Pizza and Wine Experts – Episode #714

August 5, 2009

Gary Vaynerchuk tries some pizza and pairs three wines with pizza expert guest.

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Comments on this episode(239) Leave a comment ›

“Gary, gotta be honest. Least favorite episode ever. The guest was awef…” by Andrew W
“I was drawn in to this episode by it’s title. As a pizza lover I like …” by Zach
View all 239 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2008 Shaya RuedaRueda
2007 Il Maniaco Montepulciano D’abruzzoMontepulciano d’Abruzzo
2005 Hewitson Miss HarryAustralian Red Blend

Links mentioned in todays episode.

239 Responses

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November 5, 2009

Andrew W
Gary, gotta be honest. Least favorite episode ever. The guest was aweful. As others have said, he didn’t add anything to the show and he had no interest in expanding his wine knowledge.
Gotta call a spade a spade.

QOTD: extra cheese
September 1, 2009

Zach
I was drawn in to this episode by it’s title. As a pizza lover I like the concept of this episode. However, I didn’t see how this guest was:

1. As Pizza “expert”, he didn’t show any of his knowledge (beyond commenting about a crust).

2. He didn’t contribute to the show at all.

3. If he gets so many people asking him about wines to pair with pizza, why wouldn’t he learn more about wines so that he can really serve his clients?

He went on the show to simply promote his website and pimp his coding staff. He gave noting in return.

I have visited his site and like it, but this show was a bust for me.
August 24, 2009

Derek
Gary! Love this episode. I’m not much of a wine guy but I watch because I love your show for pure entertainment value. Your passion and creativity! This is my first comment because you just made me laugh going head to head with your guest about the Dolphins. I’d love to see more of you going to head to head with someone. I’d love to see your version of Sports Center.
August 19, 2009

Andrew D
Hey

Gary I agree with a lot of the other comments, that pizza guy didn’t add much at all…

QOTD: I love many different pizza toppings, but one thing I’ve been trying a lot of recently is adding different sauces to the base rather than just a tomato based one – that sweet chilli and pesto are two firm favourites as alterative sauces. That said my favourite pizza topping would have to involve salami though.

Cheers
Andrew
August 19, 2009

Matt
Hi,

Thanks for telling me about the worst pizza site, it is great!!! This guy knows hi pizza. BTW I ran out and got the Il Maniaco Montepulciano D’abruzzo. As good as you said! Thanks for the recommendation. Say hi to Ma!
August 15, 2009

Dave J
the pizza expert seemed like a nice enough guy….but what a tool. (sorry)’

toppings, eh?
i’m always one for fresh jalapeno
August 13, 2009

AMM3RD
4 Cheese Pizza that I had in Burgundy france at a little restaurant next to a canal, best ever.

Did not like the guest. What’s his deal, very stand-off-ish. Let’s mix it up a little. I don’t like him using the show for his benefit. Also, his website was not great…AMM
August 13, 2009

YoungDave
I LOVED how you completely shut this guy down about the Dolphins. Good lord you spit some serious knowledge about the recent history of his team, and I loved every second of it.

QOTD: #1) Fresh Basil -OR- #2) Caramelized Onions and Roasted Peppers (red, green, piquillo, yellow, whatever).
August 12, 2009

Vino Nobile
I don’t want to cause any offense Gary so I don’t tell you what I think of this episode. However, the Chardonnay blind tasting [#703] was really enjoyable. You could also blind taste 4-6 Cabernet Franc varietal wines from different parts of the world. Now about pizza-wine pairings. Pizza starts with its base (’crust’). I distinguish three dough bases: The thick and soft (the Chicago-style and less so the Greek pizza), the very thin and crispy (the ‘original’ Italian) and the medium thick (this is my favourite). The topping gives guide and answer to the big question: WHICH WINE WOULD GO WELL WITH THIS PIZZA? Of course, your own taste comes in at this point. The simplest answer if you’re really at a loss: Choose a dry rosé (pink) wine with good acidity. Why? Because these wines are in harmony with the tomato-based sauce (the indispensable part of pizza [pizza bianca is the only exception]). Cheese & seasoned tomato sauce (this was in the show; the ‘basic pizza’): Chardonnay (unoaked), Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho , Viognier, rosés. The same in a very spicy version and also pepperoni pizza: Shiraz, Petite Syrah, clarets, Cabernet Franc. Veggie pizza with no smoked cheese: Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner. Mushroom pizza: Chardonnay (oak aged), light Pinot Noir, light Grenache, rosés. Hawaiian (topping includes pineapple): Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Chardonnay (unoaked), Sémillon, Verdelho (late harvest), Pinot Grigio. Blue vein cheese and/or smoked bacon: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet franc. High quality ham (with or without mushrooms): Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc. Sausage + ground beef + ham: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Malbec, Sangiovese, Tempranillo. Chicken breast: Riesling, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Verdelho. Seefood: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, rosé wines. Summary: Listen to your own taste buds but avoid obvious mistakes (e.g. choosing a full bodied red wine with harsh tannins to a mozzarella & spinach pizza – you won’t feel the subtle flavours of your pizza).
August 12, 2009

kathi
gary is a closet dolphin fan,,need a store event very soon gary
August 11, 2009

Pierre
Bizarre guest… but idea of show was great

I like prosciutto, cheese and mushroom (salt pepper)
August 11, 2009

Chris
I just wanted to say I think this guest is hilarious but I can see why some people don’t get it.
August 11, 2009

Eric S.
Perhaps one of the worst guests yet, actually, close tie between him and those college humor people. He just did not add anything to the show. Interesting how you eat your pizza though.
August 11, 2009

scott levine
i always look at worstpizza.com before i decidde where i am going to go for pizza
August 11, 2009

Bobbie Smith
QOTD: Meat, just about any kind, and vegetables, just about any kind.

I have to say, I like a nice primitivo or chianti classico with my pizza. Will have to try a Verdejo sometime though. Open to change.
August 10, 2009

Langerhorn
Dude, how much of his website do you own now?

This guy was such a taker and a boring individual. Keep your chin up and leave these Bozos to their own devices.

Love the low buck stuff! How about some American varietals soon. Maybe Ravat 51
August 10, 2009

chuck
What wine goes with pizza? Was not answered! Give the Pizza guy a clue, a glass and his own spit bucket. He can’t be as dumb as he sounds. Try Jasci Montepulciano D’Abruzzo and Brick Oven Red from Puglia with your pizza.
August 10, 2009

Jason
1 more time……

“….it’s origins are from North Africa.”

lmao, Gary
August 10, 2009

jon33
That guest was a huge tool… Bad bad bad guest. Please announce the blame for the person who casted him in the next episode. Someone has to take responsibility for that moron being on WLTV.
August 10, 2009

Aladine Vargas
Gary you are like the prince to the kingdom sneaking you villager friends in the back door to see what goes on in the King’s court.
August 10, 2009

Aladine Vargas
Your guest made me feel dirty with his attempt at using you and us (your community). I’m all for promoting, but shit– you have to give something to the conversation and the community. This guy was just a taker — and therefore he came off as a dick! It was funny watching you restrain yourself.

Maybe next time. The idea of pizza and wine is great. It served me very well in my dating days and even more not that I’m married.

Maybe try the idea again … just make sure you vet the pizza dude better. In total … I love the guests. They really make me feel that I’m getting to peek behind the curtain into the world of wine.

peace out.
August 10, 2009

Uncle Meate
Gary!!! Wut id iz?

Vayniaks must love the long ball, but every show cannot be a home run. There are singles, doubles, triples, walks, balks and even strike-outs. They’re all part of the game! Personally I think it was a two bagger, I was just curious why the guest did not taste the wines(?).
Maybe he forgot his ‘DOLPHINS’ spit bucket!!!

Lapp’s AOTD: Papa Mio See No Pinot Grigio
Gary’s AOTD: Sausage and Pepperoni

PS – KWAY-LOOD
August 9, 2009

Stephen
Gary was not interested in the pizza issue… he wanted just to eat it.
And the guest was awful, he was not into wines, just wants to sell them with his pizzas.
August 9, 2009

Smahlatz
QOTD cont. Oops – forgot oilves – must have olives
August 9, 2009

Smahlatz
Awkward

QOTD : hmm – Chili, parma ham and marscapone