A Master Sommelier From Germany Stops By To Talk Wine

A Master Sommelier From Germany Stops By To Talk Wine – Episode #605

January 7, 2009

Master Sommelier Hendrik Thoma from Germany stops by and chats wine, german wine and shows us his great personality.

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Comments on this episode(423) Leave a comment ›

“I missed the favorite song question at the end there. ,…” by Bob78
“Terrific episode. Great guest, great Bulava video tacked on at the en…” by Daria Kushmelyn
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Wines tasted in this episode:

1992 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Spatlese RieslingGerman Riesling
2007 Cartagena GewurtztraminerOther Chilean White Wine
2006 Becker Pinot NoirOther German Varieties
2006 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling AusleseGerman Riesling

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

If you want to contact Hendrik

423 Responses

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January 9, 2009

wayno da wino
WHOOOOOOOOOA, FAAAANTAAAASTIC Episode!!!! Hendrik was a Blast!!!

qotd: Of course, but people, by nature being the Greed Mongers that
they are, will pry as much money out of you as they can…..
January 9, 2009

Jayhitek
QOTD: Ask Gary.. He charged me $37 for the Vayniac Cab.. Where is that by the way.
January 9, 2009

JigglyJock
Great guest! I really enjoyed his knowledge and different palate perspective.

QOTD: I hope it is possible to make a great wine for cheap, but I would imagine the winery would not make much money. I guess you could make your own wine for around that price.
January 9, 2009

SteveW-Colorado
When a person selects a wine it’s best to choose a wine that is strong enough to stand up to the foods you’ll be eating it with.

Similarly, it’s best to choose a guest who can stand up to the host of the show. Hendrik did just that. He didn’t cater or pander to GV, but rather he complimented him. They work well together – a good pairing.
January 9, 2009

dafo
This is probably one of my favorite episodes. Hendrik is awesome! He really should co-host with you now and then.

QOTD: Yes, but not easy by any means. Gary, you need to do an $8 show.
January 9, 2009

pivu
QOD – as I stated everwhere else: great wine for < 8 bucks – not possible, however you should be able to find a really good and honest wine for this value. This might be not the biggest “experience”, but it’s definitely more than just “effect” as Hendrik stated in Germany a couple of weeks ago.
January 9, 2009

Eric S.
Great guest, you should try to get more master sommelier’s on the show. I like the idea of getting this guy to come back more often. I enjoyed his comments when he reviewed each wine, kind of reminded me of a guy announcing a golf match in that quiet voice around the green when they are about to putt, it was pretty funny. As for question of the day, as for my favorite wine under or around $8 is definitely Smoking Loon.
January 9, 2009

Mats Fröling
This was a great show! One of the best.
January 9, 2009

Zeek27
Great guest – Great Show – Great Fun….

Liked the discussion regarding correct temperatures for drinking – continues to be a big discussion at our house….
January 9, 2009

vinosseur
Hello Gary!

I love it when you have guests! Hendrik was great and started the show with one of my favorite wine makers in Germany, Geltz Zilliken! Great to see you taste an older vintage from Zilliken which I think is a bargain at that price!

QOTD: There are more and more wines showing up on the shelves at the lower price range that impress me. I usually select small wine makers who are really just farmers to find the great value. Usually these wines are unoaked (which saves money) and unfiltered.

Thanks Gary and Hendrik
January 9, 2009

Gio
QOTD: I don’t think it’s possible without taking a loss. The process and attention to detail of making a “great” wine is too costly.

I adore (but my girl does more) German wines. Hendrik was an excellent guest. I suggest more guests that are Master Sommeliers. Another great episode… Mott in the end was CLASSIC!
January 9, 2009

Valentin
Hi Hendrik, a big shout-out from Zurich, Switzerland. QOD: No it is not possible to make a great wine at this price point but a “honest” good wine that you enjoy with your everyday’s meal. Sometimes you can really make bargains that are out of the roof. The winemaking has be taken to a point of perfection that still keeps me being astouned.
January 9, 2009

Sonia
LOVED it! Gary, you are freaking rock, Hendrik kicks a**! You definitely need to have him on again. I think this is my FAVORITE episode so far!!!! (I only just discovered The Thunder Show about a month ago, though I’ve been catching up on early episodes… I’m up to episode 140) JonB’s video was great! Thanks Gary, Mott, Hendrik and JonB for such a great episode!!!

I would really like to say that a great $8 wine is possible… but I don’t know, I’m not gonna hold my breath.
January 9, 2009

Wes
This is my first comment! This was terrific. I think Gary was right, Hendrik should be a guest once a month. Maybe he could do some cooking, also! I liked the wide variety of wines. As to the QOTD, I’ve had some very good sub-$8 bottles. They don’t appear often, but when they do it’s fun! Cheers!
January 9, 2009

Gerry V
What a couple of wine snobs!

I’m joking of course. Hands down, this one was the Thunder.

Wonderful guest,

Youz guyz must come from the same vine. Gary, you seemed slightly calmer paced at the beginning (only the beginning). Hendrik was boisterous and animated as you always are. It was obvious you were not only having fun but really taking it in. You both are very talented energetic, high octane guys with a lot of knowledge and experience and it delivered well. I give the show a 98. I had to watch it twice. Would love to try the dessert wine.

Otro, Otro,

Jon Bulava, nicely done, you Nailed it!

QOTD: I got to believe so. The way I’m spending money on wine now, I’m only going to be able to afford an 8 boned bottle of wine when I retire. I’d really like it to be a good one.

Salud
January 9, 2009

rimarfish
Great show. Great Guest.
QOTD: I think is possible, but not great, just a solid good wine.
January 9, 2009

Chris F.
Well I have to say that was a great episode.Hendrik was damn funny and obviously knows his wine.Gary pulling the Cartagena Gewurztraminer out of nowhere was great,Chile really has some great wines,the Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my favs and the terroirs in their wines is fantastic.

As far as making a great wine for under 8 bucks I agree with alot of the other posters,alot of the pricing is in packaging.But mostly it has a lot to do with the growing season and the availability of good grapes.The charles shaw 2 buck chuck is a good example.California’s overabundance of grapes in the 90s,and vineyards planting vine after vine with little demand and a huge supply of good-quality low-cost grapes very inexpensive wines were being produced.I have personally had several wines from all over the world that cost under 8 dollars that were great,the problem is most of them weren’t consistently good from year to year and most of them were not cellarable.
January 9, 2009

Matt
This was BY FAR my favorite host. Loved him. Love you Gary. As for the question of the day…I think too many people nowadays are so worried about making a KILLING, not a living. Almost everything you buy is completely overpriced for what it is, even in wine. I truly believe you can make a good wine for 8 bucks.

And yes…I like to play soccer. However watching is pretty damn boring.
January 9, 2009

Devin M.
Wow Hendrik rocks. The guy is one of the few people you’ve had on that could keep up with your energy. Looks like you’ll have to get rid of the Irish Spring and switch to Zest though. QOTD: I don’t know, maintaining vines is not cheap.
January 9, 2009

Adam B
Awesome episode. I like the cohosting idea!

QOTD: I like what someone else said, it’s possible, but it probably wouldn’t be sold for $8. I’ve had good wines for $8, but never a great wine at that price.
January 9, 2009

ron souza
Episode #605, w/trailer, I score a 97!!!! Great show.
Can you make a great wine for eight bones? Yes!!!!! If your a home wine maker in California.
Keep up the strong work.
January 9, 2009

Justin L. Ove
That show ruled!

QOTD: Under 8 bucks? It’s possible, but very unlikely. Anyone making good wine is going to sell it for as much as they can. Very few producers sell for less than what they know they can get per bottle.

Link It UP Vaynerchuk!
January 9, 2009

Kent
Oops, forgot something.

QOTD: I HOPE!
January 9, 2009

Kent
Germans are awesome. I went to Düsseldorf as an exchange student about 4 years ago. I had loads of fun. I didn’t have any German wine but I certainly tasted quite a bit of beer. When I was there I fell in love with Hefeweizen (Germans call it Hefeweissbier) and Dunkel, beers I never even knew existed before then. Gary asked Hendrik about how young Germans look at wine, I think I can touch on that. When I was there it seemed the kids my age in Germany didn’t have any interest in their wine at all. But then again, young people in every country are that way.

Gary, you should do another “Beer Library” episode and taste some German beers with a guy like Herr Thoma.
January 9, 2009

Alex M
One of the best ever! And awesome video at the end… Mott should start throwing the corks back.

qotd: it is possible, but when it happens, everyone will buy/drink so much that they will tire of it quickly…