EP 49 Episode #49: Today Gary goes to South Africa.

2004 Dornier Donatus White

Watch today as Gary Vaynerchuck tastes an up and coming South African white wine.

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Have to say this have found some nice cabs coming from stellenbosch and they are a bit pricey now too!!!

Tags: review, South Africa, Video, white wines, wine, wines

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  • GeneV

    Hmm…., this is an interesting Gary vs. the Wine Spectator test. WS rated this a miserly 78. I wish I were near enough to the Wine Library to pick up a single bottle to try it out.

  • GeneV

    Hmm…., this is an interesting Gary vs. the Wine Spectator test. WS rated this a miserly 78. I wish I were near enough to the Wine Library to pick up a single bottle to try it out.

  • Sam Zen

    Ditto.

  • Sam Zen

    Ditto.

  • gary

    I got this one WON! 🙂

  • gary

    I got this one WON! 🙂

  • Bruce

    Hi Gary,

    Glad you mentioned at the end that this wine would go well with Thai food. I have found that wines similar to this, which are blended white wines, like Conundrum, are great with Thai food!
    I look forward to the episodes about Spain!!

  • Bruce

    Hi Gary,

    Glad you mentioned at the end that this wine would go well with Thai food. I have found that wines similar to this, which are blended white wines, like Conundrum, are great with Thai food!
    I look forward to the episodes about Spain!!

  • GeneV

    WS consistently underrates Albarinos–even compared to other reviewers–so it is not inconceivable that they are missing the boat on this summer white as well.

  • GeneV

    WS consistently underrates Albarinos–even compared to other reviewers–so it is not inconceivable that they are missing the boat on this summer white as well.

  • Jon

    Bruce — interesting that you mention the Conundrum. That was immediately the wine that sprang to mind (I believe Chenin Blanc and Semillon are the primary grapes in it as well). If this compares well with it, I would definitely be interested in trying.

    As an aside, while at BLT Fish talking with the Sommelier, we mentioned that we very much liked the Conondrum (which they had) but were interested in trying something new. She pointed us to a Westerly W Blanc, which was excellent (similar price point to Conundrum). Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find the wine anywhere for sale — WL has their Sauvignon Blanc (I believe), but none of their other wines…

    Gary — have you tried any of the other Westerly wines and will you carry any others?

  • Jon

    Bruce — interesting that you mention the Conundrum. That was immediately the wine that sprang to mind (I believe Chenin Blanc and Semillon are the primary grapes in it as well). If this compares well with it, I would definitely be interested in trying.

    As an aside, while at BLT Fish talking with the Sommelier, we mentioned that we very much liked the Conondrum (which they had) but were interested in trying something new. She pointed us to a Westerly W Blanc, which was excellent (similar price point to Conundrum). Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find the wine anywhere for sale — WL has their Sauvignon Blanc (I believe), but none of their other wines…

    Gary — have you tried any of the other Westerly wines and will you carry any others?

  • Julius

    Gary – I have a couple of questions about this wine. Is the wine blended before or after barrel aging and since there is a dominance of apple do any of the varietals undergo partial or complete malolactic fermentation?

  • Julius

    Gary – I have a couple of questions about this wine. Is the wine blended before or after barrel aging and since there is a dominance of apple do any of the varietals undergo partial or complete malolactic fermentation?

  • Reply for Julius
    The wine is blended after fermentation. Chenin undergoes malo.
    RD

  • Reply for Julius
    The wine is blended after fermentation. Chenin undergoes malo.
    RD

  • I only get Spectator for the wine news these days. They seem to miss the boat on a lot more than Albarinos. After the Georges De Latour drubbing, I lost all respect for the system. It’s unfortunate that many wineries fortune or lack there of hinges on a couple of rating from a handful of tasters.

    B

  • I only get Spectator for the wine news these days. They seem to miss the boat on a lot more than Albarinos. After the Georges De Latour drubbing, I lost all respect for the system. It’s unfortunate that many wineries fortune or lack there of hinges on a couple of rating from a handful of tasters.

    B

  • David Canada

    I have had a few whites…mostly chenin and they have been great wines.

  • David Canada

    I have had a few whites…mostly chenin and they have been great wines.

  • WA Ambassador

    I found it interesting that you thought that this would go well with Thai food. That’s usually some strong food, especially if you get it Thai hot (as opposed to only 5-star). I may have to try that sometime.

  • WA Ambassador

    I found it interesting that you thought that this would go well with Thai food. That’s usually some strong food, especially if you get it Thai hot (as opposed to only 5-star). I may have to try that sometime.

  • The Fanjestic

    Quick episode – South African White gets it’s own show. Pretty cool. It’s weird to see old episodes that are this quick with only one wine tasted. The Vayniacs would riot – but maybe one episode a week like this would help you and not be so frustrating.

  • The Fanjestic

    Quick episode – South African White gets it’s own show. Pretty cool. It’s weird to see old episodes that are this quick with only one wine tasted. The Vayniacs would riot – but maybe one episode a week like this would help you and not be so frustrating.

  • yowens

    QOTD: why is Gary so reserved in this episode?

  • yowens

    QOTD: why is Gary so reserved in this episode?

  • Dan Leavy

    word 49 “started”

  • Dan Leavy

    word 49 “started”

  • corkscrew

    Can't say I have had much luck with South African wines, some have been some of the worst I have ever tasted….. http://www.winelx.com

  • Anonymous

    Nice to see the new world doing white wine blends which are uncommon un the old world except for the rhone whites

  • Anonymous

    Have to say this have found some nice cabs coming from stellenbosch and they are a bit pricey now too!!!

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