I am currently studying to be a sommelier and have just passed my first exam. Is it the general consensus that all sommes are wine snobs? I just thought it was interesting to study, I don’t want to look pretentious.

QOTD: I am super excited to mention what I’m drinking this weekend.
Reine Didon
Pinot Noir
2003
Grand Cru
Appellation d’Origine
Controlee Mornag –> France heads are probably wondering where is Mornag
Importe et Mis en Bouteille Par
Reine Didon A F11610 –> bear with me, it’s coming
Produit de TUNISIE (caps added) –> Yes folks, Tunisia. I live in Kobe, Japan and I found the wine in a local liquor shop for little over 9 US bucks. And yes, it’s pretty darn good. Maybe the best under $10 wine I’ve ever had.

Great show Gary!!

Q: Probably a Languedoc red, a malbec from Mendoza, and a couple others, plus some margaritas at the beach. Cheers!!

Oh no! I’ve been exposed as the horrible lurker that I am. Sorry Gary. Love the show!

lurker…coming out… hahaha.
great stuff man. i’m new to your site, so i’m just checking stuff out. i LOVE wine, but wish i knew more about it…hence, subscribing to this blog 🙂

QOTD: 2005 St. Christopher Liebfraumilch – Nahe Qualitatswein

Beware of the cream and the clear this weekend!

You yanked my lurking butt out of the closet today, Gary. Even by your wacked out standards, your frenetics were awesomely over the top, and I loved the tips on hosting a party. I’ll never afford Sea Smoke, but I’ll sure be looking for Band-Aid in wines down the road.

QotD: We popped a Bareback Cab from Australia yesterday. A friend brought it over only for its provocative name…kind of rubbery under the fruit, but things taste better on Fridays, don’t they?

You yanked my lurking butt out of the closet today, Gary. Even by your wacked out standards, your frenetics were awesomely over the top, and I loved the tips on hosting a party. I’ll never afford Sea Smoke, but I’ll sure be looking for Band-Aid in wines down the road.

QotD: We popped a Bareback Cab from Australia yesterday. A friend brought it over only for its provocative name…kind of rubbery under the fruit, but things taste better on Fridays, don’t they?

I like wine. Wine is good.

…”everyone shows up with a cold.” Awesome, and very true to experience. No doubt the blind tasting is the best wine party to host, and I find that it’s the best way to train my nose and palate on different varietals.

I was lucky enough to pick up a bottle of Sea Smoke Botella 2005 yesterday at Wine Merchant in Clayton. I find that, if you ask for these hard to find wines, some merchants have them on hand but not displayed (I asked for a bottle of Casanova di Neri Brunello 2001 last December and got the last bottle). I got lucky, I guess, as I paid $45. Later, at a wine bar, the Botella was on the list at $110! Thanks for the Sea Smoke episode. It makes it that much more exciting.

QOTD: Something white, crisp, and COLD. It’s over 100 degrees…again.

Fun ep. GV! Do you know of any US winemakers who make wine with either old or new Slovenian oak? What do the experts have to say about wines made in Slovenian oak vs. French oak vs. US oak? Just curious about it.

QOTD: If I have something red gravy Italian this weekend I might have a nice earthy ’99 ‘Ciro Rosso Classico. Sunday, I’ll probably have a steak, which will be a good excuse to try a ’95 Chateau Lanessan from Medoc, or a Bonterra 2004 organic cab from Mendoncino, Cali.

Nice episode. I read about Sea Smoke and have seen the high ratings, but its great to see someone actually go through a tasting.

Given your comments, I think I will pass. My tastes are toward the old world Burgundies, so going through the hassle of getting Sea Smoke is a waste. If its on a Wine list or I come across it of course I will try it.
I think there are plenty of other Pinot Noirs on the market that I would try first.

This weekend I will be drinking a bottle of 2003 Chateau Pibran. I also will be opening some champgnes with friends. Inspired by the NYT article and your previous advice.

Pinot from Cali, can’t get use to the idea. Oregon Pinot or bust. Had a blind tasting with Washington Cabs. Everybody picked the 04 Quilceda Creek, but everybody also picked a 04 Columbia Crest Grand Estates as a $30-50.00 bottle. Blind tastings too much fun. Salmon and either a 99 Eyrie Pinot or 99 King Estate Croft Vineyard Pinot, can’t decide. Need help?!

*SIGH* Yet another bunch of great wines that I will probably not get the chance to taste. 🙁
QOTD: Going out tonight to a birthday party at a restaurant… looked at the wine list on line, and chances are I’ll have the Vineland Estates Riesling with my appetizers and a California Cab with my steak. 🙂

Good for you, Gary. I really appreciate your honesty and guts to say what you truly think. As I said a couple of days ago, I am frustrated by the number of producers who take their most promising cuvees or barrels after fermintation, but then give them “over-the-top” oak treatment. What a waste of their highest potential juice! I bet this is what happened with the Sea Smoke Southing and Ten.

QOTD: I plan to compare two 1997 Ken Wright Pinot Noirs…one from Guadalupe Vineyard and one from Whistling Ridge Vineyard. I can’t wait to see what the differences might be.

Tried the 2004 Sea Smoke “Southing” not too long ago and that’s excellent too.

My first post ever! no more lurking!! fabulous trio of pinot today. I’m from the Cowichan Valley in BC Canada (the wines are a bit hit or miss, but there is some good stuff to be found) Tonight I’m opening one of my favorite new world style wines, I think it has been done on WLTV, De Toren Fusion V, from South Africa, since it’s food week I’ll tell u my meal. I’m doing hazelnut encrusted lamb, with pavee potatoes, and some beautiful corn I picked up from a local farm.
Keep up the good work.
Enjoy the West Coast.

C

Gary goes West and finds the Sea Smoke! Great job – my favorite episode yet. Also excellent perspective in not confusing New World profile with Burgundy. As you noted, its a different style. They CAN co-exist.

I am lucky to have several vintages in the cellar – have only opened the ’04 Botella and ’03 Southing. Superb. I suspect the Ten needs +5 years to integrate, so for now they sleep.

QOTD: Newton 2002 unfiltered Chard. Roar 2004 SLH Pinot Noir.

Always enjoy shows on pinot. I may try one of my pinots from Gainey or Halleck this weekend.

GV, my friend. Your “pop that bottle” rant inspired me, so my answer to your QOTD has changed.

QOTD: Big birthday today (the 11th). I’m having dinner w/ my girlfriend and my two closest friends here in Manhattan. And, after a long, rough summer, I’ve decided to treat myself and those close to me with a 1986 D’Yquem I’ve been holding on to for a while.

QFGV: The other reason why the ’86 D’Yquem is significant is because it’s my birth year; which puts me at the ripe ol’ age of 21 today 🙂 So my question for you is, what is your opinion on the legal drinking age being 21 and not 18 — or even younger as in some countries? When should someone start getting into wine?

QOTD: already drank some Palacios Remondo Rioja (love a tempranillo with 35% garnacha to smooth it out), and maybe an Italian Pinot Nero on Sunday with Delfina’s classic spaghetti made canned tomatoes: http://www.forfoodies.com/html/delfina.html. That’s what I’m talking about.

You have inspired me to try the blind tasting party its in the works! Lorenzo

GVNC: Great show! I’ve seen Sea Smoke wines but was not aware of their popularity. I will need to seek them out.

QOTD: Starting with Ketel One on the rocks Friday night. Always like the immediate mood altering impact after a stressful week. Then will move on to some reds; Malbec, Shiraz, with some good food.

QOTD: a little 05′ conundrum and perhaps some 03′ Sonnsonnet. Just had an 01′ Valdicava this week and it was breathtaking, perhaps the most enjoyable wine i have ever had.

QOTD: 2001 Pedroncelli Sonoma County Zinfandel. I got it at a Wine Store moving sale for $7! Even if its half crap, It was 7 bones! By the way, does Pedroncelli even exist any more?

I enjoyed your show almost as much as I enjoy a bottle of good Pinot Noir. I’m from TX so it’s OK for me to add an Amen! to your rant about the profundity of sharing bread and wine as a family or community.

QOTD:A bottle of San Felice Perolla(Sangiovese/Merlot blend) from near the Toscan coast, Italy.