Another Bottle Down

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings. It doesn’t have to be that complicated. The easy go-to options include Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay are pretty safe bets. But what about Etna Rosso for Smoked Turkey or White Lambrusco to kick off the meal? I’m this special episode, we’re joined by Austin sommelier Ali Schmidt who serves as the wine director for Emmer & Rye Hospitality who has all sorts of hints and tips for how to select some of the best wines for Thanksgiving Dinner.    Tune in to hear some of our picks including the aforementioned Etna Rosso and White Lambrusco along with a South African Chenin Blanc, French Cider, and a Texas Syrah!     

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 Shelley Lindgren about her latest book, Italian Wine.  Purchase a copy of Italian Wine here. Shelley Lindgren is the wine director and owner of San Francisco’s beloved Italian restaurant, A16. She has received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program and has been knighted by the Italian government, receiving the prestigious "Cavaliere dell'Ordine Della Stella Italia" (Dott.ssa) distinction for her work promoting Italian wine. Shelley’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, Punch, San Francisco Chronicle, and many other publications. She served on the board of La Cocina, the Guild of Sommeliers, and Slide Ranch and is a member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier. A16 is also located in Oakland and 2 locations in Japan. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, two sons, and a border collie.

We already had a chance to hear from Andrea Lonardi last winter regarding the wines of Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. As the COO and director of winemaking for Angelini Wines and Estates, Andrea balances business sense with his viticulture and winemaking expertise to drive marketing and sales for the company while also innovating production in numerous Italian wine regions where Angelini holds estates, namely Valpolicella (Bertani), Brunello di Montalcino (Val di Suga), Chianti Classico (San Leonino), Vino Nobile di Montalpulciano (Tenuta Trerose), Friuli (Cantina Puiatti), and Castelli de Jesi (Fazi Battaglia and Tenute San Sisto).  In September, Jessica had a chance to attend Bertani's Amarone Academy, gaining in-depth exposure to the vineyards, soils, grape varieties, harvesting, and process of making Amarone della Valpolicella. While there, she sat down with Andrea, who had recently earned the esteemed credential of Master of Wine. In this discussion, Jessica and Andrea talk about Amarone, his work ethic, and a particular unique identity for Italian wine.  Expanded Bio: Since joining the company in 2012, Andrea has been instrumental in orchestrating a relaunch for the historic brand Bertani, reinstating a strong stylistic identity to Amarone and Valpolicella, zoning Montalcino through distinctive vineyard selection, shaping new labeling guidelines in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti Classico, and connecting with key international fine wine distributors. Andrea started his career in marketing and sales for the largest Italian wine group (GIV), expanding indigenous southern Italian grape varieties to the US market, and was promoted to viticulture director, responsible for more than 1,000 hectares and 13 estates from the Alps to Sicily.     

On today's show, we delve into all things Lambrusco with Alicia Lini, 4th generation of Lini 1910.  We highlight why Emilia Romagna is so special, what makes quality Lambrusco, and the pleasures of enjoying this style of wine with food.  I particularly enjoyed hearing Alicia talk about how the various varieties of Lambrusco lend different characteristics to the final blend.  Coming out of a dark age of sweet and poorly made 'beverage' as Alicia calls it, Lambrusco is now in a veritable renaissance of artisanal sparkling wine. Lini 1910 website Follow Alicia Lini on Instagram: here

On today's show, Jessica welcomes back wine industry veteran Matt Dulle .  Matt was on the show a couple months ago but has since taken up the post of Wine Director at Wolfgang Puck's Spago, Beverly Hills.  Matt and Jessica tackle a variety of subjects from the interplay of wine and cocktails in fine dining to the challenges and joys of taking over an iconic wine program.  We can't wait to dine with Matt at Spago! Spago Beverly Hills Matt Dulle on Instagram  

On today's show, Jessica connects with Kyle Stewart, co-owner of the specialty tea shop in Dallas, the Cultured Cup.  They discuss all things tea, from the mythology around the origins in ancient China to the various styles and methods of processing.  Throughout the conversation, they draw very fascinating links to the wine industry in terms of terroir, human intervenion, and various modes of appreciation. Visit the Cultured Cup website here.  

On today's bonus show, Mark and Jessica reflect on the one year anniversary of their partnership and the reboot of Another Bottle Down.  They revist some of their favorite shows from the past year, reveal some intriguing statistics, and chat about what they'll be exploring in the year to come.  Thank you for listening! As always follow along: Instagram: Anotherbottledowncast

On today's show, Jessica and Mark dig into the rich culture, history, and production of traditional Spanish Cider, particularly from the region of Asturias.  Jessica interviews Pepin Diaz Sanchez, a cider producer, followed by Eduardo Coto, a cider critic and judge, and David Menendez, the owner of La Tabla, a cider-focused restaurant. We discuss all aspects surrounding the cider industry from the different types of apples used for production, how cider differs from wine, and all the cultural aspects around cidrerías, or traditional cider bars, pouring cider and so much more. Sample video of pouring cider from the World Championship of Cider Pouring, in Spanish the specific word for this act is escanciar:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HamCokfRzV8 Pepín's Cider Route: https://pepin.es/en/home/ La Table Restaurant: https://www.restaurantelatabla.com/

On today's show, we catch up with Ryan Cooper, owner and operator of Every Wine, a wine education and entertainment company in Houston, TX.  Ryan is an innovative thinker in the world of wine and has developed unique protocol on how to connect with wine lovers of all levels.  It starts by recoginizing we all know nothing, and from there can be free to like what we like and not alienate ourselves from other wine lovers of differing opinions. Check out Ryan at https://everywine.co/      

In the second of a two part series on South African wine, Mark and Jessica catch up with Sebastian Beaumont of Beaumont Family Wines in the Bot River, which is part of Walker Bay in the South of the Western Cape.  Located very close to the coast and benefiting from the cooling affect of the 'Cape Doctor' winds, Sebastian's family farm has been a beacon of wines in the area, perhaps most famous for their 'wooden' chenin called Hope Marguerite (named after Sebastian's Grandmother).  Sebastian talks of the time when he doubled down on Chenin Blanc and some of the new varieties, such as Mourvedre, that are turning winemakers' heads in the area.  Don't miss the new icon blends, Vitruvian and New Baby, that are just starting to come into the US. Before our conversation with Sebastian, Mark connects with Jessica via zoom to get an update on her month long journey in Spain.  She's been steeped in Cider and day trips to various wine regions including Alsace. Useful links: Wine Spectator article on South African wine cited by Mark: https://www.winespectator.com/articles/the-promise-of-south-africa-073123 Beaumont Family Wines