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 12, 2009

Combsy
great show gary, I think it can be done in a few years. the problem is the $8 is not going to be worth much soon…it will be like making a wine for 2 bucks. however, I don’t doubt with a renewed interest in wine amongst the young americans we could get some agriculture/engineering geeks to figure out better ways of making wine for cheaper.
January 12, 2009

Carlitos
Good episode! Gary remembered his lesson and started behaving nicely letting Hendrik talk. But then went back to his “Vaynerways” and tried forcing him on the temperature “issue” and the soap and Hendrik as a polite guest let him do. Bad Gary!

BTW, I think your argument of drinking wines at room temperature to “be able to get all the nuances and flaws” is “flawed”. If I told you that you should have “fridge cold” lobster bisque or “room temperature” ice cream to be able to get all the nuances and flaws would you always have it that way??? I understand those are extreme cases and that it makes it easier for you to get more flavors and aromas and come up with outrageous similes and comparisons, but I would argue that wine has to be drunk at a temperature that brings maximum enjoyment and not maximum “flaws”. IMHO.

QOTD. You can make it and sell it at the winery for that much. But it’s very difficult for consumers in the US to get it. Wineries in the US have too high plus they charge at the winery MRSP for it instead of giving a break. Plus they have managed to convince us the consumers that it’s too expensive to produce quality wines, vineyard management, low yields… They have us in blind folds. So that category is out. And for imported wines you have the three tier system with three middlemen and transportation making money. In Europe you go to the wineries and wine is sold at the same price a distributor would get. You can fine very good wine at that price. Maybe not memorable or hipercomplex but absolutely honest, with terroir and typicity. And yes, some of them even sell in a long lasting bag-in-a-box or (o mon dieu!) in bulk!
January 12, 2009

Carsten Laade from Hamburg
Jolly good – wine entertainment at its best!!! Such a drive – faboulous – Boths guys reminds me to a great Pianoplayer,called Glen Gould, who was also very special in his expression and his kind of playing piano – These guys are showing in a perfect way how we should talk about wine : relaxing but full of passion- loughing but seriously- respectfull!!
We need more of of these discussions!!
Iam as well a gread admirer of elderly Riesling vintages , espescially from Germany (Mittel Mosel) and I tell you something – drink riesling vintages 1993/94 or 2001 from great producers, esp. from the MittelMosel (Reinhold Haart or Markus Molitor – Heymann Löwenstein) and your wine heart makes a jumping jack flasch!!

QOTD: Of course there are a lot of wines under 8$ but the questions should be:
How much worth is a bottle of wine for you ? It is not the point that we couldn´t afford a bottle of 10$ or more!
To enjoy a fine bottle of wine is much more than drinking Alcohol, it is also the respect for the producer who works hard in his vineyard to get a individuel quality.
Wines should taste after the area it comes from (Ursprung or Heimat) they should stay individuell like a fingerprint.
Of course if you drink wine every day you will come soon to the point that a
15$ or 20$ wine is to expensive for dailly pleasure? But if you will enjoy it just 3-4times a week Iam asking seriously: What the hell are 50$ a week for having really fun!! Often we spend our money for nonsens!! Why shouldn`t we spend money for good taste??
January 12, 2009

Pete G
Think you set the bar alittle high for the start of ‘09. What a Great
guest. No wonder they are giving him his own TV show – he’s the German GV.
Shlitfa Shruma!

QOTD: Good, drinklable? Yes. Great? Nyet.

PS – Hendrik should definetely be a guest to bring back on a regular basis
January 12, 2009

Lord Nouda
Hey, I’m from Hamburg! Excellent show. Gary, make sure to visit Hendrik on your next Europe trip and get him onto the Thunder Cruise.

qotd: I think a good wine for 8 bucks and under can happen only with luck. Planning it would just lead to exploiting workers. And honestly: producing a good wine, i.e. non industrialized production, takes a lot of time, knowledge and man hours of hard work. And consumers should appreciate that by paying for it.
January 12, 2009

CaptainOats
Gary, can you wish my friend Chris a belated happy birthday. His birthday was on the 10th of Jan and I forgot to request the shout out. I introduced him to you a few months back and he now loves your show. Thanks!
January 12, 2009

marty6001 (Phil)
Gary, I have to say its great to see you interacting with the other professionals in the world, but the show is SOOOO much better when its you and the wine. One can tell that this is what your bred to do, taste wine and enlighten your fans!!!
January 11, 2009

Murso
Hendrik uber alles!!! Vielen Danke mein freund. Spent a good deal of time in Hamburg as our base while my band toured Europe for 3 months, many years ago and stayed with friends at Langdunsbrucken and Altona. Your city is most awesome, but mein Deutsch is schlimmer und schlekt.

QotD – Yes!!! great wines are, as I noted in earlier episodes, available well under $10, from people such as Jorge Ordonez (Luzon/Verde, and numerous others). In Germany ,we can get good/vg (at least) wines from Rudi Weist, and numerous bereich wines,such as Wm Bergmann and guys of that nature. The Lurtons do cheap/vg on several continents, by now. but great from North America requires the discovery of small scale, and very talented blenders of inexpensively purchased juice, like Peralta, for example, off the top of my head… And easier manged varietals, as in some aspects of Sauv. Blanc’s versatile characheristics play to economically manipulated advantages. Ugni Blanc and Petite Manseng in France can do the same. But thse all yeild good/vg,…maybe not quite great. Prost!!!
January 11, 2009

Wyld
Cool Show, fun to get the international feel.

QOTD: $8-12 is my price range, so i would say no, its hard to find good ones in that range, anytime i go under, they have been so-so to bad.

You can get Columbia Crest Two Vines for under $8, and when you hit them right, they drink very well, but i find their window very short. Really good… not sure about that.
January 11, 2009

digitaldean
One word that I have to label this episode.
Ausgezeichnet!

Listening to a Master Sommelier who comes across as a fantastically down to earth guy.

Great episode, liked the end video with The Great Escape theme!

QOTD: Yes, it’s possible. But for one to find it on their own would be VERY difficult. This is where a wine group or sites like Cork’d or WL forums comes in VERY handy.
January 11, 2009

Cam's mom
LOVED the show today. I agree, Hendrik would make a terrific co-host! Love his personality and charm.

QOTD: I don’t know anything about making wine, but I know a wonderful bottle for around $10. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier blend. I really cannot say enough about this bottle (LINK IT UP VAYNERCHUK)!! I just purchased a case (and it will not be my last).

Keep up the great work. You’ll be hard pressed to beat this show!
January 11, 2009

Brian
Best episode yet! Hendrik rocked it! Best guest on the show yet! Keep up the great work!
January 11, 2009

tennsomm
great show, amazing interaction with hendrik and good info as far as discerning palettes and “judging” wine more shows like this wouold round one the extremely informative ones

QOTD: under 8$ not so sure…right at 10$ absolutely, i honestly think after import taxes and greed and retail markups it just isnt going to happen, straight from the winery, or in the same town there is a good possiblity.
but also to ensure that the pickers and vineyard workers get a fair wage is another reason to look at price, in areas like south america and south africa fair labor practices are noty always high on entreprenuers lists of to do!
the absolute best deal i have found to date is Bodegas Castano HERCULA monastell Yecla Spain @ $9.99 (at a 10% case discount it brings the bottle cost to 8.99!!)
January 11, 2009

Norm O'Genski
Even though I have been in the wine retail business for several years and co-wrote a handbook on wine, I find you show refreshing, interesting and your honesty to stating that they are your opinions is to be respected.
I would like to hear more terms on structure and balance, not just the “components” used to describe. It would take me to a higher level of wine speak as well as anyone else that is abit up from the beginner level. Keep it up! Gary for President!!!!
January 11, 2009

Jordan C
Went on a rant last time and didn’t say how great the show was. Great guest and you guys just worked together. Keep em coming my friend. By the way did you happen to my birds take care of your NY counterparts? haha Thanks
January 11, 2009

A dumb Rhine king
Wow Gary. That was one of your top (top top top top) episodes!! Granted I haven’t seen them all … yet. You are definitely getting better at letting the guest do some talking

I love how energetic and charismatic Hendrik is. He seems like an awesome guy to sit down and share a meal with. Definitely have him back.

I’ve only been to Deutschland once for some great Bavarian ale. Next time I’m there I will have to check out their wine industry.

QOTD: Easy way to make wine for under €5 or $8 – grow the grapes and make it at your home if you can. Even something that would be scored a 60 by a critic will taste like a 95+ point wine to you. It’s all about the experience.

The tacked on video was flippin hilarious!! Fantastic job Jon!!
January 11, 2009

Pete
WHO LIKES SOCCER?
Apparently the whole planet, since it is the most popular Sport on Earth, second is Cricket and Third is Rugby.
For those who doutb Cricket, here is a simple calculation, most popular sport in, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, Carrabean, add those numbers up, pally! Cheers!
January 11, 2009

Roberto Nr.3
Hi Gary,

good show!

Who likes soccer —-> the “german national wine soccer team”

More information? Contact us!
January 11, 2009

Matt R
a) AMAZING video…. Great stuff

b) It’s barely two weeks into January and “Link it up, Vaynerchuk” may just have to be the quote of 2009.

c) QOTD – Not only can a wine be made for >5 euro, it’s happening. I saw episode 545 and the strong recommendation on the ‘07 Steenberg Sauv Blanc ($7), swung by WL on my way to Newark airport, and got a couple bottles. I served it with my signature catfish baked in banana leaves with a wine/butter/lemon/garlic sauce to some friends with very expensive tastes. Unprompted, they complemented me on the wine, said it was paired perfectly, and a superb wine in it’s own right. They asked me how much it cost, I told them $18, and they agreed I got a bargain. I laughed. Next time in Jersey, I went back to the store and bought the last four bottles WL had in stock.
January 11, 2009

Andrew D
Hey Gary and Hendrik

Awesome show guys. I really enjoye the honest discussion and Hendrik’s general enthusiasm.

QOTD: Maybe … Gary V always talks about the context under which you drink wine and I’m sure a us$8 bottle of wine drunk on a beach in Greece could be ‘great’, but take it out of that context and I’m sure it wont have the same appeal. US$8 is about Aus$10 and I struggle to tink of wine sold in Australia that I could describe as great. Maybe something like Yellow Tail and Jacobs Creek gets recognition for being important, but not great. I don’t think it’s impossible and I’d look to Portugal, eastern Europe, China and maybe the Middle East for poterntial ‘great’ wines at the price. I don’t know…

Andrew
January 11, 2009

Chas
That was easily the most enjoyable episode of wine library I have ever watched. You two have a great dynamic reviewing the wines side by side.

QOTD: Like others have said I believe there are good wines coming out of South America that are 8$ and under.
January 11, 2009

Jay
Please bring Hendrik back! Best WLTV guest BY FAR. This guy brings the passion that Gary V has created this shown around. Not only that, but was unafraid to challenge Gary on a few points helping to reinforce the concept that each palette is different.

I think a lot of people will agree with me, he’d be a great monthly guest.
January 11, 2009

Noellems
I heart Hendrik! Having a guest who holds up their end of the conversation so well makes for terrific viewing.

QOTD: I agree with the other posts–very good wine is possible under 8 “bones,” but maybe mostly due to unfortunate circumstances in other countries and currency fluctuations. I will pay a bit more for quality; quality in both the wine as well as the working conditions and fair wages for those who produced it.
January 10, 2009

Jess
My favorite episode ever! I freakin love Hendrik! His passion and good natured humor are awesome. You guys are really good together. Thanks for a great episode. QOTD: I believe! I haven’t had one yet, but I think it’s possible. Especially in these times, when people are looking for value.
January 10, 2009

Dan-o
Good show and really interesting guest!
gotta love aged Rieslings!

QOTD – NFW!