Wow, that was a surprise to me: Di Majo @ 83 points? I have not had the 05, but the 04 that received the same Parker score was one of my all time favourite Sangioveses (that’s right, Chianti, Brunello, Montepulciano and all) and it was a crazy steal because I bought it directly from the producer in Campomarino (I think it was 3$ per bottle…). Well, I guess this is where palate variation comes into play – but now I have to buy the 05 as well to find out if it’s really that bad from my standpoint as well. Great show, Gary!
Btw: the Aglianico from Di Majo, that you scored 89 on a previous show, I found it to be a rather superficial effort in previous years – I’ve got to go out and figure what happened this year…

QOTD – Pickles, cause we all know how you love ’em.

I have to WIN a contest for you to come to my house…..FOR-GET-A-BOUT-IT!
Casa De Tampa has NO VACANCY for a NON WLTV Party Throwing Elf

Top 30!

WLTV, meet Muscadet. Muscadet, meet WLTV.

I had the same thought about the Di Majo Norante this weekend at our massive wine fundraiser … I’d had and loved it earlier, but this time it was dirty and uninspiring. Granted, this was the 04 and not the 05, but either there’s some hellacious bottle variation or this stuff doesn’t have a long lifespan?

Speaking of DMN, had the ’02 Aglianico this past week and was surprised how tame it was. A little vegetal, not like other Aglianicos, but still almost elegant. I think I liked the Ramitello more, spoofulation and all.

QOTD: but you can’t, the house is a mess! There’s wine boxes all over the place!

Thanks for the Madeira. I really like these wines, especially the Broadbent Madeiras. The best thing is that you can keep them open for years and they never spoil! Should have mentioned that at the end maybe.

Also, Muscadet is a wine that for 5-8 bucks more you can get an OUTSTANDING bottle. Maybe we will see more of them on here soon? GOOOOOO Muscadet Sevre et Maine!!

Thanks for the Madeira. I really like these wines, especially the Broadbent Madeiras. The best thing is that you can keep them open for years and they never spoil! Should have mentioned that at the end maybe.

Also, Muscadet is a wine that for 5-8 bucks more you can get an OUTSTANDING bottle. Maybe we will see more of them on here soon? GOOOOOO Muscadet Sevre et Maine!!

you should invite josh reynolds to come on the show! are you gonna do a madiera show sometime? i’d love that.

QOTD:EASY; FESTA ITALIANO: for appetizer, sausage roll (hot sausage, sweet red peppers, grated parmesan and mozzarella) with 2001 Zenato Amarone. For insalata, Cesar. For Main course, my world famous eggplant parmigianno with the Galina Barbaresco. For dessert, flourless chocolate cake with BUSSOLA RECIOTO. And if you don’t think this is freakin awesome, you don’t know food or wine!!! hey Gary, forget about the contest, I’ll just make the dinner if you want to come down to NC to visit!!!

Really shocked at GV’s reaction to the Di Majo Sang! I had it two weeks ago and thought it was very good and a no brainer buy for the money (even if you didn’t have a brain, you would know to buy it). I think it’s right up there with the ’03 Anglianico.

Gary im thinkin some wild Alaskan cedar plank salmon with a sun dried tomato cream sauce. Maybe spice it up a little. Then as a side some pasta and steamed asparagus. A simple avocado salad. For starters seared aahi tuna with a ponzu sauce. Ya sounds good huh. Maybe you should just give me the contest.

First!

Okay, first time I’ve watched an episode on the day it was put out. That counts for something, right?

QOTD Answer: Grilled stuff. Steaks, shrimps, loads of grilled stuff.

YEAH TOP 37

Since someone beat me to the pickles comment, I’d say Smokra the pickled smoked Okra simply because I like saying Smokra, but I probably can’t cause of some stupid employees can’t particpate thingy. So you keep you $1000 worth of wine I’m taking my ball and going home!!!!!

Since someone beat me to the pickles comment, I’d say Smokra the pickled smoked Okra simply because I like saying Smokra, but I probably can’t cause of some stupid employees can’t particpate thingy. So you keep you $1000 worth of wine I’m taking my ball and going home!!!!!

Really good show today Gary! Thanks for the Madiera and the Muscadet. Two GREAT “secret value zones” in my opinion. Last summer, we bought a bunch of several different Muscadets, all in that $10 range, and took a bottle on every picnic we had (and we do LOTS of summer picnics!). I just think of it as “picnic wine” – and it’s getting to be that time of year again!
Interesting with the 2005 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese – we just recently drank a bottle we accidentally got from WL and we had the same opinion of it that you did, and we thought it was curious that our opinion was SO below the critic’s rating.
Finally – where’s my sherry episode?? You’re getting closer – sneaking in the Madiera – but come on. WL has a pretty nice offering in the category and I’d love to see you taste some of the UNRATED ones that WL sells.
Wish I were there so we could join the gathering tonight! Have fun and don’t fight over Gary’s white zin – I’m sure he’ll bring PLENTY for everyone, not just 1 bottle….
Happy weekend everyone!

Really good show today Gary! Thanks for the Madiera and the Muscadet. Two GREAT “secret value zones” in my opinion. Last summer, we bought a bunch of several different Muscadets, all in that $10 range, and took a bottle on every picnic we had (and we do LOTS of summer picnics!). I just think of it as “picnic wine” – and it’s getting to be that time of year again!
Interesting with the 2005 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese – we just recently drank a bottle we accidentally got from WL and we had the same opinion of it that you did, and we thought it was curious that our opinion was SO below the critic’s rating.
Finally – where’s my sherry episode?? You’re getting closer – sneaking in the Madiera – but come on. WL has a pretty nice offering in the category and I’d love to see you taste some of the UNRATED ones that WL sells.
Wish I were there so we could join the gathering tonight! Have fun and don’t fight over Gary’s white zin – I’m sure he’ll bring PLENTY for everyone, not just 1 bottle….
Happy weekend everyone!

Madeira, a really, really nice varietal. One of TJ’s (Thomas Jefferson) favorites. I’ve actually had a glass of 1870 Blandy’s Madeira that was quite the treat.

QOTD: Good question though I would definitely start off with stuffed zucchini blossoms fried to a golden crisp (of course stuffed with cheese) and then something on the grille provided the weather cooperates. Since I’m a huge fan of Pinot Noir, I believe marinated salmon on the grille, a la Bobby Flay would do quite well.

Cheers!

Madeira, a really, really nice varietal. One of TJ’s (Thomas Jefferson) favorites. I’ve actually had a glass of 1870 Blandy’s Madeira that was quite the treat.

QOTD: Good question though I would definitely start off with stuffed zucchini blossoms fried to a golden crisp (of course stuffed with cheese) and then something on the grille provided the weather cooperates. Since I’m a huge fan of Pinot Noir, I believe marinated salmon on the grille, a la Bobby Flay would do quite well.

Cheers!

Great episode! always apreciate a NZ sauvignon blanc in the line up. I really enjoyed the 05′ matua paretai, but lately been drinking the 06′ Drylands – marlborough… classic “cat piss”, tropical fruit, and even a hint of jalepeno pepper. mmmh! good stuff… I’ve also been wanting to try some madeira. With the Rainwater at 10$, now theres no excuse.

we’re going to start off with cat piss and poop, I hear it is a delicassy in some third world countries. Especially the poop from little puppies, its almost like veal. I love how you describe some tastes it is very entertaining.
If you want a better wine from Di majo Norante that wont break the bank try the Ramitello, its not sangiovese, it is prognolo and aglianico, and you can probably pay under 15 bones for it.

This Ultimate Vayniac Contest scares me to no end…. I think I have to try it. 🙂 QOTD: WHEN I win, I will serve you and my eight buds: Double Double meals from In-N-Out Burger… so bring lots of big Cab’s!!

QTOD: Easy Gary, prepare for pan seared halibut with a shallot pesto sauce with white asparagus on a bed of arugala.

QOTD: Grilled Maine Lobster – and anything out of my cellar that you want. The least I can do if you are going to come all this way …

In addition to TJ, madeira was also a favorite of Jane Austin’s.

Loooooooove madeira, such a nice smooth treat. I’ll have to give this one a try.