Fun episode:

The wine to convert a non-wine drinker – Muscato d’Asti WITH popcorn (assuming the person likes popcorn). Fun, easy drinking and good introduction into quality wine.

As I reside in Calgary, I have to disagree with Vaun. There are a lot of Leafs fans in the city… but the Flames rule. And Gary should visit here… we have a really cool wine scene here.

On prices – yup, we do pay more here. Most of that is taxes. Not that I am trying to start a debate on fiscal policy and what gov’t does with the $$$, but I don’t mind paying more for wine in my neck of the woods. I do wish we did have more choices on U.S. wines, which does seem to be a stumbling block of the current system.

Also, maybe it is time to do a show on some of the wines from the various regions across Canada.

Yo G & Vaun, Grrreaaat Episode!!! Vaun, Nice “Oak-Monster”…..Whooooa…..

QOTD1: Kathy Lynsky (New Zealand) Gewurtztraminer

QOTD2: i think G should shave his head & grow a ZZ TOP beard…….. 🙂

Excellent show yet again!!

QOTD # 1. A Beaujolais is a great entry wine for non-wine lovers or non-red wine lovers.

QOTD #2. I think a goatee would suit G nicely!

QOTD 1: Ironically the easiest new-entry wines and the most complex and sophisticated wines in the world are German Rieslings.

QOTD 2: I think GV should shave his head!

Gary..I’m not a “grammer-snob” but felt obliged to correct your pronunciation of “Meritage” (at about 2:55 of the program). I learned from a recent wine educational seminar in Virginia that this is a made-up word combining the words “merit” and “heritage.” Meritage is pronounced Meh-rih-TIJ, rhyming with Heritage. This word, interestingly, is registered as a US trademark, that wineries must pay to use on their wines.

Love your show, man!

Sauternes

Rob, wait until your French wine class. You’ll hear Gary’s pronunciation of Meritage there refering to a French blend.

QOTD 1: For sweet cocktail drinkers: Moscato di Asti or a Riesling Spatlese or even Kabinett.
For beer drinkers: heavily oaked Astralian Shiraz fruit bombs.

QOTD 2: Two words- mutton chops.

Great show! Nice job Vaun! QOTD#1: Probably a Malbec – how about the rockin’ Terrazas de los Andes Malbec. QOTD#2: Naw, he’s better off clean shaven.

It was fun to meet you Gary, at the Maryland B&N. Unfortunately, I was running low on sleep and worked 4 12 hour days that week already. Sorry for being a bit flat that evening. Caw! Caw! Caw!

Good job, Vaun!

QOTD1. I think Moscato d’Asti would appeal to many non-wine-drinkers. I have a friend who is French, who drinks no wine and eats no cheese. (And he is French! Is that allowed?) Once in a while he’ll try wines I suggest, and the only ones he actually seems to like are Moscato d’Asti.

QOTD2. Yes. Maybe a little on the chin.

Interesting to get the opinion of others who have different tastes than Gary. QOTD – A friend who is just starting to drink wine likes Australian Shiraz and sweeter Vouvray.

AWESOME JOB VAUN! Great to have another pallate on the show-
QOTD1- Zinfandel might be the best converter wine
QOTD2- Rollie Fingers Moustache please

Q1: Moscato D’Asti
Q2: A Goatee would work

How ’bout having another Von (I know he spells it differently) on the show I’ll do it any time!!!

Good show indeed, although I’m ashamed to admit wondering too much on why Vaun didn’t wear something with longer sleeves? Good cork flick!

QOTD1 – For a white I’d go to something from Alsace, one of their drier Rieslings or Pinot Gris. Difficult for a red, a non-wine drinker wouldn’t necessarily appreciate the tannin/acid in the same way, so I’d say something fruity and easy drinking, maybe a Sicilian Nero d’Avola or blend, or a good Rhone Varietal blend, how about an Australian Grenache?

QOTD2 – Can’t see it myself, but hey, why not?

Hi Gary,

Big-Time lurker here. Just started watching less than a month ago and am now ripping through the archived episodes. Loved the Torrontes episode (Jan. ’08)- I am from Portland, OR to answer that QOTD. Loved your guest, and Canada for that matter.
QOTD- It depends on what they drink, if a beer lover for example, I would start them off with a bigger red, Cab, Syrah, or something Italian. If they drink booze, lemon-drops or gin & tonics, I might try to get them to try a white, like a pinot-grigio, sauv-blanc, or even a torrontes! Its all about their palate.

PS- You mentioned you are coming to portland (beaverton) on July 3rd. I am assuming the book signing is at 7:30 at powell’s, BUT a friend mentioned you might be at the World Market on the same day? Is this true? I am tasting wine at my restaurant that evening, but would love to pay a visit if you are at the World Market during the day. Thanks again for the show, my new favorite thing about the web.

QOTD – St. Emilion QOTD2 – FuManChu baby.

QOTD: Prolly Yellowtail Chardonnay
QOTD2: Mutton chops

QOTD: How about the 2006 Beringer Vineyards Alluvium Blanc? It was nice and agreeable but also had a good amount of complexity going on. It might work to get non-wine drinkers started thinking, “hey this tastes good” and then by the second glass realized that there’s more going on there besides grapes and alcohol.

QOTD: No soul patches please. I’m all in favor of bringing back a Jets beard though.

Awesome job, Vaughn. Way to represent us Canucks (or your Stamps as it were). BTW, aren’t those who travel south in the winter, “snowbirds” or are they called “snowflakes” in Calgary? Gary you do a great job with the guests – I enjoy the mix.

QOTD – I’d agree something sweet to get someone in the door. Moscato d’Asti, Riesling, Port, Icewine, etc.

QOTD2 – 70s Porno ‘stache.

Trying to catch up on a week of WLTV, oh geez…

Nice to see a fellow Canadian on the show. I concur on the matter of pricing, but I can’t buy wine south of the 49th parallel anyways (i.e. see drinking age), so I guess I can’t complain.

QOTD1: Mission Hill Chardonnay, or Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Obviously I have to choose a white wine if it’s someone who’s new to wine. Both these have good flavor, aren’t too acidic. Overall I just really enjoyed them.
QOTD2: Surprise me.

..Eurghh.. they are actually called “”snowbirds” .. not snowflakes”” Vaun.
Btw, great episode and a cool, relaxed vibe, and a good guest.

GO LEAFS GO

Really enjoyed the show.
Vaun seems like a laid back guy who knows more than he is letting on about wine.
QOTD
– white – Gavi (thanks GV, had my first one on the road and it was nice)
– red – a light Beaujolais (not nouveau) with the Gamay grape

QOTD 2 – just say NO to facial hair!

This was a FUNNY show. Gary and Vaughn rock. A great combination. Loved it!!