Love it!! Maria is even more adorable than you Gary 🙂 I was so psyched to see that she was a guest as i recently bought my first Lopez D H wine (2000 Gravonia white) and am dying ot try it!

QOTD:
Balance, uniqueness of expression, value, history, food friendliness.

QOTD: authenticity.

Maria Jose is an AMAZING GUEST!

Gary I have not even been lurking, checked out for awhile, but just took a peak on your site and man am I glad I did. I had just finished reading Alice Feiring’s book “The Battle for Wine and Love or How I Saved the World from Parkerization” and who do I find but one of Alice’s heroins, Maria Jose. I had just tried the1989 Tondonia white, an extremely interesting wine, that definitely tastes of place and was changing by the second in the glass. Thank goodness for winemakers like her and her family that refuse to sell out for points, they are a dying breed. She was very diplomatic, but Rioja has mostly sold out. It would have been interesting to ask her what she thinks of Parker and his influence, but that would be a bit risky wouldn’t it. Even I am confused about exactly what I think about Parker. I think he gained respect in the early 80’s because he was unbiased and uncorrupted, unlike many other critics at that time. I don’t think he is intentionally trying to globalize the wine world, but his influence is so huge it may be bigger than the man. He may as stated by a French winemaker in Feiring’s book, just not have a curious palate. Gary, would you please consider having Alice Feiring, Jonathan Nossiter(the filmaker who made Mondovino and wrote Liquid Memory), or Neal Rosenthal on as guests on your show, Alice and Neal live in NYC I think. These books and films are a must for any wine enthusiast. Thanks for such an awesome show. Joel

Excellent guest – lots of interesting information in there and great to see wines that are a bit different.

I was told Gran Reservas are released when the winemaker believes they are best to drink and that they shouldn’t be cellared for long times – is this true?

QOTD – quality and value

If I knew Maria, I would marry her—–

QOTD- I am looking for great complexity, at least 4-6 separate and distinct flavors, balance and a long finish.It needs the “delicious factor”,so the flavors need to mesh nicely. I dont always expect that but I think thats what makes a great wine. Price doesn’t matter as far as what I am looking for– maybe, though, as to whether I would buy it!

Probably more accurate to say that when they’re ready to drink. I hold on to lots of gran reservas for years and years, and they’re almost always just as good. When stored properly they can hold steady for awhile. Salud!

Great show! Very nice person. Thank you.

What an amazing guest. The guest episodes can at time be a bit long but she made me watch both episodes back to back.

Bravo. Excellent episode. Thanks Gary for highlighting this wonderful and passionate winery and the people behind it. You successfully emphasized how important they are in preserving tradition (and quality) in wine. Maria is so real and truly symbolizes the character of Lopez de Heredia. Thanks!

What an amazing woman. I had visited them and loved the winery, and always wanted to do a vintage with them. Now I’m doing vintage in Rioja (in another winery), and after this show I want to work with them even more!
Gracias Maria y Gary.

Thank You, thank you, thank you.
The best show so far. (Maria is just lovely, I think I’m in love. ;-))
I will seek out for her wines to try them.

qotd: inspiration

91/100

Everyone will love this episode