EP 221 Pinot Noir Taste Off

Wines tasted in this episode:

Gary Vaynerchuk and four different wines made from the Pinot Noir grape.

Latest Comment:

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QOTD: To be honest with you, I think I have been somewhat brainwashed by “Sideways”. Having said that, Pinot Noir is AWESOME, WITH OR WITHOUT “Sideways”!!!

Thanks Gary!

Tags: Pinot Noir, red wines, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • Dom

    Wowwww, great show featuring my fav varietal. It doesn’t get any better than a good pinot noir. And since I belong to the Oregon Pinot Noir Club, I assumed you would like the Chehalem.

    QOTD: I loved pinot noir before Sideways and knew a good thing when I had it and after the movie all I could say was “told ya so.” Plus, it gave me an opportunity to take the Sideways tour last fall. Santa Barbara, now there’s a nice place to live.

    TGIF

    Have fun in Chitown.

  • Dom

    Wowwww, great show featuring my fav varietal. It doesn’t get any better than a good pinot noir. And since I belong to the Oregon Pinot Noir Club, I assumed you would like the Chehalem.

    QOTD: I loved pinot noir before Sideways and knew a good thing when I had it and after the movie all I could say was “told ya so.” Plus, it gave me an opportunity to take the Sideways tour last fall. Santa Barbara, now there’s a nice place to live.

    TGIF

    Have fun in Chitown.

  • mas

    I didn’t even know Australia made Pinot – I know they make everything, but that must be the first one I saw …

    QOTD: Loved Sideways – esp. that scene tasting at Sanford – Gary, ever taste wine chewing gum?!? And I’m sure that Cheval Blanc tasted like sweaty socks, given where he was storing it …

  • mas

    I didn’t even know Australia made Pinot – I know they make everything, but that must be the first one I saw …

    QOTD: Loved Sideways – esp. that scene tasting at Sanford – Gary, ever taste wine chewing gum?!? And I’m sure that Cheval Blanc tasted like sweaty socks, given where he was storing it …

  • GeneV

    Great episode and great QOTD. I love the movie Sideways, but I do hate what it has done to Pinot. I am now having to abandon winery lists because their prices are now out the the league I can drink often.

    The difference between the first and second wines sounds very much like the difference in the two vintages from my tasting. 2004 is the big fruit year, and 2005 is the Burgundian year.

  • GeneV

    Great episode and great QOTD. I love the movie Sideways, but I do hate what it has done to Pinot. I am now having to abandon winery lists because their prices are now out the the league I can drink often.

    The difference between the first and second wines sounds very much like the difference in the two vintages from my tasting. 2004 is the big fruit year, and 2005 is the Burgundian year.

  • dublin

    WOW, I feel as though my suggestion comment a few weeks ago came through. I loved the show today Gary and I’m jealous you’re in Shytown without me, love that town. It’s my kind of…sorry Frank had to do it. Pinot baby, can’t get enough of it. Just wish I could afford the ‘really’ good ones, like Sea Smoke 10 or Kistler, or the grand daddy Marcassin. But I make do with the moderate one’s, get a stinker here and there but then I get surprised by a $24 one just the same so it evens out.
    QOTD: Personally I think Sideways is a pretty funny movie. Now did it inflate Pinot prices and crash the Merlot market, probably some yes, but I think that wine in general has been on the rise in the U.S. and that we would have seen this inflation regardless. I just loved the fact that Miles slammed Merlot the whole movie and in the end drank the worlds best Merlot. Wonder if that was done on purpose, inside joke, or the script writer really didn’t know his wine?
    Cheers, time to open a Siduri Pinot.

  • dublin

    WOW, I feel as though my suggestion comment a few weeks ago came through. I loved the show today Gary and I’m jealous you’re in Shytown without me, love that town. It’s my kind of…sorry Frank had to do it. Pinot baby, can’t get enough of it. Just wish I could afford the ‘really’ good ones, like Sea Smoke 10 or Kistler, or the grand daddy Marcassin. But I make do with the moderate one’s, get a stinker here and there but then I get surprised by a $24 one just the same so it evens out.
    QOTD: Personally I think Sideways is a pretty funny movie. Now did it inflate Pinot prices and crash the Merlot market, probably some yes, but I think that wine in general has been on the rise in the U.S. and that we would have seen this inflation regardless. I just loved the fact that Miles slammed Merlot the whole movie and in the end drank the worlds best Merlot. Wonder if that was done on purpose, inside joke, or the script writer really didn’t know his wine?
    Cheers, time to open a Siduri Pinot.

  • Dave-from-Katonah

    GV-another great ep. I knew you wouldn’t leave us without an ep.

    Sorry I’m late tonight, I was playing my first round of golf for the year.
    Nuthing left to do but taste some wine – I know, maybe a Pinot Noir would be nice after I finish this Gravity Hills Zin…

    QOTD – I have already forgiven Sideways many times over. I do not appreciate the price hike in PN, but Patty Green PN is seriously delicious PN and then there’s always NZ PN…

    Have a great trip to ChiTown. Don’t forget to get some good deep dish pizza, and some garlicky pickles and kielbossa!

  • GV-another great ep. I knew you wouldn’t leave us without an ep.

    Sorry I’m late tonight, I was playing my first round of golf for the year.
    Nuthing left to do but taste some wine – I know, maybe a Pinot Noir would be nice after I finish this Gravity Hills Zin…

    QOTD – I have already forgiven Sideways many times over. I do not appreciate the price hike in PN, but Patty Green PN is seriously delicious PN and then there’s always NZ PN…

    Have a great trip to ChiTown. Don’t forget to get some good deep dish pizza, and some garlicky pickles and kielbossa!

  • Badger Ann

    QOTD: Sideways didn’t affect my opinion of Pinot Noir or Merlot one way or the other. I do like Pinot Noir, and this is one wine where I will pay attention to ratings, as I have had erratic luck with finding bottles that I enjoy. I’ve never really been a Merlot fan, except when used for blending.

    The movie was good, but the two main characters were pretty pathetic. I took more than a little satisfaction in watching Sandra Oh beat Thomas Hayden Church to a pulp with here motorcycle helmet! 🙂

  • Badger Ann

    QOTD: Sideways didn’t affect my opinion of Pinot Noir or Merlot one way or the other. I do like Pinot Noir, and this is one wine where I will pay attention to ratings, as I have had erratic luck with finding bottles that I enjoy. I’ve never really been a Merlot fan, except when used for blending.

    The movie was good, but the two main characters were pretty pathetic. I took more than a little satisfaction in watching Sandra Oh beat Thomas Hayden Church to a pulp with here motorcycle helmet! 🙂

  • dave from Osaka (thunderball)

    QOTD: Mad at a movie? Hell no. I imagine that any ‘negative’ effects that may have come from that movie are the fault of the people who watched it and let themselves be swayed…I thought it was a great show. 🙂

  • dave from Osaka (thunderball)

    QOTD: Mad at a movie? Hell no. I imagine that any ‘negative’ effects that may have come from that movie are the fault of the people who watched it and let themselves be swayed…I thought it was a great show. 🙂

  • Dave-from-Katonah

    Gary – can u do an entire show on just Burgundy?? I can’t recall a single one you’ve liked…surely there must be 3 or 4??

  • Gary – can u do an entire show on just Burgundy?? I can’t recall a single one you’ve liked…surely there must be 3 or 4??

  • JustinL

    I’m very happy that you liked the Anderson Valley Pinot the best. That’s a seriously underrated region for Pinot Noir (and wine in general).

    QOTD: not mad at Sideways. I AM mad at all of these wine posers who have flocked to Pinot Noir because of an insufferable wine snob like Miles.

  • JustinL

    I’m very happy that you liked the Anderson Valley Pinot the best. That’s a seriously underrated region for Pinot Noir (and wine in general).

    QOTD: not mad at Sideways. I AM mad at all of these wine posers who have flocked to Pinot Noir because of an insufferable wine snob like Miles.

  • JonE

    QOTD: You’re so totally right Gary! Who would’ve thought Sandra Oh would have landed such a sweet role on Grey’s Anatomy, while Paul Giamatti has been almost completely forgot about. So right G-Man, there’s no justice in the world.
    But in all truth if domestic Pinot prices hadn’t sored, those of us who were already fans of Pinot would still be bitching about the price of grand crus, Grivot, Roumier and the like. The only difference now is that we have something to complain about more close to home.

  • JonE

    QOTD: You’re so totally right Gary! Who would’ve thought Sandra Oh would have landed such a sweet role on Grey’s Anatomy, while Paul Giamatti has been almost completely forgot about. So right G-Man, there’s no justice in the world.
    But in all truth if domestic Pinot prices hadn’t sored, those of us who were already fans of Pinot would still be bitching about the price of grand crus, Grivot, Roumier and the like. The only difference now is that we have something to complain about more close to home.

  • CC_HTown

    Another great show, G.

    QOTD: I know its embarassing, but my wife and I just watched Sideways a month ago. We really liked it. I am not mad at the movie. Times change, fads change, and so the story goes.

    For your next episode, try and spike your hair up a tad with some pommade. Lose the snowski ramp on the top of your forehead. 🙂

  • CC_HTown

    Another great show, G.

    QOTD: I know its embarassing, but my wife and I just watched Sideways a month ago. We really liked it. I am not mad at the movie. Times change, fads change, and so the story goes.

    For your next episode, try and spike your hair up a tad with some pommade. Lose the snowski ramp on the top of your forehead. 🙂

  • Edward Hafer

    Fantastic Show!

    QOTD: Sideways pushed the prices of pinot up, but other wine (merlot) are now better QPRs. In addition, some very dedicated people who developed pinot noir viniculture in the United States were justly rewarded.

  • Edward Hafer

    Fantastic Show!

    QOTD: Sideways pushed the prices of pinot up, but other wine (merlot) are now better QPRs. In addition, some very dedicated people who developed pinot noir viniculture in the United States were justly rewarded.

  • KenP

    A bit of background: http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1403395,00.html

  • KenP

    A bit of background: http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1403395,00.html

  • Jim in Atlanta

    I am very mad at Sideways because I have loved pinot for quite a while. But it was a good movie. Thanks for talking about pinot again, and including Anderson valley. I like to visit Anderson valley and especially enjoy wines from Navarro. Keep up the good work!!

  • Jim in Atlanta

    I am very mad at Sideways because I have loved pinot for quite a while. But it was a good movie. Thanks for talking about pinot again, and including Anderson valley. I like to visit Anderson valley and especially enjoy wines from Navarro. Keep up the good work!!

  • Scott S.

    Hi Gary, been a while for me to comment so here your go. Have been a Pinot Noir fan so many years I can’t remember when I experienced the first bottle. You know ” The Holy Grail” is truly Pinot Noir no matter what Davinci Code suggest. When a Pinot vintage is good it is as we all know “Liquid silk”. When a vintage is off the stuff is un-drinkable. This is the true pleasure of this most difficult grape. Vineyard manager and Wine makers hate it and love it. So do I.

    QOTD: As for Sideways, excellent movie, but it put the spot light on a very complex and refined wine that obviously hammered the QPR but may have introduces people who otherwise may not have tried it. Not drinking much anymore to expensive. Spening much my time with Spanish red, QPR!. Please tell there is not a movie in the works. Last, enjoy Chicago, eat and Charlie Trotters!

  • Scott S.

    Hi Gary, been a while for me to comment so here your go. Have been a Pinot Noir fan so many years I can’t remember when I experienced the first bottle. You know ” The Holy Grail” is truly Pinot Noir no matter what Davinci Code suggest. When a Pinot vintage is good it is as we all know “Liquid silk”. When a vintage is off the stuff is un-drinkable. This is the true pleasure of this most difficult grape. Vineyard manager and Wine makers hate it and love it. So do I.

    QOTD: As for Sideways, excellent movie, but it put the spot light on a very complex and refined wine that obviously hammered the QPR but may have introduces people who otherwise may not have tried it. Not drinking much anymore to expensive. Spening much my time with Spanish red, QPR!. Please tell there is not a movie in the works. Last, enjoy Chicago, eat and Charlie Trotters!

  • Matt the Lurker

    QOTD – Talk about changing the wine world… Sideways and 2 Buck Chuck changed the industry nearly overnight. Loved the movie, but what it did for me was got me to rediscover merlot. I’ll drink pinot 10 years from now when everyone is calling it a has been fad.

  • Matt the Lurker

    QOTD – Talk about changing the wine world… Sideways and 2 Buck Chuck changed the industry nearly overnight. Loved the movie, but what it did for me was got me to rediscover merlot. I’ll drink pinot 10 years from now when everyone is calling it a has been fad.

  • Tom N., Soo, ON

    Nice Video Gary,
    My favorite variety and my tastes go from burgundy to big CA pinots so you could call me an equal opportunity drinker. Black pepper! How unusual for pinot! I usually get that from syrahs.

    QOTD: I liked Sideways a lot. I was a pinotphile before the movie so it only deepened my interest. A bit perturbed by the price increases perhaps, but since my tastes and Miles are similar I could identify with his palate preferences.

  • Tom N., Soo, ON

    Nice Video Gary,
    My favorite variety and my tastes go from burgundy to big CA pinots so you could call me an equal opportunity drinker. Black pepper! How unusual for pinot! I usually get that from syrahs.

    QOTD: I liked Sideways a lot. I was a pinotphile before the movie so it only deepened my interest. A bit perturbed by the price increases perhaps, but since my tastes and Miles are similar I could identify with his palate preferences.

  • QOTD: I loved the first hour it was fun. The second half made me really mad.

    Love pinot but not to into most california pinot too high alcohol.

  • QOTD: I loved the first hour it was fun. The second half made me really mad.

    Love pinot but not to into most california pinot too high alcohol.

  • MzTeaze

    Interesting review – I was intrigued by the last wine…will be trolling WL for it.

    QOTD – I can’t be mad at Sideways, it made me look at wine and tastings in a different way. Just hate that they drove the price up on great wines.

  • MzTeaze

    Interesting review – I was intrigued by the last wine…will be trolling WL for it.

    QOTD – I can’t be mad at Sideways, it made me look at wine and tastings in a different way. Just hate that they drove the price up on great wines.

  • wildebeest

    QOTD: Miles is my hero 😛 Seriously, I’m a fan of the movie, and though it’s had it’s popularity has had its drawbacks, I think it’s given the wine industry a boost overall.

  • wildebeest

    QOTD: Miles is my hero 😛 Seriously, I’m a fan of the movie, and though it’s had it’s popularity has had its drawbacks, I think it’s given the wine industry a boost overall.

  • wm mole

    Ah, you know how Miles is! He’s probably on WL staff pushin burgundy futures.
    Keep the Cal/Ore/NZ Pinot bargains coming GV!!!!!
    Loved the movie!

  • wm mole

    Ah, you know how Miles is! He’s probably on WL staff pushin burgundy futures.
    Keep the Cal/Ore/NZ Pinot bargains coming GV!!!!!
    Loved the movie!

  • wm mole

    Also, thanks GV for the wake up call, to all the other great wines of the world.

  • wm mole

    Also, thanks GV for the wake up call, to all the other great wines of the world.

  • Garret Nagle

    I’m generally indifferent to the issue of Sideways, because it came out before I was 21, and had not been introduced to this varietal at that point, although I was allready a Sangiovese and Cabernet fan by 19.

    Truthfully, it’s a silly movie that isn’t worth watching, but I have eaten at the Hitching Post, and I plan on posting a review of it in the forums,

    If you read my e-mail about the Cabernet Sauvignon / Terroir show idea, it seems like we were thinking similarly yesterday, although you recorded today’s show before I sent out the e-mail. On second thought, it might be too hard to compare the varietal’s different characteristics based upon terroir, because every winemaker tends to craft his wine into his own style. Maybe it’s too hard to try and compare the terroir variances? For example, if a bordeaux turns out to be very new world in style, it might defeat the whole idea of trying to taste how the region of Bordeaux affects the flavour profile of cab as compared to Napa, etc.

    Let me know what you think

    Garret

  • Garret Nagle

    I’m generally indifferent to the issue of Sideways, because it came out before I was 21, and had not been introduced to this varietal at that point, although I was allready a Sangiovese and Cabernet fan by 19.

    Truthfully, it’s a silly movie that isn’t worth watching, but I have eaten at the Hitching Post, and I plan on posting a review of it in the forums,

    If you read my e-mail about the Cabernet Sauvignon / Terroir show idea, it seems like we were thinking similarly yesterday, although you recorded today’s show before I sent out the e-mail. On second thought, it might be too hard to compare the varietal’s different characteristics based upon terroir, because every winemaker tends to craft his wine into his own style. Maybe it’s too hard to try and compare the terroir variances? For example, if a bordeaux turns out to be very new world in style, it might defeat the whole idea of trying to taste how the region of Bordeaux affects the flavour profile of cab as compared to Napa, etc.

    Let me know what you think

    Garret

  • Neurodoc

    Question 1: Do you taste pinot noir with a Bordeaux glass? I usually use a pinot noir glass.

    QOTD: I think Sideways has gotten many on the Pinot Noir bandwagon, including me.

    Comment 1: I wouldn’t like to smell Cindi Lauper, but I would love to taste Christina Aguilera.

  • Neurodoc

    Question 1: Do you taste pinot noir with a Bordeaux glass? I usually use a pinot noir glass.

    QOTD: I think Sideways has gotten many on the Pinot Noir bandwagon, including me.

    Comment 1: I wouldn’t like to smell Cindi Lauper, but I would love to taste Christina Aguilera.

  • jonomck

    JUST GOT HOME- CHICAGO TASTING ROCKED AND BROUGHT THE THUNDER!!! GARY HELD A KICK ASS TASTING AND BROUGHT A PHILLIP TOGNI!! CHICAGOANS ROCKED AND BROUGHT A MOUNTIAN OF GREAT WINES. OH, AND ASK GARY ABOUT THE 2 OF CLUBS…………..

  • jonomck

    JUST GOT HOME- CHICAGO TASTING ROCKED AND BROUGHT THE THUNDER!!! GARY HELD A KICK ASS TASTING AND BROUGHT A PHILLIP TOGNI!! CHICAGOANS ROCKED AND BROUGHT A MOUNTIAN OF GREAT WINES. OH, AND ASK GARY ABOUT THE 2 OF CLUBS…………..

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