EP 800 Father and Son Amarone Tasting

January 14, 2010

Gary and Sasha taste 3 different Amarones to celebrate the Thunder Show’s 800th episode!

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Brigaldara AmaroneAmarone
2005 Tommasi AmaroneAmarone
2005 Tedeschi AmaroneAmarone

Cheese mentioned in todays episode.

Dona Manuela

If you’d like additional help with the above item or would just like to know a little bit more, please email Justin Novello ( [email protected] ).

Latest Comment:

luca bercelli2013-05-30 13:33:00

88/100

Meh

Tags: Amarone, red, review, Video, wine, wines

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jacamp16

I second that. New things=Shipping to all states.
AUSSIE SAMMY S

Gary & Sasha,

Another great No Fuss – No Muss episode – Congratulations on 800 shows – Its a credit to you, Mott & everone at Winelibrary – Kudos to you.
Amarone sounds like a really interest wine – I have never tasted it, but now I'm very curious to give it a go. Thanks again.

PS.Even though its breakfast time here in Aus now – that cheese & bread was making me drool – ah la Homer Simpson style…

qotd…. Yes – I'd like to see more wines tasted that you have larger quantities of.
paryb

Loved the show Gary, Sasha was entertaining as always.

QOTD: I appreciate the standard that you hold yourself to, but once in a while, seeing a tasting of something you have a bunch of, or a Cinderella wine, or some such would be awesome. I for one have been watching and following you long enough to know that you are for real, and about the farthest thing from a corporate shill as you could be!
Ian

It's great to see your dad again Gary.

QOTD: on one hand I think it's really cool that you don't use the show to sell things, it's something that you pay for, simply to expand the passion of wine, and that's great, however I've got to assume that some of the wines you carry are ones that you have because you like them so much and feel like other people would like as well, so it's a bit of a pity that you don't taste those so we can be a part of that. so my answer to the QOTD is undecided but appreciative anyway.

PS, got so tense you forgot the “whether they like it or not” no worries, parents are parents, their job is to stress you out, that's how they teach you love in the face of irritation.
pmase

Congrats on 800 episodes. Sasha is awesome, he needs to be on more often!
Kurt M.

QOTD : Sure, you should taste wine you have in bulk. If it's good, then why not?

Cheers on 800!
Dan Caragher

Gary –

FORTUNE 800!!! Congrats…episode 1000 is gonna be B-AN-ANAS! I've really been meaning to drink some Amarone! Looking forward to it!!!!

QOTD: I like the fact that you don't try to really sell what the Wine Lib carries! Intergrity my friend and its a message to all the haters!

OUT!
Brian De

weak show, your dad aint got what you got. But i think its your job to make him feel comfortable. Because your the host. Dont ask your dad what he smells. You put him on the spot. He looks uncomfortable. Not everybody is as knowledgable as you. Or as talented as you. So next time you start off by saying what you think you smell then have your dad answer. Dont have your father answer first. He will probally give the same answers but feel more comfortable.
tommyb2

The man is a legend – period.
QOTD: I think that if you have wines in the store that are amazing/QPR's/bargains/steals/must have's/special/people need to try them etc put them on the show Gary – just don't tell people on the show they are in the store – let people find them in their own time if they live in the area. I'm in the UK – It doesn't matter to me what's in the store – all I wanna know is what great wines have you discovered recently – know what I mean? No one who really knows the show is gonna think you are on the selling tip. And if they do – they'll be wrong.
JTOC

Great show. I'm emailing the link to all my kids. Just goes to show that no matter how old you get or how accomplished you become your Dad is still your Dad and he's earned the right to act like it whether you like it or not. From all of us old Dads out there :Sasha rules!
NY Pete

Sasha's gonna crush it … sounds like a porn movie title tho … 🙂
jason carey

Hey the “logic” is not to throw away the wine left in your glass. Go Sasha
allanj

Yo G. Great To See Your Dad Again. Those Episodes Are Always Funny. Congrats On Ep 800. Qotd: It Makes No Difference What You Do, I'll Still Be Watching…
All The Best To Everybody At WLTV. Keep On Rollin'
zrm

I raise my glass to both of you! Cheers and to the next 800 Gary!

QOD: Diffused by gary
Coleman Nicole Wines

800 Episodes! Still rockin it out each and every week….thanks for everything GV!
DenverDarlin'

Delightful to see Sasha again. Congrats on show #800!
Lb in KS

Congrats and thank you on 800! I can only hope that my son will hang with me like you hang with S when I'm his age. respect
Lizzy15

Hi, Gary!
Wr wait for you here, in Valpolicella, Amarone's land! When do you arrive?? Congrats on show #800, and for your father, very nice person!
James Chi

Great show guys!

I had a quick follow up question…Which wine was Sasha talking about towards the end of the show?

Thanks.
armond_m

Good show but I did expect a little more education on Amarone. Why should I pay $50 for the good Amarone? Why is it so special, etc.

As for the controversial QOTD, you should stick with your gut.
MooseSox

QOTD – I'm not sure it makes a difference on our end. We don't know if you have ten cases or not, only if you have it or not.

I think the double blind tastings that you promised more of this year would be an opportunity to do “no rules.” Since you don't know what wines are under there, you insulate yourself from seeming to pimp a highly stocked wine.
philct

I very much appreciate that the show is not a platform for you to sell wine, but rather a platform for you to discuss what excites your palate, and more importantly, what doesn't… It is nice, however, when you talk about a wine with thunder, give us a link, and the price is always the lowest that we can find either in our local store or online.. Thank you for 800 episodes, and while I am sure there are a million other things you'd like to do, I'm hoisting a “bigass glass” to 800 more!!!
Phaser

Man,
That was just fantastic! Sasha, what a great guy, old school all the way! Also I am look for the wine he mentioned. Great show.

Family the only thing that really matters.
LarooB

Gary, great episode. It's awesome seeing you and your dad interact. CONGRATS ON 800! HERE HERE FOR 800 more!
Jimmy Trent

bro, another classice episode with the pops. i respect your value on what you taste on the show though i'm probably good either way.
philoxera

800 eh? You dont look a day under 50 GV. The guest makes a lot more sense than you do!
Peter Brown

Congrats on 800. Always rocks to see Sasha on the show. I never had an Amarone but I'm looking forward to trying one soon. Big day Sunday. J E T S Jets Jets Jets!!!

QOTD – I totally respect your policy but I think you have clearly shown your not here to peddle product. I would not be offended at all if you tasted an unbelievable wine which you sold in the store. My opinion. Have fun in SD
italianwinelovr

We love you Sasha!! Congrats Grandpa!
CabZinPin

Hey Gary and Sasha, I enjoyed your 800th show. It was full of tightness. QOTD: Honestly, I never understood what the qotd was.
Eric

Congratulations on #800. You know, it being your 800th show, I thought you might have Ocho as a guest. Not like he's got anywhere he needs to be right at the moment …

Anyway, per Sasha's question: obviously, it's your show and you don't have to do what you don't think is appropriate. Maybe in that case, however, a little tasting video might be nice if you think it's something special or something people will like. A few times I've run across an interesting wine and there's not a full on show or anything, but a quick bit with Ian, Dennis or whoever giving it a go, and that's helpful and informative.
Altboy97

Thanks Gary for 800 shows. I like modifying the rule to allow you to slip in a wine you stock, as long as its blind and you don't mention that you've got tons to move. Two points, if we don't trust you by now… and ya gotta realize that your fan base is wider than the WL distribution. That said, having this rule originally really helped distiguish your show to this point.
edie_and_andy_in_mt

Congratulations on Episode 800, that's just unbelievable! You're up there with the likes of “As the World Turns” and “The Tonight Show” I bet. You should think about teaming up with Sasha every episode, we just love the chemistry between the both of you. We laugh every time Sasha raises his eyebrows when you ask him about the “Sniffy Sniff” Sasha, you are just a hoot! It's getting so close now to episode 1000. You have gone to unimaginable lengths of time to bring us 800 free episodes of fun and educational content. Thank you so much for all you do Gary and Sasha!!
JayZee13

Sasha rocks! Nice show. I've always loved Amarone and Tommassi is always a solid producer. By the way, I always love when Sasha is on the show. He just takes over no matter what Gary says or does. Sasha is The Man! We all love Sasha. Okay, some of us kind of like Gary, too. 😉

But Sasha makes me laugh. Every time he is on the show, he just kills me. I love watching his facial expressions when Gary is talking sometimes. Priceless!

QOTD: It doesn't matter much to me whether Wine Library has 10 cases or 100 cases of a wine that Gary reviews. Often, WineLib doesn't have any. There are some who think that WLTV is a vehicle to sell wine, and they will probably never be convinced otherwise. But I have no problem with Gary reviewing any wine, whether Wine Library has it, has it in quantity, or doesn't have it all.
Fonzie1568

QOTD: I think you SHOULD review wines you have quantity of. There is NO, and i really mean NO, kidding youself that people dont buy what you review. Many of those wines, at least from my personal experiences, that I wish to try are hard(er) to find at locations other than wine library, and if i can find them elsewhere your prices are usually the best. Also wines that you have quantity of are more likely to be found at other retailers as well, for those who do not shop at wine library. I feel that as long as you continue to review wines, both below and above your 10 case limit, in an equal fashion, we the viewers wont know which you have more or less of, and nothing will therefor or thereby change, either in the presentation or integrity of the show. Really hope you read and respond to this one gary!
Kris B

Hi Gary, right after you said “Sniffy Sniff” before the Brigaldara I thought you were about to throw in “McGee”.

Sasha rocks the Casbah. I appreciate the fact that you've taken steps not to appear like a sales platform but I trust you.

Bring back Sniffy Sniff McGee.
daverdude

Very Funny show
as Gary Tries to take Dad to Sniffy Sniff land,
attempting to put Dad on the spot with Nasal notes
as Sasha is just interested in drinking the wine and eating a late lunch
Suggesting You can Sniff all you want Son
Iam Hungry, Pour some more wine

Which is Code for reminding Gary
” Its Your Show ” But MY Company $$

A True Father (boss) and Son Moment
CharlieTN

I agree with those who say blind tastings would be a good forum for wines that WL has lots of. It is a good rule for maintaining your integrity… but I think exceptions can be made every once in a while.

Entertaining episode. Sasha is too cool for school. And add Amarone to my ever-growing list of expensive Italian styles that I haven't tried but want to.
drt999

A nice Sasha and Gary show!
CharlieTN

Yep, I like it when Gary reviews wines I can find at my local store. If those are also wines that WL has lots of, so be it. He'd doing us a better service by recommending (or telling us to stay away from) wines we actually have access to. As I said in my own comment though, I absolutely agree with the spirit of the rule.
BigBoy from Sonoma

Let down for the #800. Maybe if you went blind with your dad or something. But I waited all week for this show and it was bad. It's like when some raves about this wine being the best, you try and it's downright awful….undrinkable. That was the #800. I hope you get to #1000 so you can make it right.
jenna35

Congrats on episode 800 and to the wonderful addition to the Vaynerchuk family! I look forward to many more.
qotd: Gary, being that you are a honest, straight forward guy, I dont think that many would oppose you reviewing wines you have in larger quanities. However, I understand and respect your position.
C_Shorty

Your dad is still my favorite guest. Always entertaining.

Had my first Amarone just after Christmas ('04 Begali). I liked it, but I must say it didn't live up to the very high expectations in my mind. I'd be interested to try a different one.
C_Shorty

Oh and QOTD: Gary, I think thats a good policy you have.
RADV

A classic Sasha episode. The sniffy sniff battle is just killing!
Gary – we want to see your mom too on one of the shows. maybe 1,000?

QOTD: I think you should not change your rule. Anyone who follows you long enough should trust you by now — but the last thing you or the show or WL needs, is bad publicity over this issue (and as you know there are planty of people out there who would jump to provide just that). Justice needs to be seen to be done. It's a smart rule and you should stick to it.
Evan Roman

Congrats on the 800th episode gary! I haven't commented in a long time, but figured this was a good time to pop back in.

Your dad is awesome as always, he dominated a massive amount of cheese during this short episode 🙂

QOTD: Stick with your principles, otherwise the line will get unnecessarily blurry. It's worked for 800 episodes, why change a good thing?
jayhitek

Love the Sasha shows. My favorite episodes.
That being said.. I have no idea what the question of the day was. So my answer is yes.
divyamistry

Love seeing Sasha. He truly is the best guest EVER!

QOTD: GV, I agree with the good old rule of not showcasing the wines you carry in winelib. We know you enough to trust your opinion either way, but my selfish view is that winelib will carry tons of wines, and many are good… and I can get their info from winelib website. So, by excluding them… I get to learn about the awesomeness that is beyond winelib.
Dominic C.

Dude, your dad totally rocked and stole the show!

Before answering the QotD, I'd like to thank those people who reiterated the question so that I may answer it since I was unable to decypher it on the first run through.

QotD: I think it is to the utmost importance to maintain integrity. With that being said, I suppose though, that full disclosure of whether or not you sell the wines you review is made when you have them linked below.

Actually, I don't mind if you review the wines you sold since you've been quite honest and open so far as to even say openly on this episode that you wouldn't recommend one of the wines and even trashed it. In my eyes, that gives you a lot of credit.

Oh, can you do an episode about bottle shock?
Kirk

Great to see Sasha back on the show for a milestone episode…I agree that it's a good idea not to taste wines you have excess stock of. HOWEVER…I've noticed that there are few tastings of 375ml bottles. What about doing a horizontal tasting of the 2007 Nicola Potel's that you have in half bottles. I think THAT would be interesting because they are all from the same vintage, same producer, and same region…just different subregions.
johnfarrin

I 'm sure you two could take this on the road to rave reviews except you couldn't agree on whether it was, “Gary and Sasha” or “Sasha and Gary” 🙂 I, along with almost everyone, LOVE it!!!!!!!!!