The Sake Education Show – Part 1

The Sake Education Show – Part 1 – Episode #693

June 23, 2009

Beau Timken from True Sake visits the Thunder Show to teach Gary Vaynerchuk about Sake, a category he adores.

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Comments on this episode(138) Leave a comment ›

“Good learning and stuff……” by yowens
“Excellent show so far…………….” by Dan-o
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Wines tasted in this episode:

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

138 Responses

June 23, 2009

Sumit
Nice to be 1st for once.
June 23, 2009

DasNOOB
Sake sake sake ! I love this stuff.
June 23, 2009

looper
# 3 best Ive every done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 23, 2009

M'em
I can’t wait
For you to rate
Hard workin’ sake cause I don’t hate
It’s just not my fate
Startin’ clean slate
693: on my birth date.
June 23, 2009

Richard from A2
I think this episode is about to open up a new world for me. I am a little giddy…
June 23, 2009

Kell Brigan
Great. Another hobby. I’ve been meaning to head out to the Sake Brewery in Folsom, CA and plein air their gardens. Now I have another reason…

Re. Tea Library TV. Yes, please! I came to wine via tea — they reenforce each other beautifully. (I still play with the idea of becoming a professional tea taster.) Many of the principles of terroir, blending, food combining are similar. And, the people are great & snooty in similar proportions. (Similar proportions of legitimate tradition and mythological blarney, too.) We’re only just now starting to explore food and tea combinations (beyond crumpets). And, as with wine, it’s a great way to explore the world from your armchair.

Also, a cuppa is a great thing to have about an hour after the wine and an hour before driving home. That might even be a good show idea — pairing wines and teas and foods so they support each other, i.e. a dry rose with the entree, and a osmanthus green with dessert?
June 23, 2009

Chalz
what’s up with being the first to watch, I was one but after watching the whole video I dropped to 4. Ah who cares.

Ggreat guest, wish he had a store in NJ
June 23, 2009

ChrisNY2
Very interesting, informative, exciting episode! Looking forward to part deux.
June 23, 2009

Dr T in NC
GV’s comment: I had one sake many years ago which was supposed to be excellent — meh.
June 23, 2009

Rob Vrabel
Never really heard much about Sake, but I’m excited to try it out next time I get a chance!
June 23, 2009

RANDI
GARY!!
Love Sake
June 23, 2009

Zube
SAKI!!! Oh many a fun night over Sushi and Saki! They still warm it up for us Yankees, but I think it’s probably supposed to be drank cold now.
June 23, 2009

Don
I LOVE SAKI BOMBS!!!! Time to watch
June 23, 2009

jason carey
Gary , you gotta stop stepping so hard on your guests. I want to hear more from this guest.. but you keep interrupting their thoughts. Please.. let your guest speak for themselves when they are so interesting.
June 23, 2009

Zube
sorry, I meant sakE…. don’t know why I always spell it with an “I”?!?!? May have something to do with drinking all of that SAKI (I mean SAKE)
June 23, 2009

Pittsburgh Alex
Who’s For Sake Bombs?
June 23, 2009

Kell Brigan
P. S. The “Taste Match” concept has legs, and potential application for all sorts of beverages and maybe even foods. Copyright that dang thing if it ain’t already!

P.P.S. I shall not comment on the “erection” grading system other than to advise that it probably would not work with women customers, since we would feel too compelled to cut older wines a substantial amount of slack. What they lack in punch, they make up for in subtle nuance.
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
Sake and beer are second class citizens for me – not that I do not love them but you can make identical product month in and month out-Not bashing the products at all just how I view them- Always love these different episodes

Wine is much more involved and on a different level-

Dear Journal,

I would like iJustine to come to my room at night for 3 minutes of heated passion
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
Yo GV- why the buttoned up shirt- Makes your head look like a PEZ dispenser
June 23, 2009

manonthemoon
Sake: Not so much
Tea Library: Yes
Wine ratings: Are overrated, but a vital part of the system as when compairing wines when you are familar with the rater and their palate, IMO.
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
Gary is Oprah and I am Stedman
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
They do not apreciate it because ot is not a premium product-
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
I am eating the worst blueberries ever
June 23, 2009

castello
My bottle is standing straight up waiting for part 2. Good guest, we feel the passion.
#20 or so! yippie
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
I love this twitter app!
June 23, 2009

KAHUNA
Ok- This guys has to go- Did he just compare Pizza to Sake- I think he bashed pizza! BASTARD SF COMMIE TREE HUGGING SON OF BITCH SOCIALIST!!!!!

NEVER BASH THE PIZZA-lol!
June 23, 2009

Matt Theophilos
FANTASTIC episode today Gary. Can’t wait for part 2
June 23, 2009

Kevin K
Good stuff. Looking forward to part 2. I have had some great “American” Sake from Sake One.
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
what is a hardcore vayniac?
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
Pat must be bored …
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
sorry GV, not a big fan of sake.
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
that was a long second GV …
June 23, 2009

Jay Campbell
Great to see some informative chat on sake, but I have to harp on something he read out of his journal. In the part where he was talking about comparing sake “x” to the word (flinty), the wine (burgundy) and the beer (ALE!!!).

Unacceptable. Just minutes earlier he was praising brewers for all of their hard work and then he goes and makes a comment like that. Ale cannot be lumped into one category, saying if you like ale, you’ll like this certain sake. It’s ridiculous. Throwing British Bitters, American Pale Ale, Scotch ale, Impy stouts, LAMBIC, etc. into the same flavor profile is nuts.

Cool dude so far, that one thing just really bothered me. Got a little heated but still looking forward to part 2.
June 23, 2009

Royce
GV I am PUMPED that you put out a sake show! I have been trying to get into sake and this show is a great primer for it. Keep tossing out the different drinks – loved the absinthe show, and here’s hoping you do a tea show some day.
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
now he’s a frickin’ matchmaker …
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
nothing fake about our boy Gary …
June 23, 2009

Neil
GV – I agree with Jason, you’re starting to talk over your guests again.
June 23, 2009

NY Pete
interesting … will be watching tomorrow.
June 23, 2009

Bobbie Smith
I have never had a great sake. Definitely could use some education and looking forward to the tasting tomorrow. Way better guest than that German kid, although nobody can beat your dad.
June 23, 2009

Dan
A sake show would be good. I’d like to know the best sake for sake bombs. Actually whats the best pairing of sake + beer for that sport.
June 23, 2009

guymandude
great show,more about the sake in part 2 I hope
June 23, 2009

Monica in Texas
I agree with other posters–you’re so excited about sake, you’re not really giving the guy a chance to finish his sentences before you ask another question. He’s got some pretty interesting stuff to say.

Super cool idea for a show. I’m definitely going to start checking out sake now. Thanks for introducing us to new things!
June 23, 2009

SteveF
Gary, there no reason you can’t go 40mins on episode like this one. Don’t make us wait a day for part two!!!!
June 23, 2009

Kris
Dude, I’m a little feisty today. If you’re going to have a guest, at least move the bottles so they are not blocking his head when he talks. And quit interrupting. I’ve watched the video for almost 6 minutes and have learned nothing yet about sake. A 23 min. video is too long. Stay on topic. Quit talking about tea.
June 23, 2009

omaha
Seeing the contrast of East and West coasts in your personalities is very telling, stereotypical even.

re: Tea Library.
If you have the chance to go to the Chinese gardens in Portland, Oregon then I strongly recommend a visit, if not it as a location to film. Aside from the garden and surrounding structures, a traditional tea-house was also constructed on the grounds in the middle of the city. This place boarders on holy ground for me and I do not consider myself to be religious.

To Royce: Episode 355 also covers sake, just Gary and some Bacardi Limone beach-tini glasses.
June 23, 2009

BobbyTiger
I tried Sake once.
Am looking forward to tomorrows show to find a reason for a second try.
June 23, 2009

Murso
Hmmm – Timken….Ohio…..of a fabled Canton Family, perchance?

It was while with Hough Catering in the early 1980’s, at a Timken Family Wedding which I was exposed to one of my first haut cuisine/wine experiences, which would lead to years in fine dining, and ultimately, more years in the wonderful world of wine distribution and retailing.

Years ago, with Mr. Tony Marchetti leading a tasting of about 25 sakes was where I’d learned the basic ropes of sake. It was very enlightening, overwhelmingly voluminous in info, and hands down, to this day, one of the most difficult tastings I’d ever undertaken. But the rewards have been instrumental to my growth, and enjoyment of sake.
June 23, 2009

alt
A great episode on a great beverage. I’d love to see him again on your show. But this time give him a chance to talk, you can clearly see he’s flustered by not getting to finish his sentences..
June 23, 2009

rickrickrick
I had one sake in my life that did in fact taste like harsh hot vodka with a little funk. it was awful. i’m so curious now to find out about the world of good sake that i never knew about. Great show, looking forward to the next ep
June 23, 2009

CreightonE
Seemed like a really interesting guy. I do however disagree with is lack of numerical ratings or positioning. I understand the fitting people with the best one for them, but eventually you have to have a subjective rating of the quality by a taster/expert
June 23, 2009

Slushpuppy
Don’t mockey yo Sake. Do you have tastings at your shop in S.F.
Smell it first. TR
June 23, 2009

Cflo
Cool!….I requested this months ago!
June 23, 2009

John Farrin
Isee the critics are out again. God help us that the greats of the internet world have nothing better to do than critique your interviewing skills
June 23, 2009

Slushpuppy
Your website ordering is difficult to navigate. Is it only ‘business’ oriented? What are the shipping charges for your $20 two bottle special?
TR
June 23, 2009

Phil M'Glassup
Hey I love you man but a word to the wise.
You must tighten the pace when you have a guest.
The shows tend to run overlong and the amount of info doesn’t always justify the time spent watching when half the show is chit-chat.
I started today’s show and waited. Answered an e-mail, then waited. Went to pee and still there was no actual info being presented about the subject at hand.
So ten minutes in, I bailed. . . .and I won’t be back tomorrow.
Once again, love you, love your show, love the store. Am a big fan and a bigger customer.
But if you have guests, speed things up or try this.
Dare I say it? Editing. That’s what it’s for.
June 23, 2009

Couves
Some great info here – the sake guru looks like Alton Brown.
June 23, 2009

Dominus
Airing it on Tuesday, not Monday. No, he looks like a nerd but a nice guy. Yeah, I think you’ve “heard” of wine retail on the internet.

I’m not into Sucky, I mean Sake but yes, I’d love to see you get into tea. That would be tremendous especially the entire ritual of preparing and enjoying tea in Japan. But back to show, very informative and educational and maybe, maybe one day I would buy a bottle of sucky just to relate to this episode.

Yes, I haven’t had one sake period let alone one good one.

Looking forward to Part II though will pick it up on Thursday since I’ll be at the Nats/Bosox game tomorrow.
June 23, 2009

Jay
For what it’s worth, and only to these failing ears, the sound quality on this new camera/set up isn’t what the old one was.
June 23, 2009

Dennis Nestor
OH-IO! I love my state so many cool people from here…

Oddly enough I was given my first Sake for Father Day.
Even though I Eat Sushi alot I never wanted Sake because my perception was it was going to be like straight Vodka.

But on the other hand I drank beer everytime with Sushi except when working then I drink water only.

Popped open the Sake “Drink” tonight – Zipang Sparkling Sake by Gekkeikan.
I think it is more like the Zima of Sake. But it is Not bad at all.

Don’t know if it was just in my head but it taste like sparkling melons.
June 23, 2009

ex-lurkdawg
I like this guest and enjoyed the episode very much. That being said, I would have enjoyed the episode more if you guys had tasted at least one sake. Maybe, Gary, you could try to work the educational and biographical portions in a little more between the tasting. I look forward to the second part.
June 23, 2009

Utah Brett
TEA INFO:

If you’re looking for a great book to learn about tea try the following book: “The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide” ISBN: 1-58008-745-0

It includes steeping times, has pictures of the tea in a white cup after it has been steeped to show color, and is an all around fantastic book.

I too am a huge fan of tea and like Dong Ding Oolongs, Lapsang Souchang, and much more. Oh, an interesting tea is Pu-Erh, it can be aged like wine.

If you’re looking for great tea deals, check ebay. There are plenty of stores that ship directly from China for a low price.

Good luck on your tea adventure, and I would love for you to do a tea library tv and perhaps in the future sell tea online!

Even though you probably won’t read this.
June 23, 2009

sam
Interesting!

I must say, I’ve had but 2 Sakes in my whole lifetime: 27yrs.

Once at a restaurant, served warm. It was awesome! It went well with the food and I was on a date, which probably helped me enjoy it more.

The second Sake was a more “generic” brand, widely available, called
Hakutsuru sake. I don’t remember it being that great.

Hopefully we’ll learn more about Sake in the second part of this episode.

Thanks!
June 23, 2009

Kell Brigan
(Personally, I love the chit chat.)

Mr. Timken is way cuter than that Brown guy (who brings disturbing amounts of egotism and misanthropy to the table, IMHO. Check out some of the prejudiced, radical rants on his blog. Anyway, back to happier topics…)

I think the winner of the cutie award has to be the camera-shy visitor (Matthias?) from Germany in #689. Heck, yeah, wine makers are sexy!
June 23, 2009

A dumb Rhine king
Awesome. I like the house sake I get at Mt. Fuji and I’m totally down for getting some knowledge so I can broaden my horizons. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s ep.
June 23, 2009

Jay
The new camera seems to create a video that is slightly more pixelated/artifacted than the old one. Perhaps the video encoding settings need to be tweaked to take better advantage of the new hardware?

Very interesting episode and I really look forward to part 2. It sounded like this fellow had knowledge to share to fill 3 parts, but Gary did interrupt him quite a bit.

Looking forward to the tastings.
June 23, 2009

Terence Fox
I have had a decent sake, Junmai-shu, but am no expert. The bottle had a nice graphic showing what percentage of sake produced was each level of polish. Definitely going to try more. Sake’s comparison to vodka is a favorable one for me, because it makes me think of sweet vodka that is not distilled as much as normal vodka or cut with water, because it preserves the taste of the potato the same way a sake brings the rice flavors.
June 23, 2009

ExViTermini
Love this guy. Already have his website bookmarked. Love how you guys are playing off of each other and I’ve been dying for a sake episode. I think a weekly spirit show or tea show would be amazing. Branch out and Crush it Gary!
June 23, 2009

Big D
I’m a big fan of sake. I disagree with your guest about ratings. Ratings are absolutely necessary in any consumption experience whether it is buying a car or buying wine (or sake). It is impossible for anyone to experience in depth everything there is to consume and thus become an expert on everything. I don’t have the time to dedicate nor the connections to experience wine as does Gary (Parker, Wine Spectator et al). It is my job as a consumer to seek out experts, find which ones whose ratings I can trust,or most closely match my tastes, and use their advice to make the best purchasing decision I can. Relying on tasting notes would be fine except that it is nearly impossible to compare tasting notes and come up with a real feel for the quality level of the product.Two sakes that have very similar tasting notes don’t give enough information to choose between them in my experience, especially if you are short on time. I also don’t agree 100% with the questionnaire method of determining what someone would like. I like good bold red wines and good mellow red wines but I don’t like poor examples of either. I like ales, stouts, ambers, pilsners etc. but not low quality examples of any of these. Trying to pigeonhole what I would like in sake based on these examples can’t be done. In fact, I enjoy bold sakes and light, ethereal sakes too.

I did enjoy the episode because it brought out so many areas that are worthy of discussion and because I am always willing to learn about good sake from an expert just as I enjoy learning about good wines from Gary.
June 23, 2009

Jason S.
Very cool – can’t wait for pt. 2
June 23, 2009

rio
Oprah? come on man keep it low key and humble – IMO u lost some cool points for that!
June 23, 2009

oscar falcon lara
Great idea to make a Sake show. I’ve only tasted two kids, a Suntory imported one and another called Nagaragawa and as far as I remember, I like it a lot.
June 23, 2009

Pat B
Gary,

Great show. Apologies for free-riding for so long, I finally realized that I needed to COMMENT. I really enjoyed the questions and thought Beau had a great story to tell.

So much of why WLTV is awesome is that it reminds us of our first “wine epiphanies” and reminds us that the world is big and there are more adventures to be had.
June 23, 2009

Bfrankphoto
Love sake. Just had some last night with some awesome sushi.
June 23, 2009

Matt perrella
I got into sake a few years ago, there’s a few japanese markets around my area that has a small selection of sakes to try, but nothing like what your guest has. i’ll be out his way next month and plan on checking his shop out.

Cheers!
June 23, 2009

bt86
Is it me or is the resolution lower than normal? Is it the camera or is viddler lowering the quality of the video? Agreed, love the chit chat, the interaction makes it fun to watch.
June 23, 2009

pacw808
I think I’m too afraid I’ll try bad sake that I won’t try any of it. And isn’t it really hip to go for the cold sake now? Or is there still a place for the warm version. Too confused to give it a try I guess.
June 23, 2009

aquaman
My wife loves sake. And the shabu shabu resturant we go to, the owner loves sake too and he has alot of different sake, from (wholesale) $20-$200 bottles. And each bottle we try was so different from each other. If you ever in CA, chino hills. You can try it, he has a wall full of all the sake he try.
June 23, 2009

M
I’m enjoying the interview so far. There was some criticism but I’m happy with it so far. I’ll be back for the tasting. Ciao.
June 23, 2009

Zac Weiss
VERY excited about this show. I’ve once tasted a very good sake (or was it only very expensive)… two bottles of it actually, and it completed one of the best meals of my life. So smooth, sweet in a way only sake can be… I’m very much looking forward to finding out about the good stuff.
June 23, 2009

DAveA
Good show,amazing even with his energy, you over talked him. haha. It is YOUR show, though. haha.
Good guest. My he is very easy to listen to!!! I must study sake, wax on, wax off… I can do this!
June 23, 2009

Gus Clemens
Better camera, better sound, better show even if you never got into the sake. Loud shout out for crush it video production values. You are a national force now, produce like it. Amateur video should be in the rear view mirror of Wine Library TV’s image.
June 23, 2009

Don
Gary — I see your business gears churning for this untapped Sake opportunity in the US…

GREAT GUEST!!! He really seems to know his stuff and I’m looking forward to continue the learning experience in Part 2.
June 23, 2009

*/^_^\*
i was hesitant about a 2-part episode on sake with a guest, but you and beau came through with the thunder (and edu-ma-cation).

looking forward to part II……
June 23, 2009

urbwes
I’m intrigued. Go on.
June 24, 2009

Michelle Moye
What a great guest! Looking forward to Part 2…I went to a high-end sake tasting in Seattle last March and was blown away by how different each brewer’s product was, and all the different flavor profiles as well. Most of those are not available for purchase in the U.S., so I am looking forward to learning more so that I can get out an buy some.
June 24, 2009

Ryan
Nice episode!
June 24, 2009

Phil G
Ok, I will try to learn some more about Sake. But I had one this one time and hated it – so that means I will certainly hate all of them until the end of time…
June 24, 2009

Kittysafe
This is just one of those episodes I wish Gary would shut up a second and let the guest talk. Part 1 was all Gary ego. Disappointing, and it was easy to see the guest was a bit taken back by it as well.
June 24, 2009

Stephen
Great guest. Love the education.
June 24, 2009

pawncop
This was a great episode with a really great guest that is fun to listen to and watch.

Have not had much Sake, except in Japanese restruants but will be watching tomorrow to see what is available.
June 24, 2009

Diego
Doesn’t this guy look a lot like Jim Carrey?
June 24, 2009

benricosan
I love the guest’s retail store True Sake in SF everything I’ve had has been excellent, extremely helpful staff and a great place to browse. I would imagine the website has a similar selection.

I got into sake before I got into wine, and pretty much due to this guys store.
June 24, 2009

Thomas_S
I belong to the 95% of the people which haven´t a good sake yet. Perhaps I´m not a beer drinker. The show was very interesting for me. Many informations about sake and I´m look forward to the second part of the show.
Hope to learn more about sake and getting tipps to avoid bad sakes in the future.
June 24, 2009

castello
Ratings are as bad as they are good. We need a new rating system and his is at least an atempt at a better way. mmmmsushi.
June 24, 2009

J Crazy
Ah shiiiiizzz yeah, we done killed this one right hyeah, boy!!

MAD shout out to Beau, GV, and Matt for making this all happen.

This was an awesome episode with great education, boat loads of passion and good chemistry. I really hope this will help spur more interest in good+ brews from Japan in America and abrod and when you need any sake from Japan let’s put our heads together and make it happen!

Really looking forward to the second part!!!
June 24, 2009

michael
Beau is the sake geezer! I have called him from London a couple of times for sake recommendations….his advice always leads to great sake adventures.
June 24, 2009

Shawn_944
GARY! THIS ONE ROCKED MY SOCKS, YOUR GUEST IS GREAT!! I was really just excited when i saw the show was on Sake however the show blew my expectations away! I am super pumped to see part 2 and get out and try more Sake!
June 24, 2009

Medo
Pink Floyd said :We don’t need no education? He’s right – I need to get into Sake, even it’s pretty hard to get some good ones in Germany! Looking forward to part 2 tomorrow! This guest already rocks!
June 24, 2009

Beverly
Great show! Really like this guy! Can’t wait to hear about the sakes you taste. Thanks.
June 24, 2009

Vyking
The another sakai show and still no mead episode. hmmph
June 24, 2009

Ryan D
I just checked out the website and I LOVED the way you can choose your tastes and preferences and it can narrow down the sake selection for you. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gary V steals the idea and tries to implement something similar at winelibrary.com.

Kudos. Unfortunately no online shipping from retailers here in Tennessee, but maybe I can try some.
June 24, 2009

Christopher Scoggin
Awesome show! I love how you keep mixing it up.

Tea Fridays FTW! Lets learn it together!
June 24, 2009

JasonA
Wasnt sure at first if I would find this show as interesting as the ones about wine, but I really liked it. Looking forward to part II as you guys get to tasting some.

Jason
June 24, 2009

looper
Cant wait to see you guys taste this sake. This guy is awesome, and sake social is a great website. I have been reading since yesterday.
June 24, 2009

NY Pete
what is going on?
June 24, 2009

NY Pete
hey Diego … Beau looks like a very young Willem Dafoe imho …
June 24, 2009

benricosan
2 for 20 deal on the home page is a steal and a half…

Although I am disconcerted that the bottle sizes are nowhere to be found, even on the checkout page. Obviously this needs fixing.
June 24, 2009

Lawrence Leichtman
Good web site though for those of us who already drink a lot of Sake, it is a little too much. Just show me inventory. My local Sushi bar has weekly tastings with a small sashimi plate for $15 so I have tried a lot. Interestingly, almost none of the Sakes that he has are on the inventory list. My favorite of late has been Ginban.
June 24, 2009

Lawrence Leichtman
Just discovered he does not ship to my state so this decreases my interest in the web site.
June 24, 2009

Richard Arblaster
Great episode, looking forward to the second part, the video from the new camera looks great. I like the new camera angle as well.
June 24, 2009

BurroBoy
GV great to see you fired up about the Sake again….I had just re-watched episode #355 recently so the timing is great. Beau is doing a great thing in trying to spread the word and the knowledge…if I ever make it to San Fran I’m there.
Can’t tell you how many people I’ve met that had been turned off by rot gut cheap Japanese steak house sake, and how few were willing to give something better a try. I don’t drink it nearly as much as I would like to since I find that the better stuff can price prohibitive. Back around 1991 a magnum of something basic and nice like BiShoNen went for about $18 down in Boston, now it is in the $65 range and they are like that pretty much across the board. So it is more of a special occasion thing, out for Japanese food, or at the dojo when the party starts.
June 24, 2009

PrimoVino
Ah, the one that got away… Half French and half Italian goddess – she’s about 1000 miles south of me in L.A. now. Sigh.

I’m digging this guys enthusiasm- now give me part 2!
June 24, 2009

David Dadekian
That was fantastic. Great guest, great opportunity for him to speak. Great passion! Thanks.
June 24, 2009

Harp
You opened my eyes to Sake.
I always pass the Sake booths at wine tastings.
Not going to happen again.

Thanks for doing what you do.
Harp
June 24, 2009

Karl Laczko
Great topic, great guest…BUT FOR GODS SAKE, why did you keep interrupting him? Halfway through I was almost screaming at the screen for you to let him finish a sentence without cutting him off.

I hope part 2 lets him speak more.
June 24, 2009

Pauli
Meh, still not interested in Sake. Maybe I have only ever tried crap Sake, but I’m drinking beer with sushi and wine with everything else. Life is too short to spend it drinking fermented rice. Heck, I only get a couple of wine drinking nights per week — I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste one of them drinking friggin’ Sake.
June 24, 2009

PJ Rose
Great guest he obviously had alot of interesting things to say about saki but you never gave him the OPPORTUNITY to complete what he was saying!
June 24, 2009

Adam Teece
This is awesome. I want to like sake so much, even have a book about it but I haven’t found one that I like yet. Maybe I don’t know how to taste it properly? I love the sake selector though. Will definitely be trying some soon.
June 24, 2009

Phredd
Sorry, you lost me with this one. The guest has a great personality, but the show was a snoozer. I have no interest in sake. Might as well have a show about beer. (Please, no!) Pommeau or some other fruit wine would have been a better call. Even a distillate like cognac seems more palatable to me. Sorry, Gary. For the first time ever, I’m not looking forward to tomorrow’s show.
June 24, 2009

Dan
Gary, I love ya man, but you should really have let the guest finish talking before you exploded. I know you have a lot of energy, but every time he got started on something, you were already asking another question or butting in. I know you’ve talked about why you do this, but it just bothers me.
I loved this guest though! His zen attitude toward sake and life in general is gives off a really mellow vibe. He really knows his stuff!
June 24, 2009

Kevin
I’ll join the camp of ‘not terribly excited to learn of the topic, but really impressed after watching it’. I have some Japanese friends who have hooked me up with some serious sake – otherwise I would have never have tasted any either.
June 25, 2009

David
Five months ago I Had never tasted wine, then i started a new job as a waiter. I went to a wine tasting for my new job and since then ive been reading everything I can find on wine how its made and how to get the most out of it. I gave two speaches in my public speaking class, the first was on how they make wine and the second on how to taste wine. Doing research i found this site about a month ago and the whole experince has made me become not only a connoisseur of wine but of life in general. Ive only scratched the surface with wine and now this episode has sparked my interest in Sake Im sure I will have a hobby to keep me busy for a long time. Their will always be something new to learn. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
June 25, 2009

RobRx
Gary,

Learn when to shut up dude! You are great, but this guy was the zen “wax on wax off” sake guy and you just powered over him. Let the guests talk if they have something to say!
June 25, 2009

TBA lover
Gary, I’ve been hoping and waiting for a Sake show for months, thanks so much for bringing on someone who really has a passion for sake. It’s hard to find info about sake, can’t wait to view part 2. Keep bringing the passion!!!
June 26, 2009

Jayhitek
Good guest. Very entertaining.
The porn rating reference to the erection and the bottle was damn funny.
June 26, 2009

GP
Thank you thank you! Saah-kaay Ed!! Needed this, wanted this. I’m late getting to the shows this week, so I’m going straight over to part duex “mo-sko-shee” (don’t know how to spell it in pinyin–or do they have pinyin for Japanese?–oh, sorry, I digress…)

Last note before I flip to the continuation: I didn’t think of him in any way other than the rice-wine-guy until he said he was a dork, then zowie! I Love the nerdy-guys: an educated mind is a turn-on! (Yes, I’m a girl.)
June 27, 2009

YoungDave
Excited to see the rest of this episode play out! Definitely interested in exploring Sake as much as possible…
June 27, 2009

afarya
GARY,
I long for the (not so old) time that your main focus was the viewer “education”. Lately, it seems to me that you just have fun with the show for the sake of your own content and you have forgotten the main reason why viewers are taking time out of their busy daily life and spend it with you! I spend my time here to get 80% education and 20% entertainment. It might be fun to sit and talk with two other guys and just chit chat and digress on different issues as a pass time, but I would not broadcast it as an educational show. The amount of information should worth the time spent on watching the show, otherwise it is the definition of waste of time, which is not a business I would engage in for long.
June 29, 2009

Weston
qotd: Well the two major things I can think of right away would be when I had M. Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage Red I think it was a 2003 vintage with a Lamb dinner and it was fantastic (This is one that made me really intersting in wine)

The other would be Beef Tongue, I had it once at a restaurant and it was really good, then a second Time I had it and it was fantastic and it made me want it cook it at home twice, tho the facts are it is a tongue and you have to clean it and its really really creepy.
July 1, 2009

Julie
In general I liked the Sake episodes, parts 1 and 2 but also, in general, you’re conversationus interruptus when you have a guest on. Constant interruptions, I felt like I wasn’t getting all of what he wanted to put across. Your style of handling guests is a bit difficult for me to watch. Like others have pointed out. You bulldoze right over them.

That said, I enjoyed learning about Sake and will definitely check out his web site. He was interesting, informative and well spoken. Really liked what he had to say.
July 3, 2009

Jeff
What a great couple of episodes. I’ve long liked sake, and I was gratified that Gary decided to devote time to the subject. The enthusiasm that both Gary and his guest showed for the subject was infectious. I agree with some of the other comments that I wish Gary had not interrupted his guest so much. If Beau decides to do a sake show, I’ll watch, and it would be great to see Gary be a guest; perhaps then they would be able to discuss sake in a more relaxed, deliberate fashion, which to my mind fits the subject. Awesome show, one of my favorites. And hey, I wouldn’t mind seeing a beer episode (maybe with the guys from Diggnation?)

Keep on keepin’ on, Gary.
July 3, 2009

Justin Thorp
Dude, please do more shows like this. These ROCKED!
July 5, 2009

Scott
I love your tea show idea! I’m a big tea fan (love it more than wine :p ) and have always looked for a good resource. Speaking of which, I recently read a blog post by Kevin Rose (founder of Digg) concerning tea and while describing a tea he said “the way I’m describing this is very Gary Vaynerchuk.” He apparently hangs out at a tea house in San Francisco called Samovar and is good friends with the people that run it, and they have a decent amount of tea information on their website (samovarlife.com). Now if only you could force yourself into their circle you’d be well on your way to starting TeaLibraryTV
July 5, 2009

Scott
Regarding my last comment, I just remembered you’ve had Kevin Rose on the show and may already have known everything I wrote. hehe oh well it was worth it.
July 15, 2009

Tracy
Oh my god I am exhausted from watching that episode. The constant interruptions were just brutal. Here you have this stellar guest who is just an absolute gem of a human being and so ready to share his hard won expertise with you and all of us but he could not get a word in edgewise. I love your enthusiasm, I think you are a wonderful guy but we can all learn more if you can just tone your mania down and allow other people to finish even ONE SENTENCE. Go back through your show and count how many times you destroyed your guests flow. Ugggghhhh. So many lost opportunities. You are a unique force of nature and that is great, and you communicate that in the first one minute of the show. Your challenge…should you have the fortitude to face it, is to make your energy a complement to your guest’s and to care for and protect your guests ability to articulate their ideas…after all isn’t that why you bring them on?
July 17, 2009

vinosseur
I agree that Sake is great.. I love it! But, if you wanna feel great the next day after drinking wine, then drink more natural wine! No added sulfur, no guilt the next day!!
July 19, 2009

Dan-o
Excellent show so far………….
August 10, 2009

yowens
Good learning and stuff…