A Smorgasbord Wine Tasting

A Smorgasbord Wine Tasting – Episode #677

May 15, 2009

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes 4 wines that have nothing to do with each other.

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Comments on this episode(197) Leave a comment ›

“Gary,

Thanks for showing a new side of Pinotage (vs. the usual nega…” by Michael Elkin
“hi gary, i think it is good how you keep retail separate from show con…” by chukhead-ted
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Dr. Frank Konstantin Pinot GrisNew York Other White
2006 Antinori Bolgheri VermentinoOther Tuscan White Wine
2007 Shoofly Chook Raffle ChardonnayAustralian Chardonnay
2006 Kanonkop PinotageSouth African Pinotage

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

The “Crush It!” announcement page

197 Responses

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May 18, 2009

Gibb Brown
Enjoyed the pace alot,i would love to see more shows like this. QOTD, I think pitches would be bad. To be honest i think the show is too pitchy now, espicially when you have guests on. I know you want to help young entrepeneaurs , but i think you water down your own product by pitching. Just my two cents.
May 18, 2009

Karen
Hey Gary V.–Great to see you back in the saddle at WLTV headquarters! You are a traveling machine, though, so thanks for the shows from the road–although sometimes the camera shaking does tend to make me queasy.

About the special codes and free shipping–the psychology behind it is funny. As soon as you are showing that you are giving something, people will give TWICE as much in return! It drives me to the site (even when I can’t afford it) because I think to myself, G.V. is going the extra mile to make his fans feel special–the least I can do is buy 2 or 3 bottles to say thanks. From a business standpoint, I have no idea how much this sets you back (or how much you make for that matter). Thanks for thinking of the fans as much as you do!
May 18, 2009

stewart l
ENJOYED THE PACE OF THE SHOW- THAT’S THE TYPE OF SHOW i LIKE. aGREE WITH OTHERS, iF YOU found an interesting varietal with agood score, thae consider free shipping of it.
May 18, 2009

Paul Marganski
QOTD: My initial thought is to say “No! Don’t sell out!”. But, this IS America and free markets drive our prosperity. So, I say go for it! Or, at least test it out and see what reaction you get. I say you go the “overly obvious” route to make it a bit funny/amusing, like some SitComs have with product placement in their episodes (e.g. 30 Rock).
May 18, 2009

Antony
I’m an old school vayniac who, maybe for the last six months, has fallen out of my wine lib’ routine of watching an ep’ over breakfast. Possibly just too busy but I have caught up with most stuff through the archive when the schedule allows. Maybe also, being old school, I like it best when it’s just you in the thunder saddle doing your thing like only you can. I loved the Janics ep’, I loved the first mini-bar ep’ but today I just watched the show over breakfast and it was like the old days. I cannot believe you have done so many episodes now. Anyway QOTD – no. Your instinct was right to separate the sales pitch from the content. We know that the secret packs and so on must boost sales and you’ll plug this that and the next but it is a fine balance. It would be like whenthe Pink Panther suddenly acquired canned laughter. Love and respect, a.
May 18, 2009

Helge Hagener
Hey Gary,
I really like the pace. Keep that! And thanks for including pinotage again. The Kanonkop is still THE classic pinotage from South Africa. One of my favourite. Suggestion for one of the next shows: try “Silvaner” from Germany. That will be the next great thing after Riesling. Promised!
Cheers from Germany,
Helge
May 17, 2009

pawncop
Another good show with good information. I did enjoy the faster pace, you cut to the chase and gave us the breakdown. Good job.

QOTD – I agree with that expressed full disclosure and it is an occasional event, I think it is a good idea.
May 17, 2009

festriaqua
would love to see some free shipping codes for wl.com, will Definitely make me want to place more orders
May 17, 2009

Sarah
Can you get Willamette Valley wines, there? I think you should invite someone from Oregon and have them pick up a few bottles, on their way out there – http://www.wvv.com/.

I love when you do a variety of wines – not all white or all red. Makes for interesting watching, BUT I also love to hear about the differences between different reds or whites, and realize that there are actually differences between them! You’ve expanded my palette simply through viewing! Thanks!
May 17, 2009

AUSSIE_SAMMY_S
Hi Gary Nice SHow ..AGAIN!!!!

In reference to the Shoofly Chook Raffle Chardonnay, you mentioned that it had a white meat/chicken character about it…Well in aussie slang ‘Chook’ actually means chicken – so there maybe a connection with the label and it contents???

QOTD…Do what ever tickles your fancy!!! I’m not bothered either way. I’m all the way in australia continuing to what your brilliant WLTV content
May 17, 2009

RJaeger
QOTD: DO NOT put promotional material on the video. Like you said, there is a fine line that you should not cross before the videos are seemingly promotional. Maybe a promotional code on the homepage, but not through the videos. I, like many others, seek the advice and knowledge of the videos, not the retail side of Wine Library.
May 17, 2009

bluna
QOTD – no just send love letters once in awhile : )

By the way I think the plant you were trying to remember was a pansy because that seems like a more common plant a child would bring to their mom.
May 17, 2009

yowens
We’ve got a bottle of the that pinotage somewhere that I’m stoked to try. QOTD: Totally. Having watched almost EVERY episode of WLTV, I never doubt your objectivity in scoring. Free shipping would just be a way to score a couple bottles of the vino we love (ship to RI, please!).
May 17, 2009

Jeff R
Gary -
I didn’t mind the mixed bag of wines … sometimes it’s neat. Good to split up the everyday type of episodes (i.e. Cal. pinots or Burgundy).

QTD – I think it’s fine if you throw out an incentive every now and then (i.e. free shipping code). Your rewarding your viewer and I feel not pushing any product. Now if you had a wine for say $18 and you throw out “This wine is now $14″, I could see people not liking it and saying you are sales pitching on the show.

QTD #2 – I have no problem with the pace of the show. If you have a lot to say and the show goes longer, fine. If you breeze through the wines and the show ends earlier than usual, that’s fine too.

Indecisive in C’town.
Congrats to your brother graduating.
May 17, 2009

Dominus
Congrats on your graduation and Happy Birthday to Andrew W from Western Maryland!
May 17, 2009

Dominus
“La-La-La,” now these episodes are my favorite! Many references hit me along the way. “Peace, hippies” yes those were the most exciting years of my life. I loved the pace. Keep it up. And the Pinotage. Well, I’ve experienced SA Pinotage from 10 yrs ago and it was absolute garbage but now, I can’t wait to try it. Plus, a good Vermentino? Hallelujah!

QOTD: Yes, by all means. We hardcore Vayniacs know you keep the retail and WLTV separate as does Robert Parker which makes the two of you icons in your field but my suggestion would be to have a show maybe once a month where you provide Free Shipping. The title would be “Free Shipping Episode #1″ so any dweeb or lurker who came across the link would know beforehand what the show is all about. I’m there, so yes, let’s do it.

P.S. How about a shoutout to Jess Jackson who’s filly Rachel Alexandra kicked some major boy butt this weekend and review one of his premiere wines other than his famous chardonnay?

Peace My Brother and congrats to yours AJ on graduating from Boston College!!!!!
May 17, 2009

Phil G
I feel like there are so many different types of Italian White wines and so many of them fly under the radar even though they often kill it. I think a big Italian White taste off would be a great show: 8 – 10 numbered brown bags in a blind battle royal. Nice.

QOTD – I would love special offers for WLTV viewers, and have appreciated them in the past. However, I do agree that it could get close to the line that you don’t want to cross (you don’t want to come off like Crazy Eddy – “You gotta buy these wines with this free shipping codes… it’s gonna be INSANE”). Maybe you could have people opt-in to a special WLTV promotions email list, and do something in there a few times a year…
May 17, 2009

Zino
Nice One. You nailed the Kanonkop and the Vermentino. I think Kanonkop are one SA’s best producers, the ‘Paul Sauer’ is also very good and sometimes outstanding. I’ve just got back from Sardinia and tried many Vermentinos. They didn’t blow me away but were consistently good, often having a floral nose, grapefruit flavour, a pure minerality in the centre, greatly judged acidity and a lemony finish. The reds from the south were even better, more structured and complex. The consistency of Sardinian wines through several regions, varietals and vintages really surprised me. Could go on more about them, but I won’t bore you. You should do an episode on Sardinian wines?

QOTD: Yes, free wines and shipping to all viewers in the UK on a regular basis.
May 17, 2009

Jeff Smith
Great Job Gary. Loved the pace of this show and love the fact you got 4 wines in there.

QOTD: It would be great for a coupon code once in a while. However being from MI I could only order non wine items.
May 17, 2009

AprilTwoCats
Gary I thought you were channeling Robin Williams on this show, talking even faster than normal, jumps of logic, unrolling one sleeve but not the other, then rolling it up again. Are you sleeping enough? It’s fun to watch someone that excited about life.

Nice to see a reasonably priced Antinori wine.

QOTD: I’m lucky, I live within driving distance of the store, so free shipping doesn’t matter to me. On the other hand, it’s nice to reward your long time fans with something besides an occasional wrist band.
May 17, 2009

Matteo Fagin
I’m a huge fan of Vermentino from Sardenia and have not had any from other regions of Italy. Gary, would you say this Antinori wine has less minerality or more than Vermentino from Sardenia. How would you compare it in general to Vermentino di Gallura?
May 17, 2009

BlueFrank
Nice pace. Keeping the criticism and the sales distinct, underlines an integrity, that once crossed may be hard to re-achieve. U have an agressive email sales effort already. The NJ store is a joy to visit with an impressive wine collection and staff. The percieved independance of the TV program adds weight to your comments. Thanks for asking.
May 17, 2009

Mike Berg
Gary- Your integrity is your most valuable asset. That said, it’s been a while since you did a 3 pack or 4 pack tasting. If you did those every 3 months or so and gave a deal on shipping- I think it would maintain your independence and expand pallets around the country. I live in Guam, 7942 miles away, but if I was in the States (and when I return), I would (will) totally be into it.

Cheers,
Mike
May 17, 2009

paryb
Gary I understand the folks who don’t want the show to become pitchmen or something…but a couple thougths on that, this long into the show, I for one trust you…I am convinced that you are after sharing knowledge first and foremost on WLTV, and that if you started giving overstock wines 90+ just to sell them, the vaynernation are full of strong enough palletes that we’d call ya out anyway! I remember a ways back you had a little Ustream talk on a little wine(I think it was 40-50% Petite Verdot, I wish I membered the name), just because you thought it was so awesome…I really really dug that. I also love free shipping codes, if you offered one every once in a while it wouldn’t make me think “Gary wants to sell some wine” it would make me think “Wow Gary really wants us to try this wine” I mean you say, “go out and find this!” all the time, but if you threw in soemthing like that I’d think, Ok this warrants more attention.

Sorry for the Tolstoy!
May 17, 2009

RichE
QOTD #2
Loved the fast pace and more wines the merrier.

QOTD#1
You should offer free shipping.
It’s another way of helping people expand their PAL.
Perhaps when you do a taping on just 1 or 2 wine varietals and you encourage Vaniacs to go out and try one. That would be a good time to offer free shipping of any wine you carry, or perhaps can get, but limited to the varietal grape from the specific show.
Therefore you are being VERY TRUR to your message and additionally helping people in these difficult times to experience and expand their PAL,

If you had offered free shipping on a Pinotage today I would have ordered 1 or more.

Riche
Upstate, NY