Beats Vines and Life

MJ’s guest this week is Stefan Cartlidge. Stefan comes from an esteemed family of Northern Californian winemakers. His father Tony Cartlidge, co-founded Cartlidge & Browne Winery in Sonoma, CA  in 1980. In 2011, his father sold his share of that winery with a goal to continue working in the wine business but this time with his family. In 2014 his family purchased the 36 acre Dancing Crow Winery. After several years in Northern California, Stefan now represents the family’s wines on the East Coast. MJ is blown away by the Dancing Crow bottles shared in the studio. Stefan breaks down what makes Lake County and it’s Kelsey Bench AVA so special for winemakers. They also get into Dancing Crow’s delicious 2018 Zinfandel and why the user generated wine apps often totally miss the mark on this one (and many other good wines as well!). Get comfy for this one - it’s got plenty of insider low down to up your wine game.  A huge thank you to Stefan Cartlidge!Follow him on IG @oats_n_haydnFollow Dancing Crow Vineyards on IG @dancingcrowvineyardsDiscover and purchase Dancing Crow Wines at: https://dancingcrow.com/This episode’s in studio wine:Lake County Rose 2020 Old Stake 1901 VineyardKelsey Bench, Lake County 2018___________________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Burgundy and a member of the famed Wasserman family, Paul Wasserman. Paul was just a year old when the Wassermanns moved from Philadelphia to Burgundy. He moved to Los Angeles in 1994 where, because Burgundy was frowned upon at the time, he worked as a sales rep and was eventually hired as the French, German, and Austrian wine buyer for Woodland Hills Wine Company. It was there, he became known as one of the country’s foremost specialists in French and German wines. Paul returned to the family business in 2012. In this episode, he shares his unique stories of growing up in Burgundy, surrounded by wine and winemakers. He recalls the good, bad and ugly moments he spent with the infamous wine counterfeiter, Rudy Kurniawan. And you’ll get the inside scoop on what is exciting him in Burgundy right now. Grab a glass, this episode is not to be missed! A huge thank you to Paul Wasserman!Follow him on IG @paulbwassermanDiscover and purchase their catalog of wines at : https://www.beckywasserman.com/Follow them on IG @beckywasserman.co This episode’s in studio wine:Domaine des CroixBeaune Les Cents VignesPremier Cru 2017Domaine Danjou BanessyCotes Catalanes2018______________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is Eric Asimov. Eric has been the NY Times Chief Wine Critic since 2004 after having covered wine with The Times's tasting panel and in his Tastings column for the Dining section. His weekly column appears in the Food section. He is the author of “How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto,’’ as well as “Wine With Food: Pairing Notes and Recipes From The New York Times,’’ written with recipes by Florence Fabricant. Since creating the 25 under $25 column in the Times in 1992 Eric has been a passionate voice celebrating often overlooked-by-the-mainstream cuisines and wines with his readers. Eric shares colorful stories from his early career in journalism up to the recent backstory behind one of his more controversial columns re: supermarket wines. This episode is full of magic from a true New York icon, do not miss. A huge thank you to Eric Asimov!Follow him on IG @ericasimovRead his columns: The Pour and Wine School + additional writings at: https://www.nytimes.com/This episode’s in studio wine:Durst 2017Portugieser__________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Acker Wines! Listeners of the show will receive $25 off purchases of $100 or more with code WINEGUY25 at checkout. (Retail store only) Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is Kerin Auth Bembry. Kerin is co-founder of La Luz Selections based in New York City and LA. A wine broker and veteran in the Spanish wine industry, Kerin has conducted several classes regularly around New York at Murray’s Cheese, the Astor Center and the American Sommelier Association. Kerin has participated many times on the New York Times tasting panel and has been quoted in other magazines such as Wine and Spirits, Fine Cooking and Culture. MJ and Kerin go off the rails in this incredible interview that only just skims the surface of the exquisite rich history of Spanish and Portuguese wines. With a combined 50 visits to both countries, Kerin knows a thing or two and is here to share her passion with MJ. Grab a glass, pop a cork and get cozy for this one folks. A huge thank you to Kerin Auth Bembry!Follow La Luz Selections on IG @laluzselectionsDiscover La Luz Selections producers and partners at: https://www.laluzselections.com/This episode’s in studio wine:Blanc D’Orto BrisatLa casilla__________________________________________________________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is Lyle Railsback. Lyle is co-founder, with his brother Eric, of Railsback Frères Winery in Santa Ynez, California. Named by Wine Enthusiast as a “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemaker”. Lyle did National Sales for legendary Wine Merchant, Kermit Lynch for twelve years. MJ goes deep with Lyle as they discuss the wine, life lessons and of course great bottles that came from working for such an icon.  There is much to geek out on in this episode including a discussion about “the grapes of the future” Counoise.  A true Renaissance man, Lyle shares his passion for craftsmanship of all kinds, but especially bespoke clothing which has led to a new business venture, creating 1970’s Hollywood inspired cowboy shirts. The freshness is real in this episode. A huge thank you to Lyle Railsback!Follow him on IG @lylerailsbackFollow Railsback Frères on IG @railsbackfreresDiscover and purchase Railsback Frères wines at: https://www.railsbackfreres.com/This episode’s in studio wine:Les MathenyVin Jaune 2012The Cheese: 24 month old Comte ___________________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is Bruno Almeida. Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, this rock drummer turned sommelier has worked at legendary NYC restaurants such as Gusto Ristorante, Pao, Inoteca, Corsino, Balaboosta, Locanda Verde and Dirty French. Until the pandemic, he was the Wine Director and Sommelier at iconic Tocqueville. MJ and Bruno discuss the history of colonization and its effect on Portuguese wine over the centuries. He brings in two delicious Portuguese bottles that blow MJ away. And before the show is over they get deep into another of Bruno’s favorites = Georgian wine. Get ready, there is a lot to geek out on in this episode. A huge thank you to Bruno Almeida!Follow and learn a ton from him on IG @drummelierThis episode’s in studio wines:NV Vadio Espumante Brut, Bairrada2018 Azores Wine Company Branco Vulcanico, Azores Islands _____________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is Audrey Frick. Audrey worked for famed restaurateur, Bobby Stuckey at Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. She worked her way from the back office and polishing room to the wine team while studying to earn the Advanced Sommelier credential through the Court of Master Sommeliers. She is also a contributing Editor at JebDunnuck.com covering the wines of Italy, specifically Piedmont and Brunello. Audrey and MJ have a candid chat on how deep self work helped her move through a rough patch in her career as well as her current advocacy for better accountability at the CMS.  Get comfy, you won’t find a convo this compelling anywhere else.  A huge thank you to Audrey Frick!Follow her @audrey_frickRead her insights into Italian wines at https://jebdunnuck.com/This episode’s in studio wine:2015 Padelletti Brunello di Montalcino ___________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to giveThe Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is John Kapon.  John is the third-generation chairman of Acker, America’s oldest wine merchant, which has sold fine and rare wines since 1820. He led the firm as it became the largest fine and rare wine auction house in the world. A leading fine wine expert and master taster, Kapon is the author of The Compendium: Tasting the World’s Finest Wines (Vol. I), an insider’s glimpse into the exclusive world of fine wine. MJ and John’s relationship goes way back to the 1990’s when MJ worked for John at Acker. They discuss John’s unparalleled career as well as some deep dives into a few of his favorite bottles. A huge thank you to John Kapon! Follow him @john.kaponFollow Acker @ackerwinesJump into an auction, shop and discover the world of fine wine at https://www.ackerwines.com/This episode’s in studio wine:1990 Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche1990 Domaine Jean-Loius Chave Hermitage ______________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who would Andre Mack most like to drink a bottle of wine with? What turns Shakera Jones on? James Molesworth’s least favorite word? Amanda McCrossin’s favorite curse word? Jordan Salcito’s favorite sound? (hint, it's adorable!) And will Lee Campbell answer any of these questions for MJ? This is Before the Pour a super fun BONUS EP that is a mixed tape of candid moments with most of our guest from Season One. Listen to MJ and your favorite guests warm up and cut loose before each show. We bet you won’t guess Robert Bohr’s favorite movie … or which profession Madeleine Maldonado would love to try if she wasn’t doing wine … hint, we’d def hire her! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the Mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to giveThe Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguy Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest this week is fellow New Jersey native, Madeline Maldonado. Madeline was the manager and sommelier for James Beard Award winning Chef, Jonathan Waxman’s Restaurant, Jams. From there, Eataly called and she served as Beverage Director for a 400+ bottle wine list.  She is currently bringing her journey through beverage, wine, and hospitality as Beverage Director to the fine Italian restaurant da Toscano in New York’s West Village. MJ and Madeleine discuss the secrets to being a phenomenal somm, some of their favorite Spanish wines and what it’s like to be the first or only Black wine professional in the room. A huge thank you to Madeline Maldonado! Follow her on IG @somm3m__________________________________________________________________________This episode’s in studio wines:Domaine Olga Raffault2014 Les PicassesCHINONAnne & Jean-Francois Ganevat Vin de Table Blanc “L”Ailleurs” 2016__________________________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy  Thank you to our sponsor Wine Spies! Get a discount for being a listener of the show by going to: www.winespies.com/blackwineguyLove this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_From our supporter: The Conaway Fund (a component fund of The Prosperity Foundation) supports cultural and heritage events, scholarships, mentoring programs and more. Go to https://www.theconawayfund.org/ and see how you can donate and make a difference in underserved communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.