ritual of pulling the cork that I like. Screw caps just don’t fill the bill in that area.
December 9, 2008

Kristen
Absolutely fabulous! I’ve read both of his books (using em for my Masters thesis). Good reads. To Cork or Not to Cork was really interesting!

QOTD: I like corks, screw caps, and glass enclosures. I like the romance of the cork, the facility of screw caps, and the innate coolness of glass toppers. But I absolutely detest synthetic corks. Eek. Almost always makes the wine taste bad imho.
December 9, 2008

MBannon
Fun show, very interesting!

QOD – I love the Stelvin closure. Don’t know how it will do over the long haul (i.e. wines that age 20+ years), but for everything else it’s great!
December 9, 2008

jon arnold
GREAT show, really enjoyed george.

my favorite closure is definitely the cork — they’re badges of honor. Fill up fishbowls with them, make wall art with them… great!!
December 9, 2008

hasbeen
Great guest!

QOTD: Kristen already penned it, “I like corks, screw caps, and glass enclosures. I like the romance of the cork, the facility of screw caps, and the innate coolness of glass toppers. But I absolutely detest synthetic corks.”

I have had enough bad corks now to make me more than ready to switch entirely to screw caps.
December 9, 2008

Dan-o
Good show! Interesting guest!

QOTD – I am fine with screw top closures. I have been burned a few times on corked wines. I have an extremely sensitive nose to cork taint and I can sense it immediately.
December 10, 2008

CraigG
Judgement of Paris – Great book! I read it about a year ago. Very well written.

I am a convert to screw caps for the last two years. It is the future.
December 10, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: Natural cork is still my favorite, although I like stelvin closures (screw caps), zorks, and glass stoppers. I do LOATHE the synthetic corks, especially the solid rubber/plastic ones. Terrible.
December 10, 2008

Tim Wiseman
Love this historic episode, awesome! Still waiting to see Bottle Shock, should read the mentioned books though, adding Judgement of Paris to my library list.

QOTD: There is just something classic about cork. I’m not a snob about it though, it’s about the juice inside!!
December 10, 2008

Daniel Smothergill
Gary,
Be quiet! Interrupting your guests time after time is impolite, to say nothing of just plain annoying. It’s so bothersome I left.
December 10, 2008

Keith
Screw tops all the way.
December 11, 2008

MattUD
I don’t really have a preference for taste, but screwcaps are mighty easy to open in comparison.
December 11, 2008

JayZee
Boy, if you were angry and pissed BEFORE playing the Niners, I can only imagine how you are now. But don’t worry, the Jets will make the play-offs.

As for the show, it was a very good one. I must say, Gary, that you have had a LOT of outstanding guests this year – keep up the good work. George was very interesting.

QOTD: Screw-tops! And, yes, it used to be corks. Although I still like the ceremony of popping the cork. (And, no, I do NOT like the synthetic corks – they suck!)
December 12, 2008

Gareth
This was a really great episode, I enjoyed listening to George’s stories and will probably buy bottle shock once its released. I still prefer cork to be honest but it’s a mental thing, with screw tops i subconsciously assume i’ve got a cheap wine, even though my mind (and wallet) know this isnt always the case.
December 12, 2008

Dawn
I agree with Daniel Smothergill, please stop interrupting!!! I really wanted to hear what George had to say. You also kept telling him “you knew that” or “he already told you”, NOT US! We wanted to hear! If you make one new years resolution it should be to let other people speak too. George was a wonderful guest.
As far as closures go, cork is best for so many reasons… Screwcaps are not as “green” as people like to think….
December 12, 2008

AaronB
QOTD: I used to prefer cork only, but lately I have been more accepting of screw caps, particularly with whites. For reds, I definitely prefer real cork. I really hate the plastic corks. Unfortunately one of my favorite local wineries is now using them exclusively. >:(
December 13, 2008

Ron Saikowski
Great to see both of you together after your stint at Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands. Opposites do well with George being the “perfect gentleman” and Gary with his ADHD, over expressive bundle of energy.
George’s research shows lots of passion in determining the best closure. For crisp wines intended to be drunk young, the screw cap is tops. For wines meant to age, cork seems to have the advantage with micro-oxygenation occuring via the porous cork as the wine ages. Synthetics work great also with every-day style wines.

You should have shown the closures on those two wines being tasted on an up-close basis to shown/comment on the cork closure quality.

Lastly, NASA technology has a “box to remove the cork taint (TCA)from wine
December 13, 2008

Andrew D
Cheers Gary

Interesting show

QOTD: screwtop without a doubt. I’m Australian and I often wont by wine to cellar if it’s sealed with a cork. It’s interesting that you mention the quaility of cork as I really feel the Portugese cork industry led to their own downfall by sending such rubbish quaility corks to Australia (and NZ) for so long. Diam is certainly a better than traditional corks, but from my own personal experiences and those of all the wine makers I’ve spoken to in Australia stelvin are the superior seal. The other thing I hate are those crap plastic corks, why do people bother, they are terrible and a stelvin is a much better option.

Cheers
Andrew
December 17, 2008

Ryan D
QotD: Favorite closure is probably still corks… though the most memorable wine I’ve had was an Austrian Zweigelt liter that had a poptop on it [like a beer bottle].
December 22, 2008

Russ J
Great show! Taber was able to keep up with Gary, and get his thoughts in, edgewise…..

QOTD: I just like good wine. I don’t have a favorite closure. I have had a few cork issues over the years, but very few. I have no problem with screw caps.
January 5, 2009

Eagleputt
I have read and enjoyed both wine books by the guest. Good show Gary and for crap sake, it’s Gary’s show, so if he wants to interupt his guests, it’s his perogative. The guests don’t seem to mind. If his ADD interview style is bugging you feel free to tune in to Oprah.

QoTD: Some progressive wine makers are closing their bottles with both cork and steel closures so as to be able to be see how their better wines age over time with each closure. I have no problem with steel closures for wine meant to be consumed now. Until it’s proven that wine meant to be aged will still evolve with a steel closure as it does with cork I will continue to purchase my better wine with cork.
January 8, 2009

yowens
Really cool show and a nice guy. QOTD: I;m still down with the cork even though rationally I realize it’s not the best closure for wine.
January 30, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
What a fantsastic guest to have on the show. It must have been an amazing experience to be part of the judgement. I cant imagine the feeling and atmosphere that went on. QOTD: Cork. Theres something romantic about the pop of the bottle, but I dont care what kind of closure is used if they all protect the wine and all help wines age the same way. Also, a few years ago I wasnt evening drinking wine. Now I have a pretty nice collection in the making…. Gary can take some credit for that.
April 21, 2009

Pangaea
This is one of my favorite episodes. Im half way through “Judgment of Paris” and drinking Chalone Chardonnay tonight(albeit their Monterey County line). Good stuff and mite even be my favorite non-French value white wine so far.

Just waiting for To Cork or Not To Cork to come out on paperback!