Great show. We did a Sav Blanc tasting with a Napa (Grgich Hills), New Zealand (Kim Crawford), and a Sancerre. I liked the Sancerre the most – don’t remeber the winery.
QOTD: Any new wine – I like to try different wines. I seem to be looking into Priorat lately.

Mike – Boca Raton, FL

QOTD: I’ve been intrigued and heartened by the increasing availability of the Torrontes varietal from none other than Argentina. There’s something about that lemony zing against a stone fruit backdrop (at least on the more expensive ones, i.e. over 10-bucks. Ooh!) Crios is a solid example , but I had one from Jihus (I think) which was a little more complex. Great summer cooler with a little more interest than your standard Pinot G.

QOTD: I’ve been intrigued and heartened by the increasing availability of the Torrontes varietal from none other than Argentina. There’s something about that lemony zing against a stone fruit backdrop (at least on the more expensive ones, i.e. over 10-bucks. Ooh!) Crios is a solid example , but I had one from Jihus (I think) which was a little more complex. Great summer cooler with a little more interest than your standard Pinot G.

I will be drinking Roses,Muscadet,unoaked Chardonnay from Chile and any other wines that are out of the ordinary.

good show gary, one of the first wines that ever hit my palate just right, and i really enjoyed was a 2006 giesen sauvignon blanc from marlborough. looking back, even though that was only like 6 months ago, the wine probably was simple and straight forward, but that is what’s nice about marlborough; you can still get good clean flavors for a good price.

qotd: as a matter of fact, i’m looking forward to being in marlborough next week and central otago the week after that. even though it’s actually fall here i think that still counts for springtime drinking. i haven’t decided what wineries i’m going to visit yet, any advice?

QOTD: Rosés most definitely now that it’s gotten warmer here in the Bay Area. The winery I work for, JC Cellars (jccellars.com) makes a vibrant, fruit-driven rosé of Syrah from grapes from the highly sought-after Rockpile AVA in northern Sonoma County. Our winery-mates Dashe Cellars also just released another great rosé effort from Zin, Grenache & Petite Sirah grapes. It’s fruity but tangy with a beautiful watermelon color.

Chasing Venus SB is the bomb! Discovered that one at a wine bar in Sacramento when visiting friends a couple years ago and brought a bottle home. Delicious!

So, I guess the new question for winos buying SB is “CB or CV?”

Still not really crazy about SB, and esp. not the NZ SB. The cat pee aroma is too off-putting, as is the excessive soft-fruity taste. I’ve tried quite a few recommended ones, including the Babich, but pass, thank you. So the pricey Kim Crawford hasn’t been tried, much less the Cloudy Bay.

QOTD: Following on the SB disappointment, I’ve been excited to discover some SB blends that I’ve enjoyed. The first is a Rosemount Estates Chard, Verdelho and SB blend. I found the bottle note “richness of Chardonnay, fullness of Verdelho and crisp finish of SB” to be bang on! Second, I came down to watch today’s show with a glass of Birthday(week)-Present-To-Myself white blend, Road 13 Honest John’s blend of Ehrenfelser, SB and Viognier. Dubbed by the winemaker (Michael Bartier) as “Okanagan in a glass”, I am lovjn’ it!

I’ve also been finding some pleasant Pinot Blanc in my tastings around the Okanagan, both domestic and Old World.

btw, for my actual b’day, I opened a split of Tomassi Amarone (2003), purchased some months ago for the occasion. Very, very good ? in fact my wife swooned over it. Guess I’ll have to find (and spring for) a full bottle of Amarone for her birthday, eh?

And finally, I’d imagine the Pecorino supply in BC winestores is 20 cases, not 20 bottles.

Love the NZ SBs

QOTD.. My wife and I joined a couple of ‘cellar clubs’ on a last trip to Napa so we are looking forward to some Cliff Lede shipments (even have a solid SB at the club price) as well as the Schramsberg sparkling shipments. Sparkling wine is good in all weather as you proved a few months ago during your blizzard Champagne tasting.

Love the NZ SBs

QOTD.. My wife and I joined a couple of ‘cellar clubs’ on a last trip to Napa so we are looking forward to some Cliff Lede shipments (even have a solid SB at the club price) as well as the Schramsberg sparkling shipments. Sparkling wine is good in all weather as you proved a few months ago during your blizzard Champagne tasting.

Love the show. Chasing Venus is one of my favs. I just bought 2 cases of it for spring.

Keep bringing the thunder

Wud up G,

NZ wines? Let us know where you go if you visit any wineries. I will be making my way over there in a few months.

QOTD: There is this Fratelli Moscato d’Asti that I am looking forward to in order to beat the heat. Also, I’m going boost up on the white wines from Australia. No winery in mind just yet.

QOTD: I’m excited to try some Arizona wine, also some fruit wines around the Olympia, WA area.
Again, love the original format, love it when you throw in the blind tastings, and a guest once every two weeks or so would be perfect. Keep us guessing, and coming back for more!

QOTD- Rose season is almost here. Sola Rosa and some Provance and Tavel goodness. Who hasnt had a Bandol with a few cubes of ice on a hot day??? Do it now!!

I totally pass on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc… way too over the top Grapefruit and Grass! I simply do not drink them and think they over hyped. Lately, I love many of the South African white wines including their Sauvignon Blanc that is much more balanced and you get some tropical elements rather than a grapefruit bomb.

Hey Gary,

I hate to love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It seems like it’s so overrated because as you said, it’s on every single wine list. Yet everytime I taste/smell them, I understand the hype behind the wine as a great value.

QOTD: Chablis & Sancerre, and I’ll be chasing them with oysters from the east coast.

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QOTD – Fresh Rose and Sparkling Rose!! Do an episode!!!
No Gooseberry, No Lychee Fruit on the 3 NZ Sauv. Blanc’s??
Try Dashwood, Giesen, New Harbor!!
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Gary – Nice to see a local product review. Love the way you don’t always follow in the footsteps of those before you (Parker, Robinson etc…). Cloudy Bay can be a little so? so? and the hype only hurts the experience.
Q.O.T.D = Down under for us it is Autumn – but still excited by St Clair Sauvignon Blanc (another Marlborough play). You should have a look, it really is a good effort.
Cheers!

Hi – Nice shown – I also like the special NZ Sauvignon style.

This spring I look forward to drink 2008 Riesling from Germany – primarily the wines from Pfalz and Rheinhessen with good ripeness, acidity and mouthfeel. Both regions offer good value for money.

On a sunny day I would also like to enjoy a bottle of crisp spanish Rosé – I had some lovely ones at the ProWein WineFair in Germany last week.

Quails Gate Pinot from the Okanagan Valley. It just tastes better outside on a warm day. And maybe something greek. hmmm

QOTD: Ampelos Viogner and Syrah rose, love those people! And their wines.
Great show gary, us San Diegoans ( whales huha ) love NZ Sauv Blancs, they fly right of our wine list, dont forget Kim Crawford he does fantastic Sauv Blancs and Pinot Gris too. GO CHARGERS!!!

qotd: Joie Rose, 07 or something the new vintage, Grapefruit Rose Play from Okanagan OH YEAH!…. Its nice to get two free drinks from work as part of your pay mmm tasting free booze

Nice show Gary. I’ve been watching for about 6 months now, and speaking your praises to everyone I know. Funny how you can do a “premium wines” show and have all three bottles fall under 25 bones.

QOTD: I’m excited to try new wines – new variatals, new origins. I told myself when I started (September) that I wouldn’t drink the same type twice for a year, and boy has my palate come a long way!

QOTD: Nebraska!

I’m moving back to Omaha for the summer and I really want to see what kinds of stuff they’re producing in my hometown. I live in Arizona now and you inspired me to check out the wines coming from AZ, so I’m going to see if Nebraska wines bring the thunder as hard as Nebraska brings the tornadoes.

QOTD: Nebraska!

I’m moving back to Omaha for the summer and I really want to see what kinds of stuff they’re producing in my hometown. I live in Arizona now and you inspired me to check out the wines coming from AZ, so I’m going to see if Nebraska wines bring the thunder as hard as Nebraska brings the tornadoes.

QOTD: I’m very excited about the 2007 vintage in the Rhone.
For that, I’m buying a lot of Cotes du Rhone, Vacqueyras, Gigondas and C.D.P.
I already drank some of them, and they are really good.