I don’t remember trying a Vermentino – might have to seek that one out.

GV, you’ve worked very hard to cultivate your credibility with your audience. Aside from the books (which are personal ventures, not WL product), the only other WL commercial connection you’ve promoted has been the secret packs. And I think everyone realizes that you’re quite obviously eating the margins on those, what with the discounts and free shipping.

As an NYC resident, I’ve ordered from WL several times ? each time after hearing you rave about a wine. I figure WL’s discount prices, and the fact I don’t have to walk the streets of the UES for lord knows how long, more than cancel out the shipping fee. On a personal level, I’m all for free shipping anytime you wanna lay it out there (see my purchase history and your email archives for evidence).

But I fear that by announcing those sort of offers on WLTV you may lose cred points with viewers who don’t order from WL as a matter of course. Especially those in other countries (and states) that CAN’T order from WL.

So here’s my proposal: allow your audience to opt-in for the offers, and distribute them via email (please don’t make me use twitter). That keeps the commercial stuff off the main stage, but allows you to throw money-love to your fans that have self-identified as wanting it.

Respect the line between entertainment and sneaky business advertising. On the flip side, doing 5 shows a week couldn’t be construed as marketing if you only gave out a couple shipping codes a year. Besides, you already do ridiculous things for publicity and a fan following (armbands?). Maybe just start putting free shipping codes in the mail with armbands?

In short, if you could actually ship wine to me, I’d be okay with OCCASIONAL free shipping codes or WLTV discount wine sales or something.

QotD1: Yeah don’t use the show to sell. A free shipping code once every 6 months wouldn’t hurt, though.

QOTD: No, beacuse you don’t ship to WA. Yeah, it’s selfish. 🙂

Too bad you don’t ship to Canada… When is Wine Library going to open up a Canadian operation and where do I send my résumé? It would not cheapen WLTV in any way if you occasionally sent the Vayniacs a link to a special offer, maybe 3-4 times a year? Special occasion times, maybe centering around Birthdays, holidays, special or significant occasions.?.Whatever you want Big G. IT IS your show! Still pretty dry and thirsty up here in Canada, Cold, dry, bleak, thirsty Canada….

the Free shipping code would be great play. Out her in PA it hard to find a lot of the wines that you taste, but still could use it because you can’t ship to PA. Stupid Quakers.

Happy to see a pinotage on the show again.

QOTD. No on the shipping code. I think you are right about maintaining a separation. The video project is all about the wine itself. Passing on your knowledge, experience and opinions should be the sole reason for the video project. If it prompts some sales for you, then that’s gravy. As soon as you start pandering your own wine on the show, it loses something for me. Motives become suspect, etc.

I may be in a minority here, but I watch this show for information on varietals, regions, etc., not to see what you like, and then turn around and buy it. Those people worry me (no offense intended).

QOTD: Free Ship- No Brainer- Any time. Best, Naples Kathy aka Champagne Lady

QoTD: Really I don’t think anyone would have a problem with free shipping, but it’s almost like overkill becuase we watch the show for the content, or whatever reason (crush on GV?).

PS. Was kind of distracted watching today because your shirt kept crawling.

I’ve never actually bought any wine online before, but if I did I would buy it from wine library, especially if you had a wltv discount!

QOTD – Gary, you are 700 shows in – you’ve establish unimpeachable cred – not an issue.

Pick a couple of WLTV reviewed wines each month that you feel “crush it” and/or expand the palate & do the free shipping thing. The dreaded lurkers (like myself) may just need a little extra coaxing to come out of the woodwork and get involved.

I’d keep them separate. I never would have watched early on if I had thought it was part of a retail pitch. Now I watch all the time so I might be okay with it, but what about all those other newbies who are just tuning in? They might feel like it’s all a gimmick to get them to buy WineLibrary wines.

The intent of WLTV – as you so often state – is to help people explore their own palate. To explore, one has to taste. To taste, one has to buy wine. Why is there a conflict in encouraging people to buy that wine from you? In fact, since I moved to the non-ship-to state of Tennessee a year ago I have ‘voted’ with my wine dollars by refusing to buy the wine from the very limited swill-heavy selection available from local Memphis merchants in protest (that’ll show ’em). I have made three trips in that time to Wine Library, an equal number to other retailers I like in Ca. and Wa. I’ve done so because it seems like the thing to do; patronize the people who go out of their way to offer something special. Anybody can stock a shelf with booze, not everybody tries to offer more.
So long as you remain honest in your tasting and don’t suddenly shift to review only wines that WL carries I see no conflict.

GV – I liked the show and the pace. I do like to lear about the varietals, therefore fun facts help improve the knowledge of your viewers. I like Pinotage, but have never had the one you tasted. I will look for it.

QOTD – You can’t ship to MA, therefore having irrelevant retail commercials would be a downer for me. This is a wine knowledge show, not an advertisement. I honestly don’t like the plugs for your book. You could do that plug once, but after that it appears self serving.

Hey gary.
Been working a lot, hustling, crushing it …
congradulations on the book, your brother’s graduation, and your very near first child!
ill be around,
qotd; do whatever, the secret packs have already opened the door anyway.

Nice show – good energy.

QOTD: Well, I started watching WLTV when it began because of a link on your Wine Library website and I buy a crapload of wine from you guys so I have no problem with special offers intertwined with WLTV. After all, you often use WLTV videos on Wine Library’s website to pump a wine, so what is the difference really? It is not that I think WLTV is simply a commercial – I know it isn’t and I truly appreciate it. But I see no problem with a tie-in once in awhile. And you have offered free shipping codes to WLTV viewers before.

Congrats to AJ!!

dude, free shipping is good…

do a show once in a while & do free shipping on the wines on the show…

taste six you have had before & run with it…

I wanna see more Italian Whites…

I like the fast pace. I was on vacation and came back to like 10 episodes in my inbox.. was dreading the 7 hours of Gary I was going to have to catch up on. I like what I am seeing so far.

QOTD: was there one?

hi gary, i think it is good how you keep retail separate from show content. thanks!

Gary,

Thanks for showing a new side of Pinotage (vs. the usual negative)… after watching this, I realized you REALLY know what you are talking about…

LMFAO at 8:50, we'll use this on our webs…., nooo, NOOO!

QOTD: I think whatever you do, you should be transparent about it, which you've done a good job of. I don't buy into people who say you aren't a real critic because you're also a retailer.

qotd: doesn’t apply to me since Maryland delegates have no interest in buying back their souls which they sold to the liquor board which contributes to over 80% of the delegates campaign funds.

91/100

line of the day -‘i feel like a cow took a dump on this vineyard and I’m happy about it.’

GV was in a really good mood during this episode and he was at his witty best…very enjoyable. Even Mott got in on the act with an impromptu zoom in on the ‘Crush It’ on the blackboard. The wines got good scores too – maybe connected to the mood, maybe not. Who knows?’