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

By: Pangaea

Pangaea — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:32:45 +0000

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!

By: Dessert Wine Nerd

Dessert Wine Nerd — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:54:40 +0000

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.

By: yowens

yowens — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:03:44 +0000

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.

By: Eagleputt

Eagleputt — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:14:41 +0000

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.

By: Russ J

Russ J — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:23:47 +0000

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.

By: Ryan D

Ryan D — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:00:09 +0000

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].

By: Andrew D

Andrew D — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:09:50 +0000

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

By: Ron Saikowski

Ron Saikowski — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:04:58 +0000

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

By: AaronB

AaronB — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:02:02 +0000

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. >:(

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:35:48 +0000

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….