Another Bottle Down

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 Diploma and the pandemic hitting, changed courses into the retail and collecting sphere.  He brings great perspective on a host of subjects in this discussion from the value of reading wine reviews to the vast differences of buying wine for a restaurant program vs for retail and AOC Selections. Links for the show: https://aocwines.com/ Wines by BK on Instagram Referenced: Legends Portfolio

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 Instagram  

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. Steakhouse website Steven's video on Nebbiolo Ian D'Agata's book on Barolo terroirs   Another Bottle Down is proud to be media sponsor for the upcoming Big Reds and Bubbles event on March 1 from 7:15-9:45 pm at the Skybox in Austin, TX.  Listeners get $20 off with code:  ABDPOD.  Visit winefoodfoundation.com for tickets.

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 of 2023, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year's to all of our listeners! Links: Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Book Shop Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Amazon Food and Wine Magazine Travel and Leisure Magazine  

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 as a Sommelier. In 2001, he was named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver Wine Festival- also won the Spirited Industry Professional award in 2014. As a Department Head and instructor with the International Sommelier Guild he was instrumental in the on-going development of the curriculum and has taught classes in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas. Since 2008, he has served as Head of Education Development with Wine Australia.  Wine Australia Website

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-Billecart now leads the renowned champagne company, known for its focus on quality and gastronomy, into the future while honoring its legacy as one of the few remaining family-owned and operated houses. On this episode, Jessica and Mathieu talk all things Billecart Salmon during her visit to the historic Champagne House this past fall. Find out how Billecart sees his place with the brand and where the brand makes special points of differentiation in the market.  Useful links:  Champagne Billecart-Salmon Comité Champagne  

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 countries in the world right now. But the scholarship on Australian wine hasn't always matched the output. How to Drink Australian corrects that. It takes readers on a journey around the country, state by state, region by region. Each state has an introduction. And the most significant regions have their own separate chapters within each state. Purchase How to Drink Australian Purchase Jane's first book, Vignettes More about Jane Lopes

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 ever attain the Master Sommelier title. He is the former Director of Education and Education chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. You can find more information on Tim at www.timgaiser.com And, you can subscribe to his substack newsletter: https://tgaiser.substack.com/about

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 shared their properties with them in Barbaresco, Barolo, Alta Langa, Bolgheri, and Montalcino. Not only were the wines impressive, but undertanding the method behind how the family operates was a crucial part to understanding the Gaja brand.  They also talk about the historic Sannio DOC, a lesser known region in the U.S., but one worth exploring for excellent wines made of Fallenghina, Fiano, Aglianico, and more.  Tune in to this travelogue of these amazing wine regions and be sure to check out the wines of Gaja and Sannio in the near future. 

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 entire world of wine to his stories and descriptions of Portugal, the diversity of styles, and the incredible value the wines offer.  It's a good life when "on a bad day you're talking about wine, and on a great day, you're talking about Champagne!" Wines of Portugal https://www.wifiwinetime.com/ Ernest Vineyards Loco Tequila