I just ordered my T-shirt. I got one for the brother-in-law too. Thanks for the free shipping!
VAYNIACS RULE!!!!

HAppy Anniversary,

Top of the morning to ya from Vayniac Nation. Congrats! J….E….T….S……JETS, JETS, JETS!Enjoy and keep em coming.

QOTD….I Now know that wine can smell like the Urinal at a Carnival, which I believe I sniffed in a 2003 Foolish Oak Cab from Wasington State Last night. Dude…Put me on the floor…Then I had to explain why I was acting the way I was and Introduced 14 new Vayniacs to you, who swear they will tune in from time to time after my demo.

Keep it up and God Speed!
TimInFL

Congrats on 1 year!! Judging by all the comments, a little bit you YOU goes a long way in changing the wine world.
QOTD: I never thought one year ago I would look like I knew what I was doing in the eyes of my friends when it comes to wine.

Thanks Buddy!!

Also thanks for the T-shirt special. I just bought 4 of em!

Congrats Gary and the whole WLTV Team….thanx for the laughs and the education….

I agree with what the others have said here, about personal changes over the past year. A year ago, I think I had one bottle of wine in the house. It was probably old and cooked, probably a gift from someone who came over to the house a year earlier.

Today, I have a modest collection of 41 bottles, try new bottles regularly each week, track my tasting notes and collection on manageyourcellar.com (easier to use than cellartracker). I also watch WLTV, read other wine sites and blogs. I maintain my own little wine blog at http://www.tagworld.com/brian1970 (just a collection of links and my own beginner experiences). I subscribe to Wine Spectator. I’m in the middle of a wine book (Windows on the World Complete Wine Course). I’ve reached out to a couple winery mailing lists (so far, Plumpjack and Cayuse). I’m going wine tasting next weekend with my wife. I have sets of Riedel bordeaux, chard, and syrah glasses. I’ve learned to use a rabbit. I use a decanter that I found on sale at Gelsons. I hang out at wine stores here in Los Angeles, including spending too much time at the wine rack when I go to Costco. In short, I’m becoming a mini-wine geek. After 6 months, I don’t know squat yet. I’m just beginning to identify the smells and tastes, and have fun with it like Gary V does. But I’m learning as much as I can, because I love it.

🙂

Hi Gary, you’re in London and I’m currently in Geneva, Switzerland. Small world. As for your QOTD, I would have to say is that the biggest difference in MY wine world is that I am much more open to trying more varietals and to experience new tastes. Yesterday evening at dinner, the restaurant had a nice Cahors in the carte du vin, so we tried it since I remembered your episode on Cahors a while back and I had never tried it before. It was a really nice, in fact some in our group said it was better than the Brunello di Montalcino that we had the previously evening at dinner. I doubt I would have dared to try such a wine in a restaurant before the WLTV experience. Thanks!

Happy Birthday to us!!!

QOTD: The difference is I had blinds on my Window a year ago. GV and WLTV obliterated the blinds and now the Window to the Wine World (WWW for short) is open and I can see clearly now.

Gary and the entire WL team,
As many have said before me, thank you for exposing me to so much more of the wine world than I would have been able or willing to experience on my own! I believe your mission statement at the beginning of this journey was to get folks to try and experience as many different wines as possible and I’m glad I bought in on that. At this point, I have tried so many new wines that my cellar has quadrupled!!! I also feel that although I may never have the $$$$ to try some of the cult Calli cabs or the vintage of the millenium bordeauxes, by watching you night after night I have tasted them vicariously through you. On a side note, I can die happy now that I’ve had the von Hovel & the Casa Emma. (Maybe I’ll wait until after I’ve tried a few of the ’05 bordeaux futures) Cheers to you all VaynerNation:) Keep up the good, hard work GV, it’s appreciated more than you know!!!!

Congrats and Happy Anniversary!
QOTD: A year ago, when I wanted a really nice bottle of wine, I would always resort to a Chateuneuf de Pape. Now I go to WL Forum and check out WLTV tasting notes for something new and/or different. 🙂

Congrats on the one year. Wish I could say I was with you from the start. After watching my first episode in Oct., I haven’t missed a one. It really makes my day. A year ago I was mainly a CA wine only type–you have really made me want to go out and explore. What fun. Getting my t-shirt today to be a southern billboard for WLTV. I grew up with English grandparents and “love” the tea experience. Enjoy London

Gary, Tea Library TV, sweet! Wine and tea my only beverages (besides aqua). I’ve learned a lot this year from WLTV, my excellent local wine shop and fellow winos,,, er wine aficionados. I love experiencing a new wine varietal or blend. You’ve definitely opened my taste buds to malbecs, Spanish wines and Vacyeres (sp?) to name a few. Keep up the great work.
Peace brother…

ThankYOU, Gary, for a year of WLTV!

Congrats on 1 year, i think that’s great. Changes for me include buying more wine with an eye to the distant future and the adoption of a collector mentality vs a pure consumer mentality, less effort to balance consumption with purchasing, and a sense of place among a wine-loving community – something i never had before. Also a greater willingness to spend a bitr more per bottle. Thanks for that – all of it.

No Gary, thank you! Happy Anniversary to you and the whole WL crew.

QOTD – A year ago I didn’t have a list of 126 wines, 1 champagne, and 1 Port to try along with treasury of facts from every episode since I started watching WLTV and GaryV go.

After all the craziness and rebelliousness of the year, I thought today’s 1 year anniversary was pure class. WELL DONE GARY.

The #1 difference in my wine world is this – a year ago today I didn’t even drink or have any knowledge of wine whatsoever. All I knew was that my family drank it during dinner (and not even good stuff at that). Wine intimidated the hell out of me but watching your show has truly enlightened me, not only about wine but also the wine world, making of, ordering of…just everything having to do with this wonderful juice. I can actually hold a decent conversation about wine and hopefully soon I’ll finally be able to do some tasting notes and such, and articulate why I like a certain wine. The show has been like a free wine class and I’d like to say THANK YOU.

QOTD: I have tasted quite a few “rated” wines this year and come to the conclusion that ratings are right for me just as often as they are wrong – I guess I will just have to drink some more, to find my favourites for myself…gee, what a pitty!

Happy Anniversary!!.. from a Vayniac who’s been watching WLTV from the get-go and been purchasing from WL since October 2004. My first order was a mixed case of California wines; 7 chards and 5 cabs…my last WL order included 3 Australian white meritage, 2 Australian shiraz, 2 Riojas, 3 Italian reds and 2 Los Carneros Merlots. Big difference. I have Gary V, WLTV, my fellow Vayniacs and the forums to thank for helping me to expand my wine drinking horizons. Thank you all!!
Great Idea….”T” Shirts and “TEA” tasting.
QOD: My “wine-life” has changed considerably since I’ve been a student at WLU. I’ve learned why I stay away from certain low dollar wines. I knew I didn’t really like them, but I couldn’t tell you why. Now I can. I’ve learned about and tasted world wines. All I ever had before WLTV were the typical grocery store American wines. My palate thanks you and my bank account is…..

Congrats G- the revolution is well on its way.

Congrats GV. Great work. I’m mainly a lurker, but hope to get on the forum boards here and there as time permits. The biggest change for me from a year ago has been my thirst for both wine and wine knowledge. They have both increased exponentially. So much to learn, so many wines to experience… BRING IT!!

Congrats on your one year anniversary, Gary! Keep up the good work!!

QOD: We decant! Never did this before and it’s made a huge difference!!

GO SOX!

Another great episode Gary. As a Brit and tea lover this was especially good.

I’m sure given your heritage you should try Russian Caravan tea. I’m currently enjoying a cup now

http://www.fortnumandmason.com/shopping/tea/products/default.aspx?category=Strong&product=100531&view=product&page=1

thanks Gary

I love wine to no end. I really can’t stand tea – unless I’m sick. But I’m willing to be open about it. You’ve changed the wine world!!

Over the past year, you’ve brought a new level of enjoyment to the whole wine education experience, and brought a giant community together. Congratulations. Looking forward to an exciting future together.