500th episode

Gary's 500th episode is online. It was filmed in San Francisco last Friday in front of an apparently very large audience. Some friends and I were wanting to get at least one of these bottles (but if it were up to me, all three of the bottles) to accompany him. We'll have to see if our small market has any of the three Riojas he reviews, though. I don't think I've ever had a Rioja before, so should be interesting. He reviews the following (with links to Cork'd):

2003 Araco Crianza

2001 Bodegas Primicia Reserve

2004 Torre Muga

Should be interesting! Can't wait to watch the episode. At around 19-22 minutes each episode, we were wondering the other night whether he wasn't purposefully trying to finagle this into a syndicated, television show. He has the entertainer's personality to do for wine what other food personalities have done for food (like Emeril), and has a clearly big draw. But, unlike food shows, wine shows are basically going to involve watching him drink the wines, as opposed to food preparation. Nevertheless, I suspect Food TV or someone else is in talks with Gary as we speak.