06.26.07
Giving mad props when due
I’m not usually given over to spending any time promoting other blogs and/or podcasts I like. Part of that is in my personality, a flaw I will likely carry to the grave. Also, I don’t particularly care for blogs and people who do spend tons of time promoting other sites. I usually get my fix from Digg [digg.com] and Del.icio.us [del.icio.us] (though less so of late because of the “popularity contest” that these sites end up being), but recently I’ve been using StumbleUpon (courtesy of Tech.Chick.Blog) to find interesting and innovative sites.
But this post is not about any of those sites up there, oh no. This post is about a man. A “shockingly handsome” man. A man who is dedicated to altering the reality of a very stodgy and calcified institution: the wine industry. This post is about Gary Vaynerchuk and his video podcast called Wine Library TV.
I first encountered WLTV some months ago (and I’m sure Gary will gripe that I haven’t given him the love he so richly deserves) while perusing several of the wine blogs I now frequent on an on-again, off-again basis. Originally, I thought that watching wine reviews was not something I was particularly interested in. After all, I’m keen on the growing of grapes (which The Boss and TBB are basically in the business of doing) and the making of wine, but not particularly in the tasting and reviewing aspect. At least, that’s how I used to feel.
That’s the power of Gary and his podcast. He is so charismatic and approachable that you find yourself wanting to believe in what he offers: that wine is fun and easy and uncomplicated. After having watched him for a few months, I have broken out of my red-wine rut and bought wines I would’ve scoffed at six months ago. Pink wines, white wines from all over, French wines, you name it. I’ve bought $20 wines that sucked (at which I shrugged my shoulders, told myself, “well, at least I know I don’t like that,” and moved on), and I’ve bought $11 bottles of wine that blew me away. Most important of all, it has led me to this epiphany:
I now have no fear of wine. It is not daunting to me, and I have Gary to thank for that.
So, thank you Gary, you have opened up a new realm of experience for me, and I will always appreciate that, and I will always appreciate you.
Go to Wine Library TV and get to know Gary yourself.
Some classic episodes of Gary’s that are not to be missed: