Bottled in China: A Wine & Food Podcast

Medicinal mushrooms have long been an integral part of East Asian countries. In today’s health-conscious world, functional mushrooms are used as superfoods to boost wellness and enhance immunity. Zoey Henderson, Founder of Fungtn., joins us on the podcast to discuss functional mushrooms and the rising trend towards lower or no-alcohol products. Fungtn. saves you from hangover hell and positively c...

Finally, a healthy beer is here! In this podcast we speak with Zoey Henderson, Founder of Fungtn. about her award winning alcohol free craft beer harnessing the ancient wisdom of functional mushrooms. Fungtn. saves you from hangover hell and positively contributes to mind and body brewed with superfood mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Chaga.  Zoey founded the Fungtional Brew Company with...

In this podcast we discuss fine wine production, demystify sulfites and the importance of grape quality in winemaking. Our guest today is Santa Barbara based winemaker Michael Brughelli. A California native, Brughelli  has worked with some of the biggest names and vineyards in Santa Barbara. He was the general manager and winemaker for Ken Volk a decade prior. He then worked at Bien Nacido Vineyar...

Recent reports indicate that younger consumers are less likely to embrace wine. So what can we do to engage them? In this episode we speak with wine communicator and influencer Angela Aiello about ways the industry can become more approachable to new consumers. With her experience as a wine communicator and influencer, I wanted to hear Angela's thoughts on how the world of wine has changed, and wh...

Today’s podcast is about finding creativity and inspiration through wine. In this episode we sit down with Jean-Charles Boisset to discuss his vision of wine through art, and how we might be closer than ever to the vineyards through the Metaverse. I consider Jean-Charles Boisset to be an artist who embraces so many facets of the wine industry, expressing it through jewelry, art, perfume, and enter...

Aubert & Mathieu has become the first French wine brand to embrace cryptocurrency and sell digital assets via blockchain. But first off, what are NFTs? In today’s podcast we explore the fascinating world of NFTs and find out what opportunities and possibilities there are within the wine industry. Today we are joined by Anthony Aubert, cofounder of Aubert & Mathieu. Aubert & Mathieu is the project...

Today we speak with Michael Juergens, the founder of the Bhutan Wine Company, who is leading the development of the wine industry in the kingdom of Bhutan.   Sharing a border with China and India, Bhutan is known for its remarkable landscape characterized by steep mountains.    Michael is also a senior partner with a Big Four consulting firm, where he runs the Winery Solutions practice.   In this...

How are NY wines received in China?  What can distributors gain from working with NY products? What are some challenges and opportunities at home and in Asia's most dynamic wine market?  In November last year, I had the chance to lead an online seminar for New York Wines titled “Boldly, Evolving: New York Wines & their place in Mainland China”. In this podcast I’ve summed up the key takeaways of t...

With the growing popularity of the Rosé category abroad, wineries are now turning to China anticipating a similar trend to take place. But in a market where bold red wines dominate, does Rosé wine have what it takes to capture the market? Today we speak with award-winning winemaker Eddie McDougall about how he’s betting on Rosé as an emerging wine category in Asia, and his thoughts on how to posit...

Throughout November and December 2021, Bottled in China was featured on Air Canada Airlines inflight entertainment systems. As we start the new year, we wanted to share these episodes to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Join us as we explore China’s unique wine regions through the lens of local producers. In today’s podcast we’ve combined our featured conversation with Christelle Chene of Xi...

Throughout November and December 2021, Bottled in China was featured on Air Canada Airlines inflight entertainment systems. As we start the new year, we wanted to share our two featured episodes to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Richard Slingerland of Pillitteri Estates joins us to discuss Canadian wines, climate change and building an international business. Pillitteri Estates Winery is a...

Today we’ll be speaking with Marcell Kustos PHD, about how the consumer experience, and the overall enjoyment of a wine product and pairing, might influence consumer spending Marcell is a beverage director, wine educator, and consultant. With a cross-functional background, he re-defines the role of modern-day sommelier.  After obtaining a qualification in food engineering and winemaking operations...

Ever wonder how our emotions impact our perception of a wines' taste and profile? Or the science behind the iconic pairing of rose and steak tartar? Today we’ll be speaking with Marcell Kustos PHD, about what he unearthed during his research.   Marcell is a beverage director, wine educator, and consultant. With a cross-functional background, he re-defines the role of modern-day sommelier.    After...

The Bordeaux wine region of France has always attracted international investment.     As the Asian economy developed, individuals and beverage companies looked abroad to diversify their portfolios.  In the mid 1980’s, Japanese investors like Suntory started to buy Estates in Bordeaux. Over the past decade, it’s estimated that close to 160 Chateaux’s  have shifted hands to Hong Kong and Mainland Ch...

In today’s podcast we discuss how Benjamin Bridge Winery is inspiring a nation to think about producing high quality sparkling wine in the most unlikely places! In 1999, the Benjamin Bridge Winery started as a labour of love with Nova Scotian entrepreneurs Gerry McConnell and the late Dara Gordon. Inspired by the early grape growers and winemakers in the region, Gerry and Dara invested in years of...

Back on Episode 111, we spoke with Endless West about creating the worlds first molecular wine and spirits. We had so many questions come in after our first episode with Alec, that we scheduled a follow up to address these. In today’s episode, we are joined for a second time by Alec Lee, co-founder and CEO of Endless West. Endless West is a technology startup using scientific methods to create the...

After 10 years in the making, Domaines Barons de Rothschild, famous for producing Chateaux Lafite in Bordeaux, is now producing a Chinese wine.   In today’s episode we are joined for a second time by Denise Cosentino, Technical Manager at Domaine de Long Dai. We dive into the story of Domaine de LongDai, their winemaking style, and the influence that the DBR (Lafite) team has on making fine wine i...

In this two part podcast series we’ll be diving into China’s largest wine producing region: Shandong.   Shandong is an eastern province of China, along the Yellow Sea. It represents up to 40% of China’s wine production and was also home to the first commercial winery.   Our guest today is Denise Cosentino. Denise is the Technical Manager of Chateau Lafite’s China project, Domaine de Long Dai, whic...

Ever wonder about the Philippine wine market? In this episode we’ll be discussing the layered and complex structure of the Philippine wine market. We’ll also take a look at consumer preferences towards wine styles, regions of origin and how young Filipino consumers are turning their interest towards “vegan” wine. Our guest today Michael William Reyes, a Filipino-American entrepreneur based in Mani...

In response to mounting concern about single-use plastics, a range of sustainable straw alternatives are appearing on the market. Today we speak with Divya Mohan, Founder of Ooble Innovations, about a tasty new straw solution and what challenges and lessons she’s learnt as an entrepreneur. Divya Mohan is a biotechnologist with a graduate degree in Food Innovation & Product Design, and is building...

Today we speak with one of Washington’s leading winemakers about the region’s unique landscapes and the importance leadership plays as winemaker. Today we’re joined by Juan Munoz-Oca, Head Winemaker at Columbia Crest winery based in Washington State. Since it first opened its doors in 1983, Columbia Crest winery produces wine in the acclaimed Horse Heaven Hills AVA. In fact, it’s the only Washingt...

Sales for Cannabis-infused beverages is said to have jumped 40% since 2019. A new beverage category fueled by the legalization of Cannabis is spilling into wine, beer and even coffee!    But what are large corporations getting wrong about CBD and THC wine beverages? While many have focused on the novelty of Cannabis in beverages, Jamie Evans and her team at Herbacée are focused on taste.   Jamie,...

Walk into any Western grocery store and you’ll find various flavours of Kombucha lined up, but this is not the case in China. You might be surprised to learn that Kombucha’s roots lead back in China and Japan. In this podcast we speak with co-founders Sharon and Cindy about how they overcame challenges and their inspirational journey creating Zestea.   Zestea Kombucha is Shanghai-based Kombucha br...

German Riesling is certainly amongst a wine lovers favorite wine, yet unlike Pinot Noir from Burgundy, it has not had as recent price hikes. Today, we speak with Konstantin Baum, Master of Wine about all things Riesling.   Konstantin Baum became a Master of Wine in 2015 and is the youngest German ever to pass the examination. Today Konstantin heads the innovative online trading company www.meinele...

Taisai Vineyards is nested in the Gobi desert in China’s Xinjiang Province. Farmed organically, it was twice named as China's Best Winery of the Year by RVF.  In this podcast we sit down with Martin Shen, General Manager of Tiansai Vineyards about the brand’s story and unique viticultural practices.   Located in the northwest of China, Xinjiang province is three times that of France. With its long...