Great wrap-up to another solid (if a bit long) 2-parter- it was great to see a guest with experience have different opinions than the G man on the same wines, which only reinforces your montra of “trust your own palate!” I might actually check Michael’s book out!
A couple of things before the QOTD:
1) No, I’ve never asked for a Napa section in a wine store.
2) HEY! YOU BETTER NOT HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST RHODE ISLAND!! AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MY ROOTS THERE!! VIVA RI!! (even though I no longer live there)

QOTD: Having started my wine experiences and education just before discovering WLTV, I’ve never really been wowed or interested in the better-branded regions like Napa, and I’ve always found great value from other lesser-known CA regions as well as PLENTY of wine from the southern Rhone, Languedoc and Roussillon, all over Spain, Portugal, South America, Italy, lesser known regions outside of the major Bordeaux appelations, etc. that deliver similar extraction and weight for a much more attractive pricepoint. In fact, it wasn’t until recently (when the economy softened and higher-end Napa wines started to get their prices slashed) that I have truly dug into what the region has to offer.

Great wrap-up to another solid (if a bit long) 2-parter- it was great to see a guest with experience have different opinions than the G man on the same wines, which only reinforces your montra of “trust your own palate!” I might actually check Michael’s book out!
A couple of things before the QOTD:
1) No, I’ve never asked for a Napa section in a wine store.
2) HEY! YOU BETTER NOT HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST RHODE ISLAND!! AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MY ROOTS THERE!! VIVA RI!! (even though I no longer live there)

QOTD: Having started my wine experiences and education just before discovering WLTV, I’ve never really been wowed or interested in the better-branded regions like Napa, and I’ve always found great value from other lesser-known CA regions as well as PLENTY of wine from the southern Rhone, Languedoc and Roussillon, all over Spain, Portugal, South America, Italy, lesser known regions outside of the major Bordeaux appelations, etc. that deliver similar extraction and weight for a much more attractive pricepoint. In fact, it wasn’t until recently (when the economy softened and higher-end Napa wines started to get their prices slashed) that I have truly dug into what the region has to offer.

Great wrap-up to another solid (if a bit long) 2-parter- it was great to see a guest with experience have different opinions than the G man on the same wines, which only reinforces your montra of “trust your own palate!” I might actually check Michael’s book out!
A couple of things before the QOTD:
1) No, I’ve never asked for a Napa section in a wine store.
2) HEY! YOU BETTER NOT HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST RHODE ISLAND!! AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MY ROOTS THERE!! VIVA RI!! (even though I no longer live there)

QOTD: Having started my wine experiences and education just before discovering WLTV, I’ve never really been wowed or interested in the better-branded regions like Napa, and I’ve always found great value from other lesser-known CA regions as well as PLENTY of wine from the southern Rhone, Languedoc and Roussillon, all over Spain, Portugal, South America, Italy, lesser known regions outside of the major Bordeaux appelations, etc. that deliver similar extraction and weight for a much more attractive pricepoint. In fact, it wasn’t until recently (when the economy softened and higher-end Napa wines started to get their prices slashed) that I have truly dug into what the region has to offer.

Left Napa as the mainstay of my cellar as the QPR was lost, at least for me, several years ago. Still remember growing up w/ 78 BV de Latour before wine became WINE. Always a de Latour fan but love the Washington value! Andre Tschelistcheff influenced a great heritage in cabernet.

Hard to make swirling a taste of wine look bad, but Michael did! LOL

Left Napa as the mainstay of my cellar as the QPR was lost, at least for me, several years ago. Still remember growing up w/ 78 BV de Latour before wine became WINE. Always a de Latour fan but love the Washington value! Andre Tschelistcheff influenced a great heritage in cabernet.

Hard to make swirling a taste of wine look bad, but Michael did! LOL

QOTD: I took an appreciation class in college and walked away thinking that Burgundy reds were the only thing I needed to drink for the rest of time. Then I moved to San Francisco and discovered Sonoma. I was averse to Napa until recently, when I did some research (wine tasting). I’m not sold. Not enough value for me. I’ll stick with non-Napa wines for the majority of my purchases.

QOTD: I took an appreciation class in college and walked away thinking that Burgundy reds were the only thing I needed to drink for the rest of time. Then I moved to San Francisco and discovered Sonoma. I was averse to Napa until recently, when I did some research (wine tasting). I’m not sold. Not enough value for me. I’ll stick with non-Napa wines for the majority of my purchases.

Nope, never ask for Napa, never worry about it. Too hyped, too expensive, or (if not) generally not very good. Better value elsewhere.

Nope, never ask for Napa, never worry about it. Too hyped, too expensive, or (if not) generally not very good. Better value elsewhere.

Nope, never ask for Napa, never worry about it. Too hyped, too expensive, or (if not) generally not very good. Better value elsewhere.

GV,

Best guest in a long time. Great to see someone on your level of wine tasting experience.

QOTD: No, I don’t ask where the Napa wines are. Mainly because I know my local wine shops inside and out now.
QOTD2: Yes, I started with Napa because I’m from the Bay Area. I still go back to taste in Napa at least once per year. I’ve definitely expanded though since WLTV.

GV,

Best guest in a long time. Great to see someone on your level of wine tasting experience.

QOTD: No, I don’t ask where the Napa wines are. Mainly because I know my local wine shops inside and out now.
QOTD2: Yes, I started with Napa because I’m from the Bay Area. I still go back to taste in Napa at least once per year. I’ve definitely expanded though since WLTV.

GV,

Best guest in a long time. Great to see someone on your level of wine tasting experience.

QOTD: No, I don’t ask where the Napa wines are. Mainly because I know my local wine shops inside and out now.
QOTD2: Yes, I started with Napa because I’m from the Bay Area. I still go back to taste in Napa at least once per year. I’ve definitely expanded though since WLTV.

Hello everyone,
Michael Steinberger is one of the greatest guests ever. Nerd city! Love love love the long shows. Keep them coming, Gary Vaynerchuk.

OK here it goes. *gets onto soap box* All of you (including you, Gary) are overgeneralizing about Napa. Napa is a HUGE AVA that has many excellent sub apps’ with good QPR producers in them. Many are overpriced, but not all.
QOTD (sort of) – I do ask for certain wine growing regions as part of my wine education (i.e. Bordeaux) but I also research the producer online on my iPhone in the store. I like reading scores from the press. Scores are not everything but they are a good gauge for me. Any producer with a good reputation will have someone who scored their wine. I have not asked for any of the AVAs that fall within Napa yet, but I definately will. When I buy wine I do want to know where it is from. The comments about the AOC system in France being B.S. was very educational and I hope to get more detail from you, Gary, on that. I will be carefull in the future to do more research on the producer.

Hello everyone,
Michael Steinberger is one of the greatest guests ever. Nerd city! Love love love the long shows. Keep them coming, Gary Vaynerchuk.

OK here it goes. *gets onto soap box* All of you (including you, Gary) are overgeneralizing about Napa. Napa is a HUGE AVA that has many excellent sub apps’ with good QPR producers in them. Many are overpriced, but not all.
QOTD (sort of) – I do ask for certain wine growing regions as part of my wine education (i.e. Bordeaux) but I also research the producer online on my iPhone in the store. I like reading scores from the press. Scores are not everything but they are a good gauge for me. Any producer with a good reputation will have someone who scored their wine. I have not asked for any of the AVAs that fall within Napa yet, but I definately will. When I buy wine I do want to know where it is from. The comments about the AOC system in France being B.S. was very educational and I hope to get more detail from you, Gary, on that. I will be carefull in the future to do more research on the producer.

Hello everyone,
Michael Steinberger is one of the greatest guests ever. Nerd city! Love love love the long shows. Keep them coming, Gary Vaynerchuk.

OK here it goes. *gets onto soap box* All of you (including you, Gary) are overgeneralizing about Napa. Napa is a HUGE AVA that has many excellent sub apps’ with good QPR producers in them. Many are overpriced, but not all.
QOTD (sort of) – I do ask for certain wine growing regions as part of my wine education (i.e. Bordeaux) but I also research the producer online on my iPhone in the store. I like reading scores from the press. Scores are not everything but they are a good gauge for me. Any producer with a good reputation will have someone who scored their wine. I have not asked for any of the AVAs that fall within Napa yet, but I definately will. When I buy wine I do want to know where it is from. The comments about the AOC system in France being B.S. was very educational and I hope to get more detail from you, Gary, on that. I will be carefull in the future to do more research on the producer.

Gary, you need to hire this guy! He is Siskel to your Ebert. He’s one of the only guests you have ever had who can stand up to your overbearing personality. He had the guts and confidence to disagree with you on your show.

I learned wine before Napa existed, so I learned French. I believe Napa is actually better in most years than Bordeaux, but they are in an awful economic situation. Too much price increase too fast. Wonder who will survive?

Gary, you need to hire this guy! He is Siskel to your Ebert. He’s one of the only guests you have ever had who can stand up to your overbearing personality. He had the guts and confidence to disagree with you on your show.

I learned wine before Napa existed, so I learned French. I believe Napa is actually better in most years than Bordeaux, but they are in an awful economic situation. Too much price increase too fast. Wonder who will survive?

Gary, you need to hire this guy! He is Siskel to your Ebert. He’s one of the only guests you have ever had who can stand up to your overbearing personality. He had the guts and confidence to disagree with you on your show.

I learned wine before Napa existed, so I learned French. I believe Napa is actually better in most years than Bordeaux, but they are in an awful economic situation. Too much price increase too fast. Wonder who will survive?

Nice. I like the polite disagreements about what “notes” are coming through.
qotd: I’m a Californian so I must have started with Napa. It was LONG ago though and I have a bad memory for names. Louis Martini Cabernet sounds familiar…I believe we bought one in a silent auction for our kid’s school.

Nice. I like the polite disagreements about what “notes” are coming through.
qotd: I’m a Californian so I must have started with Napa. It was LONG ago though and I have a bad memory for names. Louis Martini Cabernet sounds familiar…I believe we bought one in a silent auction for our kid’s school.

Nice. I like the polite disagreements about what “notes” are coming through.
qotd: I’m a Californian so I must have started with Napa. It was LONG ago though and I have a bad memory for names. Louis Martini Cabernet sounds familiar…I believe we bought one in a silent auction for our kid’s school.

Gary, Please do a Champagne episode for the holidays, reminiscent of episode 151 (http://tv.winelibrary.com/2006/12/20/champagnechampagnesparkling-wine-and-champagne-episode-151/).

Gary, Please do a Champagne episode for the holidays, reminiscent of episode 151 (http://tv.winelibrary.com/2006/12/20/champagnechampagnesparkling-wine-and-champagne-episode-151/).

Gary, Please do a Champagne episode for the holidays, reminiscent of episode 151 (http://tv.winelibrary.com/2006/12/20/champagnechampagnesparkling-wine-and-champagne-episode-151/).