QOTD – Hopefully, something I am not expecting. Pleasant surprises are the best x-mas presents!

LOOKING FOR LOVE IN THE WRONG PLACE…

Searching for value in Aussie red wine is akin to working the dance floor after midnight hoping to find true love. Lightning may strike, but the odds are that your take away will be substandard!

Australia?s BEST VALUE wine category is RIESLING. Dry and zesty with minerals, rieslings speak of terroir (particularly from the Eden and Clare Valley). They are terrific value because domestic consumers are obsessed with sav blanc and chardonnay, while the export market is focused on fake Aussie reds.

Aussie riesling is also an interesting contrast to European styles from Alsace or Mosel, and demonstrates the grape?s incredible versatility?

LOOKING FOR LOVE IN THE WRONG PLACE…

Searching for value in Aussie red wine is akin to working the dance floor after midnight hoping to find true love. Lightning may strike, but the odds are that your take away will be substandard!

Australia?s BEST VALUE wine category is RIESLING. Dry and zesty with minerals, rieslings speak of terroir (particularly from the Eden and Clare Valley). They are terrific value because domestic consumers are obsessed with sav blanc and chardonnay, while the export market is focused on fake Aussie reds.

Aussie riesling is also an interesting contrast to European styles from Alsace or Mosel, and demonstrates the grape?s incredible versatility?

Interesting show. I continue to love Australian wine when it’s made like real wine and not overdone. I’m glad to see Coonawarra get mentioned, even if it was a bad wine. Coonawarra makes some excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, I particularly enjoy Bowen Estate.

Interesting show. I continue to love Australian wine when it’s made like real wine and not overdone. I’m glad to see Coonawarra get mentioned, even if it was a bad wine. Coonawarra makes some excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, I particularly enjoy Bowen Estate.

Truth be told, I have always enjoyed Aussie wines. but, I hate the over-oaked style that some are made with. One wine, that I have really enjoyed is the Silverwing 2006 Barossa Shiraz- very new world and fruity with decent structure and not too much oak for my pallate for only $13. I agree with one sentiment you have stated previously and that is, many $45 Aussie wines taste the same as $15 wines, so why spend the extra $30…

Btw Gary, when you were at the tasting with RP, you said that you had tried some wines from Killikanoon, what was your opinion on those for a new world lover. I have had several of their wines over the years and have enjoyed them.

QOTD: I have no idea. He’s Santa, right?

Truth be told, I have always enjoyed Aussie wines. but, I hate the over-oaked style that some are made with. One wine, that I have really enjoyed is the Silverwing 2006 Barossa Shiraz- very new world and fruity with decent structure and not too much oak for my pallate for only $13. I agree with one sentiment you have stated previously and that is, many $45 Aussie wines taste the same as $15 wines, so why spend the extra $30…

Btw Gary, when you were at the tasting with RP, you said that you had tried some wines from Killikanoon, what was your opinion on those for a new world lover. I have had several of their wines over the years and have enjoyed them.

QOTD: I have no idea. He’s Santa, right?

The audio on this episode seems better then normal (more clear). New mics or doing something different?

The label on the first wine is nice…I agree.

QOTD: Santa is bringing me coal.

The audio on this episode seems better then normal (more clear). New mics or doing something different?

The label on the first wine is nice…I agree.

QOTD: Santa is bringing me coal.

To be honest, I feel Australian wines hit the spot perfectly most of the time and I have not noticed that much wood (I have on wines from France or Argentina for example, and it does feel sometimes like a plank of wood much like you illustrated very effectively BTW).
The Pinot Noir sounds interesting actually, and it has a very peculiar name, which I like. Good Episode.

To be honest, I feel Australian wines hit the spot perfectly most of the time and I have not noticed that much wood (I have on wines from France or Argentina for example, and it does feel sometimes like a plank of wood much like you illustrated very effectively BTW).
The Pinot Noir sounds interesting actually, and it has a very peculiar name, which I like. Good Episode.

Hey G-

Pretty sure that was a 1 x 6 piece of pine, not oak.
Everyone knows pine is much better tasting. 🙂

QOTD. Some new music, and a 6 pak of new wines that I’ve never
tasted. Should be good.

Hey G-

Pretty sure that was a 1 x 6 piece of pine, not oak.
Everyone knows pine is much better tasting. 🙂

QOTD. Some new music, and a 6 pak of new wines that I’ve never
tasted. Should be good.

Fun ep – enjoyed it.

Fun ep – enjoyed it.

QOTD: Christmas is for the kids and really my biggest present is watching the excitement in their eyes. My 7 yr old daughter and I were talking in the car the other day and I mentioned something about Santa getting pretty busy and she said”You know Dad, Santa isn’t a real person, he’s a spirit, he’s the spirit of giving.” Kid’s often blow me away with their honesty and their take on life. When it comes to myself, my wife and I have been pretty blessed and usually don’t deny each other much, so I believe I might be getting a bottle of 1997 Yquem which is my favourite most mind blowing wine for very special, special occasions. As for Australia I love Clarendon Hills and Mitolo GAM 2006. Do not like most Barossa Shiraz’s, too big for me. I way prefer NZL in general over AUS.

Gary I stumbled on to your video blog about 1-2 months ago after searching Ch De Fargues on google after discovering a half bottle of 1990 in a friends cellar and enjoying it on the spot with this generous friend. I have been hooked ever since and have kept up since with current episodes and picked out many incredible archived episodes. Loved the Jancis Robinson, and Nicolas Joly episodes. I share your passion for Italian and Spanish whites, for trying new varietals and terroir and for great value wines. I love the blind tastings, love the guests and love the hyped wines along with the obscure terroirs. I am a patriotic Canadian and believe we are making fantastic Riesling, Chardonnay and Cab Franc here in Ontario. Okanagan is crushing it with Joie winery leading the way. I don’t know how many of our best wines make it down to the US, I suspect not the best ones. Thank you for all the entertainment and passion you have imparted my way and I continue to tell everyone who will listen about your show, hope to meet you next time you are in Toronto, have been unable to get there last time you were there. All the best to you and your family for the Holidays. Joel

QOTD: Christmas is for the kids and really my biggest present is watching the excitement in their eyes. My 7 yr old daughter and I were talking in the car the other day and I mentioned something about Santa getting pretty busy and she said”You know Dad, Santa isn’t a real person, he’s a spirit, he’s the spirit of giving.” Kid’s often blow me away with their honesty and their take on life. When it comes to myself, my wife and I have been pretty blessed and usually don’t deny each other much, so I believe I might be getting a bottle of 1997 Yquem which is my favourite most mind blowing wine for very special, special occasions. As for Australia I love Clarendon Hills and Mitolo GAM 2006. Do not like most Barossa Shiraz’s, too big for me. I way prefer NZL in general over AUS.

Gary I stumbled on to your video blog about 1-2 months ago after searching Ch De Fargues on google after discovering a half bottle of 1990 in a friends cellar and enjoying it on the spot with this generous friend. I have been hooked ever since and have kept up since with current episodes and picked out many incredible archived episodes. Loved the Jancis Robinson, and Nicolas Joly episodes. I share your passion for Italian and Spanish whites, for trying new varietals and terroir and for great value wines. I love the blind tastings, love the guests and love the hyped wines along with the obscure terroirs. I am a patriotic Canadian and believe we are making fantastic Riesling, Chardonnay and Cab Franc here in Ontario. Okanagan is crushing it with Joie winery leading the way. I don’t know how many of our best wines make it down to the US, I suspect not the best ones. Thank you for all the entertainment and passion you have imparted my way and I continue to tell everyone who will listen about your show, hope to meet you next time you are in Toronto, have been unable to get there last time you were there. All the best to you and your family for the Holidays. Joel

Dear Sir Gary,

I too feel a bit upset when I find an uncomfortable amount of wood in my mouth. As for Australian wines, as you said so exquisitely yourself, it is unfair to generalize them. While a bit of wood in my mouth makes me feel quite antsy, I never turn away the opportunity for a few kangaroos to boisterously boogie on my palette. Nor would I refuse a full tissue mouth-massage from Sarah and Sparky Marquis.

Certainly a wonderful episode, as always!

Dear Sir Gary,

I too feel a bit upset when I find an uncomfortable amount of wood in my mouth. As for Australian wines, as you said so exquisitely yourself, it is unfair to generalize them. While a bit of wood in my mouth makes me feel quite antsy, I never turn away the opportunity for a few kangaroos to boisterously boogie on my palette. Nor would I refuse a full tissue mouth-massage from Sarah and Sparky Marquis.

Certainly a wonderful episode, as always!

I am going to see if I can track down the Cab or the Pinot. They sounds interesting. The Shiraz really did a number on you. Your energy level on screen went from 11 right down to 0 in the lat minutes of the clip. I will be sure to stay FAR away from that one!

Your Misha is very cute but nothing next to my little ones 😉 But then no one is ever as cute as your own kids!

QOTD: Santa is focusing on the kids this year. Not expecting much myself. I am hoping for a good *-a-day calendar (origami perhaps). Speaking of such calendars, that would be a GV product I would buy.

I am going to see if I can track down the Cab or the Pinot. They sounds interesting. The Shiraz really did a number on you. Your energy level on screen went from 11 right down to 0 in the lat minutes of the clip. I will be sure to stay FAR away from that one!

Your Misha is very cute but nothing next to my little ones 😉 But then no one is ever as cute as your own kids!

QOTD: Santa is focusing on the kids this year. Not expecting much myself. I am hoping for a good *-a-day calendar (origami perhaps). Speaking of such calendars, that would be a GV product I would buy.

101!

101!

Hay Gary

I liked the show, it was interesting to see different Australian wines.I agree with your reviews on all the wines. I am not a fan of Coonawarra Shiraz

At the same time I feel that the Barossa and the Australian wine industry is getting a bad rap because of one certain style or what a couple of big wineries or certain magazine reviewers are writing or doing (Not you of course). I think that there are some excellent small wineries making great wine from Shiraz to alternative varieties. In the Barossa you have Tscharke, Rockford is making some new wines (the Frugal Farmer), Kibminya, Heritage, Irvine (Ok Eden Valley) and others. There is also a change from the big wines in American oak to more refined and French oak. In Mclaren Vale you have Samuals Gorge, Oliver’s Taranga and there are countless others all over the country from amazing whites in Tasmania, to cabs in Western Australia.

Being that I celebrated Hannuka, I got 2 secret packs.

Hay Gary

I liked the show, it was interesting to see different Australian wines.I agree with your reviews on all the wines. I am not a fan of Coonawarra Shiraz

At the same time I feel that the Barossa and the Australian wine industry is getting a bad rap because of one certain style or what a couple of big wineries or certain magazine reviewers are writing or doing (Not you of course). I think that there are some excellent small wineries making great wine from Shiraz to alternative varieties. In the Barossa you have Tscharke, Rockford is making some new wines (the Frugal Farmer), Kibminya, Heritage, Irvine (Ok Eden Valley) and others. There is also a change from the big wines in American oak to more refined and French oak. In Mclaren Vale you have Samuals Gorge, Oliver’s Taranga and there are countless others all over the country from amazing whites in Tasmania, to cabs in Western Australia.

Being that I celebrated Hannuka, I got 2 secret packs.