Hotel Wine Search in San Diego

Hotel Wine Search in San Diego – Episode #664

April 23, 2009

Gary Vaynerchuk continues his quest to find great wines at a hotel. Today he finds a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon and see’s how they stack up.

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Comments on this episode(201) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: I’ve never had a hotel meal…” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
“I gotta say i agree with you on root 1, its an incredible value at the…” by B BURG JON
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Coppola Diamond Merlot
2007 Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon

201 Responses

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September 25, 2009

ulu ulu ulu ulu
QOTD: I’ve never had a hotel meal
May 26, 2009

B BURG JON
I gotta say i agree with you on root 1, its an incredible value at the price point. Paired with a cheddar cheese tonite only got better. But for 8.99 hard not to think its decent. I actually had a 16.99 cab tonite from cali that I thought was not as good as that root 1 cab
May 16, 2009

Dan-o
Cool episode – been there, done that on the hotel room wine scene.
QOTD – Probably the best restaurant that I have been to that was tied to a hotel was Dieter Mueller (I think that is the name), which is actually a French restaurant located outside of Cologne, Germany.
I also used to love the restaurant at the Sheraton Charles de Gaulle Airport. Lastly, the Grands Monarque in Chartres, France.
May 14, 2009

Derren Whiteman
I’ll come back to the QOTD after my vacation in June. Should be a great time and I’ll finally see Paris!
May 6, 2009

my2cents
Well I like the hotel shows, they are a nice counter balance to the longer shows and the episodes with guests. ( Can’t wait to see the interview / tasting with Mondavi!
Just came back from a week in Cabo San Lucas but chose not to do all inclusive food and drinks so didn’t get any wine in the room. Plus it’s Mexico and cold beer is a better bet than hot wine, eew! That’s one reason I couldn’t do the thunder cruise, which I am finding as I catch up on episodes was a total winner of a ride. I will be seriously considering next year’s cruise unless it conflicts with a plan to travel down under.

And as for the conditions in a hotel room, I have heard that due to the regular cleanings they are actually much cleaner than your own home.(except maybe the top bed spread) So poo poo to you un-employed mom, with nothing else better to do but spread paranoia. I will say this though, because I am a certified “Master Textile Cleaner” with 14 years of personal experience cleaning carpet and upholstery, I usually keep my shoes on or wear sandals when I am in a hotel room because I notice when the carpet is past due for cleaning.

Well on to catch up on the next episode. Great work Gary!
May 6, 2009

yowens
Gary- Someone wrote in and criticized the Hotel room shows; you read his comment yesterday. I have to say, I love them! As a frequent traveler I often am consuming hotel room wines and I like your take on them. Thank you. QOTD: Room Service Breakfast at the Grand Wailea
May 3, 2009

The Unemployed Mom
Wow, loved the show! I am a fan of the W Hotels, but I must admit Gary…I was a bit taken back because you DID NOT wash out your glasses prior to using. Hotels are FILTHY, I actually did a blog post about bed bugs which included a Good Morning American segment about how disgusting hotels really are! I guarantee you will change the way you travel after reading my blog and seeing the video. I welcome your comments after viewing.

QOTD: My best meal ever was at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando, Florida (great food and EXCELLENT wine). Second best would be at the W Times Square in New York (they have the BEST sushi ever)!!!

I love your show! You rock!!!

Jessica
The Unemployed Mom
May 3, 2009

Brian Kirby
Another great show. For some reason, I love the flip video segments as much as the other shows. Plus I’m a big fan of W Hotels:-)

QOTD: The Resort at Singer Island. The Reef Grill. Fabulous wine and food.
May 3, 2009

Robin C
QOTD: Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe. I’ve never actually stayed there, but the lunches and dinners are usually great.
April 30, 2009

Little Jonny H
The flipcam was all over the place, but I doubt I would be able to do any better…

Neat show, I like the dedication (especially early in the AM like this)!!!

QOTD: Never had one that was head and heel above the rest (I.O.W. never one that comes to mind)
April 30, 2009

Nick
Glad to hear you liked the Root:1! I actually picked up a bottle a couple months ago (for $10, FYI) and have been meaning to try it. It seems like an interesting concept: apparently the Root name comes from the fact that they used a root has been unable to bear fruit in the Old World since like the 1400’s (something like that, I don’t remember exactly what the bottle says… it’s all on the label) due to an insect plague of some sort and planted it in Chile, where those aphids don’t exist, bringing back that Cab grape from almost 600 years ago. I’ll definitely have to try it sometime soon, since it sounds like there are some interesting flavors going on!
April 29, 2009

Jerrick Lim
Best meal ever: Straits Kitchen in Singapore. Amazing buffet with great variety and really fresh really great Asian food. Even Anthony Bourdain was impressed
April 29, 2009

Chris in Lyon
Gary your wine hamper idea would be spot on in hotel rooms – it won’t be long before they start appearing now!

Best hotel food? Nothing can beat coming home after a good day on the pistes and tucking into tea and french cakes in mountain chalets in the Alpes.

Re that WineSmash link, so funny to see the competition! It’s obviously way behind, but at least he’s getting involved. It ain’t easy (for most people)to churn out enteraining reviews every day! But as I said, wayyy behind!
April 28, 2009

Nate Hill
Hotel food – every year I visit the Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA, and every time I have an awesome meal at Tuscany! With all of the restaurants in the Coachella Valley of Palm Springs, I never feel like I am missing anything by staying on property and enjoying Tuscany. The service is spot on, the space is airy and warm, and the food is phenominal. Great wine choices, and after dinner spirits are fun at the small bar with a bartender who is serious about you having a good time.

There’s my hotel input.

Oh, P.S.: I was in Aruba at the Marriott resort there, and they had a Tuscany also – same wonderful service, and comparable food…Marriott resorts do their restaurants right.
April 28, 2009

Tom Ral
Root:1 is my favorite, especially in that price range. Good review – love the show. How about being a little less bouncy with the camera…I think i’m going to be sick
April 28, 2009

JJ
Did you sleep well? Looking a bit tired! Fun quick show.

QOTD: We had great meals at the Intercontinental in Bora Bora- Lobster Fricasee- I didn’t know what the frick a fricasee was!
April 28, 2009

Andrew D
Thanks Gary

QOTD: I’m not a big fan of going to restaurants in hotel; I actually tend not to out of principle. Favourite to meals though would be breakfast at the Renaissance Shanghai and the dinner buffet the Shangri-la Qingdao, both excellent

Cheers
Andrew
April 28, 2009

YoungDave
QOTD: Best? It always tastes better when it’s included in the price of the room, so I gotta go with the breakfast buffet at the “Black Diamond” (I think) in Maine, near Sunday River (ski destination) when I had the best Bourbon Beans I’ve ever tasted that REALLY started the day off right before spending quite a few hours on the trails. Breakfast of champions.
April 28, 2009

rowland
qotd; Belgium, 1996, YHA youth hostle, homemade ham sandwiches on crusty rolls with butter.
April 27, 2009

elmattador
Been a big fan of Root 1 for a few years now. Glad to see the hotels stocking it.
April 27, 2009

Pete G
Great call on the Root 1 (although I almost spit in my sink when I
heard you say 32 bones for an $9 retail bottle). I’ve had it a number of
times and it always pleases. Great wine to bring to a party with a bunch
of wine “newbies”.

QOTD: The sunday brunch at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan. Beautiful
but quaint dining room and not over the top price wise (mimosas
as well).
April 27, 2009

Bruce Schaller
Hey, love the show! I’m learning a lot about wines, can’t wait to get a job so I can afford to try with more than just my eyes.

While you have made a great resource to learn about specific wines, what would you suggest to read about wine? Wine spec only goes so far…

Thanks!

It’s amazing to see the difference between the old and new episodes! You look like a punk kid in ep. 1!!
April 27, 2009

Frank
Gary, I’m sorry, but this is really… bad video.
You should apply the same standards that are apparent at your store and your life as you do in
producing videos.
April 27, 2009

Steve
Gary looked like the King of the Nerds at the NFL Draft. For someone who thinks they know so much about football, I wonder if Gary has ever even played the game.
April 27, 2009

Christine
QOTD: Best hotel meal was pepper-crusted ostrich medallions in the Europa Restaurant at Villa Royale in Palm Springs, CA. The hubby and I have been back in subsequent years, but this item hasn’t been on the menu again when we were visiting. Bummer! The other selections are good, too, but this one stood out.