Alsatian White Wine Tasting

Alsatian White Wine Tasting – Episode #657

April 13, 2009

Gary Vaynerchuk and an enthusiastic guest taste a Pinot Blanc, a Riesling, and a Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(197) Leave a comment ›

“No offense to anyone, but this is the GARY VAYNERCHUK show, that’s wha…” by Daria Kushmelyn
“I want to hit up Alsace so badly. QOTD: Yes and Stubborn….” by yowens
View all 197 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Ostertag Pinot Blanc BarriquesAlsace Pinot Blanc
2004 Meyer Fonne Pfoeller RieslingAlsace Riesling
2005 Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Vieilles Vignes

197 Responses

Pages: [8] 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All

May 3, 2009

Daria Kushmelyn
No offense to anyone, but this is the GARY VAYNERCHUK show, that’s what it’s about as much as the wine. NO GUEST HOSTS.

Part 2 is harder. I am looking for richness in wine, I guess is a good summation. Whether white, red , sparkling, it has to have substance.
April 30, 2009

yowens
I want to hit up Alsace so badly. QOTD: Yes and Stubborn.
April 30, 2009

Sean
QOTD 1: NO, I want Gary to pull out the Flip and do a little mono podcasting!

QOTD 2: Bright and complex with a smooth finish. Drinking great now, though with every year keeps getting better and better.
April 26, 2009

thefaamakesmedrink
Gary,

Zach went all the way to France to study ‘abroad’?

Why didn’t he study EVERY broad? Especially after admitting that he “hasn’t had it in five years”?

When you head out to Hollywood, Zach, sleep your way to the top.

It worked for Bea Arthur.

Best wishes,

Betty White
April 26, 2009

Dan-o
Good show, good and knowledgeable guest.
I LOVE the Alsace region and the wines therefrom. I still have several Domaine Weinbach’s in my cellar. I had a Muscat from Ostertag over the Easter holiday.

QOTD1 – I am not sure that a guest host would work. It is GV’s show. I like guests, but not so sure about the guest host thing.

QOTD2 – He has a sharp wit, but a well balanced sense of humility.
April 22, 2009

AaronB
QOTD 1: A guest host would be fine, but only on rare occasions. The spontaneous flip cam shows are fun. Sasha and the cheese guy might be good.

QOTD 2: Sierra Foothills, 1971 vintage. A bit tannic and acidic; definitely an acquired taste. Paradoxically becoming flabbier and yet more complex and approachable with age.
April 21, 2009

AMM3RD
Good episode, enough with the guests already. Let’s get back to basics!!! I would only enjoy a guest host episode is I were the host!!! I live close and can sub at a moments notice…AMM
April 20, 2009

oscar falcón lara
Good one. I should have watched this on Monday and didn’t. I’ve never had Alsace wine, but it’s been on my ‘to drink’ list since 2007, I hope I try some soon.

QOTD part1: it would be an interesting experiment to have a guest host ( maybe even a whole roster of them to pick at random) .

QOTD part2: nose-Vibrant bouquet, earthy grassy tones with a bit of forrest berries.

taste- honeydew and malty with a touch of dragon fruit and strawberry. long finish of flowers and yams and sweet potato.
April 18, 2009

Brian
Nice effort Zach, it’s really refreshing seeing people my age in the business.

QOTD I: I’d consider Jim Cramer.

QOTD II: Lively and youthful, with a complex yet concentrated affinity, this Argentine-based has an eccentric Mediterranean appeal and a sharp finish that will leave you wanting for more. Kosher.
April 17, 2009

Mike M
Jim Rome always has guest hosts, and the thunder show is the jungle of the wine world, so a guest host sounds perfect!!!
April 17, 2009

Jayhitek
In the first couple of minutes I couldn’t figure out what that snapping sound was. Then I realized it was the guest slapping his thigh. Pretty funny.
QOTD1: Maybe. Sometimes I like the break from having to catch up with Gary and it takes 2 1/2 hours to watch all the shows.
QOTD2: I taste yummy. And I would have to taste a little like bacon, who doesn’t love bacon.
April 17, 2009

Daniel Schlossberg
Gary: can u recomend me some of “said” wine books….
April 17, 2009

Thomas (aka FVT or FVTer)
Hey Gary,

Good episode I was especially pleased as my family origins is Alsace (I even had a distant cousin who owned a winery there).

Just thought that I would add some insight/thoughts on your tasting.
The Gewurzt Vieilles Vignes :- it’s normal that the wine is more syrupy than a standard Gewurzt. The Vieilles Vignes adds more distinction and sugar to the grapes and a good Gewurzt it is natural for the colour to be deep and liquorish. But on another note, you were spot on about drinking Gewurzt with the aperitif or desserts that is the common way of drinking it for an Alsatian. A really good Gewurzt vieilles vignes or vendages tardives is typically served with a nice foie gras!

Finally, a couple of my favorite suggestions for buying Alsace wine with a good quality/price breakdown:
- LA CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE PFAFFENHEIM GUEBERSCHWIHR http://www.pfaffenheim.com
- Domaine Reiflé http://www.riefle.com
April 17, 2009

JeffT
Nice choice of wines and a good guest host.

QOTD 1: Nah.
QOTD 2: White. Sour, not fruity.
April 17, 2009

Megan
Wow, finally got around to watching this (playing catch up on the past few episodes) and without a doubt it’s one of your best shows ever, Gary. Zach is a superb guest who I want to see again… Which brings us to:

QOTD-1: Yes — but only if it’s Zach. I read the comments before watching and thought “No way, no guest host, only Gary!” but after watching I gotta say that Zach would make a mighty fine stand-in. (You’re still the best though, G.V.)

QOTD-2: Aromatic nose to this golden white suggests a sweet play, however on the palate it expresses itself with pronounced notes of spice — baking spices — with a medium-heavy mouthfeel and good acidity & minerality on the back end.
April 16, 2009

innA
I went to Alsace recently – amazing the quality you can get in the white wines for the price. Ridiculous QPR.

QOTD 1 – Definitely not.. the show’s success is because of the host. You can’t have ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’ with someone else

QOTD 2 – Started poopy, developing nicely, good until 2065+
April 16, 2009

Benj
QOTD 1: I don’t think a guest host is a good idea. There have been so many guests on recently anyway that I find myself appreciating more and more the shows where Gary just sits down with a couple wines.

QOTD 2: A tropical rainforest from top to bottom. The greenness of the canopy is joined by tropical scented woods and forest fruits that fall to the floor to join wild mushrooms and a warm, fertile soil. The first vintage from a great producer, this has stood the test of time. 5 years ago, it was coming across a little awkward, had definitely shut down after its initial youthful exuberance. However, over the past couple years it has really started to come into its own again. Can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve for the next 10-20 years and should remain at its peak for some time beyond that.
April 16, 2009

thunderball
Very, very cool guest…wise beyond his years he was! Not sure if I’d be into guest hosts while you’re away but who knows, depends who it is I guess. I also enjoy your on the fly, low-budget flipcam feeds too though…

Tasting note for myself eh…hmmm…I’ll have to give that one some thought.
April 15, 2009

Jim in Atlanta
I vote not to have guest hosts, except in unusual circumstances. Let them get their own shows. The second question is much too hard after a hard day at work and two glasses of bordeaux. I might be able to answer it by the weekend.
April 15, 2009

Sonia
Liked this guest, cool guy, but I’m not voting for guest hosts while Gary’s away, it just wouldn’t be the same. (Although I think Sasha would kick a**, talking about anything)

QOTD2: Bright acidity with a hint of sweetness, full bodied, a little off balance with a lingering finish.
April 15, 2009

ArtInsightTV
Boy O-boy .. Boy-o-boy! Gary are you hinting to us that your baby is a boy?
April 15, 2009

GolfTurtle
Once again, I really liked this guest. I liked his non-cocky confidence, I liked his sticking by his stance on things, and just generally seemed like a really nice guy. Great QOTD too…I suppose follow my link to get a feel for me. Loved it guys, keep crushing it!
-GolfTurtle Out-
April 15, 2009

Ken
Good show. I love Alsace but still prefer German Riesling.

QOD#1 – No guest hosts unless they are well established as an importer, vintner,…. (BTW, if he hasn’t been on the show already I’d like to see Kermit Lynch. I loved the show with Jorge Ordonez awhile back as well as the the show with Santiago Achával)

QOD#2 – Sensibly dry and witfully subtle. I can burn you if you are not careful but at the same time you’ll be glad that I did because it will make your day.
April 15, 2009

Chris Bartow
QOTD1: I like Gary on the road episodes, so I would rather see those then a guest host.

QOTD2: Brutally Dry.
April 15, 2009

Dick M
QOTD1: Get your own show…………NO GUEST HOSTS
QOTD2: Gay