That is sooo awesome, way to get a coffee guy on WLTV! He is so real, down to earth and is just as passionate as you are. What a great dynamic.

As for the AOTD: I jumped out of my bedroom and I hugged my room mate COSMIN. Steve, RESPECT, I am a hugging kind of guy too. There will be a picture on Viddler to follow.

As for the QOTD: I first realized I wanted to get into wine was when I was about 14, my father had his usual crowd of French friends over and since I was young, I was their “test subject” in that they wanted to see if they could develop my palate. I remember when I was as young as 8 they would try to get me to taste two red wines side by side and they would ask me if I could tell the difference, I had no idea, I was 8, it tasted like red wine to me. As I got older, I heard these old guys talking about flavours, they taught me how to taste, sniffy sniff, swirl, sniff (make sure you get your nose deep into your glass, I don’t know if this has happened to ANY you before, but I’ve snorted a bunch of wine in my day by accident, it is as embarrassing as it sounds) Put a little in your mouth, coat your pallate, aerate, exhale and swallow, then evaluate. I would do this once a week, it became sort of a test of instrumental conditioning because as I started to detect the aromas of the barn, and cherries, and leather, I got to try more. After that happened I made it my goal to know more than my dad and his friends. I have a long way to go because a couple of them are certified by the University of Bordeaux, but with the help of Gary, I am going to Blow their SOCKS off. AAAAAAND that is how I got passionate about wine!

Thanks gary you’re the man!

That is sooo awesome, way to get a coffee guy on WLTV! He is so real, down to earth and is just as passionate as you are. What a great dynamic.

As for the AOTD: I jumped out of my bedroom and I hugged my room mate COSMIN. Steve, RESPECT, I am a hugging kind of guy too. There will be a picture on Viddler to follow.

As for the QOTD: I first realized I wanted to get into wine was when I was about 14, my father had his usual crowd of French friends over and since I was young, I was their “test subject” in that they wanted to see if they could develop my palate. I remember when I was as young as 8 they would try to get me to taste two red wines side by side and they would ask me if I could tell the difference, I had no idea, I was 8, it tasted like red wine to me. As I got older, I heard these old guys talking about flavours, they taught me how to taste, sniffy sniff, swirl, sniff (make sure you get your nose deep into your glass, I don’t know if this has happened to ANY you before, but I’ve snorted a bunch of wine in my day by accident, it is as embarrassing as it sounds) Put a little in your mouth, coat your pallate, aerate, exhale and swallow, then evaluate. I would do this once a week, it became sort of a test of instrumental conditioning because as I started to detect the aromas of the barn, and cherries, and leather, I got to try more. After that happened I made it my goal to know more than my dad and his friends. I have a long way to go because a couple of them are certified by the University of Bordeaux, but with the help of Gary, I am going to Blow their SOCKS off. AAAAAAND that is how I got passionate about wine!

Thanks gary you’re the man!

That is sooo awesome, way to get a coffee guy on WLTV! He is so real, down to earth and is just as passionate as you are. What a great dynamic.

As for the AOTD: I jumped out of my bedroom and I hugged my room mate COSMIN. Steve, RESPECT, I am a hugging kind of guy too. There will be a picture on Viddler to follow.

As for the QOTD: I first realized I wanted to get into wine was when I was about 14, my father had his usual crowd of French friends over and since I was young, I was their “test subject” in that they wanted to see if they could develop my palate. I remember when I was as young as 8 they would try to get me to taste two red wines side by side and they would ask me if I could tell the difference, I had no idea, I was 8, it tasted like red wine to me. As I got older, I heard these old guys talking about flavours, they taught me how to taste, sniffy sniff, swirl, sniff (make sure you get your nose deep into your glass, I don’t know if this has happened to ANY you before, but I’ve snorted a bunch of wine in my day by accident, it is as embarrassing as it sounds) Put a little in your mouth, coat your pallate, aerate, exhale and swallow, then evaluate. I would do this once a week, it became sort of a test of instrumental conditioning because as I started to detect the aromas of the barn, and cherries, and leather, I got to try more. After that happened I made it my goal to know more than my dad and his friends. I have a long way to go because a couple of them are certified by the University of Bordeaux, but with the help of Gary, I am going to Blow their SOCKS off. AAAAAAND that is how I got passionate about wine!

Thanks gary you’re the man!

hello Gary, I`m Paz from Argentina, I teach many wine regions and your episodes complement my research labour! I agree with your Lorcas tastings and hope you taste much more wine from argentina specially pinot noirs from bodega Chacra.

hello Gary, I`m Paz from Argentina, I teach many wine regions and your episodes complement my research labour! I agree with your Lorcas tastings and hope you taste much more wine from argentina specially pinot noirs from bodega Chacra.

2005 David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2005 David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2005 David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Nice work Gary, and same to you Steve. Always a pleasure to see people following their passions.

QOTD: Hard to say, but for me it might have been when we stumbled into the annual Charbono festival and tasting at Topolos vineyards (now Russian River Vineyards) back in the early 90’s while on vacation in Sonoma. Great people, unbelievable scenery, fried cheese and 10 producers pouring great samples of an odd varietal in the great outdoors.

did anyone post a pic? i’m going to run home and give my bf a big hug!

love love love to see someone with enthusiasm and passion that rivals yours gary!

D’oh! What timing! No comments section for episode #760 yet?
The Portugal at Epcot Epic! Waiting to get the reaction on the Crasto!

THAT WAS AWESOME!

Loved the episode.

QOTD: Ironically, my epiphany was with a double espresso: full-bodied, earthy and deliciously (and intriguingly) sour. I had never tasted (or expected) that sour note in coffee before. I have had similar experiences with craft beers, but I’m still looking for the bottle of wine that does the same.

Very cool. Good to see passionate people getting all passion-y!
AOTD: Will have to wait for a couple of months on this one.
QOTD: That moment hasn’t occurred yet.

Really great episode, really cool to do something different.

With regard to QOTD it has actually quite worried me. I’ve been into wine for the last two years, i’m only twenty but I feel like i’ve got a good understanding and spend a lot of time each day reading, tasting and of course watching WLTV. However i’ve never had an epiphany moment. I’ve talked to various wine merchants about wines they had when they were in their twenties that they can still taste now (that’s real length) but i’ve never had anything that’s really blown me away if i’m being truly honest. Worrying.

Gary,

great episode. Steve was as passionate as you. Good to see that. 1/2 way done with your book and I like the message. Just realized as you gave Steve your wrist band that I didnt get the one you promised us if i ordered 2 books….no worries!

missed your book signing out here in LA but may try to catch the one in San Diego next week.

QTD-Epiphany was my first trip to Napa about 13 years ago. Valley just took my breath away.

Wow- What a great moment with a great (extremely excited… or maybe just caffeine-hyped) guest/fan!!

QOTD 1.) I just hugged my cousin. It was abrupt, and immediately awkward.
QOTD 2.) The first time I got a roaring laugh after delivering a comedic line in a theatre production on stage was when I knew, beyond a doubt, that I wanted nothing more than to either be a comedian or a comedy actor. I’m on my way, and I won’t stop ’til I get to where I want to be. Cheers.

Great show! I loved the guys passion and excitement. Keep on going Steve! Going the check out your show.

QOTD: Jaques Selosse Blanc de Blanc. When you taste it you know what can be done with wine and how delicious it can be. For me that was the ‘it’ moment in wine and I bought ‘few’ bottles of it :).

Love the secret lair.

another great episode out of the box

otago pinot can be great! Felton Road Block 5 is my fav

69 Gigondas bottled for L’Ousteau de Beaumaniere when I was 8 – i can’t taste it any longer but i remember the feeling of total happiness immediately after – mom and dad told a great story of their friend Jean-Louis who had introduced them to the owner who allowed 5 cases to slip out the back door and travel back to Ontario – cool experience

i have hugged today already – hugging is good – but big people shouldn’t pick up little people – leave your buddies on the ground please

QOTD: My epiphany happened in 1983 while a was a poor college student at WSU in Eastern Washington State. A friend asked if I would like to go wine tasting at
a winery in Walla Walla. We ended up at Leonetti Cellars and Gary Figgins spent
over an hour with us pouring barrel samples of different vintages and grape varieties. This started me on my path to becoming a wine aficionado.

Loved your energy Steve! When you come to the states to visit WLTV please let us know.

Wine epiphany was my first visit to Napa – loved the air almost as much as the wine!

Speaking of epiphanies, makes me thing about a musical awakening. I was with a bunch of business clients on a “sunset cocktail cruise” on a lake in Idaho and the boat captain was playing Dave Matthews (under the table and dreaming)on a lousy overhead speaker system. I had heard of The DMBand at the time but was not a fan. As the album played I was not hearing anyone that was talking to me because I was completely lost in the music. I guess I missed out on a good sales opportunity or two that night but I found a new favorite band. I still love them passionately 12 years later.

Great Episode. Loved Rawness of it and the great energy

Qotd: mine was a Crozes Hermitage from M.Champoutier…Syrah it was big and syrupy and in your face, now I don’t know if it would be my style

Hey Gary! Been a following WLTV for about a year now and think its amazing! I was at the Singapore Wine Fiesta on Saturday and i was so excited when I saw the Gibston Valley Pinot Noir on tasting. Thought it was amazing as a wine and got myself a bottle. Being all the way here in Singapore its quite hard to find wines that you taste more often then not, but anyway, awesome show!

Coincidentally I’m watching this in the morning while sipping a cup of coffee, Trader Joe’s Peruvian Cafe Femenino.

QOTD: I had been drinking wine for a few years but not any particular varietal. I hadn’t begun expanding my palate. Then in 1990-something, I had a 1990 Chianti Classico Riserva that I loved. That’s when I started the early stages of expanding my palate.