Cool episode GV. I am a big fan of Disqus and run it on every site/blog I run.

QoTD: I was at the Napa Valley Grille in Paramus last week (ref. Episode #571) and I had a flight of three great whites. The one that stood out the most was the 2007 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc. The nose was soooo awesome. I felt like I was smelling an early morning spring mist. I couldn't get over it.

J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!

Hey Gary – You ever notice that viognier often smells of fruit loops cereal? being a cereal fan, I thought you might understand that reference.

QOTD: On the high end: FX Pichler Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Loibner Berg 2007 – the density and weight, plus the minerality and acidity make this one of the best whites I've ever had!

On the every day side: 2007 Pine Ridge Chenin/Viognier – a great display of two varieties that normally don't see much success in California (outside of some good Paso Viognier)

Edit: I forgot a great Larkmead Fruiliano I had a few years back at the winery. Just exceptional.

A great entry white burg would be the Olivier Leflaive “Les Setilles” Bourgogne Blanc. Its a blend of 40% Meursault which shines when the wine is on the colder side (think crisp lemon/lime minerals) and 60% Puligny-Montrachet which the wine really shows off when it gets a little warmer towards the end of the bottle (think minerals, nuts, apples with a touch of oak). Absolutely a great representation of affordable white burg at around $20. It should also be fairly easy to find.

Great show on whites. I've been drinking reds to expand my pallet, but whites are GREAT!!!!

QOTD: I had an '08 Crios De Susana Balbo Torrontes from Argentina – and LOVED IT! It's like Viognier on steroids! Great nose and mid-pallet/finish. And at 13.5%, I couldn't taste the heat.

almost at 800, GV! you got this!

i watched the J-E-T-S play on saturday. while i'm a virginian & a *sigh* redskins fan by birth, i was cheering for the jets during the game!

thus is all. OH! & i tried my first malbec tonight. new wine every time i go to the store, per recommendation by my good friend at winelibrary! *winks*

— april

Bubbles are always a treat! Especially in my house, my wife loves bubbles, especially Schramsberg. I'm glad to have someone else on board my crusade. There are so many fantastic bubbles in CA, OR, WA, and NM it seems a shame not to do ONE episode on domestic bubbly! Take care my friend.

Gary,

QOTD: At a recent ?Connoisseur Wine Dinner,? on a cruise ship, the first course was Alaskan Dungeness crab cake, served with a Louis Jadot 2004 Meursault, Cotes de Beaune, which was a perfect combination. The wine was deep golden colored, from aging in oak, but it was complex for a chardonnay, with some vegetal notes on the nose and the palate. All four couples at our table were self-proclaimed red wine lovers, and all four couples loved this white wine. There were 5 outstanding wines served during that dinner, and this one really stole the show.

The latest white was the 2007 Yalumba, Eden Valley, Viognier.Great floral nose with a viscosity like 20/50 motor oil(a good thing). I am happy for your sister and family with the arrival of Max.

QOTD 2006 Pride Chardonnay – excellent acid, ripe fruit, hint of butter and oak, well balanced. From Napa – that's right, Napa, home of the big red (and we ain't talkin' gum).

QOTD: 2007 Skillogalee Trevarrick Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia
http://corkd.com/wine/view/103661-2007-skillogalee-trevarrick-riesling

I really need to open one of mine soon!

Good show, interesting wines.

QOTD: 2007 Domaine Jean Louis Chavy, Puligny-Montrachet 1'er Cru, “La Folatieres”. A definate steal (bought in Denmark) for US $ 41. Very elegant wine.

pretty please?

I’ve seen it, but haven’t tried it . . . yet!

Congrats Max!

Watching you have to pan the Leeuwin was heartbreaking. It's so sad when you are really wanting a wine to scream, then it just doesn't live up to the price. I've had one Condrieu in my life, its a pricey region, but what an experience! The floral tail end was amazing. Like putting my face in a bouquet of flowers, without all the sneezing.

QOTD: The most amazing white that I've ever had was a Verdicchio (and not very expensive). It had the perfect balance of minerality, fruit, and the gorgeous weight on the palate. I wrote the producer down… someplace that I can't find anymore.

Congratulations on becoming an uncle Gary!

I can only imagine how excited you are. I wish the best of health for Max. Also it looks like tomorrow will be another big day for you. The big 8 0 0. Before you know it you will hit 1000 episodes. Congrats on everything.

I agree with you on the Merlot(plus the other varietals). The Riesling is better, it seems everyone who drinks it is pleased. It is not a great wine but a good solid everyday wine that doesnt polarize, plus it is very affordable…

The Pichlers are producing great wines! Go out and try some Riesling “Großes Gewächs” out of Germany from producers like Keller, Wittmann, Diehl, Emrich-Schönleber or Fürst. Great dry wines as its best!

@ Jared The way you described it, Do I drink it? or Sleep with it? or get in the ring with it?

Great show, this format is by far the one I like the most.

QOTD: This one is easy. A couple of months back when I had sprained my ankle in a pretty nasty way and was just staying at home waiting to be able to use the damn thing again my dear sister stopped by with some great prawn-zucchini pasta in some buttery lemon sauce. We uncorked a bottle of Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd 1000-Eimer-Berg 2007 which was just exceptional and an amazing match with the pasta. Next week I went to buy more and of course it was sold out and there wasn't any more to come. What a great value that riesling was even at our monopoly's high prices (16?) and I'll be sure to buy a couple of bottles I'll ever come across. Also in case this wine is available in the US it would be great if u had it in the show, Gary.

QOTD: After watching the episode where you reviewed the 2008 Tramin Pinot Bianco, I went to my local wine merchant and he was nice enough to order a couple of cases so I could try it. When they arrived, I picked up a couple of bottles and took them home and popped one open. WOW! We were totally blown away. The wine has absolutely everything I like in perfect balance. Since then I have found out that the owner of the shop tried a bottle and LOVED it. He recommended it to others and they tried some and they love it! He completely sold out every bottle he had and has ordered more. We're in for a case when it arrives! Outstanding recommendation for an outstanding wine!

great episode

good times today. i love the condrieu! i had some andre perret last year on NYE…. so friggin good.
QOTD – over xmas, i opened a bottle of huet, haut – lieu, sec, 2007. it was the most austere white i have had. it was the most compelling for sure.
i am glad i have some clo du bourg o7 sec for down the road.

BTW – i like the new comment setup gary. i am glad too that corq'd is back in action. i might have to start posting things again.

I answered this yesturday. I won't copy the post but offer a quick paraphrase. In 1993 I worked with a guy who was a dual citizen (US and Croatia) His father sent him some wines right before Christmas and he asked me to share them because I was the only friend he had who appreciated wine. The white he had (I don't remember the year or vineyard because they were not available in the US at that time) was amazing. It was the first time that I loved a white. I had liked some whites here and there but this wine was one that I would have stockpiled had it been an option which sadly it was not……

Maybe a white with almond overtones and good acidity would work (like a Vermentino or a few other Italian whites) instead of the fruit-driven or herbacious ones.