Jessica Dupuy is the drinks and wine columnist of magazine Texas Monthly and for the last 5 years, this column has garnered more and more attention. As the industry grows, Jessica continues to give light to the stellar producers and some new surprises! http://www.texasmonthly.com/food/best-texas-wines-of-2015/
Jeff Courington and the Al Fico team talking about their East Austin Osteria
In October 2015, Jeff Courington opened an authentic Italian restaurant in East Austin, name Al Fico. Jeff and his team, Chef Clinton, and wine buyer Tom King came on Another Bottle Down to talk about the menu, the wine list, the art work, and all things Al Fico. Buon Appetito!
Scott Ota from Arro schools us on the regions and wines of Portugal
Scott Ota, manager and sommelier at Arro in Austin, just got back from a research trip to Portugal. We chat about all of the wines along the length of the country, touching on Vinho Verde, Port, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouchet, and so much more.
Thanksgiving Pairings and Musings with Joelle Cousins and Nathan Fausti
The day before Thanksgiving means crowded and bustling wine shops and thousands of people in Austin wanting to know what to serve with the year's most important meal. Joelle Cousins and Nathan Fausti talk about what's traditional, what's exciting, and how to handle pairing wine with everything on the table! Vegetarians and Cab drinkers also welcome!
Joelle Recommends: Yalumba Vigilius Viognier, Terre Nerre Etna Rosso, Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Graham's Vintage Port
Nathan Recommends: Dolin Dry Vermouth, Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Pruno Nero, Masi Amarone della Valpolicella
The Texas Wine Journal talks about Turkey Day
The Texas Wine Journal, which is composed of wine industry professionals that rate Texas wines in pursuit of bettering the industry, came on the show to discuss wine pairings for Thanksgiving. What are we looking for in choosing wine, what Texas wines stand out, how do we have fun with wine on Turkey day? We start off with a brief discussion of Beaujolais Nouveau.
Mickael Alborghetti talks about the mecca for Malbec
Mickael Alborghetti is sales manager for all the Americas for the winery Georges Vigouroux located in Cahors, France. Mickael does a great job of connecting the history of Cahors to that of other regions and how circumstantial events made this mecca for Malbec more obscure that it perhaps should be in today's wine world. We can really understand how Georges and his sun Bertrand are true pioneers in the Southwest of France.
Gene Estes and Roxanne Meyers from Lost Oak Winery
Gene Estes started in the Texas industry in the late 70s, and he's seen the industry grow and flourish. His winery and estate vineyard in Burleson, TX is producing some top notch wines, and combined with working with premium growers all over the state, he's doing it right! His daughter Roxanne knows exactly how to connect all the dots. This was such fun conversation for me!
Louisa Rose, Chief Winemaker of Barrossa's Yalumba
Louisa Rose is in charge of all winemaking for the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards, which include Yalumba, Pewsey Vale, Jansz, and Dalrymple to name only a few. Her scope and experience are remarkable, having pioneered Viognier in Australia as well as serving as chair of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). Enjoy!
Pedernales says no to "tourist" varieties
David Kuhlken, Julie Kuhlken, and Fredrik Osterberg appear on the show to discuss their family winery. They're loving tempranillo and viognier! They have vineyards and a tasting room in Stonewall TX, and more vineyard sourcing in the Texas High Plains AVA. These guys know how to make great wine in Texas!
Jean Marie de Champs on Burgundy
Jean Marie has put together an impressive portfolio of Burgundy producers that value their soil, deal with what mother nature gives, and focuses on native yeast fermentation. She talks about her history with the region, the collection of producers she has hand selected, and the challenging of making wine in Burgundy. This is the full interview, which was shortened to fit the air time on KOOP.
Scott Hazeldine talks about the "cool" part of the Barossa
Scott Hazeldine, head winemaker at Schild Family Estates in Barossa, talks about making 100% estate grown wines in Australia. He is a wealth of knowledge and super fun to talk with.
Texas Roussanne vs. the World
Check out this amazing blind tasting of Texas Roussanne from Kuhlman Cellars against 4 other Roussannes from around the world. Judges Scott Ota, Margaret Shugart, and Sergio Cuadra break it down. Also, big thanks to Daniel Kelada from the Texas Wine Journal doing what he does!
Craig Collins MS talking about Elm Restaurant Group
Master Sommelier Craig Collins is Beverage Director for Elm Restaurant Group. "If it is liquid and consumable," it is Craig's domain. With 24 Diner, Easy Tiger, Arro, Italic, and soon to open Irene's, as part of the group, Craig is pushing the bar with cellaring wine, staff education, Italian and American craft beer, and seasonal ingredients for cocktails. You heard it hear from Craig!
Miss Jane on how to "learn" wine
Jane Nickles, is a Certified Wine Educator and the Director of Education with the Society of Wine Educators. She came on Another Bottle Down to chat about the learning process and some interesting current events in the world of wine.
Texas vs The World: Live blind tasting of Syrah!
Another Bottle Down invites the Texas Wine Journal to do Texas Syrah head to head with the world. Lost Oak Winery Shiraz just garnered the top score of Syrah from the Texas Wine Journal, but now let's see how it stacks up to other Syrah around the world. Big thanks to Daniel Kelada, Jen Beckman, Tim Drake, Josh Fritsche, and Miguel Lecuona for all their insightful and colorful comments!