An Aussie wine tasting with a visiting Aussie Chef

An Aussie wine tasting with a visiting Aussie Chef – Episode #616

February 2, 2009

Chef Benjamin Christie and Gary Vaynerchuk taste 3 Australian wines that are widely available.

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Comments on this episode(207) Leave a comment ›

“If you like the D’arenberg Hermit Crab, you should try their “Dry Dam …” by Gavin
“I think you’re right on point, Gary. The bin 407 is also ridiculously…” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 D’arenberg The Hermit CrabAustralian White Meritage
2006 Kooyong Massale Pinot NoirAustralian Pinot Noir
2005 Penfolds Cab/shiraz Bin 389Australian Red Meritage

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

Benjamin Christie . com

207 Responses

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February 3, 2009

Dr. Dan
I like oak as an adjunct, or condiment, to the grapes, but not as a blanket that masks so much that the wine could say about its place and fruit. So, I’m with you, Gary.

QOTD: Anything by Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River.
February 3, 2009

Chris M
Gary…been away for a while…way too busy for watching (shame on me!). Love the Aussie juice…..living in Singapore puts me on their doorstep, so get down there often to bring some home…lol. QOTD: Anything from Henschke rocks……my personal favourite being the Keyneton Estate Euphonium….awesome.
February 3, 2009

wayno da wino
Yo G & B, FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN Episode !!!

qotd: Loooooovz Aussie Vino, One of me Favorite Shirazs was the
Kilikanoon Parable 2004….YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMM !!!!!
February 3, 2009

joe trdinich
Rosemount GSM
February 3, 2009

Rick D
Hey Benjamin, thanks for droppin’ by the show, I enjoyed your input.

QOTD: Strong Arm Shiraz, love the different labels.
February 3, 2009

Chris Braun
Not sure I have a single favorite, but lately I’ve really liked the Pillar Box Red. I also particularly like Grenaches from Australia.
February 3, 2009

Mario
QOTD: For the price? Yellow Tail Chard. 6 bucks at the local grocer!

http://discoveryellowtail.com/#/wine/chardonnay/
February 3, 2009

Weston
qotd: Dont have a favourite from Australian nothing has made me go wow but I guess I don’t drnik enough Aussie.
February 3, 2009

Lawrence Leichtman
The Dead Arm is my all time favorite and one of my favorite wines period.
February 3, 2009

Hondo
QOTD: The Dead Arm.
Others I really like include Tait’s Ball Buster, The Black Chook Shiraz/Viognier, Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz, and The Winner’s Tank Shiraz.

Liked this show and this guest a lot Gary.
February 3, 2009

ev
Don’t like the Aussie oak? Go for St. Henri done in huge, very old oak.
February 3, 2009

rowland
ah snap, I forgot Mullberry!
February 3, 2009

rowland
haha finally a guest who knows how to handle you gary! he talks over your interuptions, pours the wine, drinks when he wants lol.

yea just like grapes, their are blue plums, yellow plums, and red plums. Also there are both European and Asian varietals. Im getting ready to bottle two different varieties of plum wine, the yellow Shiro plum, and the red Elephant Heart, both Japanese varieties. Youll have to come to the Hudson Valley and eat some F*in plums bro! You need to back up all that smack talk on how important experiencing fruit and do a series of eppisodes where you go to a farm, pick some fruit, and eat it, maybe even pair it with wines where that smell is dominant so we can try it too. so you got strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, Black Raspberries (including the japanese wine berry), blueberries, black currants, red currants, gooseberries (you russian how can you not love them?), cherries, apricots, plums, nectarines, peaches, mellons, grapes (duh), pears and apples … and thats just the 10 miles around my house.
February 3, 2009

ex-lurkdawg
qotd: probably John Duval’s Plexus. I’ve had two vintages now and they both have been outstanding. I also think Dead Arm is quite impressive, but I prefer Duval’s wines because I think they are priced more reasonably. I just read Harry’s comment and was reminded of that Betts and Scholl Grenache. I guess I can’t choose one favorite.

Thanks, guys, for the great show.
February 3, 2009

Dayton
I’m addicted to the Amon Ra Shiraz. I could mainline that stuff and let it fuel my body. Yum.
February 3, 2009

BlueFrank
Really great Gary!! I’ve been watching for about a week, just discovered you on the web. – love your passion, love your energy, love your sense of discovery. I’m hooked.
My fiance fell while ice skating two years ago and lost her sense of smell/taste. I’ve been using wine to help her regain these senses (and for my enjoyment, too, of course!) She’s made great progress. She’s a huge distinguisher of flavor now. We have discovered that white wines as a group really have a greater range of flavors between the various varietals than the red.
I am looking for a dry, still wine made from or primarily with the Malvasia grape (not Madiera). Could you do a show on Italian or Spanish whites inclusive of this varietal? Your fan, the BlueFrank
February 3, 2009

Cameron W
QOTD – Pirramimma Petit Verdot. Also really like the Penfolds 407 and 389.
February 3, 2009

SeattleGodot
QotD – I wish i remembered the name better, but I think it was called Haan, Barrossa (Bordeaux Blend, maybe ‘03)….. I’m a sommelier here in seattle and at a table of big show off wine snobs that brought in other wines like ‘01 Quilceda Creek and ‘97 Chateau Montelena this was really the star at the table, and I also thought maybe the guy who brought this in was feeling that his wine showed the least, but on a trip to the WC I let him know I thought his was the star over the others…..

Thanks Gary, great show…..
February 3, 2009

Dan
1992 Henschke Mt. Edlestone is by far the very best Australian wine I have ever tasted.
February 3, 2009

Murso
QotD – Spinifex Esprit. Great, rich blend, moderate price.

Clarendon Hills Grenache – soft fruit, HUGE balls, as you might say.

Jim Barry Mcrae Wood. Dense shz fruit, AND earth elements.

In a world where I could afford them, Yalumba Octavius, and Jim Barry THE Armaugh.
February 3, 2009

Brian Harris
Time to stop lurking and comment…Great guest, Gary! I’m in total agreement with the Bin 389…over the top, and wonderful with a big steak! Coats your mouth like a bite of milk choclate.

QOTD: Believe it or not, my current favorite Aussie wine is the $20 2005 Marquis Philips Sarah’s Blend. It’s one of the few wines that I specifically remember when and where I had it first.
February 3, 2009

DF
QOTD: Have not had Australian for a long time.

Nice show. Educational and looked like you guys were having fun.
February 3, 2009

Harry
Great show. I’d have to go with Betts & Scholl O.G. Grenache, but I’m biased as Richard Betts rocked my wine world a few years back.
February 3, 2009

Eugene
QOTD: Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. Very much overoaked, but I didnt care. Hedonism in a bottle. I really do prefer old world wines but damn that is some tasty juice.
February 3, 2009

Chalz
Great guest, first time I’ve seen a guest pour your wine GV, liked it. You moved the bottles so far away he could not pour anymore.

QOTD Elderton “Command”