In the episode, they try Brooklyn’s Local 1, Local 2, and Black Ops, none of which I’ve tried.   (I do know a DC store that carries Local 1 and Local 2.  I’ll go pick them up. Ha.)

They also talk a lot about Garrett’s background and his passion for beer and pushing the boundaries of beer making.  Sounds like Garrett has done some really fascinating collaborations with outside groups to make beers that you wouldn’t normally be able to get.  From the interview, you get the impression that Garrett is a really dynamic guy and that he’d be fun to talk to.

One thing that stood out for me was how, on Friday nights, they transform the brewery into a town gathering place where everyone (young and old) gathers to celebrate the week.   He said it was very much alike to the notion of a beer garden in Germany.

Here’s the episode.  It’s so good.  As I was watching it on the subway today, I missed my stop because I was so engrossed in it…

The latest episode is a great example.  In it, Gary talks about the Banyuls region of France and their well known dessert wines.  It’s an area that I’m not familiar with and am anxious to try.

Check out the episode and let me know what you think.

How it works is that you order this pack of 4 wines from Wine Library.  You don’t know what you’re getting but you know it’s been hand-picked by Gary.  You know the value of the pack is more than what you’re paying for it.  Plus the shipping is free, which is pretty great.

On Thanksgiving day, you start the video, pour the wines, and have fun drinking a long with Gary.

It really is a fantastic way to enjoy a bunch of different wine with friends.  You have someone who’s an expert who’s walking you through it all, whom also has some personality and will make what you’re drinking accessible to everyone who’s sitting at the table.

The key is you have to watch the show, Wine Library TV, to know when the secret packs are coming out. Here’s the Thanksgiving Show that we watched together after eating the big meal:

Popular culture has unfortunately labeled sparkling wine as something that you only drink during New Years or birthday parties, which is SOOO unfortunate.  Sparkling wine is so good that it shouldn’t be relegated to just a couple of times per year. Let it be something that you drink all the time.

Or… you could take my approach to sparkling wine.  When you drink it, think about all the great blessings that you’ve received throughout the day and celebrate that.   Use it as an opportunities to celebrate all the great gifts that God has given us.

Looking for some good sparkling wines?  Check out one of the latest episodes of Wine Library TV.  Gary Vaynerchuk takes two sparkling wines head to head…

It’s definitely a wine varietal that I need to dive into more.  When you think of Itallian grapes, all too often you just see things like Sangiovese and Chianti.

If you’re a Dolcetto nube like me, this episode is a great place to start.

Have you tried Dolcetto wines? If so what do you think?

Condé Nast has announced that they plan on closing down Gourmet Magazine.   I never read it but after over 60 years in production, Gourmet Magazine has definitely achieved a certain level of status within the food world.

I can imagine that it’s incredibly expensive to run a print magazine and that advertisers aren’t just bringing in the same level of cash that they used to.  It definitely leaves a massive opportunity for the online world.

Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV fame enters stage right and has expanded his online food empire.

Yesterday, he launched two new Web sites, CinderellaWine.com and GourmetLibrary.com.  CinderellaWine.com is going to be a place where you can get one new HOT wine deal everyday.  It will run from midnight to midnight.  GourmetLibrary.com will be just like WineLibrary.com but with all kinds of gourmet foods.

Granted one is food content and one is food sales but it feels like it shows to what extent print is really struggling to find its footing in this new world and how online is really a growth market.

What do you think?  Did you read Gourmet Magazine?  Will you make a purchase from Cinderella Wine or Gourmet Library?

In the spirit of expanding your pallette and trying new things, I wanted to point out this video that Gary Vayerchuk did on Wine Library TV about wine from Vouvray, France.

I wasn’t familiar with Vouvray and am pretty confident that I’ve ever had a wine from their before.  The grape varietal is Chenin Blanc.  The harvest of these grapes is probably the latest in France.   It usually occurs during November.

Fun random fact… they say that wine making in this region started around the 5th century.

Two of the wines that Gary showcased on the show were reasonably priced.  I think i’m going to pick them up and give them a whirl.  I’ll report back.

It’s pretty interesting.  I learned a lot.  I’d highly recommend watching both Part 1 and Part 2.  I’ll definitely buy a few bottles and write about them later.

Here’s Part 1.

Here’s Part 2.

Have you had sake?  What do you think?