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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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  • Moselman

    Never had an Alsace riesling ? only a Gewurz that was highly recommended at a wine shop as a substitute for Sauv Blanc. GawdAwful, it was. But then, I firmly believe that dry riesling is an oxymoron.

    OTOH, fave non-wine/food combo is A&W Root Beer and a Teen Burger… Happy Days!!

  • Joe Latorre

    DUUUUDE! I live in Minnepolis…..Vikes…vikes…. 🙁 let's not talk about it nor the Jets/Vikes Super Bowl I was hoping for….12 men in the huddle, classic Farve INT instead of rolling out in the flat and running it….ok enough…no more! I'M DONE
    –
    QOTD: as we drink in in Colombia…hot chocolate (milk with real cacao), pieces of cheese (muenster rocks)…..put the cheese into the hot chocolate….let it melt…then dunk fresh french bread into the hot chocolate to fish out the melted cheese. It's a classic sweet and salty mix. Then finish the hot chocolate and take a nap!

  • waynooo daa winooo

    Yo G , Cheer Up, the JETS gotta BRIIIIIIGHT Future!!! Gonna be Playoff Regulars
    & maybe a Super Bowl Champ or Two!!!!
    YEEEEOOOOW, that Cheese/Sausage Plate looked Gooooooood!!!

    QOTDmini : Alsace Rieslings & Gewurztraminers are me FAAAAVOOORITES!!!

    QOTD: Other than me Vino, ofcourse, Water & Salads are the Main Staple of
    me diet…….

  • Don Simpson

    Mark – I don't really know if it was actually a GREAT pairing, we were camping and fly fishing in patagonia argentina for a week so it was a logical fit. Doesn't everything taste better on vacation too? ha

  • winelou

    So many different wines, they go with so many different foods, there is really nothing that comes in second. Sparkling water is clearly my favorite non-wine beverage, and while it goes with all foods, it enhances, and is enhanced by, none. I still love clams with beer (but now would prefer Chablis or Sancerre/Pouilly Fume) and I guess beer might score a draw with wine if the meal is corned beef and cabbage. Others beverages: Blended scotch with chinese food. Dark island rum with tropical fruit. Obviously, coffee with doughnuts and milk with chocolate blackout cake. And, of course, peach nectar with . . . Champagne! 🙂

    I have been drinking Alsatian Reisling (as well as Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner) for a while. I never understood German Rieslings, but have met some people who have given me tips and I'm now happily experimenting more with German and Austrian Rieslings, as well as some from Alto Adige. At a wine shop tasting a few years ago, I got to try a range of Weinbach Alsatian Rieslings. I had never before, or since, tasted Grand Cru Riesling. What a revelation! Amazing, mouth coating texture, beautiful sweet fruit, but still a balanced level of acidity. These wines, however, are hard to find, cost a pretty penny, and are not to everyone's taste. So it is hard to take the plunge when, as this show reflects, there is good Riesling to drink in the $20 range.

  • Don Simpson

    Carlo – I was referencing a fly fishing trip down to patagonia with some friends a few years back. My Dad and I do an annual trip out west, usually Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming. The trout fishing is much better out there, I haven't done too much on the east coast.

  • yacoub

    Sad about the Jets… when they started off with that fantastic D holding the Colts to two field goals instead of TDs there was some hope. Oh well, on march the Saints, hopefully. The Colts don't deserve this one.

    QOTD: Water. It goes with anything. 🙂

  • adrums

    Oh, one other thing… Gary, we need your thoughts on the current Clio! Don't you think? You might be sold out of it already there… oh, nope, looks like you guys (still) have some.

  • rdhover

    QOTD: Does it get any better than a cold beer at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis eating a stadium dog watching the Colts pick off the JETS? Maybe a cold beer in Miami?

    Gary, love all of your stuff but from pick your lip up off the ground. It was disappointing to know that I was at the same game as you and didn't have the opportunity to welcome you to Indy. It was a good game. Keep in mind all of the lost opportunities the young Peyton Manning had. The Jets day will come. Again, love all of your stuff and look forward to seeing your enthusiasm come back.

  • cmaloy

    I was cheering for the Jets … but come on man … you made it farther than my Chargers. No sympathy the Jets were great this year – they were playing against the football QB god (so it was only a matter of time until Manning figured it all out). Great job shutting Wayne and Clark down though. Brilliant.

    Question of the day … A good Hefeweizen and a rack of baby back ribs. I also love Coffee and eggs. Coke and burgers. Oolong tea and cake. Milk and cookies.

    No, I am not a big fat guy. 🙂

  • A dumb Rhein king

    In the beginning of the show it looked like you hadn't slept since Sunday. My friends and I were rooting for the Jets on Sunday afternoon in a Chicago hotel room and the Vikings that night at a concert, no such luck on both fronts. I'm not that big into sports, but it was a fun run to have the home team in the playoffs anyway.

    I've had one Alsace. It was good as far as I remember.

    Every high school that I knew about in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis had auto classes, complete with car stalls and everything.

    Did you see your name in the Jan/Feb Practical Winery & Vineyard? The same edition, in a different article, noted a study by the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Science which said that red wines are preferred by low and medium expertise males and white wine is preferred by high expertise of both genders and also by low expertise women. That totally fits in with your message on today's show.

    QOTD: Give me 2% milk and the richest, most dense, brownie with chocolate frosting on top. Nothing tops that combination in my book.

  • A dumb Rhein king

    Oh yeah, don't forget the chocolate chips in that brownie.

  • beerpancakes

    Long time lurker and big beer fan! QOTD: I love a russian imperial stout paired with homemade chocolate chip cookies.

    I am still new to wines, and Riesling is one grape I really like. I am glad to see you can get all nerdy over such an approachable wine.

    Cheers!

  • robauriana

    born in the bronx, has to be coke and meatball and onion pizza

  • Mike_Nelson

    My favorite non-wine and food pairing is non-alcoholic. Take Trader Joe's Sparkling Mineral water (89 cents for 1.25 liters, fellow Californians know what's up). Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Then eat some Dubliner cheddar.

    Either that or go to Pizza Port Carlsbad CA and get the Meat Lover's with a pitcher of Twerp Lager. 🙂

  • Gary, if we can get a pass rushing DE our secondary instantly becomes much better as we'll get pressure without always having to blitz. Improvements in the secondary from there…
    Sanchez will improve.

    We all know it's tough to get back there but don't lose too much hope. Live to fight another day…. The one sticky point I see is that this upcoming year may very well be uncapped.

    QOTD: Pepperoni pizza and a Manhattan special, I'm a former arthur avenue kid, what can I say

  • Rob M

    Best intro ever Gary…hilarious.

    QOTD: Pepsi with Pretzels.

  • Tonyt87

    QOTD: Well right now I would have to say a Boulevard Pale Ale with some spicy curried beef stew atop of a nice big pile of rice. Most of the time it's water or tea with a splash of lemon juice.

  • Richie "D"

    We get some and recently a wider variety are available but still very limited to popular brands/low to mid range. A friend just became an agent for a Canadian winery. I wish I could access some wines tested on your show but often when I see a good review I just cant get it in JA.
    Rich

  • Riesling is really good in Alsace, I agree!
    Other suggestion in alsace for people how like sweet wines they could try my absolute fav:

    Clos des capucins 2003 – Domaine Weinbach, vendanges tardives.
    http://www.domaineweinbach.com/en/wines/vt.htm

    It’s Pinot gris! It?s like the best thing in the world (and looks really like gold)?

  • bkhaz

    QOTD: nice bowl of steamed mussels with a solid glass of Belgian ale.

  • JasonGonzales

    QOTD: Vocational: Yes.

    QOTD: Number of Alsatian Wine:
    Zero. I just had my first Sancerre! You have to give me a chance to catch up!!

    QOTD: Food & Drink:
    Breakfast tea with an english muffin and apple butter is legit.

    Great to see you back Gary! No joke, I was a little worried. I thought you locked yourself up in a dark cold room never to come out again.

  • good to see you putting out another video after a bit of a drought, although I didn't get that passion in the opener that brings me to WLTV.

    QOTD: Gonna have to go with a Coke (not Pepsi) and a Garbage Plate. Most people are probably wondering who the hell would eat something called a Garbage Plate and my answer to that is almost anyone from Rochester, NY. Anyone else had one of these? They are awesome

  • Tonight I'm feeling potato vodka, bone dry and ice cold with a twist of lemon with a shrimp cocktail, lots of horseradish in the sauce.

  • corkscrew

    Gary, wrong pick, gotta go with the Colts, it's Peyton's year again and with Tiger imploding, he is one of the last really good guys that is a legit sports figure that kids can look up to. Have not had many Rieslings, have tried Dr. Frank K from NY and enjoyed it. Love a Golden Patrone Margaritta with salt (counts as a food item), and fresh chocolate chip cookies (my special recipe) and cold cold milk. http://www.winelx.com

  • JasonGonzales

    Also, I have to say… Gary, thanks for what you do here on WLTV. Thanks for your hard work and your dedication to this show. We know you don't NEED to do this, but you want to do it. So thanks again, it means a lot.

  • SeanieBoy

    I've only known of WLTV for about a month, so I've been going through the archives starting at #1. Just yesterday I watched episode #80, where the QOTD was “what's your favorite non-wine beverage”. Quite the coincidence! Anyway, I like Pepsi with mexican food, but Coca-Cola with hamburgers.

  • allaborde

    Welcome back Gary. QOD…sooooo easy..cold milk and chocolate layer cake. the best!!!

  • pawncop

    Very good episode, big fan of Trimbach Reisling. It is all things you speak of.

    I am sorry for the loss by your beloved Jets. After the Cowboys lost, I was rootin' for your guys.

    QOTD – Outside grilled burgers and cold Coors beer.

  • ericjo

    Love Alsatian wines…solid show. The Gourmet Library stuff was making me salivate.

    QOTD: A piping hot Chai tea with a pile of Pakistani food, including nice fresh Naan.

  • WineWoman

    Side Question: Not sure about AutoShop Class anymore–I'll have to ask around.
    It's been a while since I've had an Alsatian Riesling. Used to drink them all the time, then I went to German Kabinetts, NY State, Aussie and NZ Rieslings to name a few. Seeing you enjoy the Beyer, especially with food, makes me want to re-visit them.
    QOTD: Pizza with Coke. Freshly baked Cookies with Milk.

    Nice to have you back, Gary. Was a little worried there. 🙂

  • johnboston

    Funny you should mention this, I have been craving a vodka collins and cheese all day, and now I am liable about to run to the store any second to get some half and half and cheese.

  • I have only tasted an Alsatian white once and I remember it was on the light side and kind of nonchalant, wouldn't go so far as to say boring but it didn't stand out. I have to buy more to have a better understanding of this region.
    QOTD: I love to blend fruits together and mixing them with vanilla, and I eat it with everything, and mix it with some alcohol sometimes. I drink them with everything and anything I can get my hands on or crave, cookies, sandwiches, beef stew, polenta you name it. Once special case is strawberries, maple syrup, cinnamon, green tea and mint leaves with ice in a blender, oh my, topped with a dash of clover…try it with a spaghetti carbonara for something outrageous.

  • ACboosh

    Could'nt agree more…that's why I'm cramming this knowledge 10 hrs a day in preparation for a new website biz I'm working on…..Just Finished “Crush it” this morning….Loved every page…..Thanks Gary.

  • Side: Auto shop and other vocational trades are at the vo-tech high schools here in Pittsburgh. You go to your regular HS for half the day then to the vo-tech for the other for whatever trade.

    QotD: Not sure if I have a specific favorite, but a good craft Pilsner beer with bratwurst in the summer can't be beat.

  • dalebuchanan

    Energy is low Bro, I'm not used to that

  • Phil G

    Have enjoyed several Alsatian whites in the past… good stuff.

    QOTD – favorite is tough to say, but I do like a big glass of chocolate milk at the diner – and I normally drink most of it before breakfast arrives!

  • sorry bro, will bring it tomorrow!~

  • WILD!

  • thnx bro!

  • niiiiiiiiiice

  • The way you felt in the first 5 minutes of the show… that's how I feel all the time because I'm a diehard LIONS fan (every day since I could crawl). You'll get over it; but I have to live knowing that neither of my grandfathers got to see the Lions win a Super Bowl, and the way we're going, neither will I.

    Ok, so now that I got my lament out of the way,

    QOTD: Guiness Stout with a Chicken Caesar Salad

  • No, it was good. slow start and picking up pace as it went along. It’s good to went your sorrow and then move forward. I liked it.

  • Brent Valle

    In college I used to get orange chicken from the Panda Express in the dining center with a diet Cherry Pepsi to celebrate finishing finals and whatnot. I don't know why, but those flavors just taste like success to me.

  • QOTD: Cake & Slivovitz

  • or slushy slush

  • jtp375

    Gary-
    Nice run for the Jets. Keep it in perspective. Look how many years Manning has been at the helm compared to Sanchez. Should be a bright future.

    No Alsatian Reislings that I can note. More of a red guy. Had the Bura that you and Cliff tasted on the show. Bloody OUTSTANDING!

    QOTD-Dry martini with olives. 🙂

  • HUGE THANKS for linking to the Wine For Haiti appeal Gary — we really appreciate it and I hope the Vayner nation will come take a look at the amazing donations pledged by our Aussie and NZ winemakers (http://www.BoozeMonkey.com): over $40,000-worth of wine so far, some of it very rare and a lot of it signed by the winemakers themselves. In all honesty, I could not be prouder to be a part of the Aussie wine industry than I am right now: the response has been absolutely phenomenal. Vayniacs may also like to know that the campaign is running in the US via Palate Press (http://palatepress.com/2010/01/haiti), so please check that out too. We’re accepting donations as well as bids, and every cent goes to support the relief efforts in Haiti, so please be generous.Gary, you’re a real gentleman and I’m looking forward to your trip down under in April. I’m guessing your schedule will be pretty tight, but if you have time I would like to buy you a beer, shake your hand and thank you in person for helping us out. Good on ya, mate!

  • amgryger

    QOTD: I think my favorite non-wine beverage really is just water. I'm fascinated by its omnipresence in our lives, physically, culturally, and psychologically. Oh and it pairs well with anything.

  • GreggB

    Big G, Love the show. Sorry about your Jets. I feel for you. My very good friend is a die hard Viking fan and he really feels for you. I know it hurts, but Sanchez and Ryan come on. You'll be there again. For you of course.

    QOTD: Dodger Dog with Any Beer.

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