What can he say, Michael Madrigale likes big bottles and he cannot lie. Great episode. I will definitely check out Bar Boulud next time I’m in New York. I would enjoy tasting the wine along with the sommelier, it would be nice to bounce off ideas and tastes with them, especially if it’s someone who seems to care as much as Mr. Madrigale seems to.

Contador won by cheating!!!!!! 😛 There is not enough room or time to explain and if your a cycling fan I’m sure you know why. :O

Right! And Armstrong only had oats and OJ for breakfast throughout his career… 😉

Thx for the superb episode. I am 25 years old, thinking about studying for sommelier and I completely got the music-analogy. Just hope I can find some inspiring people like Gary & Michael in Brussels.

QOTD : I like to be able to ask questions about the wine as the sommelier tastes and maybe react to the expression on his / her face.

QOTD: Tough one. I’m not in favor of the Sommelier tasting the wine unbidden. This is not to say that I think my judgment is better, just that it should be presumed to be. I don’t think I have a problem with being asked whether the Som can taste (“may I” or better, “do you mind if I…”) with, or after I do. If the wine is ‘off’ or not up to snuff for a ‘big’ bottle, it’s a nice idea to have an expert jump in to take care of it. It is also good to see that the cellar is being looked after personally.

I have to say that with a trusted sommelier, if he tastes first, why should I? If he tastes only if asked, I’m missing an opportunity. I’m amazed to say, I haven’t encountered the situation. I’d say “offer”, and provide good reason to appreciate it in retrospect.

Perhaps you missed the last sentence of my prior reply…

🙂

GREAT, Nice guest.

QOTD: don’t have a problem with it.

Hey Gary,

Great show! Thank you Michael for your insight on Burgundy and large formats. I am getting prepared for the Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in Orlando, Fl on March. I hope I can keep tasting and reading to be able to pass and see where it takes me in my passion for wine, any suggestions would be appreciated! Will probably be in NYC after my test in March, so will probably check you out. Thanks!

Gary I was still able to tour Fontodi and Fonterutoli, had a great time perhaps I did not give you enough time to get back to me, but I was able to make it happen. Met with the Marchese at Fonterutoli again and also met Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi, their wines were spectacular!

QOTD: I always ask the sommelier to taste, but have not come across any that have done it with out asking or that have initiated the taste. I could see one doing it with a very rare and/or older vintage just to make sure that the wine is not spoiled.

you hate the Pats now wait until SUNDAY…… you can cry in your Bubbly

QOTD: I only want the sommelier to taste my wine if I detect a flaw.

Really nice show! Appreciated your passion and your story, Michael.

QOTD: Yes.. I’ve not experienced this before (don’t frequent restaurants with Sommeliers) but would appreciate his thoughts about the wine.

QOTD: I’d prefer the Somm only taste the wine if I think something is wrong with it. But it’s not like I’d get mad if they tried it.

Classy brother!

Hope the waiter liked the wine because that would have been his gratuity at table.

QOTD: Depends on the wine. If the wine has a significant amount of bottle age on it, I’d like to see the somm take enough interest in the wine and me, for that matter. . .to make sure the wine is sound. On the other hand, if he’s serving a wine with a plastic cork and only a year or two old, then there is no real need for it. But, I do like to share my wine with the somm, regardless.

QOTD: I appreciate it when a somm tastes simply because I’d rather have him (or her) spot a corked bottle or one that is otherwise funked or just showing really strangely. It is uncomfortable getting a bad bottle and having to try to explain it to a server or somm (and your dining companions) after the fact In addition, the time that it takes to handle the process distracts from table conversation and the overall meal.

Great show, like the big bottles, we at http://www.winegifts4u.co.uk do not stock any of the larger bottles, after watching the show will now stock that size. We should have bought some wines when by girls were born 22 years ago bet they would have been great now. Keep up the good work.

lurker from waaay back, GREAT episode, really could dig your teeth into this one.

This is the kind of show that has made Wine Library great! Keep up the good work! I know you don’t need a reminder Gary cause you always seem in tune but as you get busy with your fifteen minutes don’t forget about the root of your stardom which this is. Don’t call it a comeback! I’ve been here for years. AKA Great comeback Gary! I wish you and your family the best in 2011! Keep it coming son!
QOTD: I’m a server @ Houston’s in Pompano and in my opinion if I were to taste the wine before I bring it to the table I’d be eventually using my wine key to defend myself from my guest saying their job. Furthermore not enough people are exposed to that kind of wine service here in the states, then again culture and tradition are not a big focus in our fast paced to be first @ everything society.(in my opinion)
BTW: The Ten Crack Commandments reference……..priceless!

Certainement le show le plus intéressant depuis très longtemps. M. Madrigale me semble une personne intéressante et passionnée et en réponse à sa question – ça me semble tout a fait normal qu’il déguste le vin avant de le présenter – comment ferait-il autrement?

Cdt,

Paul C

Kinda meh, not really my style.

QOTD: Only think its appropriate if there is a potential issue with the bottling.

Awesome guest Gary, really enjoyed this one immensely!

QOTD; I would have no problem to have the sommelier taste the wine… restaurants we have been to in France the sommelier did not taste the wine. But I think it would be beneficial to do so.

WOW

Great show, I have mixed feelings about northern Rhone to be honest, I had some 2005 Hermitage recently and it tasted not ready which makes sense since it was an ’05 but it makes it hard to have it on a semy regular basis since you gotta wait it out for many years and its also quite expensive. The other thing is, I love the peppery and spicy aspects of Syrah but sometimes it is olives galore which I cannot stand in wine eventhough I love olives, just not in my wine.
What do you guys think?

For the sommelier to taste my wine … with pleasure but he better ask me fisrt otherwise I would be utterly pissed for him to take 2-3 ounces off my already expensive bottle without asking first, that is plain unacceptable.

GREAT guest, GV. This is giving me some ideas for the by-the-glass program at the restaurant where I work…

QOTD: Fantastic question, and I know this could get some passionate answers from people. As a Sommelier, I offer the guest the first taste. If, however, it is an older selection or a higher priced bottle, and there is an off aroma of any kind, I will ask if the customer minds if I taste to be sure that the bottle is as it should be. I do NOT want to serve any wine that is off for any reason (storage, cork taint, etc.) even if the customer if ok with the way that it tastes. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Sommelier to provide the product at optimum condition, especially if the wine is recommended to be paired with the meal and/or requests of the customer. How can the Sommelier be sure that what he/she conceptually recommended is what is actually coming out of that specific bottle if he/she is not given the opportunity to evaluate it??

What an awesome episode. Wonder how I ever missed this one when it first came online.

QOTD: I much prefer to go to restaurants that have a decent selection of wines by the glass. However, I actually like it when a sommelier tastes the wine first. That alone tells me that he/she is probably good at their job.