Gary,

Your passion, knowledge and total lack of pretension are a shining example to the rest of the wine world which you (little bit of) and I are changing; but puh-lease…can you take a minute to work out how to pronounce the names on the bottles. This is not a comment born out of snobbery, just that I seriously wouldn’t know where to start looking if I wanted to find a wine you recommended on the strength of your pronunciation alone.

Pascal Jolivet Les Caillots =

pah-skalle – joe-lee-vay lay kai-oh

Clos Riffault Les Boucauds =

cloe – ree-foe – lay – boo-koe

…well kinda anyway!

how does that sound Mr Vay-Ner-Chuk?

There have been times when something about your review caught my attention and I tried to track down the specific label. I nearly always fail to find it. I live in a state from which I can?t order wine from you or anywhere else. On one occasion I did make the trip to your store. Unfortunately the wines I picked up on that trip didn?t thrill me.

You have had a positive influence on me by your recommendations of varietals and regions.

You did a show on Lagrein from Alto Adige. I had never heard of Lagrein or Alto Adige but I picked up a bottle of Kupelwieser. I loved it and quickly bought four more bottles which are now in my cellar.

You turned me on to Barbera and Dolcetto. I?ve since bought several. I can?t recall there being any that I didn?t really enjoy.

You?ve recommended Portuguese reds. I?ve yet to be disappointed there either.

Most people just write the name and bottle information down and take it with them when they go shopping. I myself write it in my Blackberry and when I am in my store of choice show it to someone there that can help, that is if I am confused. 😛

Hey, play nice. We were all there at one point.

If you love NZSB check your local Costco. I got the 2010 Villa Maria Cellar Selection for $15. It is one of the best NZSB’s I’ve had in a while.

the best wine was prado ayala rioja 2006. at $9.98 for 750mls an unbelieveable bargain. this one had everything. inititial funk wore off.huge nose,complexity and a long finish with a hint of cinnamon. i think you scored it 90 but seemed very impressed. 93pts. to me. never was able to find another year. perhaps vines added to a fine estate to make a reserve?

Absolument! Mais, il est un petit chou-chou, parfois. Non? 😉

I often can’t find/can’t afford the wines you taste on your show. I think the only one was the Chateau StJean Cabernet Sauvignon. It was a good one, but not the best I’ve had. (remember, I’ve only been drinking wine seriously for under a year).

What your show has done is expose me to wine and teach me about it so that I know a bit about what to look for and expect when buying wine. I’ve sought out varietals based on your recommendations. I had great luck on a Vouvray I bought based on what you’ve said about it. Recently, I found a great cheap wine from Portugal based on your comments about Portugal. (Quinta Das Amoras Vinho Tinto 2008 $9)

As you reach your 1000 mark I worry you’ll quit doing the show. I’d like to say that I think what you’re doing to educate and promote wine is great, and that you should continue! Being a relatively new viewer, I’d be sad if you gave it up after only 1000. 😉 What are numbers really? Give it up or pass the torch to someone else when it becomes a drag for you and you no longer care.

Ahhhhh Mardi Gras, the excuse for people from the US to drink excessively on a week day. As if we needed an excuse!! (I do understand that for a very small percentage of the population of the US the day actually celebrates something besides alcohol poisoning).

Couldn’t agree more, granted it’s tough to move through French, Spanish and Italian (especially when you talk, move and think as quickly as Gary), but every now and then I just have to wince. Also fair to point out that it’s the one and only weakness on the internet’s best wine resource.

He’s been butchering the names of bottles for almost 1000 episodes. Now it’s just funny.

Can’t agree more. Every year I put out a ‘Top ten under ten’ list for my
Winos group that I formed for my ono-wine geek friends who occasionally buy
wine but don’t spend a lot on it.

Interesting session. I agree that sometimes it is hard to recognize superior quality and tasted until there is something to compare it against.

QOTD Unfortunately, I have only been watching for a few months and haven’t had the chance to see if my palette agrees with Gary’s.

Oooooooo….. Andrew Will. I love those wines especially the Ciel du Cheval! If you like Andrew will you should also try Keenan Mernet, and yes I know it’s not Washington but I think you would like it

qotd: Domaine Le Galantin Bandol – Episode #360
great quality at a low price… amazing dark fruits, leather, and barnyard… really funky 😀

so lets bring the thunder already … 🙂

Awesome ep…Sancerre’s one of my first loves in France, and often my meal starter.

QOTD: I wouldn’t say any one stands out, but definitely the lesser-known Italian varietals stand out for me. It’s unlikely I would have tried them otherwise.

QOTD: discovering Teraldego

I did notice price increase with the 08s.. Have not purchased any yet. The only one I’ve had was the 07 Sonoma Coast Pinot and was very impressed. Yeah… I know about first love! Thx so much.

Being French and having lived in the UK for many years, I am not horrified by Gary’s pronounciation of french towns ans varieties. In fact, if he was to pronounce it the french, italian,or spanish way, most people would not actually understand what he’s saying.

QOTD: Terrebrune Bandol rosé, thought that was really delicious

un petit chou-chou?
Non, un entrepreneur et peut-être un demi-mauvais garçon. Mais bien sûr, toujours intéressant

Looks like I’m going to have to try some sancerre.

QOTD: No doubt the Alta Maria Pinot Noir. I think you were selling it for about 17 bones—what an amazing deal.

pnova – same deal with me. It started with Episode 992. I haven’t been able to get a single episode to play on my ipod since 991. It sucks! What’s up?!?!