Another Bottle Down

Miriam Parker, Exec Director of the Austin Food and Wine Alliance, talks about the up-coming Wine and Swine event in the Hill Country.  Then, Marta Delfa Mediavillas comes on to talk about the 5th generation family owned winery, Torres, and the wines of the Penedés.  We also delve into the other major Spanish regions and explore the Torres project of recuperating "lost" varieties!  Super fun stuff.

Jasmine Hirsch comes on the show to share the history of her family's vineyard.  David Hirsch, Jasmine's father, planted his vineyard in 1980 two miles from the ocean, the first on the Sonoma Coast, so he could have someplace to hear himself think.  Now, Hirsch Pinot Noirs are some of the most acclaimed in all of California.  Jasmine talks of the early days and growing up on the "ranch," as well as her current role and the direction of the winery.  I am so happy to be able to share these stories.

Freelance 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.

Jeremy Fouquet, export manager with the Chateauneuf-de-Pape Producer, Maison Brotte, comes on the show to speak about the Rhone Valley and all the different properties owned by the Brotte Family.  He grew up in the Southern Rhone in a family of chefs, and now travels telling the story of one of the most popular Chateauneuf producers!

We continue celebrating Texas Wine Month with a comprehensive tasting of the hybrid varieties that are most prospective in the Lone Star State.  We explore the diverse styles of Blanc du Bois, from Sparkling to Sweet and Fortified, with it's bright acidity and pretty aromatics.  We also tackle the historic Black Spanish, also known as, Jacquez and Lenoir, with its screaming acidity and gamey characteristics.  Norton gets a few minutes at the end!  Enjoy!

What better way to celebrate Texas Wine Month than with three leading producers, Ron Yates of Spicewood Vineyards, Fredrick Osterberg of Pedernales Cellars, and Dave Reilley of Duchman Family Winery.  These wineries along with Brennan and Bending Branch make up the Texas Fine Wine Group which share a philosophy of producing wines made from grapes best suited to Texas.  We hear what varieties they are producing and experimenting with as well as stories from the 2016 harvest!

Daniel Chavez, an economist with Texas A&M Agri-life Extension program, talks about his work helping small-acreage farms and growers link up with local restaurants.  In the second half of the program, Chris Seals presents his new Austin distillery, Still Austin.  His focus will be white whiskey which explores the different terroirs and heirloom grain varieties of Texas.  All 'grain to glass' and a lot of experimentation!

Virginia Willcock has been making wine for Margaret River's first winery, Vasse Felix, for 10 years.  She has been making some of Australia's best Chardonnay is really pushing the bar on Cabernet Sauvignon.  She tells us all about all that she is doing in this exciting region; native fermentations, focus on Malbec and Petite Verdot for blending with Cab Sauv, and so much more!

Roberta Rinaldi comes on the show to talk about the under-appreciated region in Lombardia named Oltrepò Pavese.  This region is home to the largest area of Pinot Noir from which they make beautiful still and sparkling wines.  Roberta and importer Giacomo Butera talk about the upcoming arrival of renowned producer Cà di Frara to the Austin market: http://www.cadifrara.com/en/

Daniela Marcone owns the Italian restaurant Andiamo in Austin, TX.  They don't prescribe to any regional cuisine in particular but more so focus on what is fresh and in season in Austin, though Daniela is from Napoli.  The wine list is all Italian with a focus on small producers with organic and biodynamic philosophies.  In the last 15 minutes we get an update from the Texas winery William Chris; how the 2016 harvest is shaping up, and their movement on 100% grown Texas wines called the Texas Wine Revolution.  Enjoy!