Another Bottle Down
Another Bottle Down has been reinvented with co-host Jessica Dupuy. New content can be found at www.anotherbottledown.com
Tony Schlotzhauer, local Austin sommelier, just got back from a month of working harvest on the Mornington Peninsula, Australia. Tony met the owners of the winery Ten Minutes By Tractor during a diner service at Jefferies and invited him out for an invaluable experience. We get a fantastic overview of the wine regions of Australia and a behind the scenes look at the experiences garnered during the most intensive time of year for a winery.
On today's show, we talk with a top white Burgundy producer, Henri Boillot, about all the ins and outs of making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Côtes de Beaune. He talks about the growing occurrence of "premox," or Premature Oxidation, where white Burgundy will be dead and oxidized after only 3-4 years in bottle. He claims this is due to over-ripe fruit, new barrels, and most of all, the common practice of lees stirring. Plus, climate change, succession planning, and so much more. Big thanks to Michel Thibault and Marla Norman for translating and providing additional commentary.
Find more info on his wine here: www.michelthibaultwine.com
On today's show, I'm joined by Austin wine industry veterans, Karen Dante and John Duncan. Karen is wine buyer at King Liquors on Burnet and John is an independent distributor sales agent representing several portfolios. They have witnessed the Austin wine scene evolve since the 90s, and both have unique perspectives on how Austin is changing and what to expect for 2018! Spoiler alert: they don't think I'm going to have my wishes of desert wines explode in popularity.
Tune in and see how your tastes match up!
Olive and Anthony Hamilton Russell, owners of South African wineries Ashbourne, Hamilton Russell, and Southern Right, come on the show to talk about their little nook of the Cape South Region called Hemel-en-Aarde. They are pushing the boundaries of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, understanding their vineyards and soils, and garnering attention world-wide to put South African Pinot and Chard on the map. We also have insightful conversation around Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, and so much more. Check it out!
Kevin O'Brien, GM of Expression Wines and Prime Solum, tells the story of how Bill Hill plants vineyards that become super famous, such as Gaps Crown and Zena Crown. We dig into the Sonoma Coast, the "Deep End" of Anderson Valley, and the Eola Amity Hills of Oregon. Steve Alley from the Sorting Table chimes in to describe these wines and how the Texas Market has been receiving them. Also, we hear about Broken Rock Ranch in Napa and so much more! Pinot meets TX tacos, what could be better!
Shane has been making wine all over the world: Washington State, Osoyoos of Canada, Margaret River Australia, Golan Heights Israel, and Sonoma California. In 2013, he moved to Oregon to head up the winemaking of the newly purchased Jackson Family Estates properties of Gran Moraine in the Yamhill-Carlton and Zena Crown Vineyard in the Eola Amity hills. Working in complete synergy with his vineyard manager, Ken Kupperman, Shane is seeking to produce world class wines from Pinot Noir and with a growing interest to Chardonnay. Tune in to hear an amazing break down of the Willamette Valley, and why it is indeed a special place, as well as all the daring techniques Shane's using to produce truly exceptional wines!
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.
