qotd
$$$1985 veuve cliquot brut rose la grande dame
$$laurent perrier brut rose
$prosecco di valdobbiadene botter

QOTD: My “every month” champagne is Clicquot yellow label but have been trying some new ones lately, for example really liked the Pol Roger Rich NV. However I feel where you drink champagne, the surrounding atmosphere, has a lot to do with your enjoyment. I had the Mumm that you passed on at a wonderful French restaurant and loved it. (Not sure how the snow and traffic affected your experience, may want to repeat this tasting on the cruise!)

The one sparkling wine in the last year that really blew me away is from California, the Domaine Carneros Le Reve 2002. But again I may have been influenced by the location, I sat up on the balcony of the impressive Domaine Carneros winery in Carneros as the sun set on the surrounding green hills and the hot air balloons floated overhead, sipping this impressive wine.

Thanks for doing a show in demanding conditions.

QOTD: A sparkling wine from Tasmania known as Taltarni Vintage Brut, it brings the thunder on the table.

Christmas Greetings from a wintry Helsinki

Great to have you back Gary! U think those ice crystals hurt?! Liz iz goin to kick your azz dude! Feel better, crazy man.

QOTD: Can’t wait for the Cava/Prosecco ep…I’m lovin the Riondo Prosecco for 9 bones ! Not a sparkling kinda guy, but this was a nice change! Will open a bottle of 1999 Dom for Christmas Eve dinner with family…(it was a gift.

Also, Thanks for the “Snow Day” Sale on the website! Some great buys!

I loved this show, and I love champagne! Champagne first, and then the rest of the wines for me. This has always been the case.

QOTD: I was introduced to Dom Perignon in the early 80s when I was a teen, and I have always enjoyed the effervescence, structure, and balance of the vintages I tasted. I also love Perriet Jouet Fleur de Champagne for its mouthfilling fruitiness and overall balance. However, it is not practical to have $100 champagnes regularly–unless money is of no concern–yet, I love the bubbles. Therefore, I have made a point of searching out “value” champagnes and sparklers for under $30. To date, my favorite by far is the Lanson Black Label, which is refreshing, crisp, acidic, and flavorful for about $30–in Hawaii! It’s probably their relatively unique process, which foregoes malolactic fermentation. Please try it!

QOTD: best bubbles? hmmm. When I was a kid, I loved fountain soda from fast food restaurants much more than the out of the bottle/can stuff. Now I don’t eat fast food or drink soda.

I had a good Alsace Cremant $17 not too long ago.

Here in SE PA, we only had rain yesterday. Thanks for sitting in the ice and snow for us. Go have some hot cocoa.

What are you doing sitting in the ice ?????????

Get some homemade Chicken soup; and then before bed, a very hot shower and a good shot of Blackberry Brandy. Guarantee you will feel better !

QOTD- Asti is good here!

Stay Well !

You are one crazy dude – great show and props to the Mottster to nailing the sound. Happy Holidays!!!

Been a big fan of yours Gary – been watching the show from the UK for about 9 months now and enjoy your enthusiasm. I have a small wine business in the UK and we need more people like you (and me) in the wine world, keep up the good work! JC.
Best champagne experience “Gosset Celebris Blanc de Blancs” NV – a blend of several great vintages from the 1990’s…simply stunning – you should try some on the show! Have a great holiday.

I’m not a bubbly connoisseur, but one I recently particularly enjoyed was Steininger Burgunder Sekt 2006 (Austrian).

You should not be out in the ice when you’re just getting over a cold!

GV – you look a bit like Emperor Palpatine in this one! 🙂

great show!
im all about bubbles and best experience gotta be
a krug NV!

happy holidays!

Gonna grab the Varnier –

“Baked apples and sugared cauliflower” Are you kidding me? That rocks.

And this show brought SERIOUS thunder. Great job Gary.

Mark

Gary & Chris, # 598 & counting……..almost…………..# 599 & then………………………………..# 600 🙂

The gentle clicking of the ice was priceless. You are our Parker and Barnum & Bailey all in one.

QOTD: That’s like picking children! But I did have a very nice Besserat de Bellefon Cuvee de Moines yesterday.

Wow – what a perfect setting to talk about Ice Wines!!! Love You Gary

Love the ‘live’ outdoor shots; please do a few for each new season!
Gary please pronounce the well known house Mumm corectly; it’s alot more fun to hear: MOOOOMS!!
qotd: Cristalino Brut Cava: Under $10. at Trader Joe’s. “Value Brand of the Year”, 3 consecutive yrs./Wine&Spirits Magazine.
Smell it first. TR
P.S. Ms. Vaynerchuk: Gary needs a pair of mittens for X-Mas.

The best bubbles I ever put my mouth was when we went to Bern’s for dinner last year. You ordered a bottle of 1988 Dom Ruinart “Blanc D Blanc” Exquisite!

Hey Gary, Good to hear from you. Great episode. I manage a winemaking school in the south (Jersey) and I have the students tune in. I’ll try the Legras on New Years. Have a great holiday, Good Health (So ture)

Vince

Gary esta en fuego!

QOTD: Shramsberg Mirabelle first introduced at the Cleveland Wine School’s “Cellar Door” bubbles tasting.

You’re a nut.
Loved it !!!

I promise.

JETs 24
Bums 19

Glad to see you back! I’m glad your feeling better, hope that being out in the snow won’t make your relapse!

QOTD: I have never met a bubbly that I didn’t like….Cava Prosecco, Asti, whatever, I love it. When I was like 10 my parents went on a tour of Domain Chandon, and since then I’ve always liked Sparkling Wine.

QOTD:I struggle with sparkling wine. I just don’t like it, even high priced grower champagne has failed to bring “thunder” for me. When it comes to bubbles i prefer czech pilsners, belgian ales, and dry stouts and english bitters.

Gotta admit. Only tried a couple sparklings, but my favorite is Casa Larga’s Blanc de Blanc

La Grande Dame with oysters, amazing!