Wow! Early episode.
QOTD – only my closest friends and family bash me, so I try to take it with a smile and let it roll off my back!

QOTD: Ignore them…people that lead the pack are always bashed and ridiculed for not following the masses. In actuality it is just the insecurities of others that force them to conform. Forget them and set your own trend…the only opinion that matters in the end is your your families and your own. 🙂

BTW…good episode!

Once again….you do an episode of “Intriguing Wines” and you don’t pull out some of the Yarra Yering wines!!! I am becoming a disgruntled Vayniac! 😉

QOD: Is someone bashing you Gary? You’ve got the Vaynernation to back you up. Do we need to start breaking some kneecaps?? On the bright side, you probably only get bashed because you are a) becoming somewhat popular (movie star!) and b) they want to be you! 🙂

QOD: Is someone bashing you Gary? You’ve got the Vaynernation to back you up. Do we need to start breaking some kneecaps?? On the bright side, you probably only get bashed because you are a) becoming somewhat popular (movie star!) and b) they want to be you! 🙂

Gary all you have to do is stare directly at there forehead. One it drives them crazy and two its hilarious.

What do I do when bashed for no good reason?

Gotta learn to just let it go, Gary! Drop it … it aint yours if your being honest. I know that’s still hard at times. Being true to your self is the most important thing (now repeat that, as a mantra), and can be hard when others aren’t digging what you are doing/saying/reviewing/screwing, but the only way you can be of any value to any other living soul is by being honest and true to your own inclinations and penchants, retaining your sense of self and integrity, and, of course, not willingly harming anyone. Short checklist, actually! You owe nothing to anybody but yourself, and your responsibility to continuing to be true to yourself is just that, a very definite responsibility, perhaps the only real responsibility we have, and if you come from there you simply can’t lose — though it may take others more than one lifetime to grok that truth! But hey, everyone is at a different place, and it takes work to remain tolerant and understanding when someone puts THEIR shit in your face … and though it sounds pat or trite, you really can and have to honor where they are, be happy you are NOT where they are, smile, laugh, and move on. Believe me this can deflate the situation like nothing else (unless you belittle or demean them in the process, then that will make things a wee bit worse than before, ’tis likely) — you just can’t fight that kind of anger with the same level of rage, unless butting heads (or other body parts) is what YOU need too, then … you’re right where you need to be, I guess.

Realize that anyone you offend is bound to be offended, and that this is THEIR trip; your trip too if you buy into it, if you “have energy” on it, if you fight in the same arena, but if not, then, dude, it’s theirs (hahaha, this is so fun … sounding like a new-age geek, but it’s really all freakin’ true, so I just can’t apologize for it). Own your own shit (repeat that again, as a mantra “I must own my own SHIT, I must own my OWN shit, I must OWN my own shit!”), KNOW yourself, and then it’s easy to let go of THEIR crap ’cause you know it aint yours. Then you can be more tolerant and forgiving, and it will be easier to shrug your shoulders and laugh and say “hey, sorry you feel that way, but it’s YOUR CHOICE to feel that way, and only you can decide to feel differently if you don’t like how you’re feeling!” (uh, or something like that, hahaha … maybe “Dude, get over it!”)

Just my cent-and-a-half (crappers, that may have been three scents, uh, centavos, though … err, sorry)!

GOOD EPISODE, by the way. Someday I will be able to buy one of those $100 dollar wines, this I believe, and when I do I’ll look to WineLibrary TV for advice on which to choose. In the meantime, keep the value wines coming, and … AND … YES YES YES, PLEASE do another blind tasting. That brown-bag episode was great! It showed how much you’ve really got it, man … and you know what? I never freakin’ say this, so you know you’ve moved something in me (uh, yeah) … you ROCK! (GOD I can’t believe I said that!)

KEEP IT UP!!!
WAY UP!!!

Obviously I’m outta control, so I’ll stop digging right here!!!

QOTD: The trick is to determine if the bashing really is for “no good reason” and that takes a lot of wisdom and introspection. I have the tendency to react by launching a counterattack before determining whether there was an element of truth in the bashing. Then later, I think about it and wind up owing someone an apology. Unfortunately, if a bashing hurts, it’s usually true, even though it may not have been couched diplomatically.

QOTD: Gary, when people are bashing me for no good reason, at that point I’ll usually go out of my way to give ’em a good reason! Or I’ll knock ’em on they ass… Glad you’re keeping it real with the reviews. You could have easily edited out the bad ones, to softpedal it and avoid ruffling feathers. But you’re taking the pure road. Not easy for a retailer. Bravo. This is what will keep the eyeballs coming back. And that was an awesome email from that winery…

Man, what is acousticdoc chewing on, in that gravatar? Looks like a dead horseshoe crab.

QOTD: Bashing for no good reason? Stand your ground. Bashing for a very good reason? Duck!

QOTD- The bashing is born of jealousy. You are a guy with an idea, and your unwavering honesty makes your idea work and the show a success. It’s as simple as that. Those who bash lack integrity, and you don’t. Keep up the great work!

PS- Shout out to Bubbe and double shout out to our hometown boy LFF who is drinking just the right amount of wine!!

As a reviewer if you aren’t pissing some people off you aren’t doing a good job. Being controversial comes with your job so you should be proud that you are stirring s–t up! We love you for it!

QOTD:

Depends on who’s doing it.

Usually I just say “Yes, dear.”

Bill V.

QOTD: I usually call Tony Soprano, and strangely enough….it all seems to just, go away…………

You’re in a peculiar position with an inherent conflict of interest. Do you remain loyal to the wine producers or do you remain loyal to the consumer? You’ve said before that you lean towards the consumer, but what if that starts to hurt sales at WL? Tough spot. All you can do, if you believe in what you’re doing, and all anyone can ever do, is be honest and accept the consequences.

You could tone down the way you crap on a wine if you don’t like it. Do what WS does and just give tasting notes and a score but don’t comment as to whether or not it is a buy. But that really is a puss thing to do and losing that would be losing the main part of what makes your show great.

I say, screw them all! Maybe then they will start making a decent product.

BRINGN’ THE THUNDER!!! STEVO!

QOTD: I drink…

Hi Gary,

When people are bashing me, I’ve learned that there are much better ways to deal with the problem than to bash them back. It’s better to let dissapointing people have the last word and continue digging themselfs into a hole of oblivion. You can always defend yourself, and hold your ground, but it is going to be a waste of time to try and make them like you, or change their opinion about you.

There will always be people that don’t like you, and those who love you – best not to waste time and fuel the fires of conflict.

And yes Gary, we love you, and I’m excited for you to be a dad.

But hey? Why did you need to decant that 14 year old Bordeaux 4 HOURS!

Ciao,

Garret Nagle

Another good episode Gary.

QOD – Two types of people will always be bashed. Innovators and professional critics. A healthy amount of bashing is your best indication that you’re staying on the cutting edge. The question you have to ask yourself is what you want Wine Library to be known for. If you want to be known as the store that carries everything, WLTV will probably to have to change. From a consumer’s standpoint that would be a real shame. Because you really ARE starting to change the wine world, and it’s about time. Keep it up!

Hey, I’ve got another idea for ya … dig dig dig (another penny or two):

ANOTHER thing to try to defuse the weird energy in the air when someone is bashing you — AGREE with them:

THEM:
“Hey man you’re a schmuck and your wine tasting blog-tv-internet thing really sucks!”
YOU:
“Wow, maybe you’re right, I probably am a schmuck, sorry man, I’ll try to do better. Keep watching and let me know what I can do to improve my show. Thanks for your input!”

What can they say?
You’ll feel better, you won’t be spreading more negative energy out there, and they likely won’t have a decent comeback (until the next day, maybe, and then you do it all over again)– so you win by pretending to lose.

Kewl!

So I called up the Captain, “Please bring me my wine.”
He said, “We havenâ??t had that spirit here since 1969.”
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night, just to hear them say, “Welcome to Wine Library TV!

Gary, you’re a good man.
Bubbe was fantastic. But oye, the Red Sox???!!! I’d buy a whole damn case of Bubbe consomme if it were real.
QOTD: WHAT!?! Is someone giving you a hard time? We send out a Vayner-Thug. That’s what we do. Nobody bashes you but us, right? 🙂
You know, let me tell you- the beginning of my week was the crappiest I can remember…in years. Seriously. Not just saying that. Watching your show at night was the one thing I looked forward to, and was the only thing that cheered me up for two nights. So to “h” with anyone who bashes you. Unless they apologise. There.

Gary, you’re a good man.
Bubbe was fantastic. But oye, the Red Sox???!!! I’d buy a whole damn case of Bubbe consomme if it were real.
QOTD: WHAT!?! Is someone giving you a hard time? We send out a Vayner-Thug. That’s what we do. Nobody bashes you but us, right? 🙂
You know, let me tell you- the beginning of my week was the crappiest I can remember…in years. Seriously. Not just saying that. Watching your show at night was the one thing I looked forward to, and was the only thing that cheered me up for two nights. So to “h” with anyone who bashes you. Unless they apologise. There.

Great show, Gary — sorry that Gruevi didn’t work out: there’s some good ones out there.

QOTD: If they’re bashing me for no good reason, I’ll usually point that out. Otherwise I bust out my mad debate skills and make ’em look dumb.

D.