QOTD: Studying for my level 1 sommelier exam with my secret weapon known as Gary V.

QOTD: drinking a lot more Crémant especially Crémant de Bourgogne and of course a lot of Champagne too

QOTD – Aerating
I have discovered that Decanting, not always to get the silt out, but to aerate, has really allowed me to experience several different versions of wine from the same bottle on the same night. 6 months ago, several wines I tasted that I thought would be awesome were thin and watery ( California meritages) that had rally opened up became very complex and interesting wines after a few hours.

QOTD: I’ve been drinking a lot more non-US wines.

Interesting episode. I’m fairly new to watching the show, and was wondering the other day if you ever rated anything below 80. (One kind of wonders about a 100-point scale…) Anyway, today you answered that question.

QOTD: In the last couple of years, since I retired, I’ve been trying more actively to really learn about wine. In the last six month, probably the biggest change is that I’ve been drinking a lot more French wines. Years ago I kind of drifted away from French wines because the ones I was familiar with mostly became very expensive, and for various reasons I had a lot more opportunity to become familiar with wines from Germany and Italy, and of course New World wines. Lately I’m experimenting much more with French wines.

QOTD – Gota be that I am tasting so much more wine…I have a crew that I have met through WLTV that meets every other week for tastings and then also quartely for blowout tastings….AWESOME! THanks

QOTD – I turned 21 like a month ago, that was a huge change!

QOTD: In the last six months? My wine world has changed because I have visited some wineries that Ian and Gary hooked me up with in Paso Robles which were simply AWESOME – thanks guys! – and I have tried several new varietals and wine from regions that I hadn’t ever had before because of the Thunder Show! Kep up the great work, guys.

If you look at the on-camera progression from your first episodes to now, the change is CRAZY. I theorize somewhere around episode 600 you may actually explode. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying.

QOTD: We are drinking MORE WHITE WINE than ever!

QOTD: Realizing that wine*IS*food and that there is a whole lot more to white wines than Chardonnay…

QOTD – of all time…when I started working with the largest wine competition in the US…then I became a winemaker…professionally!!!

In the last 6 months…I try to drink a different wine everyday…thanks to you!!!! That inspiration came from you…and now I have several others hooked on you, the show, and the idea of tasting a different wine every time they crack open a bottle!!!

My wine life just recently started in the last six months. I am trying everything I can and I am having so much fun with it. Thanks for making this show and continue the great work!

My wine life just recently started in the last six months. I am trying everything I can and I am having so much fun with it. Thanks for making this show and continue the great work!

QOD – A stop in Walla Walla on a family vacation sealed the deal on my impending wine loving disorder! Eric

QOTD Getting away from the fakey fake fruit bombs and going more old world

QOTD: To be honest the biggest change in my wine world was when I discovered you. Before then I refused to taste wine, because I hated it. You pulled me back from that horrible abyss! Thankyou GV. You’re radool! >_>

QOTD- everything has just turned to wine: meals are planned around wine, not the other way around; keep tasting notes so I can avoid garbage and revisit some old friends; when I find something I’ve never had, ie. variety or location, I jump in head first instead of ordering/buying something familiar. And I always have a glass or three while watching the THUNDER SHOW!!!

Cool show! Awesome to see all the questions & answers.

QOTD: Last 6 months Spain is no longer my go to wine. Itâ??s all about the Rhone now. Itâ??s amazing how different Grenache tastes for these two regions.

What qualifies a lurker? I’m probably one, but just wondered :o)

QOTD: I’ve started buying anything, and never anything more than once unless I’ve got some special reason. I working on starting a wine blog with my friend in Chicago… and I love buying Local wines wherever I go. My collection of wines I want to wait to try later (in comparison with now) is also starting to grow. :o) My Girlfriend, my friend Marty, and you have helped with all of these.

QOTD: I’ve bumped up my average bottle price from around $10-$15 to $25-$30. Although I still pop and pour plenty of great $10 wines, the price point step up has resulted in much more complex and enjoyable wines. I’ve also started seriously cellaring some wines. Particularly ’05 Bordeaux, ’05 CDP’s and some nice spanish riojas.

I’m new to WLTV. I dig the hell out of it. I actually had a German friend “link it up” to me a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been “lurking.” (and evidently getting carried away with my quotations) I’m somewhat OCD about things that I like, so I’ve probably watched 100 episodes recently.
I have heard a very strong theme from you wanting comments & wanting to get the lurkers out of the closet. I’m gonna try to participate more in the coming episodes out of respect and total appreciation for you and the show.

Anyway, I was just watching episode #239 (Rioja wine 5/21/07), and you just were ranting about wanting people to try new things & not to just like Old World or New World styles. You then mentioned that you like everything & everybody, except for The New York Giants & New England Patriots. That kinda made me laugh on this eve of the Superbowl. Have fun watching the game. Congrats ahead of time on episode #400. From a selfish standpoint, I hope you keep it up.
-Marc

In the last six months? Well, I’ve been drinking less, but better stuff.

Biggest change has been my buying habits. I bought bought bought a lot of sub $20 wine as I was trying to figure out my palate (still am; always will be). Now that I’ve got a pretty good stockpile of drink-soon wine, I’m looking more to buy wines that might not be ready to open up for a bit or, if it’s ready upon release, at least something that will cellar for 5+ years.

Biggest change has been my buying habits. I bought bought bought a lot of sub $20 wine as I was trying to figure out my palate (still am; always will be). Now that I’ve got a pretty good stockpile of drink-soon wine, I’m looking more to buy wines that might not be ready to open up for a bit or, if it’s ready upon release, at least something that will cellar for 5+ years.