Shows
Another Bottle DownSan Leonardo and the Magnificence of TrentinoOn today's episode, Jessica is joined by the Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, the current owner and managing director of Tenuta San Leonardo in Trentino. Over 1,000 years ago, San Leonardo was founded as a monastery, but it has served as the residence of the Marchese Guerrieri Gonzaga family for over three centuries. Anselmo elaborates on the winemaking traditions of the estate, starting with his father the Marchese Carlo being drawn to Bordeaux and eventually working with the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta at San Guido (before Sassicaia was made). Anselmo is such an advocate for Trentino and the Bo...
2025-09-2851 minAnother Bottle DownYannick Benjamin and the Essence of Inclusion and HospitalityOn today's show, Jessica interviews Yannick Benjamin, a wine industry veteran who is outspoken about the injustices and inequities of the wine and restaurant industries. Yannick's thoughtful approach to hospitality and inclusion is an inspiration to so many people who work in beverage and beyond. Born into a family of French restauranteurs, Yannick has worked at The University Club, Le Cirque, Oceana, Jean Georges, Atlas, Felidia, and Atelier at the Ritz-Carlton. In 2021, he opened Contento, a barrier-free restaurant accessible to all. Today, he is owner of Beaupierre Wine and Spirits in NYC and runs the non-profit Wine on...
2025-09-031h 27Another Bottle DownSpecial Event Alert: Grapes for Good with Mandi NelsonOn today's show, Jessica and Mark host a special episode with Mandi Nelson, president and founder of ATX Somms, on the upcoming event, Grapes for Good, benefitting the Kerrville Floods relief effort. On August 10th 2025, that's this upcoming Sunday, the Texas sommelier industry will get together at Wanderlust East Austin to show off some seriously amazing wine and celebrate community, and YOU are invited! The biggest impact will be to buy tickets; 100% of the admission proceeds will go to relief efforts. There will also be a silent auction and retail purchases with proceeds also going to Kerrville relief. This is a...
2025-08-0431 minAnother Bottle DownBarolo through the Ages with Roberto Bruno of FontanafreddaOn today's show, Jessica interviews Roberto Bruno, CEO and Commercial Director of Fontanafredda in the commune Serralunga d'Alba in Barolo. Roberto has worked at this historic estate for 34 years and has even lived for a time in the eponymous village. Roberto and Jessica get into the origins of Fontanafredda which is really tied to the origins of Barolo as a whole. In 1858, King Vittorio Emmanuele II purchases a renowned hunting lodge and grounds as a gift to his mistress Rosina. Shortly thereafter, the king also purchases vineyards and is the first to use the word Barolo on bott...
2025-07-2151 minAnother Bottle DownMarcus Notaro Carries the Torch at Stag's Leap Wine CellarsOn today's show, Jessica interviews Marcus Notaro, head of wine production at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars shocked the world by winning the famed Judgement of Paris which put Napa Valley Cabernets up again the famous Bordeaux estates. It was the 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet produced by Warren Winiarski that took home the price, and it was also the very fist vintage at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Jessica and Marcus dig into all things Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, from climate of the Stag's Leap AVA to soils of the particular single vineyards. Marc...
2025-06-151h 10Another Bottle DownMatt Crafton, Legacy and Creativity at Ch MontelenaOn today's episode, Mark chats with Matt Crafton, head winemaker at the historic Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. Matt is the fifth winemaker at Montelena and has been at the helm since 2014 overseeing all aspects of winemaking, vineyard management, communication, and strategy. Matt and Mark delve into the history of this historic estate as well as the vineyards that go into the core Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The conversation weaves in elements of the Napa Valley terroir, creativity in winemaking, and various challenges that face the industry in today's wine-loving world. Pertinent links: Matt Crafton's Bio...
2025-06-0741 minAnother Bottle DownHistory and Tradition with Capanna of MontalcinoOn our second episode of a two part series on Montalcino, Mark interviews Daniele Marcone the Sales Director of Capanna Winery. Capanna is located north of the town of Montalcino in the unofficial sub-region of Montosoli and is one of the more historic and traditional wineries producing Brunello. The Cencioni family was one of the first share-cropping families to save up enough money to purchase the land they were working for generations. Throughout the years, they have followed the Consorzio and bet on the success of the territory acquiring new land and leading the way with a mor...
2025-05-3039 minAnother Bottle DownRiccardo Fratton from San Polo in MontalcinoOn today's show, we have Riccardo Fratton, head winemaker of San Polo in Montalcino, Italy. Riccardo was raised in the Veneto region but didn't really blossom as a winemaker until working in California. He was so impressed by the level of experimentation and a sort of freshness to winemaking that he brought those points of inspiration back to his home country. Meeting and working for Marilisa Allegrini, the Queen of Amarone, brought him to relocate to another Allegrini estate in Montalcino, San Polo. Jessica has spent a substantial amount of time in Montalcino over the last year and...
2025-05-2856 minAnother Bottle DownMark and Jessica Talk TariffsOn today's show, Mark and Jessica break down the current tariffs and other economic factors that are affecting the wine industry. This episode was recorded on April 30th, 2025, perhaps the situation has changed by the time you listen. More information on the US Wine Trade Alliance. Here are some of the articles Jessica has published on the impact of tariffs: How Tariffs Will Impact the Wine Industry, Forbes, Jan 22, 2025 How Tariffs Could Make American Wine and Spirits More Expensive, Forbes, March 14, 2025 Tariffs and Trade Winds: VinItaly 2025, Forbes, April 10, 2025
2025-05-0130 minAnother Bottle DownGus Zhu MW goes Behind the GlassOn today's show, Jessica interviews Gus Zhu, a Master of Wine and author of the recently published book Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting. Gus does an amazing job of breaking down complex topics involved in wine chemistry and sensorial analysis to be understandable by wine lovers of all levels. In addition to talking about the book, Jessica and Gus delve into many misunderstood topics, from volatile acidity and cork taint to cultural shifts of flavor and aroma preferences within various populations. In Gus's words, a deeper undertanding of how we perceive aromas will lea...
2025-04-2157 minAnother Bottle DownKelli White and her new book, Wine ConfidentOn today's episode, Jessica interviews Kelli White, a wine writer and educator, about her new book, Wine Confident. Kelli's book was released in the latter part of 2024 and was part of Jessica's review of top wine books for last year with Forbes. While we couldn't get this episode in last year, this conversation is so enjoyable and pertinent all year round, great for graduation gifts and other occasions that are coming up. This book is a culmination of Kelli's 20+ year career in wine, which spans literally every sector of the wine industry from restaurants, retail, winemaking, and fin...
2025-04-0743 minAnother Bottle DownBarolo and Barbaresco with Evan DavisMark and Jessica continue to gear up for the Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO) by chatting with Evan Davis about all the considerations in a retail setting of appreciating this iconic region. Evan is Central Texas Wine Educator with Spec's Wine and Spirits and oversees the wine departments and staff in 34 different stores. Mark and Evan dig into how the public sees Barolo and Barbaresco in a retail setting, the challenges of limited availability, favorite vintages, and so much more. Spec's Wine and Spirits: Website Purchase tickets for the Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening on...
2025-03-1336 minAnother Bottle DownBarolo and Barbaresco with Patrick OldsOn today's show, Mark and Jessica gear up for the big Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening event in Austin by interviewing Patrick Olds. Patrick recently left MML Hospitality and started his own consulting firm, Sidecar Hospitality. He's a big Barolo and Barbaresco fan and gives tons of juicy insights on the region, the grape (Nebbiolo), and how to approach a large scale tasting such as the World Opening. Purchase tickets to Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening on March 25th: Here "Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s...
2025-02-1445 minAnother Bottle DownDonnafugata: History and Innovation in SicilyOn this week's episode, Jessica visits a very iconic Scilian producer, Donnafugata. She interviews the 5th and 6th generation of the winery, first José Rallo and then her daughter Gabriella Anca Rallo. There's so much to talk about with Donnafugata from the western areas around Palermo to Mt. Etna to the rustic island of Pantelleria. There's lots of history, legacy, and innovation wrapped up in these conversation. History on Donnafugata here. Buy a ticket for Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening on March 25th in Austin Here.
2025-02-051h 03Another Bottle DownMark and Jessica Recap 2024Mark and Jessica take this episode to reflect on 2024 and dig into some trends in the broader industry as well as themes that have come up in their personal circle. Front-and-center topics span non-alcohol wines, AI in wine journalism as well as the broader industry, and what regions are still performing well in a 'down market.' Thank you for listening in 2024 and we're looking forward to a full and exciting program for 2025. Stay tuned!
2024-12-2847 minAnother Bottle DownMorgan Twain-Peterson and the Old Vines of CaliforniaOn today’s episode, Mark catches up with Morgan Twain-Peterson, owner, founder and winemaker of Bedrock Wine Company in Sonoma, California. Morgan grew up in a winemaking family as his father Joel Peterson was founder and winemaker of Ravenswood. Ravenswood started out as a side-hustle for Joel (as Morgan describes it), then it became the world’s largest producer of red zinfandel. Since starting Bedrock in 2007, Morgan has become a bit of an old-vine guru and has rehabilitated numerous vineyards that would have otherwise been torn out. He also wrote his Master of Wine research paper on the...
2024-12-0559 minAnother Bottle DownThanksgiving 2024 with Austin FarinaOn this year's Thanksgiving episode, Jessica and Mark have on Austin Farina, wine director of Jeffrey's, Sammie's, and a number of other MML Hospitality restaurants. They kick off the discussion with a commentary of the recent publishing of the Michelin guide for Texas. Then, they dig into Thanksgiving pairings from overall pairing guidelines to Austin's recommendations. He is loving Western Sonoma Coast, Cali Zin and Mexican and Texas selections. References: https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/texas/restaurants https://mmlhospitality.com/ https://jeffreysofaustin.com/
2024-11-2541 minAnother Bottle DownSimon Kelly from te Pā winery in MarlboroughOn today's show, Jessica meets up with Simon Kelly, export manager of te Pā winery in Marlborough, New Zealand. Te Pā means "at home" or "the home" in Māori, and the owner and founder Haysley MacDonald can trace his family history to the early Māori settlers who landed on Wairau Bar 800 years ago. Simon explains how Haysley went from selling most of the fruit from the his land to larger wineries and then the path to make and bottle all estate wine. Simon has extensive experience in the wine industry and really breaks down the state o...
2024-11-1558 minAnother Bottle DownAlessandro Marini and the Power of Merlot and SangioveseAlessandro Marini is head winemaker at Tenuta Luce in Montalcino. Originally coming from the Marche, Alessandro spent time working at wineries in California and then Bordeaux, where he also obtained his Enology degree. Tenuta Luce was originally conceived as a partnership between the Frescobaldi family and Robert Mondavi and was the first winery in Montalcino to produce a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Jessica and Alessandro explore Montalcino in depth and how Luce occupies a special place in the winemaking landscape. Links: www.tenutaluce.com Importer to the US: Vintus.com
2024-11-0244 minAnother Bottle DownThe Wine and Foundation's Rare and Fine Wine GalaOn today's bonus show, Mark and Jessica chat with Denise Silverman, the Executive Director of the Wine and Food Foundation, based in Austin, TX. Mark and Jessica will be on stage providing color commentary on many auction lots during the gala evening on November 2nd. Denise explains all of the ins and outs of the auction from its origins, to the featured winemaker Kathryn Walt Hall, to the festivities the evening of the event. With over 70 live auction lots, this is one of Texas's premiere wine events. There is still a few days left to get tickets:...
2024-10-1822 minAnother Bottle DownLaura Rhys, MS on English Sparkling WineOn today's show, Jessica catches up with Laura Rhys, MS from Gusbourne Estate in Kent, England. Laura has long been an advocate of promoting traditional method English sparkling wine and now works as Global Brand Ambassador for Gusbourne. She also is part of the winemaking team involved with blending of the base wines for the assemblage as well as the final disgorgement blends. Jessica and Laura dig into all things Brittish bubbles from the history of English wine to the various terroirs of southwest England and the future of the industry. https://www.gusbourne.com/ Als...
2024-10-1431 minAnother Bottle DownMarco Balsimelli, Ornellaia's New Director of WinemakingOn today's show, Jessica visits the icon property of Ornellaia, situated on the Tuscan coast in Bolgheri. She tastes through their beautiful wines with the new Director of Winemaking, Marco Balsimelli. Marco joined the executive team at Ornellaia and Maseto in January 2024 and comes from a rich background that spans various wineries in Tuscany and Bordeaux, and most recently he worked for Eric Boissenot's oenological consultancy that advised on winemaking for more than 150 properties in various countries. More on the wines of Ornellaia here. US Importer Vintus's producer profile with Marco's full Bio here. ...
2024-09-2348 minAnother Bottle DownPietro Russo MW and the Brilliance of GrilloPietro Russo is the third Master of Wine in Italy and part of the group of Italian MW's who are now being referred to as the "Three Muscateers" (coined by Stevie Kim of VinItaly). He grew up in the region of Marsala and after travelling the world and making wine in other countries returned to Sicily to make wine at Donnafugata. In 2024, he transitioned from official winemaker of Donnafugata to consultant and started a project based on old vine Grillo called Officina del Vento. Jessica digs into all facets of passing the MW exam along with the genesis of thi...
2024-09-0152 min
Another Bottle DownJeremy Hart and Somm.AIOn today's show, Mark catches up with Jeremy Hart, co-founder of Somm.ai. Jeremy Hart is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in sales, brand management, and strategic marketing. He managed over 400 SKUs from 56 brands across six states while covering national accounts for a renowned importer for seven years. He co-founded Inknowlogy Marketing Agency, created his wine brand Explicit Content, and holds the significant role as the Chief Strategic Marketing and Co-Founder at Somm.ai. Jeremy is dedicated to pushing the beverage industry's growth and promotion through dat...
2024-08-1458 minAnother Bottle DownPierangelo Tommasi and the Contemporary AmaroneOn today's show, Jessica catches up with PIerangelo Tommasi who is the Managing Director of Tomassi Family Estates and one of nine family members who make up the 4th generation of the wine company. Pierangelo delves into the family history, how their roots are planted in the Valpolicella, and the family's need and desire to expand to other regions across Italy. Currently, there are 8 different estates across Italy with 800 hectares (close to 2,000 acres) of vineyards and various partnerships in other regions. Pierangelo is such an advocate for the region and what he calls the 'contemporary' style of Ama...
2024-08-0556 minAnother Bottle DownErika Abate with Enrico SerafinoJessica and Mark follow up the last episode on Piedmont with a more in depth discussion of Alta Langa while focusing on one of the pioneers of sparkling wine in Piedmont, Enrico Serafino. Our guest, Erika Abate, is the export manager of Serafino and has spent her entire life steeped in the wines of Piedmont. We dig into the origins of the Alta Langa apellation, the particulars of growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in this non-continguous and high-elevation region, and the how these sparkling wines are positioned to be some of the most prestigious in Italy. We cap off the...
2024-07-0939 minAnother Bottle DownDavid Way and the Study of PiedmontOn today's show, Jessica digs into Piedmont with wine writer and educator David Way. David spent the last 4 years traveling to Piedmont and researching the widest array of topics including the famous icons of the Langhe, the more obscure regions and varieties further afield, various winemaking technologies, and the fascinating story of the sparkling wines of Alta Langa. With various anecdotes from the book writing process and some travel tips, David and Jessica bring the piedmont with all of its complexities alive. David is also one of the people responsible for writing and editing the WSET (Wine an...
2024-06-161h 01Another Bottle DownMatt Dees and Extreme Winemaking in Santa BarbaraMatt Dees is the winemaker for sister properties Jonata and the Hilt. Matt and Jessica catch up about all things Santa Barbara from soils and geography to the more philosophical approach to wine. Useful links referenced in the episode: www.jonata.com www.thehiltestate.com/ AVA's of Santa Barbara
2024-05-171h 05Another Bottle DownManfred Ing, Winemaker of Querciabella, on the Diversity of Chianti ClassicoManfred has been the winemaker at Querciabella since 2010. He comes to Italia via his home country of South Africa, to New Zealand, California and beyond. Based on his passion, he has clearly found a home in Chianti Classico. Jessica and Manfred dig into the history of his winemaking path along with that of Querciabella and the new laws governing the new premium category of Gran Selezione. We can't wait to try the several Gran Selezione designated as Greve, Lamole, Radda, etc. Links referenced in the episode: https://www.chianticlassico.com/en/consortium/ htt...
2024-04-291h 16Another Bottle DownChris Brundrett and Growing Wine in TexasChris Brundrett is co-founder and CEO of William Chris Wine Company and William Chris Vineyards. Chris and Jessica catch up on the state of the Texas industry and the origins of William Chris Vineyards. https://www.williamchriswines.com/ This is Texas Wine Podcast with Shelly Wilfong: https://thisistexaswine.com/ The book that Mark forgot that Jessica wrote: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/shop/p/winessouthwestusa
2024-04-221h 18Another Bottle DownSomm Secrets: Patrick Olds on Blind Tasting, Restaurants, and Enjoying the JourneyOn today's show, we have Patrick Olds, wine director of MML Hospitality based in Austin, TX. Patrick digs into the roll of a wine director as mentor and educator, as well as his passion of blind tasting. He feels that blind tasting is not just a parlor trick, but a way to understand the world of wine and the experience of the guest to a greater degree. Links from the show: MML Hospitality website: https://mmlhospitality.com/ Patrick on Instagram: here Jessica's article on the Renaissance of Cava
2024-03-2853 minAnother Bottle DownSomm Secrets: Brandon Kerne and the Art of RetailOn today's show, Jessica and Mark take a deep dive into buy and collecting wine with Brandon Kerne MS, chief of operations at the AOC Wine Group. This is a multi-faceted organization that includes the Art of Cellaring (wine storage), AOC Selections (retail), and the Texas Wine School. Brandon cut his teeth at the Houston institution Pappa's Bros Steakhouse, and after passing his Master Sommelier Diploma and the pandemic hitting, changed courses into the retail and collecting sphere. He brings great perspective on a host of subjects in this discussion from the value of reading wine reviews to the vas...
2024-02-1444 minAnother Bottle DownHoliday Book Series: Ray Isle's The World in a Wine GlassWe cap off our holiday book series (and what an incredible guest to end on!) with Ray Isle, the long time Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine magazine and Wine and Spirits editor of Travel and Leisure magazine. Ray and Jessica talk about his recently published book, World in a Wine Glass: The Indsider's Guide to Artisinal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now. This our last episode of 2023, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year's to all of our listeners! Links: Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Book Shop Purchase World in a...
2023-12-2329 minAnother Bottle DownMark Davidson: More than Australia's Wine AmbassadorAs a special pre-holiday series, we’re spotlighting some of our favorite new wine books - perfect gifts for the holiday season… On today’s episode, Jessica catches up with Mark Davidson about his recent book, The Wines of Australia. Purchase The Wines of Australia Born in London, raised in Sydney, Mark has over 40 years of experience in the hotel, restaurant and wine business, fifteen of those as a Sommelier. In 2001, he was named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver Wine Festival- also won the Spirited Industry Professional award in 2014. As a Departm...
2023-12-2247 minAnother Bottle DownChampagne with Mathieu BillecartMathieu Roland-Billecart left a 14-year career as a financial analyst in London to become the 7th generation CEO of his family's 200-year-old Champagne house, Champagne Billecart-Salmon, in January 2019. Though not originally groomed to take over the business, he was invited to return to Epernay, France several years ago to work with his family. With his background in finance and strategy, Roland-Billecart now leads the renowned champagne company, known for its focus on quality and gastronomy, into the future while honoring its legacy as one of the few remaining family-owned and operated houses. On this episode, Jessica and...
2023-12-2250 minAnother Bottle DownOn the Road with Brian Freedman in Italy: Piedmont and Tuscany with Gaja and the Sannio DOCEarlier this fall, Jessica had a chance to explore a few Italian wine regions including Piedmont, Tuscany, and Sannio. Joining her on these trips was the every charming and loquacious Brian Freedman, a fellow wine writer, educator, and author of Crushed: How a Changing Climate is Altering the Way We Think. In this episode, Brian and Jessica rehash their time with the renowned Gaja family who shared their properties with them in Barbaresco, Barolo, Alta Langa, Bolgheri, and Montalcino. Not only were the wines impressive, but undertanding the method behind how the family operates was a crucial...
2023-12-0755 minAnother Bottle DownEugenio Jardim breaks down Portugal and so much moreEugenio Jardim is the US ambassador for Wines of Portugal and wears several additional hats in his private companies WiFi Wine Time and My Private Somm. He is also Brand Ambassador for Ernest Vineyards in the West Sonoma Coast and Loco Tequila. Jessica describes Eugenio as the "one man party," and this conversation couldn't be more fun and informative. Eugenio brings an overall expertise of the entire world of wine to his stories and descriptions of Portugal, the diversity of styles, and the incredible value the wines offer. It's a good life when "on a bad day you're talking abou...
2023-11-2848 minAnother Bottle DownAmarone Academy with Italy's Latest MW, Andrea LonardiWe already had a chance to hear from Andrea Lonardi last winter regarding the wines of Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. As the COO and director of winemaking for Angelini Wines and Estates, Andrea balances business sense with his viticulture and winemaking expertise to drive marketing and sales for the company while also innovating production in numerous Italian wine regions where Angelini holds estates, namely Valpolicella (Bertani), Brunello di Montalcino (Val di Suga), Chianti Classico (San Leonino), Vino Nobile di Montalpulciano (Tenuta Trerose), Friuli (Cantina Puiatti), and Castelli de Jesi (Fazi Battaglia and Tenute San Sisto). In September, Jess...
2023-11-0958 minAnother Bottle DownInside the Wine Industry with Matt Dulle, Part 2On today's show, Jessica welcomes back wine industry veteran Matt Dulle . Matt was on the show a couple months ago but has since taken up the post of Wine Director at Wolfgang Puck's Spago, Beverly Hills. Matt and Jessica tackle a variety of subjects from the interplay of wine and cocktails in fine dining to the challenges and joys of taking over an iconic wine program. We can't wait to dine with Matt at Spago! Spago Beverly Hills Matt Dulle on Instagram
2023-10-181h 10Another Bottle DownTea at the Cultured CupOn today's show, Jessica connects with Kyle Stewart, co-owner of the specialty tea shop in Dallas, the Cultured Cup. They discuss all things tea, from the mythology around the origins in ancient China to the various styles and methods of processing. Throughout the conversation, they draw very fascinating links to the wine industry in terms of terroir, human intervenion, and various modes of appreciation. Visit the Cultured Cup website here.
2023-10-0154 minAnother Bottle DownBonus Show: One Year AnniversaryOn today's bonus show, Mark and Jessica reflect on the one year anniversary of their partnership and the reboot of Another Bottle Down. They revist some of their favorite shows from the past year, reveal some intriguing statistics, and chat about what they'll be exploring in the year to come. Thank you for listening! As always follow along: Instagram: Anotherbottledowncast
2023-09-2641 minAnother Bottle DownAsturian Cider MastersOn today's show, Jessica and Mark dig into the rich culture, history, and production of traditional Spanish Cider, particularly from the region of Asturias. Jessica interviews Pepin Diaz Sanchez, a cider producer, followed by Eduardo Coto, a cider critic and judge, and David Menendez, the owner of La Tabla, a cider-focused restaurant. We discuss all aspects surrounding the cider industry from the different types of apples used for production, how cider differs from wine, and all the cultural aspects around cidrerías, or traditional cider bars, pouring cider and so much more. Sample video of pour...
2023-09-161h 21Another Bottle DownBeaumont Chenin and Cool Climate FinesseIn the second of a two part series on South African wine, Mark and Jessica catch up with Sebastian Beaumont of Beaumont Family Wines in the Bot River, which is part of Walker Bay in the South of the Western Cape. Located very close to the coast and benefiting from the cooling affect of the 'Cape Doctor' winds, Sebastian's family farm has been a beacon of wines in the area, perhaps most famous for their 'wooden' chenin called Hope Marguerite (named after Sebastian's Grandmother). Sebastian talks of the time when he doubled down on Chenin Blanc and some of th...
2023-07-0241 minAnother Bottle DownJohann De Wet and the Genesis of Chardonnay in South AfricaOn today's show and the first in a 2 part series on South Africa, Mark and Jessica start off with a quick conversation with Danya Declusin, owner of Cape Bottle Room, a wine shop and tasting room dedicated to 100% South African wine. They get into what the US consuming public is gravitating to in the South African Category. Next, they dig into the De Wetshof Estate in Robertson with Johann De Wet. The De Wetshof family has been making wine in the Cape since 1693. And, after making wine in a variety of other regions, they settled in Robertson to...
2023-06-2021 minAnother Bottle DownJessica and Brian Freedman on the Road in SpainJessica Dupuy kicks off her month long stay in Spain with visiting the wineries of Gonzalez Byass in Rioja and Jerez with fellow writer Brian Freedman. They share all the super fun stories of eating and drinking their way through the countryside. Mark stays back in Austin not jealous at all! Thanks to Gonzalez Byass, parent company of Tio Pepe and Beronia: https://www.gonzalezbyassusa.com Brian Freedman's book: Crushed 'How a Changing Climate is Altering the Way We Drink.'
2023-06-0244 minAnother Bottle DownMatt Dulle provides insight into the restaurant industry (and other musings...)With over 25yrs in the hospitality industry, Matt Dulle's hospitality career ranges from St. Louis to Chicago to SF/Northern California. Matt has been, most notably, part of the opening team at SingleThread in Healdsberg, CA, and Beverage Director at Lazy Bear in San Francisco. He's an Anvanced Sommelier and has been involved as part of the mentoring and leadership team at Texsom for the past 6 years. Jessica and Matt catch up at the Texsom wine awards and talk about the role as a beverage director and his journey in the hospitality industry. Apologies to li...
2023-05-191h 15Another Bottle DownSaké with Monica Samuels In this episode, Jessica catches up with Monica Samuels, VP of Sake and Spirits for Vine Connections, just after the Texsom International Wine Awards judging wrapped up. The two had just completed a flight of award-winning Saké selections that prompted an informative and thought-provoking discussion. Find out the basics of what you need to know about Saké, how to approach the category in general, and what foods pair well with this diverse, and deliciously complex style beverage. Monica’s 15+ years of experience in the sake industry include working as a restaurant beverage director, overseeing the category for one of the country’...
2023-05-0450 minAnother Bottle DownJean Trimbach on AlsaceJean Trimbach is one of the icons of Alsace and the 12th generation at the helm this benchmark family winery with his brother Pierre. Jessica catches up with Jean before an epic dinner at Jeffrey's and chats about all things Alsace. Hailing from Ribeauvillé, Trimbach is making glorious Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurtztraminer amongst other things. Jean delves into the soils of Alsace, the balance of the wines even in warm vintages, and how beautifuly these wines are with Asian cuisine, well, really any cuisine. Plus, he reveals where the winery is going in the future and the 1...
2023-04-2039 minAnother Bottle DownCollio: The Great Italian White Wines with Attems WineryIn this episode of Another Bottle Down, Jessica shares a conversation over lunch with Friulian winemaker Daniele Vuerich of Attems winery in Collio and Master Sommelier Craig Collins of Vintus wine importers. The two share about the unique elements of the region and the elegant wines it produces. Located in the far northeastern corner of Italy, the hills of the Collio DOC are home to some of Northern Italy’s most prestigious vineyards and distinctive grape varieties. The region stretches from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region along the Slovenian border in the east, to the southern mountains close to Corno di Rosazz...
2023-04-1340 minAnother Bottle DownIrish Whiskey with Pádraig Ó Graillais In this episode, Jessica catches up with Pádraig Ó Graillais of Micil Distillery in Galway, Ireland. A classic story of Irish heritage, Micil is the creation of two brothers, Pádraig and Jimín Ó Graillais, who named the brand in honor of their great-great-great grandfather, Micil Mac Chearra. In the 1840s, he used to make poitín (unofficially) in the Connemara countryside. Six generations later, the family continues the tradition, making beautiful Irish spirits in Galway, For the record, poitín is the predecessor to whiskey. Both were distilled from malted barley and other grains, and both were known as fuisce in...
2023-03-251h 19Another Bottle DownChianti Classico and the breakup of UGA'sOn today's show, Mark and Jessica interview two prominent winemaker's in the Chianti Classico zone. Federica Mascheroni Stianti is part of the family that owns the historic hamlet and winery of Volpaia which dates back to 1172 AD. Their vineyards lie in the Radda UGA at higher elevations and rocky soils. Alessandra Cascini Bindi Sergardi is current owner of Bindi Sergardi, with their top Chianti Classico estate in the Vagliali UGA. Mark and Jessica delve into the reasons for this breakup and the unique vineyard sites that both Federica and Alessandra showcase in their wines. More inf...
2023-03-1056 minAnother Bottle DownKelli White on Napa CabKelli White is a wine writer and educator, currently serving as Director of Education for the Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley. She also has written one of the most important books on the Napa Valley, Napa Valley Then and Now. Jessica and Mark could think of no better person to come on the show and break down the ins and outs of Napa Cab. Kelli digs into the history and emphasizes understanding the diversity when we think of this topic. Big thanks to Jeffrey's of Austin for providing us with the most elegant of recording spac...
2023-02-2346 minAnother Bottle DownVino Nobile with Alessandra Bindi Sergardi and Andrea LonardiOn today's show, Mark and Jessica catch up with two very important producers making Vino Nobile around the historic town of Montepulciano in south Tuscany. Alessandra Cascini Bindi Sergardi (https://www.bindisergardi.it/en/)is the 23rd generation custodian of her family vineyards in Chianti Classic as well as the Tenuta Marcianella in Montepulciano which is a relatively new project for her. (Located in Pieve Argiano). Andrea Lonardi is Director of Operations for Angelini Wines and Estates with the property Tenuta Trerose in Montepulciano. Remember, don't confuse Vino Nobile which is made in Montepulciano with th...
2023-02-0952 minAnother Bottle DownNic Van Aarde on the Banghoek Valley South Africa and Oldenburg VineyardsOn today's show, Jessica catches up with Nic Van Aarde, winemaker of Oldenburg Vineyards in the Banghoek Ward of Stellebosch, South Africa. Nic has made wine all over the world (even in India), and has been head winemaker for several South African wineries, and now, he calls Oldenburg home. He breaks down the '8 Elements' that make Banghoek and Oldenburg a special place for growing grapes. We also hear from Denise Silverman, Executive Director of the Wine and Food Foundation, on their upcoming event Big Reds and Bubbles, taking place on Feb 9th at Fair Market in Au...
2023-01-2658 minAnother Bottle DownCava with Chris TangheLast episode, we took a look at the sparkling wine regions of Champagne and Trento… This episode, we continue our focus on traditional-method sparkling wines with a look at Spanish Cava. More than 90% of these wines come from the Penèdes region of the country, a place Jessica had the chance to visit last May. Along with her was our guest today, Chris Tanghe MS. Chris is the Director of Education for the Guild of Sommeliers. Based in Seattle, WA, he began his career in restaurants in his native New England at the age of 13, as a dish...
2023-01-121h 19Another Bottle DownChampagne and TrentoDOC with Alan Tardi and Matteo LunelliAs we say farewell to 2022, we thought it fitting to discuss the bottles of wine most likely to be popped to welcome the New Year: Champagne / Sparkling wine. This week, Mark catches up with chef, restaurateur, sommelier, and consultant, Alan Tardi on a bit of the history and current trends in the region of Champagne. A long time student of wine who shares his knowledge through education and writing, Tardi is the author of Champagne, Uncorked: The House of Krug and the Timeless Allure of the World's Most Celebrated Drink. (Hachette, 2016) But Champagne isn't the...
2022-12-271h 28Another Bottle DownBonus Christmas Episode: What's up in the Southern HemisphereIn this bonus episode, Mark and Jessica catch up with four winemakers in various countries in the Southern Hemisphere to see how everybody celebrates Christmas in warm weather. So many interesting traditions are revealed in this fun episode: barbecues and brai's, bubbles, and Santa gets a can of beer in NZ! Merry Christmas and happy holidays from us at Another Bottle Down! Notes: 30 degrees Celcius = 86 Farenheit Big thanks to our guests: Niels Verburg of Luddite Wines in Bot River, South Africa Sebastian De Martino of De Martino in Isla de...
2022-12-2256 minAnother Bottle DownMarc Hochar of Chateau Musar: Past, Present, and FutureOn today's show, Mark and Jessica catch up with Marc Hochar, 3rd generation of Chateau Musar. Marc touches on the history of winemaking in Lebanon and digs into how his family winery has become an icon in the wine world and a model for non-intervention winemaking . Lebanon boasts fantastic growing conditions, perfect winemaking soils, and high elevation viticulture in the Bekka Valley, which all add to the character of Musar. Plus, Marc elaborates on how the family keeps the wine 'alive' through the winemaking process and catches us up on where the winery is headed in the years to com...
2022-12-1557 minAnother Bottle DownBeaujolais: soils, trends, and drinkabilityOn today's show, Mark and Jessica take a deep dive into all things Beaujolais. Instead of spending too much time on Nouveau, they focus on the various Cru (the 10 villages in the north of the appellation) and all the other points that make Beaujolais serious yet approachable and fun wine. Additional commentary from Erik Segelbaum and Stephane Lardet (audio compliments of Sopexa) Erik Siegelbaum is founder of the consulting firm Somlyay. Stephane Lardet is partner of Maison Le Nid. Discover the 12 sub-appellations of Beaujolais More on the 10 year study o...
2022-12-0152 minAnother Bottle DownThanksgiving with Friends of ABDThanksgiving can be one of the most intimidating holidays when it comes to selecting and pairing wines. Join Mark and Jessica for a discussion of their favorite picks for the holidays along with 6 other notable Sommeliers from around the US. Tune in to learn all the secrets and bring this year's Thanksgiving to the next level! Commentary by: Dan Pilkey- Scoperta! Wine June Rodil- Goodnight Hospitality and June's Rose Ray Sholes- Royal Vines Paul Ozbirn- Neighborhood Vintner Vilma Mazaite- Donnachadh Winery And, of course, Public Se...
2022-11-1755 minAnother Bottle DownJudging the Vintner's Cup: Best of Texas WineIn this episode, Mark and Jessica discuss the results for the Texas Vintner's Cup, an evaluation of more than 200 Texas wines organized for the Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Monthly magazine. The goal: Narrow down a case of 12 Top Texas Wines for 2022. Joining Jessica for the evaluation were Master Sommeliers Craig Collins of Vintus wine imports and Jack Mason of RNDC. They'll discuss their impressions of the evaluation and some of their thoughts on Texas Wine in general. Below are the winners of the 2022 Texas Vintner's Cup: 2019 Adelphos Cellars Chenin Blanc 2019 C.L...
2022-11-0337 minAnother Bottle DownThe World of Wine EducationOn today's show, Jessica and Mark break down all facets of wine education, from the three major certification organizations to self-study and everything in between. *Note: since the recording of this episode, Jessica has passed WSET Level 4 and now holds the WSET Diploma, yay!!! The top 3 organizations for wine certifications: The Court of Master Sommeliers The Wine and Spirits Education Trust Society of Wine Educators Links and suggestions for learning more: GuildSomm.com Peter Liem- Champagne Guide and Sherry
2022-10-1957 minAnother Bottle DownClimate Change with Brian FreedmanIn this episode, Jessica and Mark talk a bit about climate change in the wine and spirits industry. For more insight, Jessica catches up with Brian Freedman, the author of the new book “Crushed: How A Changing Climate Is Altering The Way We Drink.” Freedman is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer, restaurant beverage consultant and event speaker based in Philadelphia. He is a contributing editor at Food & Wine digital, contributes to SevenFifty Daily, writes the Wines of the Week column at Forbes.com and also covers spirits there, has had pieces at Travel + Leisure online, Depa...
2022-10-0651 min
Another Bottle DownWest Texas Trip: Wine, Sotol, and a Tiny PlaneAs the 2022 Texas Harvest begins to wind down, Jessica revisits a trip she took to West Texas at the beginning of the growing season with William Chris Vineyards owner, Chris Brundrett. Just along for the ride in a tiny Cirrus Sr22 plane, Jessica shares about visits with grape growers in the Texas High Plains, Sotol producer, Marfa Spirit Company in Marfa, and Dell City, home to one of the state’s most unique vineyards. Note: During the podcast, we mention Jay Hill, a partner in the Dell Valley Vineyards in Dell City and his far-reaching Inst...
2022-09-2234 min
Another Bottle DownNew Show, New Look, New HostsRevived from a previous iteration in 2022, Another Bottle Down explores the when, what, why, and how of the wine and spirits world. Get to know hosts Mark Rashap and Jessica Dupuy as they share a little about their backgrounds and what you can look forward to with Another Bottle Down. Follow along: www.anotherbottledown.com Instagram: @anotherbottledowncast
2022-09-0638 min
Another Bottle DownThe Wonder Women of Wine ConferenceRania Zayyat comes on the show to talk about the Wonder Women of Wine Conference to be held March 2nd & 3rd in Austin, Texas. Rania came up with the concept of an event that explored gender equality a year ago and has worked tirelessly to put together a program that celebrates women role models and many gender topics in the wine industry. We talk about the program, the speakers, #FemmeFriday, and so much more. I’ll see you there, March 2 & 3rd. More info and tickets at: www.wonderwomenofwine.com
2019-01-1239 min
Another Bottle DownBordeaux with Michel and MarlaMichel and Marla are the wonderful people behind MichelThibaultWine.com and TravelCuriousOften.com, they have an incredible selection and well-priced offerings of French wine ( really, wine from around the world) and particularly Bordeaux through their online store. Additionally, they take customers several times a year to Bordeaux to visit iconic properties that you wouldn’t be able to see without “knowing someone.” We dig into so many hot topics in the Bordeaux wine industry, from tourism to consultants and international investors and so much more. Finally, to start off the episode, I provide some thoughts on collecting wine. (Skip to 6:5...
2019-01-0445 minAnother Bottle DownAnother Bottle Down ReinventedIt’s been a couple months since I shut down the radio podcast, but have no fear, the podcast lives on! I give a simple preview as to Season 4 and how we’ll be tackling wine discussion moving forward. I hope you share and like, and we’ll be in touch.
2018-11-2000 min
Another Bottle DownWild Ferments with Henry CrowsonHenry Crowson, owner of Crowson Wines, is new to the Hill Country of Texas in Johnson City with his tasting room being open for about 3 months. Henry is quite the dynamic personality with very strong opinions on how he wants to be making Texas wine. He is a proponent of natural fermentations, no use of sulfites, no filtration, and high acid wine-making. He's making some delicious rosé, Malbec aged in oak and concrete, and some dry Malvasia Bianca. Such great conversation about what is possible in Texas! www.crowsonwines.com
2018-08-0957 min
Another Bottle DownKicking off the Texas 2018 Harvest!Jennifer McInnis Fadel, from Bending Branch Winery, and Ron Yates, from Spicewood Vineyards and Ron Yates Winery, come on the show to talk about the start of the 2018 harvest in Texas. They are part of the Texas Fine Wine association and always have great perspectives on the industry. Early ripening grapes are starting to come in for the Hill Country, with the High Planes still a bit further out. Hear all about the regions of Texas, the hot grape varieties, and the madness of Harvest!
2018-07-2856 min
Another Bottle DownSergio Cuadra explains VeraisonSergio Cuadra, Winemaker of Fall Creek Vineyards, comes on the show to describe the 2018 Texas growing season so far. This episode was broadcast on KOOP Radio on July 3rd, and Sergio describes what is going on during the process of Veraison. Since then, the growing season has progressed, and some wineries are already starting to harvest early ripening grapes. It's always great to have Sergio on the show, he comes from a background of making wine in his home country Chile, and really believes in the potential of Texas to make world class wine. You can also list...
2018-07-2128 min
Another Bottle DownSlow down and listen to the music with BarnabyBarnaby Tuttle is owner and winemaker of Teutonic Wine Company in Portland Oregon. He's doing some crazy stuff in Oregon with cool climate sites and a sort of fearless wine making. Inspired by Riesling from the Mosel, Barnaby became obsessed with showing off how one site could express itself differently than another, the true concept of terroir. He is super fun to talk with, constantly referencing music and how wine (or beer, or weed), can make us all appreciate life a little more.
2018-05-3033 min
Another Bottle DownBandol Explained with Ch. VannièresOn today's show, we're joined by Eric Boisseaux, owner of Ch. Vannières, and Laurent Michit, from the importer H. Mercer Imports. We really dig into the tiny region of Bandol, which is right on the Mediterranean coast in between Marseilles and Nice. I learned a ton and I really love these wines. Big reds with a minimum of 50% Mourvedre, structured and complex rosés, and a little white wine as well. Bandol and lamb is one of my favorite pairings, hope you can try it with a nice glass of Vannières!
2018-05-2333 min
Another Bottle DownAndreas Wickhoff MW of BründlmayerAndreas Wickhoff is one of three Masters of Wine in Austria and serves as general manager of Weingut Bründlmayer. We get into such great discussion on the geography of Austria with a complete breakdown of the growing regions. Then, we focus in on the Kamptal and the 800 year old cellars of Bründlmayer. Learn about the new Erste Lagen classification, and so much more! Note: we didn't get into it, but they make some killer traditional method sparkling wine! Enjoy!
2018-05-1731 min
Another Bottle DownAustin Chronicle First Plates 2018 EditionJessi Cape, Austin Chronicle's Food Editor, comes on the show to talk about their First Plates issue. Jessi and team have chosen and outlined the 100 restaurants that define Austin now! We get the inside scoop of all that goes into putting this out, and hear about Jessi's top picks and the trends that are going on now in Austin's dining scene. Listen in and check out the feature: https://www.austinchronicle.com/first-plates/year:2018/
2018-05-0816 min
Another Bottle DownChris, Rania, and Vintel wine classesChris Kelly and Rania Zayyat, come on to talk about the cycle of class that they have been planning and hosting. This serves as a conduit to much delicious conversation, such as the ins and outs of rosé, orange wine, transparency in wine, and the wonder women of wine. Chris and Rania are knowledgeable, fun, and an essential part of the Austin wine scene!
2018-05-0255 min
Another Bottle DownCesare Cecchi on TuscanyCesare was born with the taste of Sangiovese in his mouth, as he says it. He's 4th generation to be making wine in Chianti Classico, and we dig into so many topics that are very relevant in today's wine world. From the introduction to the Gran Selezione tier to what is happening with the branding of Super Tuscans and how they're involving. I also always enjoy hearing how the next generation is gearing up to take over. Please note, this podcast will sound better if listening while riding a Ducati at 200 mph (actually don't do that, but listen and you...
2018-04-241h 41
Another Bottle DownWorking Vintage on the Mornington PeninsulaTony Schlotzhauer, local Austin sommelier, just got back from a month of working harvest on the Mornington Peninsula, Australia. Tony met the owners of the winery Ten Minutes By Tractor during a diner service at Jefferies and invited him out for an invaluable experience. We get a fantastic overview of the wine regions of Australia and a behind the scenes look at the experiences garnered during the most intensive time of year for a winery.
2018-04-191h 46
Another Bottle DownCrossing of Podcast Worlds with Mike G plus the Texas Wine Revolution!Mike G and his podcast Show de Vie dig into the spirits world and all the colorful personalities behind the hard stuff. We cross paths on his 226th episode and my 130th-ish, to talk about so many intersections of what we do, the podcasting industry, all of our great experiences, and so much more. Plus, we kick off the show with a 10 minute discussion with Kate Shelley, organizer of the Texas Wine Revolution, a festival held out at Horseshoe Bay which focuses on 100% Texas Grown and Made rosé wine! Check it all out!
2018-04-121h 32
Another Bottle DownThe Cutting Edge of OregonChad Stock, winemaker and partner of the Craft Wine Company, has an obsessive drive to discover what Oregon can offer the world. He is often lumped into the natural wine movement, but he is not opposed to additions if they'll improve flavor, not just stability. He has also been the first grower and winemaker to work with many grapes in Oregon, such as Chenin Blanc, Aligoté, Gruner Veltliner, Kerner and many others. He is constantly experimenting with wine-making techniques and matching up which are suitable for each particular grape variety on each different soil type. There is so much of th...
2018-03-271h 06
Another Bottle DownHenri Boillot and the Purity of White BurgundyOn today's show, we talk with a top white Burgundy producer, Henri Boillot, about all the ins and outs of making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Côtes de Beaune. He talks about the growing occurrence of "premox," or Premature Oxidation, where white Burgundy will be dead and oxidized after only 3-4 years in bottle. He claims this is due to over-ripe fruit, new barrels, and most of all, the common practice of lees stirring. Plus, climate change, succession planning, and so much more. Big thanks to Michel Thibault and Marla Norman for translating and providing additional commentary.
2018-03-201h 01
Another Bottle DownThe Hills of Milk and HoneyAmy Milliron and her family own the Hills of Milk and Honey, an educational farm in Dripping Springs. This farm has been one of the top beneficiaries of the Austin Food and Wine Alliance's 2017 Grant Program. Over $50K were awarded to innovators in the food and beverage industry, and the Hills of Milk and Honey is epitomizing this concept of improving food understanding and community through education. I'm so excited about what Amy is doing out there! Listen in and sign up for a class: www.hillsofmilkandhoney.com
2018-03-0827 min
Another Bottle DownA Wine Bar with Style: Aviary Wine and KitchenAviary Wine Bar and Kitchen just re-opened after a remodel and extensive over-haul with expanded kitchen and seating. Marco Fiorilo, owner, and Alex Bell, beverage director, come on the show to talk about how they are connecting with the Austin public. Their wine list tries to bring guests out of their comfort zones, experiment with new wines, and learn a little something new (wines from Macedonia?). Plus, they have just launched the Aviary Wine School which features humorous and enticing themed classes for every level, such as Skin on Skin (Orange wine class). We couldn't talk about it on the...
2018-02-2226 min
Another Bottle DownTalkin' Trends for 2018On today's show, I'm joined by Austin wine industry veterans, Karen Dante and John Duncan. Karen is wine buyer at King Liquors on Burnet and John is an independent distributor sales agent representing several portfolios. They have witnessed the Austin wine scene evolve since the 90s, and both have unique perspectives on how Austin is changing and what to expect for 2018! Spoiler alert: they don't think I'm going to have my wishes of desert wines explode in popularity. Tune in and see how your tastes match up!
2018-02-1456 min
Another Bottle DownWashington State Wine ExplaindedSteve Warner, President and CEO of the Washington State Wine Commission, comes on the show to talk about where the Washington State wine industry is at in 2018. Over 900 wineries, 55,000 acres, and a lot of high quality wine! Steve, comes from such a privileged perspective of knowing and representing the image of ALL wineries. We get into what the particular regions are all about, and how their branding themselves, comparing the uniqueness of the state's growing conditions to those of other iconic regions, and so much more!
2018-02-0255 min
Another Bottle DownIntroducing Guild AustinStuart Thomajan, owner of the Chameleon Group, and Sterling Ridings, Chef and Partner, come on the show to talk about the highly anticipated opening of Guild. The Chameleon group is responsible for the Austin dining hot spots Swift's Attic and Wu Chow, and with early March as the slated opening date, Guild will fill the niche of top-notch seafood. Chef Ridings gets to spread his wings and break boundaries, and the seafood friendly wine list and extensive cold bar will quickly become an Austin staple! More info: www.guildaustin.com
2018-01-3121 min
Another Bottle DownThe Rocks of Rotie CellarsOn the first episode of 2018, we catch up with Maddie Richards, Sales Director, of Rotie Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. We talk about what makes Washington State unique and such a good value, and the relatively new AVA (wine region) of the Rocks of Milton-Freewater. Rotie was started by geologist Sean Boyd in 2007 with the first year of fruit coming from their estate vineyard in 2013. But, they're already making waves with their Rhone blends that reference the various styles coming from the Rhone, France. Check out all the good stuff here! Rotie Cellars' vineyard in the Rocks of M...
2018-01-2449 min
Another Bottle DownStarChefs: Rising Stars of Austin and San AntonioManaging Editor of StarChefs, Will Blunt, and Steven Dilley, featured Sommelier and owner of Bufalina Pizzaria, come on the show to talk about the upcoming Rising Stars awards on Dec 13th. We talk all about the Cava and Caviar reception, the challenges of pairing wines with 18 different dishes from all the featured chefs and culinary innovators, and what it means for a national publication to be highlighting the food scene of Austin and San Antonio! Proceeds go to the Austin Food and Wine Alliance! Check out more info: www.starchefs.com/risingstars
2017-12-1220 min
Another Bottle DownVineyards by the Sea: FirriatoFederico Lombardo di Monte Iato runs the Sicilian winery Firriato. He comes on the show to talk about how far Sicily has from its recent history of supplying bulk wine to Northern Italy and France. I learned a ton from Federico, from the various zones of western Sicily and even the island of Favagnana to the mountain wines of Etna. If you can't bask in under the Sicilian Sun, may as well listen to this podcast and dream about it!
2017-12-0641 min
Another Bottle DownHamilton Russell: South Africa's Heaven and EarthOlive and Anthony Hamilton Russell, owners of South African wineries Ashbourne, Hamilton Russell, and Southern Right, come on the show to talk about their little nook of the Cape South Region called Hemel-en-Aarde. They are pushing the boundaries of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, understanding their vineyards and soils, and garnering attention world-wide to put South African Pinot and Chard on the map. We also have insightful conversation around Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, and so much more. Check it out!
2017-11-2848 min
Another Bottle DownSpecial Thanksgiving Call-In Show!I welcome sommeliers Rania Zayyat and Chris Kelly on the show to field Thanksgiving wine questions from the Austin public and beyond. Rania and Chris have tons of experience in top Austin restaurants and breakdown their classic turkey pairings as well as some non-traditional ones that might bring us out of our comfort zone. How does smoking vs deep frying vs roasting a turkey change the pairing? Check out the show for their commentary, and here are some producers and wines that they recommend: Rania and Chris's consulting company: www.vintelwine.com Wine recommendations we tal...
2017-11-2247 min
Another Bottle DownBubbles from Borgoluce ProseccoOn this week's show, we talk Prosecco with Alessandro Samogin from Borgoluce in the Valdobbiadene. He grew up on the property and his wife is now the winemaker; they grow all their food for the restaurant and estate as well as produce all their electricity on site. What a crazy operation! We talk about how Valdobbiadene is unique and special, how Glera is king for them, and how there is now becoming awareness of the Rive (similar to cru). And, so much more!
2017-11-1254 min
Another Bottle DownTexas Wine Month: Messina HofMessina Hof, founded in 1977, is currently making 90 different wines from 33 varieties, wow! Paul and Karen Bonarigo, second generation owners, come on the podcast to talk about the evolution of Texas wine, the history and future of Messina Hof, and so much more. Check it out!
2017-11-0151 min
Another Bottle DownTexas Wine Month: Doug LewisWe're continuing to interview Texas winemakers who are innovating and raising the bar in celebration of October being Texas Wine Month. Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines is certainly positioned in the vanguard and has his finger on the pulse of what is really going both in the Hill Country and the High Plains. I always enjoy chatting with Doug, and I'm sure you're enjoy listening!
2017-10-2750 min
Another Bottle DownTexas Wine Month: Bending BranchContinuing to feature Texas wineries during Texas Wine Month, we welcome on Jennifer McInnis, general manager of Bending Branch Winery. We have a great conversation about some of the varieties that Bending Branch champions, Tannat and Picpoul at the top of the list. They also use some innovative winemaking techniques, such as Cryo-maceration and Flash Detente. Check out what it's all about!
2017-10-2643 min
Another Bottle DownTexas Wine Month: Ben CalaisAs continued coverage of Texas Wine Month, we catch up with Ben Calais at his winery in the Hill Country. This was a great conversation about this year's harvest, his focus on the Bordeaux varieties, how Ben is coaxing the most flavor out of his grapes, and so much more! Ben has a cool thing going on in his underground cellar, selling only direct to consumer, and cultivating a strong following! Santé!
2017-10-1739 min
Another Bottle DownTexas Wine Month: January Wiese and Lewis DicksonWe kick off our coverage of October as Texas Wine Month with January Wiese, Executive Director of the Hill Country Wineries Association. Then, we hear from Lewis Dickson, and how he is producing some magical 100% Estate wines from his vineyard in Canyon Lake, just west of New Braunfels. Lewis is a staunch proponent of natural or "hands off" winemaking, never adding yeast, sulfites, enzymes, or anything. We learn about the path he's taken to focusing on the two Texas hybrid grapes, Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish, and how wine should be the whole film, not just a snapshot.
2017-10-1054 min
Another Bottle DownCzech Wine? Different Yet Familiar!Noah Ullman, owner of Vino Z Czech (pronounced “vee-nos check”), comes on the show to talk about Czech wine and the business of importing and promoting in the US. I learned a ton from this conversation: how there is a long history of winemaking in what is today's Czech Republic, how the south facing slopes of South Moravia are special for winemaking, and how diverse the wine culture is there with many unique grapes (Cabernet Moravia, Blauer Portugueser, and Pálava). To quote Noah, quoting someone else, "somewhere between Austria and Alsace."
2017-10-041h 03
Another Bottle DownJessica Dupuy's top Texas wines for Fall 2016Freelance food, wine, and travel writer Jessica Dupuy, has covered the Texas wine industry for Texas Monthly for many years. In 2016, she changed her highly anticipated yearly list of top Texas wines to be a quarterly endeavor. Join us to chat about her Fall 2016 list as a well as conversation around direction of the industry and her new book United Tastes of Texas.
2016-10-2638 min
Another Bottle Down- Wine PodcastJessica Dupuy's top Texas wines for Fall 2016Freelance food, wine, and travel writer Jessica Dupuy, has covered the Texas wine industry for Texas Monthly for many years. In 2016, she changed her highly anticipated yearly list of top Texas wines to be a quarterly endeavor. Join us to chat about her Fall 2016 list as a well as conversation around direction of the industry and her new book United Tastes of Texas.
2016-10-2638 min