Another Bottle Down

Join Jessica and Mark as they put a close to 2025 and welcome 2026 with an in depth discussion on Madeira, the island and its wines.  Mark has been passionate about Madeira for over a decade, partially because it is under-appreciated and is often mistakenly lumped in with Port.  They delve into all things Madeira:  the dynamic of grower and producer, terroir of the island as well as of the cellar, the different production techniques, age indications, sweetness levels, and the cutting edge trends that we'll see in the coming years.   The official Madeira Website: https://vinhomadeira.com/

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off by talking about 9 books that Jessica reviewed for her annual wine books of the year for Forbes.  They then talk more generally on gift giving for the wine lover with tidbits that will come in handy any time of the year.  They also dig into the Benvenuto Brunello event that Jessica attended in Montalcino, Italy, along with a discussion on of methodology in rating vintages for Brunello. Links: Jessica's article in Forbes: 9 Essential 2025 Wine And Spirits Reads For The Curious Drinker Jessica's article on Benvenuto Brunello in Forbes Jessica's article in Guildsomm:  From Stars to Words: How Brunello FORMA Is Redefining Vintage Evaluations

Charles Lazzara is the owner and founder of Volio Imports, an import company focused on but not exclusive to Italian wine.  Jessica and Charles chat about the early days of Volio and how it started as a wholesaler of wine in Colorado.  Eventually, the sale of the wholesale business led to a full focus on the import portfolio and all the particularities of that side of the business.  Charles brings true entrepreneurial acumen to the business and to all of his interactions in market.  Selling wine isn't just about the quality in the glass these days, it's about compelling stories and how producers can further connect with the consuming public.  Lots of great selling tidbits in this episode. Links: Volio Imports Websites here

On today's show, Jessica gets together a group of wine and beverage journalists for a roundtable discussion on the state of the wine industry.  Each journalist has an interesting and well-researched perspective on various angles of the industry that they have been reporting on throughout the year.  From declining wine sales, producers recalibrating business models, innovative ways brands have connected with consumers, eco-labeling, tariffs, and what to look for in 2026, this episode has it all. Our panel and the relevant articles they have written on the state of the industry: Shana Clarke (based in NYC): https://vinepair.com/articles/what-the-wine-industry-needs-right-now/ https://daily.sevenfifty.com/insights-from-our-2025-beverage-industry-career-and-salary-report/ https://substack.com/@shanaspeakswine   Kate Dingwall (based in Toronto): https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/california-wine-production-plummets/ https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/trump-tariff-price-impacts/   Kathleen Willcox (based in New York) https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/how-to-win-wine-sales-in-a-losing-market/ https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/10/07/next-gen-wine-win-over-the-modern-consumer-through-influence-identity-and-occasion/ https://kathleenwillcox.substack.com/   Jessica Dupuy (based in Texas) https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicadupuy/2025/01/22/wine-tariffs-a-complicated-problem-with-uncertain-outcomes/#:~:text=ByJessica%20Dupuy%2C,Contributor.&text=As%20the%20current%20term%20of,during%20President%20Trump's%20previous%20administration.    https://jessicadupuy.substack.com/  

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off the holiday season and head out to the Texas Hill Country to check out an over-performing winery, Elisa Christopher.  They sit down with the owner/ winemaker, Elisa Jones, who is quickly making a name for herself in the Texas industry as a leader for quality sparkling wine both under her own label as well as a custom disgorging facility for other wineries.  They chat about Elisa's previous career in intelligence with the Department of Defense as well as all the challenges of setting up a dedicated in-house disgorging facility and growing Texas grapes for sparkling wine production.  Mark and Jessica are excited to continue to follow the evolution of Elisa Christopher wines and the overall sparkling segment of Texas wines. Check out Elisa Christopher Website Here Check out the Another Bottle Down Episode on the Texas Vintners Cup here.