Gary Vaynerchuk is a shameless self-promoter. Co-owner of New Jersey’s Wine Library, a retail wine shop, Vaynerchuk gained fame as the sole host of “Wine Library TV, a daily internet webcast about wine. The show now boasts a reported 90,000 daily viewers worldwide and Vaynerchuk has turned that success and his passion for wine into a thriving business as well as his own “personal brand.”
Currently on tour promoting his new book, “Crush It, Cash in on your Passion,” Vaynerchuk also been a guest on shows like “Late Night with Conan “O’Brien,” “Ellen,” FOX Business, CNN and NPR. He’s been described as the “first wine guru of the YouTube era” and was included in Decanter magazine’s 2009 Power List.
It is safe to say that Vaynerchuk’s star has risen fast. This is due, in large part, to the strange but irrefutable lure of social media tools like FaceBook, Twitter, Tumblr, Ping.fm and more. Vaynerchuk may or may not know more about wine than say, Robert Parker but he certainly knows how to get attention.
Vaynerchuk will be discussing his new book at El Dorado Kitchen on Saturday, October 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Gary Vaynerchuk’s Picks
His style is irreverent; his approach to wine is anything but conventional. The Sun has asked Gary to pair some local wines.
To go with:
A robust beef stew
Ridge Lytton West Syrah 2005 – More polished than most California Syrahs, from one of California’s greatest producers.
A bubble bath and Dan Brown’s latest novel, “The Lost Symbol”
Sbragia Promessa Zinfandel 2006 – Ripe and full bodied, a decadent treat for a relaxing evening bath.
This year’s World Series
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV – A light and fruit bubbly, goes down just right whether you’re celebrating victory or just enjoying the game. (Um, but what if you root for the loser…?)
After a fall bike ride through wine country
Audelssa Summit 2006 – A beautiful Bordeaux-style blend with cedar and spicy notes that remind me of the fall.
A random Tuesday night
Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre 2007 – Packs a lot of punch under 15 bones, and if you’ve never had a “Moo-ved,” you have to try it!
