I'm absolutely 100% agree that every guest (except for your Dad) must bring a gift for us, and may be throw in the question of the day to win it, if is a wine maker and you score the wine above 90 he can give away a bottle 🙂

GV – Like the show and the comments at the end but I can understand how a guest might feel upset by it (fakey fake, say it to my face, etc.). You are walking a tight line between 'calling it as you see it' vs. trying to be professional and even nice but have the courage of your convictions.

QOTD 1 – I think it is a mistake to require guests provide specials. Some guests are good just at being themselves, not as salesmen. Keep it real and let them be themselves. Also, it can be seen as proof of you not being fair/balanced/objective and having a (not so) hidden agenda. In addition I think you'll take heat in the industry.

QOTD 2 – I'd try it if offered but I don't feel the need to pony up my own legal tender.

GFish
PS – Peace and Jets!

This was really interesting. It's good to know that I can start my own label someday if I feel inspired to do so 😉

As to the QOTD – I'd say it would be a great thing to 'suggest' to folks who come on, but I think it is a bad move to 'require' it. I think we're all giddy about getting great deals, but something doesn't feel right about requiring it. Cheers

Check out my avatar on myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/top1jack

we should get GV to have the boys on the show. Anybody who can teach Corey and Trevor how to tell the petrol grades apart would have no problem with a double blind tasting:

“What, are you stupid? You f****n' taste it. Unleaded tastes a little tangy. Supreme is kinda sour, and diesel tastes pretty good”

Six million, four hundred and sixty three thousand, nine hundred and twelve thumbs up for the post game show!!! I think it is the best innovation you have had on the show in a long long time.

One thumb up and one thumb down for the guest. Up because he seems like a nice guy, down because he doesn't “get it” when it comes to the show at all. He is simply a pitchman. I think that Crushpad is right up there with the WonderBra as one of the greatest ideas ever. I just don't think that this guy's model is exactly what Michael Brill had in mind.

That might be one of the conditions for a state to be called ‘socialist’, but it couldn’t possibly stand alone. I definately don’t want to have a politictal debate either, and I sincerely appreciate that you are trying to be respectful to views different from your own. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. I suppose I am simply fed up with the use of this term in american politics in general, hence the reaction. Have a nice weekend.

Being an Oak fan it is good to hear you also have the Delicious factor from one who is not an oak fan. Look forward to more info and learning about both Gary's book and Mikes Cab

QTD (from Gary): I would NOT make gifts or promo's a prerequisite for coming on the show. It's fine if some places happen to bring something, but by no means would I make it a requirement. I hope you don't go that route, it's too much of a turnoff for me.

QTD #2 (from guest): How much of your wine do I want? None. Zip. Nada. Sorry to be so terse and forthright. However, I'm getting slammed with emails for unique offers of all sorts – from free shipping, to dramatically discounted wines of tried and true producers and then this no-name comes forth setting these rediculous prices. Maybe 8 years ago, buddy. However, not nowadays. At least he was honest when he discussed his distribution channels and lack of anything concrete that he has witnessed. That market ($100+ wines) is a very dry, dry market. What's left is probably sticking to the tried and true famous names. Here's hoping he comes down to reality or else he will be drinking it all up himself.

Finally, I very much enjoyed your final minute segment where you discuss your thoughts. That's great and very good for the viewer.

QOTD 1.) I like the idea of the guests bringing some kind of promotional offer, as I think both Vayniacs and the guests could benefit without compromising the integrity of the platform of the Thunder Show. However, I don't think that it should be a mandatory requirement for all guests- just to keep that sense of freedom for them and for the show.

QOTD 2.) Hmmm. Not sure how to answer this. The wines are over-priced, which goes against the fundamental values in my wine exploration quest, so I guess my answer is none for me, thank you- especially as these oakier, more extracted, softer acid New World wines aren't quite my style lately. Cheers.

this guy is a brand owner, not a wine maker. I wonder how much it cost per bottle for him to make those 100 cases. Those prices are pretentious, and in this market just plain rediculous.

Love the new format for rating guests products. Gives a sense of honesty to it, even though we all know you tell it like it is, this way there won't be any question. Good move.
The guest did seem a little preachy. Nice guy, but was promoting to much to really get into and enjoy the show. He seemed to still be “on the job” instead of just relaxing and kicking back some wine with Gary. I did like the angle of questioning you had, that at least gave some insight into how hard it can be with all the regulations out there.

QOTD1: No, don't force promos on the show. I love getting cool stuff at discounted prices/free just like the next guy, but then you will be limiting the show and prevent some great and passionate people from getting on because you want them to discount stuff for us, it just seems like it would be a drag down. An idea to play around with yes, but to put in place, would do more harm then good.

QOTD2: I want enough wine for myself and my family to be comfortable.

The passion to do your own wine, I would love to have the seeds to jump from corporate America to the love of wine.
Thanks you Gary for the gift of your love of the senses.
David

QOTD Yes I think anyone willing to get free promotion, should give up a small promotion
QOTD I am not ballin like that so 0, though the Roussanne does sound like a wine I would want to try

Gary love the format, we can decode you, but getting the raw unfiltered opinion is always welcome and doing it after allows you to temper the enthusiasm of the guest.

good guest, though he seemed maybe a little pressed to move the wine. hope that works out for him.

QOTD 1: i don't think you are forcing them to give up anything by offering a promotion. It sems like it is more of a service you want to provide your viewers. They run promotions all the time. Also, they don't have to run the promotion for three months. A week, or even a couple of days may give them sales they would have never had without the promotion. Although they might lose out in the short term, if they are a quality wine, that one promotion may get them a multi-vintage consumer.

QOTD 2: a lot.

I have had both of these wines more than once. My favorite is the Cab but both are excellent. Hat's off to the founder, Mike Cochran for following his passion. I'm a big fan of Cult Vine Wines!

QOTD1: No, please. I don't want WLTV to be a sales/promo playground. Let it be, pure and simple.

QOTD2: None. Seems like nice guy, but paying that much for a guy's hobby seems out of control. He's made a brand more than a wine. Wine to me is about farming not about paying $10,000 for a fieldtrip.

If you can buy To Kalon fruit for $7-8K/ton, please sign me up! PLEASE! Or better yet, point me to that $17 bottle of Paul Hobbs To Kalon cab, or any To Kalon Cabernet for that matter!.. Profiteer! LOL You need to stop eastcoastingit Chris and get out to the west coast! As for being sure about Crushpad, your comments also do not reflect how they do business, so I can assure you that you are wrong, dead wrong on all fronts. Personally, I wish I could make a $17 bottle of wine and make a penny or two, but it is not doable when making small lots from custom crush facilities, especially when buying from California's best vineyards. With that said, I think Franzia and YellowTail have what you're looking for, since they do make millions of barrels per year and through economies of scale, can offer you the swill you've obviously enjoy to drink. Cheers!

the swill I drink aside, why don't you tell us what To Kalon fruit runs? how much does the service of Crushpad cost? I didn't say that you were making a bottle for $17, you're just good at seeing what you want to see and skewing things your way. Break down the production cost numbers for us. I'm all ears with my chalice full of MD20/20 in hand.

I really like the behind-the-winemaker's-back comment in the end!

QOTD: Bring on the swagg!!!!!
Love the P.S.
Keep up the good work. I think you were being kind to the Roussane. You face never lies.

I think you called it on the nose (and the palate) — meh wine at 2006 prices. I think this dude has NO concept of wine reality when it comes to pricing/product. Kinda like my taking my amateur songs and going out a booking a stadium tour.

How did this guy get on your show, noble mon? How about booking a real winemaker like Reilly from Owen Roe? By the way — when are you getting your OR allocatoin — I just finished my last bottle of '05 Cab Franc.

Good Show

qotd1: Only if it applies to Canadians

qotd2: a case

Cool video–I am making Crushpad wine now as well. I don't care what the market is, I am going to make a ace #1 wine (at least for my palate). BTW 100% French oak can be ok (not too much) if you transfer to neutral barrel at appropriate time–sounds like he went 24 months. American oak can be more agressive. Delicious is a big + for me.

Good luck selling these wines at these prices……even with the discount… http://www.winelx.com