QOD: Haven’t figured out New Years Eve vino yet. Needless to say it will be bubbly…

NYJ: I think this week we see what kind of coach Eric Mangini is — can he get this team up and prepared to win this “must-win” game against a very beatable Minny team? Win out and they’ve still got a reasonable chance, given the schedules of the other contenders. A big test for the Jets and this rookie coach. GO JETS!

Kevin Mitchell: Surprisingly a quick google and youtube search did not turn up the Kevin Mitchell catch (which I remember VERY well!). If anyone finds it, post a link — a GREAT catch. BTW, David Wright made a similar catch last year I believe…

Hmm… I’m not sure what I’m going to drink for New Years yet. I’ve not had much champagne in my life, but those that I’ve had were usually mixed with a hint of raspberry with a sugar-rimmed glass. Perhaps I’ll prepare some of these for my friends and family.

I’d really like to get my hands on a very special bottle of wine too. I’m not exactly sure what, but I’m sure my local wine store will have something neat for me. Perhaps something white as I’ve had a lot of red lately.

Speaking of red: I had some Gato Negro Merlot last weekend. Horrible! It was like biting into the vine itself. It’s a very cheap bottle of wine ($9.05 CAD), but I was hoping for something a little better than the juice of a vine dyed red.

QOD:
NV Duval Leroy Brut WC# 28086
2003 Domaine Carneros Brut WC# 28953

GaryV – hit the Buckhead hard buddy- have a fishbowl for me then hop on the minibus for the Goldclub get an dance from the girl dressed as a LSU cheerleader and hit their breakfast buffet at 2 AM.

QOTD: If my son is born as that is his expected date of arrival it will be a Caymus Speceial Select- then for Champagne it will be whatever I ordered today- cant remeber really I just clicked a link from the forum and added 2 and checked out- From the WE top 100 list-

I haven’t decided what to buy for New Year’s Eve, but I’m a *huge* fan of German wines. Do sparkling German wines exist, and are they worthwhile? A positive answer here could possibly change my world.

Hi Gary — I watched today’s episode with lots of interest since I have really enjoyed Australian Grenache in the past. In fact, I think I will open one up tonight! I am delighted that you chose to do an episode after all!

As for the QOD, I had purchased the Drappier BdB on your recommendation from the “Grower Champagnes” episode and tried it on Thanksgiving. It was the first champagne I have ever really enjoyed (it must be said I haven’t had much champagne). As a result I bought more and will be sharing that with my neighbors on New Years. Hope you have a great time in Atlanta!

Never had Grenache Blanc, sounds like fun.

QOD: well, not the Drappier since it’s GONE! So let’s make it the Moncuit instead.

Oh, and here’s Kevin Mitchell, in annoying GIF format:

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2918/number72pc9ll.gif

Great episode.
I had been thinking along the champagne route for New Year’s until yesterday afternoon, when a quick stop in a local San Diego wine store for a Christmas party cheapo turned into a cool opportunity. Apparently, a wine collector up the coast had expereicned a pallette shift from New World to Old World, and was in the process of unloading his entire California / Oregon world-class holdings, most going back to the early 90s, all perfectly cellared. I had missed the big last-minute sale, but one of the employees mentioned a few boxes of great stuff were left, and let me dig through the unclaimed stuff in the kitchen. Among other bottles, including a 2001 Ken Wright Guadalupe Vineyard Pinot, I found a 1994 Chateau Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cab. My wife is a little mad about the price, but it’s what we’ll be popping open Dec. 31. (She should just be relieved I didn’t scoop up the two dozen or so older Cayuse bottles going for $200+….)

I’ll be having some Deutz and some 2001 Mitolo GAM. Love the show.

Gary, loved the grenache episode. Recently, I bought theYalumba bush vine 2004 grenache-excellent and about 15 bones
For new years, will start with gewurztraminers with chinese food, then 2 champagnes 1)Duval-Leroy NV brut and 2)Taittinger Comtes De Champagne 1996 Blanc De Blanc

Hi Gary,
Nice to see you do a set of Grenache. Nice change of pace.
Also, Great to see a Bonny Doon wine. They make some nice wines at great prices. Their wines are always interesting.
As for the New Year, likely go with a Moscato dâ??Asti, a light sparking wine with a great taste.

QOTD:

I was reorganizing my cellar this weekend and ran across three 1999 Alain Michelot Nuits St. Georges Les Chaignots 1er Crus that I hadn’t logged into CellarTracker (and therefore had forgotten I owned). No one else on CT has any bottles, so I have no guidance as to whether it’s in its drinking window. Is anyone out there familiar with this wine and able to offer some advice? I figured I’d give one a try on New Years.

I had a 1981 or 1982 Le Roy Nuit St. Georges at La Tour d’Argent in 2001 and it was the wine that got me into this hobby. I’m still trying to re-create that experience!

Nice episode. I have yet to try a Grenache. Something to add to my ever growing list.

QOD: For New Years, I’ll be drinking Fort, which is a really big beer from Dogfish Head, then maybe some Taylor Fladgate 20 year old tawny, only because I haven’t been able to find any 30 or 40 year old to splurge on.

Have you ever tried a Jacob’s Creek sparkling wine? It’s 20% Pinot Noir 80% Chardonnay, which I guess is opposite of what people usually do. We’re thinking of having it for our wedding toast, since it’s the best we’ve tried so far in the $10 and under range. It’s really only the 4th sparkling wine/Champagne I’ve ever had… sorta new to it.

I was dissapointed to hear that Neyers no longer makes their Hudson Vineyard Grenache. It was one of my favorite G’s. Dec. 31 is looking like ’88 Salon and ’97 Far Niente Cab friends have been wanting to try. Will also have something spur of the moment.

Gary, that was an awesome catch by the left fielder. I went to see him play many times back in the day when Dusty Baker was the 3rd base coach and Roger Craig was the manager for the Giants and not a running back for the 49ers. I was a huge fan of that team. Once, I even saw a fan barehand catch a ball off his bat while holding a baby in his other hand. Amazing!

ML, you must be Canadian eh? Gary, love the sweater! Was that a Fathers Day present? Not a big Grenache fan. QOTD for Gary…. I’ve noticed you like to empty your empty glass into the spit bucket before tasting, Whats that all about??? 🙂

QOD: well, it’s the Drappier since it was on free shipping! Good episode

Gary — We’re going to need you to cite a source for your “stat of the day” today. What about Airén?

Nice show. But who cares about Grenache! Just kidding! I’m actually a big fan. Most I’ve had are from Spain though.

QOD = Grower Bubbley!! I was hoping you could help me with the the selections next time I’m in.

just watched the episode, have fun in atlanta

QOTD: I’m saving a whole bunch of money and popping open some Prosecco on New Year’s Eve! If I do break down and buy champagne, it’s typically Veuve Clicquot.

I like to consider myself a modified lurker…
G.V., I hope our beloved JETS win next week, I cant take seeing you like this. A low energy, almost depressed sight. I’m so upset. It kills me to see you like this. I should drive down to NJ and slap you a couple of times before your flight. I hope you get a little Vaynitude adjustment before you go on air. I love you anyway. Bummed or not, your still the best.
QOTD….Why Prosecco of course.

Thanks for doing Grenache Gary, even if your selections were towards a style that doesn’t do the grape justice. Next time throw in a Rayas and watch it trash all the other wines.

I’ve been lurking since Thanksgiving. Can’t get enough so I started watching old episodes.
I’m a relative newbie to the wine world and I appreciated that little nugget of information about the Grenache grape.

Been Lurkin for a while now… actually a long time! Hahaha…

What I’m drinking for New Years? Since I’ll be out partying up, it probably won’t be sparkly. It’ll probably some kind of liquor.

Btw, great job with the Grenache. I love grenache and I’m very happy you did an episode on it.