Another Bottle Down

On 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 m...

On 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...

Mark 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...

On 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...

On 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...

Mark 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...

On 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 startin...

On 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 So...

On 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...

Alessandro 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...

On 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 festiv...

On 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...

On 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 B...

Pietro 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 c...

On 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 Inknowl...

On 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 e...

Jessica 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 N...

On 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 fr...

Matt 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

Manfred 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...

Chris 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/w...

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...