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EP 804 2004 and 2006 Alsatian Riesling Tasting

Gary gets back to the Thunder Saddle after a very disappointing Jets loss. He tastes 2 vintages of Riesling from Alsace, a region that is underrepresented in many wine circles.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes AbbesAlsace Riesling
2004 Leon Beyer Riesling Escaillers Alsace Riesling

Links mentioned in todays episode.


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luca bercelli

89/100

line of the day – ‘I reckon one day we’re going to have rock juice, because we want minerality in our bodies’

I actually laughed out loud at 17.21 – let’s face it, Gary is a funny guy

Tags: alsace, France, review, Video, white, wine, wines

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  • Jeremy

    Sir Gary!

    I am tickled you asked such a thought provoking question of the day! To answer, I find that the thickest and creamiest milk will accompany most cuisine quite wonderfully! There is just something to be said of how a tall glass of milk (served at room temperature, of course) coats the palette and compliments food in a wonderful marriage of delectability and pleasure. Such a pairing certainly satiates the primal needs of the hungry man, who isn't about to sacrifice the quality of his feast.

    A truly wonderful episode!

    Jeremy

  • kylemittskus

    QOTD: A good, hearty stout with some vanilla ice cream in it OR a nice pale ale with some Ray's pizza from New York. My fiance and I ate it 6 times in 7 days when we were there before X-mas. And I miss it.

  • Wine's that sing…nice, My favorite non drink e drink is clean,crisp, really good for you water! I don't drink pop but I do love a Whiteys strawberry milk shake of love! I going to a wine pairing dinner that is serving Haven's Merlot, Haven's Syrah, Fess parker Viogner, Haven's Black and Blue, Haven's Borriqout,Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Dautenpflanzer Kabinett Halbtroken Riesling.
    I'm really excited. I searched for the show you did with the Haven's owner….great show! Thanks for your passion.

  • Welcome back Gary! Empathize re Jets. I feel the same way about the Vikings' loss.

    QOTD1: Have had ~5 different Alsatian rieslings. I love my rieslings bone-dry and Alsatians fit the bill.

    QOTD2: Earl Grey Tea with McVities digestive biscuits.

    Edwardo

  • Anonymous

    Do you have a good recomendation for an availible grappa? Gary you should do a grappa show!

  • YoungDave

    HE'S BACK IN THE THUNDER SADDLE!! Welcome back, sir- you've been greatly missed. As a Patriots fan, as you know, I don't usually root for your beloved Jets… HOWEVER- JUST for you, I was absolutely pulling for you guys after we were out of the playoffs, and I was also sad (for you) to see them fall- ESPECIALLY to the Colts! I also loathe the damn Colts and will be in the Saints' corner on the big day. May the Colts fall… and fall hard.

    QOTD 1.) I have had many Alsacian whites, and I truly do love this category of wines both with and without food. Although I have just recently had both a still and a sparkling Auxerrois, many Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sparkling Alsacian Rose (with Pinot Noir in the mix) Syvaner, etc., I have only had maybe 5-10 Alsacian Rieslings. I suppose there is a pricepoint difference between this noblest grape of the region and the rest… but I will make a point to throw down a few extra bones on an Alsacian Riesling soon.
    QOTD 2.) I've been getting into fresh-ground, freshly brewed strong coffee big time lately. Graffeo may be the best local roaster that I have bought whole-bean coffee from so far.
    As for pairing, I love me some bite-sized almond biscotti, or even the little sesame green tea cookies at Urth Cafe, or any multi-grain scone with toasted almonds or hazelnuts.

  • Anonymous

    What is Grappa?

  • zrm

    Gary! Welcome back. Your a big part of my week and I have missed your passion for wine and life in my day.

    So i went to high school in FL and we didn't have an autoshop. It was an old high school too. We did have the technical high school that was connected in the back and they had welding and full auto classes.

    Never had an alsatian wine at all! I am missing out. Going to my wine store this weekend. That Leon Beyer sounds crazy exciting.

    QOD: What a great question….I can't choose just one. Um Milk and Cookies, Coffee and French Toast but I think my favorite is an odd one. Fresh Orange Juice with a Cinnamon raisin bagel with plain cream-cheese. The cream cheese will stick all over your mouth but you take a sip and the acid just cleans you up. And you get a little creamsicle action too.

    Welcome Back Gary!

    -ZRM

  • billwrollcia

    gv, glad you are back on the horse again, I agree 1000% I hate when people say dont worry you will get them next year. I basically wanna jimmy super fly snuka them from the top rope!!! I glad to know im not the only one, my pairing are samoas (the the girls scout cookie ever), dont even come with those week ass thin mints, i love them with coke, just simple and classic, wish i had some now so i could send you a box.
    thanks again,
    Bill

  • drt999

    When I taught in Charleston, SC, a lot of the students from the inland part of the state swore by this! (well, boiled peanuts, not dry roasted)

  • carlo10

    KC does not have a body shop in high school
    MQOTD:none
    QOTD: Favorite non wine beverage is CranApple Juice with asiago cheese and ciabata. just what i grew up eating around the house.

    are the sniffy sniff glass and wristbands for sale gary?

  • this year nothing!!!!! how do you like that gv, if the jets went we would have to sell wine lib to go, lol

  • zrm

    I remember kids having that everyday in highschool. Tried it once and it was interesting but tasty

  • Doug From New Orleans

    To the Jets and Vikings fans who were disappointed this weekend. Imagine waiting 43 years to make it to our first Superbowl. New Orleans may have had a little help from above but all I can say is “Thank God and Go Saints!” Remember the Jets already have one Superbowl win under their belt! Great show, Gary.

  • Anonymous

    mmmmmmlamb burger! Now, I’ve got to have one.

  • DPnCali

    Wow! You mean other people do this too?! My Mother showed me this way back in the day and I thought it would be nasty when she told me to try it, but I loved it. Good call.

  • jeffisrad

    QOTD: You know what I like? A HOPPY IPA. I mean HOPPY! I want the HOPS to be so obnoxious that all you can smell from the beer is a buttload of spicey flowers. Pair that with a Juicy-Assed Lamb Burger and I'm GOOD.

  • Esther_W

    QOTD: my favority non-wine bev. is SAKE. junmai daiginjo with Chinese spicy hot pot or Shabu Shabu 🙂

  • Edward Salonia

    Happy to see another show.

    QOTD: Scotch, neat.

  • Anonymous

    There is a difference but just to have a decent beer in a can is worth it. More beers will soon go to the can.. I hope.

  • Anonymous

    Good Call. I can walk to Pollo Rico from my apt in Ballston. May have to go for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for the idea!

  • Sharon

    !.Cold water straight from the weir. 2. Milk and cookies, earl gray and ginger scones

  • KVM1985

    Yay Gary! Love your show!

    QOTD: I love barley wines (these are not wines, but a style of strong ale) and I love to drink them with cheese (they often have sherry-like flavors)! Beer pairings with food are very exciting in my experience.

    As a side note, are any “Vayniacs” near or in Virginia going to the Virginia Wine Expo in Richmond Feb 26-28 (http://virginiawineexpo.com/)?

  • Phredd3

    I feel your pain, Gary, but you'll be fine, I'm sure. Lots of questions on the show today. Let's see:

    QOTD1: I have had only one Alsatian riesling, and I can't even remember the producer. Based on the n=1, I prefer German riesling. But n needs to be bigger, first and foremost.

    QOTD2: Favorite non-wine beverage overall is diet Coke. I am, regrettably, literally addicted to the stuff. Some people need coffee, I need dC.

    QOTD3: Favorite non-wine beverage and food pairing is bananas and orange juice. I just slice the bananas in a bowl, dump the OJ on top, and eat the whole thing with a spoon. If it doesn't count because I'm not sipping like a civilized person, then I'll go with the classic slice of devil's food cake and a tall glass of milk. No short stumpy glasses, please. Gotta be in a tall glass.

  • clutch28

    QOTD: I love both beer and wine and my favorite non-wine pairing is A creamy, rich stout with a Dutch chocolate cake

  • StevenL

    Wow, I was just at a wine event with Sparr wines from Alsace last Monday, they had a Crement that was mostly Pinot Blanc that was great. Wheres the Bubbles Month ??? But when it comes to Alsace, I am a Hedonist- get me a huge Gewurztraminer- Sparr had a Mambourg Grand Cru that is out of this world complex. Perfect Match with Asian Fusion dishes or Thai curries.
    QOTD- Islay Malt with Smoked Salmon.
    ***Need Help- My question is … My son was born in 2006, putting away bottles of that vintage- any thoughts on a US wine from 2006 to add to the collection- thought about the Napanook that was discussed a few shows back- about that price range.
    Great Show btw.

  • Anonymous

    Grappa is the Italian version of the french eau de vie called marc. It is sort of like drinking jet fuel(no pun intended GV) It has been around since the 1700s or maybe even earlier than that. It is made from the pomace that is left over after wine is made. It was created by the poor serfs of the time who could not afford wine, so they took the leftovers and made what they could with it. Now it is considered a prestigious after dinner digestive(if you can handle it.) If you find some of the barrel aged stuff, it is pretty damn good.

  • KVM1985

    Highland or Islay?

  • QOTD: A full flavored coffee and an egg breakfast. We Looooooooooooove our coffee in the Pacific Northwest.

    Cheer up Gary. You could be a Rams fan. 🙁

  • Brady_B

    QotD: A pint of New Belgium's 1554 Black Ale and a supreme “Saint Louis style” pizza.

  • Phredd3

    Oh, yeah, forgot about the autobody question: Yeah, we had one. It was in the dreaded portable. I think I went into the building a total of once in four years.

  • Gotta say, I was fearing the worst with the intro, but it's the GV we've all grown to love afterall.

    Mini QOTD: I'd guess around 5-10. I'm generally a big Riesling fan, so you don't have to twist my arm too hard to get me to try new ones.

    QOTD: Oh man, I just did a weekend at Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, NY that makes some awesome Belgian-style brews. After a nice tour of the brewery, they gave us a 5-course meal that exceeded all expectations by a whole long way. Each individual course was excellent and paired similarly well with an appropriate beer. But far and away the best pairing was a brownie paired with a “Cocoa Stout”. Instead of adding water to the brownie mix, they added the Cocoa Stout (the beer's name is “Chocolate Indulgence”), and gave us the same beer as the pairing.

    HOLY CRAP. That was really good. That, without a doubt, takes the cake for my favorite non-wine pairing.

  • lordsauvignon

    Keep your head up Gary, hopefully the Saints will crush the Colts. At least your Jets went down fighting.

    mini1: Autoshops are normally in just vocational school these days, however they were more common place in public schools until budget cuts crippled the diversity of classes kids could be educated in over the past couple of decades. Now education is fighting just to hold onto music class and gym class. Sad really.
    mini2: 3-4
    QOTD: Rootbeer float accompanying a swiss and mushroom 1/2lbs burger, medium done with the works on top (One of those burgers that just makes a mess as you eat it) 🙂

    Most of us who follow the show know you've been sick and that the Jets loss was a blow for you, not to mention exciting things happening in your family. We just miss you when there isn't a new show up, I think most of us understand that life is life and that you have one. Keep Crushing

  • Phredd3

    Isn't “St. Louis style” pizza just a round pool of greasy cheese on a matza and cut up into squares? You need Black Ale just to cut through that stuff.

    If that ain't proof the everyone's palate is different, I don't know what is. Or maybe you didn't have the same pizza I did during my four years there….

  • Bob

    QotD: Favorite beverage other than wine: Bundaberg Ginger Beer

  • Yo Gary. Sheesh how can you scare the nation like you did. I figured you'd be in a bit of a funk yet for a moment it looked like it was pretty deep then Gary return with THUNDER!! Nice to hear about the Wines for Hati campaign.

    Good show tonight. Alsatian rielsings is one of my favorites.

    QOTD: This is a good one. I have three favorite non wine beverages which are pretty equal in weight. Single Malt Scotch, potato based vodka and bourban yet over all the one that comes out on top are the Single Malts. They are great and there is so much to choose from. Lagavulin. Woohoo.

  • StevenL

    Islay- Is there any other??

  • Krunch i would never do the show if I felt my palate was compromised! I am fighting an old cough but the buds are fine buddy!

  • Anonymous

    Hey Dominus,
    I am kinda new to WLTV, but I am the wine director at the Capital Grille in DC. Stop in and say Hi some time if you are in the mood for a good steak and some good juice….

  • StevenL

    That should be the next QOTD- how to cure the common cold.

  • fablefilou

    So funny Gary! Next time try Heyl from Alsace.
    I tell u what my favorite drink is. I drink it everyday, it's the diet lemonade from schweppes, I think it's amazing. I match it with everything but especially with spaghetti carbonara 😉

  • Anonymous

    You’re doing what I tried to do back in 2003 when DVD was hot (see link). I guess I was ahead of my time. Love what you do and I’m reading/loving Crush It!

    http://winefundamentals.com/

    Cheers,

  • wneslage

    Great to see you back! I was really looking forward to your banter last week leading up to the games, but understand responsibilities! Sorry about your Jets, shame Minn could not have pulled it pulled it out…lord to turnovers! Pls dont apologize for the football talk, fans know it is part of what makes this show fun, exciting, and fresh! Shout out goes to me for winning my fantasy Championship…HEY!

    QOTD…easy. Coca-Cola and good homemade burger in old fashioned butcher wrapper w/homemade french fries. Good Cold beer with Pizza. Not to forget ICE COLD whole milk with a rich homemade chocolate cake.

  • Glad to see you back Gary. I've had the Schlumberger and I completely agree, although I picked up more a rubber/latex glove…made me feel like I was in a Dr's office. I've only had 1-2 Alsace Rieslings before.

    QOTD: IPA with a juicy hamburger and hoppy all the way (Ruination, Black Diamond, etc.)

  • QOTD: Anything from TACO BELL with a Dr. Pepper!

  • Yes! IPA FTW! Stone Ruination?

  • SourGrapesFC

    There are several others, actually.

  • QOTD – Milk and Lasagna (Mom's Lasagna)

  • StevenL

    I have been trapped in Islay for years, I come out to Brora, Springbank and Macallen once and awhile, but prefer to stay on the island.

  • BethAD1017

    Hey Gary! Good to see you back on WLTV and Twitter! You were missed. It was also great to see you at wine expo again this year. You totally crushed it!

    Mini QOTD – 10-15 it is the only place I really like to get Riesling from – I love the dry minerality of it. I'm not a big fan of the sweet German Rieslings…

    QOTD – Vodka (Chopin of course) and Bourbon. Scotch is good as well. The vodka is number one after my wine! As for food – I have to say a Bourbon with homemade pizza with all the gourmet toppings while sitting on the porch looking out at the Parker River in Newbury, MA is just about the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon….

    As for the remake of Karate Kid – I have to say, I'm not a big fan of the remake and think you don't mess with the original. Not that the original was Oscar worthy, but don't mess with the original. Did you hear they are talking about doing a remake of Ferris Bueller's Day Off….SO WRONG!!!!

    Good to see you back Gary V!

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