The Wine Hour

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forzcek along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour. We have the pleasure to welcome Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com, Bordeaux, France. PROGRAM Introduction [0:00]: Show opening with Antoine’s Abou-Samra introduction “A Humbling Year”, and the cast introduction. Uncorked [7:19]: Jaime Araujo and Ray Isle share their best holiday season wine experiences and their trend forecasts for 2023. Licensed To Taste [38:55]: Tanisha Townsend explains the wines of Alba and Asti and shares the outcome of your 2022 New Year’s resolutions in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [50:02]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Jane Anson about her journey, how she got into, the people that supported her, the start of janeanson.com, the book Inside Bordeaux , and much more. A wonderful conversation 😍. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Jane is the founder of www.janeanson.com, a site that she launched in October 2021 after leaving Decanter magazine, where she was longtime Bordeaux correspondent. Recipient of the IWSC 2023 Wine Communicator Trophy, Jane is author of Inside Bordeaux (called the 'Bordeaux bible' by Le Figaro), Wine Revolution, The Club of Nine, Angélus and Bordeaux Legends, a history of the 1855 First Growth Wines. She has won many awards for her writing, is a graduate of the DUAD tasting diploma with the Bordeaux Institute of Oenology, an accredited wine teacher at the Bordeaux Ecole du Vin and co-founder of the Bordeaux Mentor Week (inaugural edition held in September 2022) aimed at opening up diversity and access in the world of wine. She was the first woman to give the André Simon lecture for the International Wine and Food Society since the lecture series began in 1971, speaking on the subject of Bordeaux terroir in June 2020. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0yu0t9q0uAxHKl6Oexihi9?si=de7d2c924e5c4061 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour. We have the pleasure to welcome Stevie Kim, Vinitaly International, Verona, Italy. PROGRAM Uncorked [6:58]: Jaime Araujo and Akos Forzcek talk about their best food moment of the Summer Licensed To Taste [34:59]: Tanisha Townsend makes us dream with her trips to South Africa and Italy, and talks about “La Rentrée” in the Wine Minute.. Have A Drink With Me [47:11]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Stevie Kim about her journey, Vinitaly, Italian Wines, and much more. What a wonderful conversation 😍. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Stevie Kim  Managing Director @ Vinitaly International Stevie Kim was born in Korea and raised in the United States. Today, she lives in Verona, Italy. At first she attended the NYU – Leonard N. Stern School of Business. After settling in Italy, she obtained an MBA at Bocconi University, School of Economics and Management. Later, she achieved a postgraduate specialization in Wealth Management at the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School. Stevie is currently working on her WSET Diploma, from the Weinakademie Österreich in Rust, Austria. As Managing Director of Vinitaly International, Stevie has launched and now coordinates a series of new initiatives connected to the Vinitaly brand. As Professional Wine Groupie, Stevie is always seeking innovative ways to communicate Italian wine – with a strong creative emphasis on social media and educational platforms. In 2017, Stevie produced the Italian Wine Podcast, the first podcast in English dedicated exclusively to Italian wine and its personalities. In June 2022 the show reached three million listens and officially hit the 1000 episode mark; the show now airs 7 days a week, 365 days a year and features some of the best known voices in the international wine community. Along with books, maps, and videos, the Italian Wine Podcast is part of the “Mamma Jumbo Shrimp” project, an umbrella brand conceived during the COVID lockdown of 2020. The brand represents an ethos, taking big concepts and making them accessible in smaller bites. It also strives to harness emerging social media platforms and bring together a global community of wine enthusiasts. Every week, the Mamma Jumbo Shrimp YouTube channel airs Stevie’s “On The Road Edition” travels to wineries and regions across Italy. Being a bit curious, a bit sociologist, and a bit digital geek, Stevie regularly creates new opportunities to engage the wine community and help wineries – even during the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s currently a Clubhouse addict: if you are a wine lover or a wine professional, you would want to keep an eye on the two clubs she created on this new platform, Italian Wine and Wine Business. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DmsEPZd4JNDAxaBm7sKxX?si=3f913420c5ff4957 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join our panel of Special Guests, Dr. Akilah Cadet (Change Cadet), Dr. Laura Catena (Catena Zapata), Rebecca Hopkins (A Balanced Glass) and Rania Zayyat (Lift Collective), and the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forzcek, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour. We have the pleasure to welcome Ferdinand Mähler-Besse, Château Palmer, Bordeaux, France. PROGRAM Uncorked [5:28]: Jaime Araujo and Akos Forzcek talk about: Is there a “revolution” taking place in Napa? Licensed To Taste [35:38]: Tanisha Townsend talks about Wine Tourism and her Wine Bucket List in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [42:52]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Ferdinand Mähler-Besse about his journey, Château Palmer, Sobovi, tradition, modernity, and much more. What a wonderful conversation 😍. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Born in June 1977 in Bordeaux, Ferdinand Mähler-Besse is the 4th generation of a family of wine merchants and producers in Bordeaux. He grew up and studied in Bordeaux. After business school, he went to New York in September 2001 to work in the distribution of great Bordeaux wines. He returned to Bordeaux in 2004 to work in the family trading house until 2011. Following family conflicts between his father and his brothers and sisters, he was asked to leave. He then joined the Bernard group at the end of 2011 to take care of exports at SOBOVI (a wine trading company dedicated to B to B within the group). He is now secretary general of SOBOVI and shareholder of the Bernard group. He is also co-owner and administrator of the Mähler-Besse trading house, manager of his family branch at Château Palmer and co-manager of the family holding company which brings together all their investments. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6rF7O2Ppm7wyXOdYl0PauL Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour. We have the pleasure to welcome Michael Ellis, Passionomy, Dubai & Brussels. PROGRAM Uncorked [6:26]: Jaime Araujo, Ray Isle and Akos Forzcek talk about: Who needs the other the most: Hospitality or Wine Industry?. Licensed To Taste [39:23]: Tanisha Townsend gives us a primer on Wine Confréries (brotherhood/sisterhood): What are they? Why do they exist? and shares her personal view in the Wine Minute.. Have A Drink With Me [45:04]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Michael Ellis about his journey, the Michelin Guide, Gastronomy, Passionomy, and much more. What a wonderful conversation 😍. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Before co-founding digital content start-up Passionomy.tv in early 2021,  Michael was the Chief Culinary Officer at Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts from 2018 until 2021, overseeing the food and beverage activities of their 23 properties in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Prior to his time at Jumeirah, from 2011 to 2018, Michael was Global Director of the world-renowned Michelin Guides, managing the Michelin Inspection teams around the world and overseeing the production of Michelin Guides in 27 countries around the globe. This gave Michael an intimate knowledge of the world’s best chefs and restauranteurs and a unique understanding of global culinary trends. Earlier in his career, Michael has held senior commercial roles with a number of multinational companies in Europe, including leisure industry leader Club Med, the world’s largest wine and spirits producer, Diageo, and the motorcycle tire division of Michelin. As a young man Michael attended the Ecole Hoteliere Ferrandi in Paris, and worked both in front and back of the house positions at Fairmont and Rosewood hotels. A dual American and French citizen, Michael has spent most of his life in Europe, and speaks fluently French, Spanish and Italian in addition to his native English. Michael obtained degrees from Oberlin College (B.A.) and Johns Hopkins University (M.A.) in the USA and INSEAD (M.B.A.) in France. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1bHeTZLCVJ1NvLpyPR3r5S?si=e4b896add87545b0 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour. We have the pleasure to welcome Rebecca Hopkins, A Balanced Glass, USA. PROGRAM Uncorked [6:02]: Jaime Araujo and Ray Isle discuss: In a world beset by global issues like pandemics, or the war in Ukraine, why does wine matter at all? Licensed To Taste [29:54]: Tanisha Townsend gives us a primer on the wines of Lago di Garda, and shares her views on the world these days in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [37:31]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Rebecca Hopkins about her journey, the reasons she started A Balanced Glass, Mental Health, wellness and more. What a wonderful conversation 😍. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Rebecca Hopkins is an experienced wine communications strategist, speaker, moderator, host and writer. With a 30-year career in the wine business spanning Australia and the U.S., Rebecca founded and launched A Balanced Glass in 2018 with a mission to provide education and resources to wine industry colleagues  to  help  maintain  health  and  wellbeing  while  working  in  the  beverage  alcohol  industry. Raised in South Australia, and a graduate of wine business from the University of Adelaide, Rebecca spent 15 years in the Australian wine industry in sales, marketing, distribution and communication roles before relocating to San Francisco in 2007 with Constellation Brands as Vice President of Public Relations and National Events. She returned to family winemaking in 2012, joining national importer Folio Fine Wine Partners, owned by the Michael Mondavi Family, leading the communications strategy and programming for the 20+ family-owned producers who share a national marketing and sales presence in the US market until 2022. Rebecca has moderated and presented speaker panels at Women of the Vine & Spirits, VinItaly International, and Wine2Wine. A guest speaker at Sonoma State University, University of Bologna, and Australia’s Women in Wine Global Symposium, her work has been published in SevenFiftyDaily, Meininger’s Wine Business International magazine and Wine Business Monthly. She resides in San Francisco and can often be found with yoga mat in hand. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CQehCpslGM8eTqu7MzGdL?si=9c24980151bb4b50 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forzcek, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour. We have the pleasure to welcome Jason Haas, Tablas Creek, USA. PROGRAM Uncorked [8:21]: Jaime Araujo and Akos Forzcek talk about the future of En Primeur. Licensed To Taste [30:26]: Tanisha Townsend gives us a primer on California Wines, and shares her take on starting live events again in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [34:17]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Jason Haas about his journey, regenerative organic certifications, amd much more. What a wonderful conversation 😍. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Jason Haas is the second-generation proprietor of Tablas Creek, serving in the dual roles of Partner and General Manager. In his two decades at the winery his family founded in partnership with the Perrins of Chateau de Beaucastel, Jason has overseen the business, winemaking, sales and marketing. In addition to his work at Tablas Creek, Jason has led the boards of directors of both the Rhone Rangers and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and is a board member of Free the Grapes. His writing has been published in Wine Business Monthly, Wines & Vines, Decanter, Wine Industry Network and Wine Searcher. His photography has appeared in Wine Spectator, Forbes, the Washington Post, and Wine Enthusiast. He is principal author of the Tablas Creek blog, an eight-time finalist and two-time winner for the Wine Blog Award’s “Best Wine Blog”. In recognition of his contributions to the Paso Robles wine community, he was voted by his peers 2015 Paso Robles Wine Country Wine Industry Person of the Year and 2017 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Person of the Year. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xhvux4wu870MTYyqjHUlz?si=c3af0466e96a4205 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #20. We have the pleasure to welcome Pepe Raventós, Raventós i Blanc, Spain. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Dynamic, active and passionate about the world of wine and wine growing. Pepe Raventós joined Raventós i Blanc in 2001. He has been part of the world of wine from an early age, spending his summers picking grapes in Sant Sadurní. Pepe also spent hours working on the vineyards in Saint Emilion, learning to make red wines. He gained experience in making terroir wines working alongside Didier Dagenau on Pouilly Fumé, Olivier Lamy at Saint Aubin, Harald Hexamer in the Nahe region and Phillippe Blanc in Alsace. He is always eager to pursue excellence in every detail of his winery. Pepe has taken Raventos i Blanc to the next step, becoming a winegrowing international brand and a point of reference worldwide for its working methods; bringing back together animal, plant and man on a single agricultural unit. In 2012 Pepe Raventós decides to leave the DO Cava to start a new path: Conca del Riu Anoia. Pepe Raventós believes that there is an opportunity for honest wines resulting from a single estate, a specific climate, native grape varieties and rigorous, well-defined and respectful form of viticulture. Now a days, his goal remains the same, to pursue excellence in everything he does, but not through perfection but authenticity; take from each plot the best possible grape and the best possible wine. His passion is viticulture and the vineyard. The cellar is the accompaniment of work done on the vineyard “when you realize nature is the protagonist, you can make wines that are closer to art." Program uncorked [6:37]: jaime araujo, akos forzcek and ray isle talk about the risk of great wine regions like Burgundy and Napa Valley to lose new wine drinkers because of ever-escalating prices. Licensed To Taste [28:05]: Tanisha Townsend gives us an overview of tGrenache, and shares her take on Young People and Wine in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [35:56]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Pepe Raventósabout hisjourney, his foray into Natural Wine, and what matters to him.What a wonderful conversation 😍. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7xUJW0R9RJ3NZj5Ynsq7wI?si=5a7a56c0d31f4d8d Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #19. We have the pleasure to welcome Philana Bouvier, Demeine Estates, USA. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Philana Bouvier is the President of Demeine Estates. She provides leadership and vision in creating a best-in-class sales and marketing organization. Demeine Estates serves and supports a dynamic and growing portfolio of the Lawrence family and Managing Partner, Carlton McCoy Jr. owned fine wine estates and import supplier partners. The collection includes Heitz Cellar, Burgess, Stony Hill, Brendel, Ink Grade, and Champagne Legras & Haas. Upon her arrival to Demeine Estates in April 2021, Philana Bouvier established her reputation as an inspiring, engaging leader in the wholesale community, building, elevating, and innovating the wine and spirits industry. She was most recently the Vice President Fine Wine, Supplier Business Development at Republic National Distributing Company. Prior to RNDC, Philana led new business development at Young’s Market Company for prospect management and new supplier engagement. She has held several leadership roles including General Manager for Young’s Hawaii – a move that would make her the industry’s first non-family, female executive to lead statewide sales, marketing, and operations for a major alcohol distributor in the United States. Evolving consumer buying habits remains a focus for Philana, where her critical thinking and industry insight is valued. The fast-paced and evolving nature of the wine industry is well-suited for Philana’s dynamic personality and work ethic, rooted in a quest for collaboration. PROGRAM Uncorked [5:29]: Jaime Araujo, Akos Forzcek and Ray Isle talk about young and old wines. Licensed To Taste [30:05]: Tanisha Townsend gives us an overview of the wines of Ukraine, and shares her take on “An American in Paris” in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [40:25]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Philana Bouvier about her journey, her mission at Demeine Estates, and what matters to her. What a wonderful conversation 😍. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/503GHpwWU95Z316fIGkCzd?si=b52b432052aa42cf Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #18. We have the pleasure to welcome Joseph Calleja, The Maltese Tenor, Malta. SPECIAL GUEST BIO “Only one lyric tenor on the scene today has the honeyed tone and ingratiating style to make comparisons to Pavarotti and Gigli seem serious, and it is Calleja, the man from Malta, who is now maturing into an artist of the first rank.” – New Yorker Blessed with a golden-age voice that routinely inspires comparisons to “legendary singers from earlier eras: Jussi Björling, Beniamino Gigli, even Enrico Caruso” (Associated Press), Maltese-born Joseph Calleja has quickly become one of the most acclaimed and sought-after tenors today. His expansive discography and frequent appearances on the world’s leading opera and concert stages prompted NPR to hail him as “arguably today’s finest lyric tenor,” and led to his being voted Gramophone magazine’s 2012 Artist of the Year. A Grammy-nominated recording artist for Decca Classics, he has released five solo albums for the label. Born in Malta in 1978, Joseph Calleja began singing at the age of 16, first in his church choir and then in formal training with Maltese tenor Paul Asciak. One of his native land’s biggest celebrities, Calleja was selected to serve as Malta’s first cultural ambassador in 2012, and he was named a brand ambassador for Air Malta. Calleja recently teamed up with Malta’s Bank of Valletta to form the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation, which will serve to help children and families in need. Calleja is the recipient of the 2014 International Opera Awards’ Readers’ Award. With a passion for Gastronomy, Joseph Calleja is also a wine lover and collector. PROGRAM Uncorked [6:56]: Jaime Araujo, Akos Forzcek and Ray Isle talk about fake and counterfeit wines, the impact on the industry and collectors. Licensed To Taste [32:01]: Tanisha Townsend meets the challenge to give a primer on Maltese wine sand share your views of Black History Month in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [44:47]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Joseph Calleja about his journey, his love of Malta, Opera and Wine. What a fascinating conversation 😍. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3L9l2eoZnxvhuJdvlI2Cp0?si=7960bf7ad68f41ab Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram Facebook Linkedin Telegram Community

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #17. We have the pleasure to welcome Egon Müller, Scharzhof, Germany. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Weingut Egon Müller, Scharzhof, is located just outside Wiltingen. The winery is located in the Mosel wine region, more specifically the Saar district. The winery's prized wines come from the vineyard Scharzhofberg. At present Egon IV, a former student of the University of Applied Sciences Geisenheim, is in the managing position. The Egon Müller dynasty is a member of the First families of wine organisation. At the Scharzhof, Egon IV favours a traditionally minimalist approach to winemaking. His work continues to be based on the quality-driven philosophy of the late Egon Müller III.: "One hundred per cent of the quality of a wine is generated in the vineyard. It is impossible to reach even 101 per cent in the cellars but it is a great achievement to pack the full potential of the vines into a bottle". A descendant of a legendary wine making family, Egon Müller produces Germany’s most acclaimed Rieslings. The combination of the fantastic Scharzhofberger terroir, the greatest Grand Cru in Germany, and Egon’s genius as a winemaker, result in wines of incredible minerality, fruit, acidity and perfect balance. All Egon Müller’s wines have great ageing potential, yet are delicious when consumed young PROGRAM Uncorked [4:55]: Jaime Araujo, Akos Forzcek and Ray Isle talk about cork and its importance in the wine world, from the consumer side to the producer side. Licensed To Taste [27:56]: Tanisha Townsend meets the challenge to explain in less than 10 minutes German Ripeness Levels. Not small feat :) and give your thoughts on: "Is wine education important to enjoy wine" in the Wine Minute. Have A Drink With Me [37:37]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Egon Müller his journey, the importance of your family legacy, your approach to wine making, and how you view the challenges of the future. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1uyQUFy5Q1V031WlACMHnd?si=ab5c34b1e5644a03 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJk

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forzcek, and Ray Isle, along with the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #16. We have the pleasure to welcome Georgia Panagopoulou, Wine Gini, Greece. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Better known as wine.gini, her name in the real world is Georgia Panagopoulou. A digital marketeer from Greece, making "wine social"! From chemical engineering to wine, she is by nature a problem solver, making wine user friendly and approachable while creating brand awareness with digital strategies. With wine studies in 30 wine countries and digital expertise, she built a global wine network with brands around the world. Using the stimuli from this global experience, she creates wine content that is detailed, creative, fresh and targeted combining her Old world heritage with a New world flair. Wine Gini is a blog created in January 2017. A gateway for wine lovers who seek wine experience through travel & life moments. Wine content is all about engagement and efficiency, using a sophisticated yet funky approach. With experience in wine communication in both the Old and New World, her digital work is detailed and trusted by great partners at 10 countries in the wine business, and the world statistics rate @wine.gini among the top IG wine influencers. PROGRAM Uncorked [6:04]: Jaime Araujo, Akos Forzcek and Ray Isle talk about the way wineries choose distributors, distributors choose wineries, and the criteria consumers use to choose wines. Licensed To Taste [32:03]: Tanisha Townsend tells us about 2,000 years of Greek wine history and shares with the audience a wine lover new year’s resolutions. Have A Drink With Me [40:04]: Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Georgia Panagopoulou about her journey, what helped her achieve success, her love of wine, how Greece can be more visible in the world of wine, and the difficulties of her work. We also talk about the dark side of social media, including sexism. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ylM8TA57aDkR10YjYi9Q0?si=a0eb61a049434582 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to/follow our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/ Telegram Community: https://t.me/+8II0wkI7VEVlYTJkconsumersof 

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forzcek,  and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #15. We have the pleasure to welcome David Duband, Domaine David Duband, Burgundy, France. SPECIAL GUEST BIO Clos de la Roche, Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers, Nuits-Saint- Georges 1er Cru Les Procès, Gevrey-Chambertin, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits ... Domaine David Duband, located in Chevannes in the heart of Hautes- Côtes de Nuits, produces fine and elegant wines from 23 prestigious appellations from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin. 24 hectares of vines are cultivated by the Domaine according to the organic ethics required by the Ecocert label. David Duband likes lively, racy and elegant wines expressing the subtleties and the incredible diversity of the Burgundy wine-growing climates. Since 2008, he has chosen to vinify his great Burgundy wines from whole harvests. The noble bitterness of the stalk bringing finesse and elegance to the Pinot Noir. The wines of Domaine Duband are present on 16 of the 25 French gastronomic tables with three stars by the Michelin Guide. Among which the Restaurant Georges V, Le Bristol, Le Doyen in Paris, Le Flocon de Sel in Mégève, Lameloise in Chagny, Louis XV in Monaco ... PROGRAM Uncorked [4:46] Jaime Araujo and Akos Forzcek talk about the Champagne shortage: hype or truth? Licensed To Taste [29:28] Tanisha Townsend explains why Champagne has become the festive drink par excellence, unusual champagne/food pairing and in The Wine Minute what NOT to offer a wine lover for the holidays. Have A Drink With Me [41:31] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with David Duband about Burgundy, his choice for organic, the future challenges, and more. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1jz7muYfMOObR6R3ecdT89?si=40c4344a3d864220 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe/follow to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live / https://www.instagram.com/atablefortwo.live/ Facebook: @atablefortwo.live / https://www.facebook.com/atablefortwo.live/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Ray Isle,  and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #14. We have the pleasure to welcome George Sandeman, House of Sandeman and Ex Ampulla, Porto, Portugal SPECIAL GUEST BIO George Sandeman is the 7th generation of the Sandeman family, who began making and trading in Porto and Sherry in 1790, George has the traditions and heritage of Porto and Sherry on both sides of his family for generations – his mother was a Valdespino, one of the foremost families in Sherry. With this upbringing, George became close with Portuguese and Spanish wines, and in 1971 began his apprenticeship in the Douro. He worked in Oporto, Portugal, and Jerez, Spain, as well as several different wine companies in England and USA before joining The House of Sandeman in London in 1977. When Sandeman became part of the Seagram Company in 1980, George joined Seagram Wine Company’s marketing team in New York, working on imported wine brands such as Black Tower and Partager, and Californian’ wines Sterling Vineyards and The Monterey Vineyard California. Appointed General Manager for The House of Sandeman in 1990, and Chairman in 1991, following the retirement of his father David Sandeman, George then assumed responsibility for the global strategy of the brand Sandeman. In 2002, following the acquisition of The House of Sandeman by Sogrape, George joined the company’s Board. In 2021 George broke out into a new venture, aptly named EX AMPULLA, Latin for “out of the bottle”. Building on experience in general management, brand strategy & marketing, public relations and public affairs, George supports new projects with practical solutions using hands-on, real-world experience, lateral thinking and imagination. George has received the OIV Merit Award for his contribution to the wine sector and is a guest lecturer at the Porto Business School and the Lisbon Catolica Business School. Currently Chancellor of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, George maintains a very strong link to Port Wine and to Sandeman. PROGRAM Uncorked [5:35] Jaime Araujo, Ray Isle and George Sandeman discuss the “new normal” and its impact on the world of wine. Licensed To Taste [26:54] Tanisha Townsend explains the different types of Port Wine. Have A Drink With Me [36:05] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with George Sandeman about the House of Sandeman Legacy, why Port should be rediscovered by consumers, and the future. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the team). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Y31e7mNqcvIKnLBvUXutQ?si=6a7b52423eca433a Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe/follow to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forczek,  and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #13. We have the pleasure to welcome Simon Pavitt, the COO of the London Technology Club and Wingman. London, UK SPECIAL GUEST BIO Simon is a ‘Wingman’, founder of the boutique advisory that manages remarkable people’s ‘Capstones’ (passion projects). He is the Chief Operating Officer of the London Technology Club, an exclusive network of 70+ private investors, VCs, family offices, and institutional partners such as UBS, Barclays, and LGT Vestra. The club’s own fund, The Pledge, of which Simon is an investor, allocates over $30m per year to scale-up/late-stage tech companies. As a leading practitioner of commercial and communications strategy within tech, sports, and entertainment, he has just short of 25 years of experience in fast-paced, dynamic business environments. Simon was previously the Marketing Director of a Formula One team where he applied his challenger mindset to push industry boundaries in the industry for over 10 years. With the London Technology Club, Simon combines technology with members' passions, publishing reports that look at the impact of tech has on the future of the likes of Art, F1, nutrition, longevity, space, and philanthropy. Simon, an oenophile himself has written two wine reports in the past two years. Wine is never far from Simon- the London Technology Club office is based above 67 Pall Mall, he advises both winemakers and UHNW wine lovers on their wine passion projects, his father lives close to Bolgheri, Tuscany where he regularly visits and writes about wine Capstones for the likes of the Mayfair Times, Monaco Life and Club Oenologique… Simon holds a degree in Psychology from Nottingham University and has studied at Harvard Business School. A keen sportsman, he has represented Team GB racing in the Sprint Duathlon World Championships where he finished 26th in his age group. He is soon to publish his first book ‘Capstones: The blueprint for remarkable passion projects that bring joy, meaning, and fulfilment to life'. PROGRAM Uncorked [6:20] Jaime Araujo and Akos Forczek talk about succession planning in the wine industry, and how to perpetuate legacies, and protect heritages. Licensed To Taste [28:55] Tanisha Townsend makes us discover Mont Ventoux wines, and opens our eyes to the influence of Jazz music in the winemaking process  Have A Drink With Me [38:55] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Simon Pavitt about technology and fine wine, how technology can bring good changes in the industry, his love for Italy and much more. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the team). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/597hManPnmr5qNTABu12DA?si=07c4ba53c31042aa Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe/follow to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forczek, and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #12. We have the pleasure to welcome Beth Novak Milliken, President and CEO of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, Napa Valley, USA. SPECIAL GUEST BIO In 1987, Beth Novak Milliken joined her mother, Mary Novak at Spottswoode, becoming the first second-generation family member to become actively involved in guiding Spottswoode Estate Vineyard &Winery. In the more than three decades since, Beth has played a key role in establishing Spottswoode Estate Vineyard as one of the world’s great winegrowing sites, and Spottswoode as one of Napa Valley’s most iconic and respected wineries. She has also quietly built a reputation as a leader in the Napa Valley community, advocating on behalf of the wine industry and the social and environmental causes she holds dear. In addition, Beth has been a strong and effective voice for the Napa Valley wine community. Reflecting the high regard she is held in by her peers, in 1998 Beth was elected the youngest president ever of the Napa Valley Vintners, the first woman to hold the position. Believers in leading by example, Beth and Mary worked with four women winemakers in a row at Spottswoode, before promoting current winemaker Aron Weinkauf to that position. Beth also spearheaded the restoration of Spring Creek, which defines the southern boundary of the estate vineyard. In 2010, Beth and Mary were honorary chairs of Auction Napa Valley, a hugely successful event that raised more than $8,500,000 for Napa Valley nonprofits, and in 2007, Spottswoode joined 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of Spottswoode’s gross revenues each year to nonprofits that support a healthier world. Above all else, Beth sees herself as a steward of her family’s winegrowing estate, carrying on the legacy begun by Mary, who passed away in 2016.“Our family has a four-decade relationship with this land that now spans three generations. I grew up here, along with my four siblings, and now the third generation is enjoying the property. When you own a family winery like ours, the cellar is like a photo album: each vintage of our Spottswoode Estate Cabernet is a picture of a year in our family’s life, and a testament for our love of this place. This is why it has always been so important to us that our wines reflect who we are, and what we believe in, both in terms of the way we farm our vineyard and in the beautiful, balanced style of our wines.” PROGRAM Uncorked [6:20] Jaime Araujo, and Akos Forczek talk about the harvest of 2021 Licensed To Taste [25:21] Tanisha Townsend gives you insight on the crossover between wine and spirits, and in the Wine Minute talks about Wine based cocktails Have A Drink With Me [34:31] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Beth Novak Milliken on the intricacies of Family Businesses, the legacy she is continuing, the care for the environment, and the challenges ahead. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1UdICUu5zcPpCJPryVOFeP?si=2222b35cba3a409a Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe/follow to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forczek, and Ray Isle and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #11. To celebrate the Season 1, you will get to know The Wine Dream Team in more detail. Have fun on the way! PROGRAM Uncorked [5:39] Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, Akos Forczek, and Ray Isle share their most important trend/news of the past 6 to 12 months in the world of wine. Licensed To Taste [29:29] Tanisha Townsend gives you a list of wine to acquire a $500 wine list that would taste like $10,000! Have A Drink With Me [38:39] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with each of the members of the Wine Dream Team. There are some very great insights, and the Pivot Questionnaire is a real epic moment! There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the team). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05dRcUbdHzhRITczeEhFZ1?si=d47885df262445f3 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe/follow to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forczek, and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #10. We have the pleasure to welcome István Szepsy Jr from Szepsy Winery in Tokaj, Hungary. SPECIAL GUEST BIO It all started in the 17th century with Máté Szepsy Laczkó. He was a priest, vine grower and winemaker. Educated abroad, he started to work for the lord of Tokaj, called György Rákóczi the First. Incidently, the Rákoczi family was important for the King and the Tokaj wine was important to the financing of war. György Rákóczi’s wife, Zsuzsanna Lórántffy, controlled the wine business and asked Máté Szepsy Laczkó to define the Aszú wine making rules. That was in 1631. Aszú winemaking started a century earlier but there were no rules yet. Because of his work, Szepsy István Jr great-great-great-….-great grandfather got a Nobility title. Back then, Tokaj was the wine of the Queens, Kings, and Tsars. The wine making perpetuated in the family until the Soviet Union occupation of Hungary post WWII. Private enterprises were banned, and all work was directed to the cooperatives. They were producing mass and cheap wines. At the fall of Berlin Wall and the Communist Block in 1989, Istvan Szepsy Sr reestablished the Szepsy wine brand. He wanted to rediscover the excellence and taste of the Szepsy Tokaj from the Pre-Soviet era and yesteryears. As he retired 5 years ago, Istvan Szepsy Sr focuses solely on the grape production. Graduating as a wine maker in 2004, István Szepsy Jr, the 18th generation in the family, is now managing the winery with his sister Gabriella and her husband, perpetuating the legacy. PROGRAM Uncorked [4:16] Jaime Araujo and Akos Forczek discuss Sweet Wine, its place on the table and in the wine industry. Licensed To Taste [27:30] Tanisha Townsend enhances our knowledge of the different Sweet Wine types and producing regions. Have A Drink With Me [38:45] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with István Szepsy Jr on the history of the Szepsy family, the resurgence of Tokaj and the bright future of the region. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by our guest). It can found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xynHqHQZSjhvYA6lGfC5z?si=6e39a5fbe3bf4711 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Akos Forczek, Tanisha Townsend and Ray Isle, and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #9. We have the pleasure to welcome Elena Adell, Chief Winemaker, and Elena Suàrez, Winemaker, of Campo Viejo in La Rioja. ELENA ADELL, CHIEF WINEMAKER Elena Adell was born in Logroño and has been involved in winemaking since 1985. She started working with Campo Viejo in 1998. The granddaughter of a grower, she studied Agricultural Science at university, specialising in Viticulture and Oenology. In her own words, "Being a Rioja born Agricultural Scientist, I would inevitably end up with vines and wines". She has always worked in Rioja but, simultaneously, has also worked in other Spanish D.O.’s like Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Ribera del Duero, Navarra, Jumilla, and Valdepeñas. An expert in Rioja, Elena has extensive experience working with the Tempranillo. "This fabulous winery provides me with the ideal platform to continue reinforcing the values that have made Campo Viejo a reference in the world of wine." ELENA SUÁREZ, WINEMAKER Elena Suárez was born in Logroño and has long held a passion for winemaking. This passion led Suárez to obtain a degree in Superior Laboratory Technology, before completing a degree in Oenology at the University of La Rioja in 2017. In 2017 whilst completing her studies, Suárez joined the Bodegas Campo Viejo team, supporting the Oenology team during the harvest season before joining the team permanently in 2019. Elena is the reflection of a new winemaking generation in the face of the expert opinion of Elena Adell. Like her wines, she is full of energy, curiosity, and openness. PROGRAM Uncorked [4:42] Jaime Araujo, Akos Forczek and Ray Isle debate the future of Wine Fairs. Licensed To Taste [27:31] Tanisha Townsend talks about Southern Italian wines and food, and in the "Wine Minute" about wine ageing in La Rioja. Have A Drink With Me [36:25] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Elena Adell and Elena Suàrez on La Rioja, Campo Viejo, their winemaking philosophy, the passage of generations, sustainability and much more. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by our guest). It can found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5NHCqBEwAgjdDcyvMuDqt3?si=a6bf50b9dc1149ac Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/

Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Akos Forczek, and Tanisha Townsend,  and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #8. We have the pleasure to welcome Eric Asimov, Chief Wine Critic of The New York Times. Eric Asimov is the chief wine critic of The New York Times and the author of How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto, published by William Morrow, and Wine With Food: Pairing Notes and Recipes From The New York Times, written with recipes by Florence Fabricant and published by Rizzoli. His weekly column appears in the Food section of The Times. Naturally, he is on Twitter and Instagram, @EricAsimov. A collection of his columns is included in The New York Times Book of Wine, published by Sterling Epicure. PROGRAM Uncorked [3:51] Jaime Araujo, Akos Forczek and Eric Asimov debate Wine Scoring: the good, the bad and the ugly. Licensed To Taste [25:48] Tanisha Townsend talks about Southern Italian wines, and in the "Wine Minute" about Rosé. Have A Drink With Me [35:21] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Eric Asimov on wine, his love of wine, Bob Dylan and much more. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by our guest). It can found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0rosTtsJw7cxwQVS600oJQ?si=93349c5da7ad4447 Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/