WineLibraryTV Today: Christmas Wines

[Robin Garr]

Rad Wines. I Finally Talk About a Few Wines I Like - Episode #331

Gary Vaynerchuk folds and finally tastes three wines he is excited about. Wines tasted in this episode: 2006 La Chappelle de la Negly Rosé Languedoc-Roussillon 2004 Chateau Beausejour Duffau St Emilion, and 2005 Fleur Des Pins Graves/Pessac-Leognan.

Oct. 10, 2007

[Robin Garr]

California Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting - Episode #332

The ever-popular California Cabernets get a whirl on today's Thunder show! Wines tasted in this episode: 2005 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon; 2005 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon; 2004 Franciscan Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2004 Clos Du Val Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oct. 12, 2007

[Robin Garr]

The Chianti Show - Episode #333

Gary Vaynerchuk focuses on Chinati wines. Wines tasted in this episode: 2003 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Tan; 2004 Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico, and 2003 Selvapiana Bucerchiale Chianti Classico Riserva.

Oct. 15, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Gavi Wine Tasting - Episode #335

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes the three biggest Gavis out there today! Wines tasted in this episode: Banfi Principessa Gavi; Villa Rosa Gavi Di Gavi, and 2005 La Scolca Gavi Di Gavi Black Label.

Oct. 17, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Primitivo Red Wines from Italy - Episode #336

Gary Vaynerchuk explores the fun, wild and exciting world of Primitivo. Wines tasted in this episode: Villa Fanelli Zeta Primitivo di Manduria; 2005 Felline Primitivo di Manduria, 2004 Savese Picchieri Terrarossa Primitivo di Manduria.

Oct. 18, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Collector California Wine with Opus, Silver Oak and Ramey - Episode #338

Gary Vaynerchuk gets back into the swing of things going blind and going serious with three wonderful California red wines! Wines tasted in this episode: 2003 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; 2004 Opus One Napa Red, and 2005 Ramey Larkmead Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oct. 23, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Oops, Gary was ill last week, and I neglected to post the forum notice when he jumped back in the saddle on Friday. Belatedly ...

The Back In The Groove Show With A Nice Bordeaux - Episode #339

Gary Vaynerchuk is back at 90 percent, but we all know 90 percent of Gary is more then enough! Wine tasted in this episode: 2001 Chateau Lascombes Margaux.

Oct. 26, 2007

[Robin Garr]

The Halloween Wine Tasting - Episode #340

Gary Vaynerchuk jumps into four wines that have a little Halloween twist, and is excited about seeing how the wines show. Wines tasted in this episode: 2005 Pure Evil Chardonnay Australia; 2005 Hocus Pocus California Syrah; Seven Deadly Zins California, and 2006 Owen Roe Sinister Hand Washington Red.

Oct. 29, 2007

[Robin Garr]

2000 Barolo Wines from Piedmont Revisited - Episode #341

Wine Spectator went over the top with their rating for the vintage of 2000 Piedmont. Others say it was too hot and the wines are bombs. Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV visits three of these wines to see what's up! Barolos tasted in this episode: 2000 Oberto Barolo Vigneto Albarella; 2000 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Liste, and 2000 Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche.

Oct. 30, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Sancerre Wines On This BRISK Fall DAY! - Episode#342

Today marks the return of an old friend of the show. Let’s take a look at Sancerre wines. Wines tasted in this episode: 2006 Sylvain Bailly Sancerre; 2005 Gerard Boulay Monts Damnes Sancerre, and 2005 Francois Crochet Sancerre Rouge.

Oct. 31, 2007

[Robin Garr]

An Old-Fashioned Texas Wine Tasting - Episode #343

Gary Vaynerchuk goes to Texas to try two wines that might surprise you: A Malbec and a Rosé from Chenin Blanc. Have fun! Texas wines tasted in this episode: Pink Rainbows and 2004 Twilight Tango Malbec.

Nov. 2, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Tasting Wines from North Carolina - Episode #344

We go to North Carolina today for four wines that might surprise you. Let's see how Gary Vaynerchuk rates them. North Carolina wines tasted in this episode: 2004 RagApple Lassie Viogner; 2004 RagApple Lassie Cabernet Sauvignon; 2004 Childress Vineyards Cabernet Franc, and 2003 Childress Signature Meritage.

Nov. 5, 2007

[Robin Garr]

Costco Wine Tasting - Episode #345

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes and rates three wines from Costco. Watch and see how they show. Wines tasted in this episode: Kirkland Signature GSM 2004; Kirkland Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2005, and Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape 2005.

Nov. 7, 2007

[David M. Bueker]

Too frightening to watch...Costco wines...ugh. I've tasted them.

At the risk of starting a family war, Terry & I have tried all three. The GSM is probably the best. Made by Grant Burge, it represents the style of the Australian Blend. The CNdP is a very simple style. Not complex at all. OK at the price. The Alexander Valley is so simple that you are left with the feeling that you can chug the bottle. Not something that I want in a Cal cab.

[Jenise]

Dick, about a year ago we bought the Paulliac and Margaux that showed up locally. The Paulliac was pretty puny, but we loved the Margaux. Of course, there was none left when we went back for more.

With our Costco, you can generally go back and get some more. The Shenandoah Valley is not the hot spot for wine. That said, They do get a few good bottles. Most often it is around Christmas. Right now we are enjoying a supply of the 2004 1st growths plus the Kirkland champagne. The rose is quite good for the price.

[Robin Garr]

Wine Spies - Episode #346

Gary Vaynerchuk discovers the rad wine-selling website The Wine Spies. Wines tasted in this episode: Lodi 2005 Albariño.

Nov. 7, 2007

[Jenise]

Robin, I know this isn't the point of your post, but: Albarino in Lodi? Gotta go watch cuz I can't imagine this being a good idea. In fact, white wine in general from Lodi doesn't sound like a good idea....

[Robin Garr]

Robin, I know this isn't the point of your post, but: Albarino in Lodi? Gotta go watch cuz I can't imagine this being a good idea. In fact, white wine in general from Lodi doesn't sound like a good idea....

Well ... Clarksburg Chenin can be mighty nice. Is Clarksburg in Lodi? That whole region is so new, I get confused.

[Jenise]

I don't actually know where Clarksburg is. But I've been to Lodi, and it's low, flat and hot. One of California's hottest climates that grapes also happen to be grown in, and where lots of zin is grown--the 16% stuff. Not exactly the kind of climate people who frequent this board want to drink white wine from.

I don't actually know where Clarksburg is. But I've been to Lodi, and it's low, flat and hot. One of California's hottest climates that grapes also happen to be grown in, and where lots of zin is grown--the 16% stuff. Not exactly the kind of climate people who frequent this board want to drink white wine from.

Boy, you guys! Clarksburg is to the N of Lodi, closer to Davis. Clarksburg in Lodi, Robin? Really!

Mark Lipton
erstwhile resident of the Great Central Valley (Modesto to be precise)

[David M. Bueker]

Robin clearly missed the last train...

[Robin Garr]

Boy, you guys! Clarksburg is to the N of Lodi, closer to Davis. Clarksburg in Lodi, Robin? Really!

Okay, so I drove through the Central Valley once or twice.

Let's get some perspective here, though: The Sacramento Delta in particular, Clarksburg <i>and</i> Lodi, is a coming wine district. It's not the North Coast, it's not even the Central Coast, but it's certainly more promising than, say, Temecula.

You are correct, Mark, that Lodi is hotter, further south - there's a lot of Zin growing there, and most of it is not Zin that I particularly like. But the Delta region in general is a growing region that it pays wine geeks to know about.

Here's a decent overview from Wine Institute:

The Delta

The Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley meet at the river delta about 100 miles east of San Francisco, roughly encompassing portions of Solano, Yolo, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. (For purposes of providing statistics, this area is described using California grape pricing districts 5, 11 and 17 at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ca/bul/acreage/indexgab.htm.) There are 85,000 acres planted to winegrapes in the area. Chardonnay is the most widely planted variety with 19,806 reported acres, and Zinfandel is a close second at 19,494 acres. The Delta's 885,000 total tons in 2005 account for 24 percent of the total state winegrape crush.

Within the Delta area, the Lodi AVA has been a major winegrowing region since the 1850s. Grapes were always part of the local landscape, growing wild, dangling from the trees along the riverbanks. Early trappers called one stream "Wine Creek," due to the abundance of wild vines. The river was later renamed the Calaveras River, and flows through the southern part of the Lodi area. Today, the Lodi AVA is farmed by more than 750 growers. About 60 wineries are located in this picturesque rural area known for its older head-trained grapevines. Like the other Delta wine areas that include the Clarksburg AVA with its 10 wineries and 9,000 vineyard acres and the Merritt Island AVA, Lodi is also defined by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the coastal gap where the northern and southern coastal ranges meet at the San Francisco Bay. As temperatures rise in the state's vast interior valley, cool maritime breezes are pulled directly through the Delta area, creating a distinctive climate that has allowed premium winegrapes to thrive for more than a century. Lodi has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Deep, sandy clay loam soils predominate.

http://www.wineinstitute.org/industry/c ... _other.php