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/

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.

On today's show, Mark and Jessica have a meandering conversation based on some more abstract concepts that Mark has be exploring. While it was originally intended to be a conversation about learning wine and wine education, Mark takes a different course and explores the relationship between wine and art. "Do we find beauty in wine" and "can imperfect wines be attractive," are some of the larger topics Mark and Jessica tackle.

Cited:

What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory, by Brian Eno

On today's show, Mark and Jessica celebrate October as Texas Wine Month with a recap of the 5th annual Texas Vintner's Cup. Sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture's Uncork Texas Wines program, Jessica along with Master Sommeliers Jack Mason and Steven McDonald have judged hundreds of Texas wines to come up with a full case of the top 12 wines from this year. Plus, there are an additional 30 wines that received honorable mention.

Listen in as Mark and Jessica dive into the trends, surprises, and the fun from behind the scenes of this year's judging. Also, Mark and Jessica kick off this episode by talking about Jessica's forthcoming book Italianality, due to hit shelves in March of next year.

Useful links:

Preorder Italianality by Jessica Dupuy and Andrea Lonardi

Full article on the Texas Vintners Cup at Texas Monthly

Online article on the Texas Vintners Cup

Sevenfifty Daily: Jessica's article on Volatile Acidity

On today's episode, Jessica is joined by the Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, the current owner and managing director of Tenuta San Leonardo in Trentino. Over 1,000 years ago, San Leonardo was founded as a monastery, but it has served as the residence of the Marchese Guerrieri Gonzaga family for over three centuries. Anselmo elaborates on the winemaking traditions of the estate, starting with his father the Marchese Carlo being drawn to Bordeaux and eventually working with the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta at San Guido (before Sassicaia was made).

Anselmo is such an advocate for Trentino and the Bordeaux varieties in Northern Italy vs the coastal Bolgheri. Additionally, he breaks down the fascinating history of Carmenere in the region and his uncompromising attitude to creating an honest and drinkable style of wine. So many great stories in this episode, please enjoy!

Fact checking:

The weather is actually cooling off in Austin; we're currently experience a delightful Texas fall.

Bordeaux and Coonawarra Australia are both Region II on the Winkler scale of 'Growing Degree Days' with Trentino being Region III on the valley floors and Region II on the higher elevation vineyards.

Links:

San Leonardo Website