Another Bottle Down

On 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 websit...

On 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...

Molly Austad is wine director at one of our favorite spots in Houston: Bludorn, Navy Blue, and the upcoming Bar Bludorn.  She digs into the process of being a wine director for a multi-location restaurant group and talks about her 'guest-driven' approach.  Additionally, she breaks down why Sicily and Mt. Etna are some of her favorite wines.  Pass the pavlova please! Bludorn Houston Navy Blue Molly...

On today's show, we have on Steven McDonald Master Sommelier and Executive Wine Director of Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse in Houston and Dallas.  We dig into so many topics from learning wine from a music backround, crafting a wine list and cellar that is ever-evolving, and to a couple of Steven's favorite wine regions, Piedmont and Madeira. Some useful links from the conversation: Pappa's Bros. Steakh...

We 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...

As 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 a...

Mathieu 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-...

As 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 we catch up with Jane Lopes about her recent book, How to Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book .  "The landscape of Australian wine is cracking with new energy and historic traditions that make it one of the most exciting wine-producing count...

As 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 we catch up with Tim Gaiser about his recent book, Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine.  Purchase the Book Here . Tim Gaiser is an internationally renowned wine expert, educator, and blogger, and one of less than 300 individuals worldwide to...

Earlier 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 share...

Eugenio 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...

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings. It doesn't have to be that complicated. The easy go-to options include Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay are pretty safe bets. But what about Etna Rosso for Smoked Turkey or White Lambrusco to kick off the meal? I'm this special episode, we're joined by Austin sommelier Ali Schmidt who serves as the wine director for Emmer & Rye Hospitality who has all sorts of hin...

As 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 we catch up with Shelley Lindgren about her latest book, Italian Wine.  Purchase a copy of Italian Wine here. Shelley Lindgren is the wine director and owner of San Francisco's beloved Italian restaurant, A16. She has received the James Beard Award for...

We 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 es...

On today's show, we delve into all things Lambrusco with Alicia Lini, 4th generation of Lini 1910.  We highlight why Emilia Romagna is so special, what makes quality Lambrusco, and the pleasures of enjoying this style of wine with food.  I particularly enjoyed hearing Alicia talk about how the various varieties of Lambrusco lend different characteristics to the final blend.  Coming out of a dark a...

On 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 wi...

On 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 appr...

On 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

On 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...

On today's show, we catch up with Ryan Cooper, owner and operator of Every Wine, a wine education and entertainment company in Houston, TX.  Ryan is an innovative thinker in the world of wine and has developed unique protocol on how to connect with wine lovers of all levels.  It starts by recoginizing we all know nothing, and from there can be free to like what we like and not alienate ourselves f...

In 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...

On 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...

Jessica 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...

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 y...

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 genera...