The Zonda Wine Podcast

The Odyssey of a Wine Critic with 'Vinous' Reviewer Joaquín Hidalgo

In this episode, we sit down with Joaquín Hidalgo — Buenos Aires-based wine journalist, Vinous [https://vinous.com/] reviewer, and the first Argentinean to join the international wine critic elite. Joaquín covers Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Portugal for Antonio Galloni's world renowned publication, Vinous, and has written for La Nación, Playboy and other local newspapers. We talk about his journey from winemaker to wine critic, his ironclad rules for integrity in a crumbling system, tasting with the world's best producers, and the only wine he ever gave 100 points. Joaquín also shares his thoughts on the rapidly evolving Argentine wine scene. This interview was filmed in Buenos Aires at Romanée Wine Experience [https://www.instagram.com/romaneeok/]. Timestamps: * 0:02 — Introduction to Joaquín Hidalgo * 3:18 — Origins in Mendoza and the Agricultural School * 3:37 — From enologist to journalist * 9:43 — First steps in wine journalism * 12:07 — Integrity and independence as a critic * 16:50 — The role of the critic and scores * 17:32 — Tasting with producers and calibrating the palate * 21:46 — Covering Spain for Vinous * 27:25 — The wine that deserved 100 points * 34:45 — Favorite regions in Argentina * 42:30 — The Argentine DNA and the wine industry * 49:00 — The rise of white wines in Argentina * 52:02 — Wine consumption and the Buenos Aires market * 59:21 — Pairings: the best wine for a barbecue * 1:00:22 — The oldest wine and personal preferences * 1:02:29 — Wines at home and favorite cocktail * (00:00) - Introducción a Joaquín Hidalgo * (03:18) - Orígenes en Mendoza y el Liceo Agrícola * (03:37) - Del enólogo al periodista * (09:43) - Primeros pasos en el periodismo de vino * (12:07) - Integridad e independencia como crítico * (16:50) - El rol del crítico y los puntajes * (17:32) - Catar con productores y calibrar el paladar * (21:46) - Cubriendo España para Vinous * (27:25) - El vino que mereció 100 puntos * (34:45) - Regiones favoritas de Argentina * (42:30) - El ADN argentino y la industria del vino * (49:00) - El auge de los vinos blancos en Argentina * (52:02) - Consumo y mercado del vino en Buenos Aires * (59:21) - Maridajes: el mejor vino para un asado * (01:00:22) - El vino más viejo y preferencias personales * (01:02:29) - Vinos en casa y cocktail favorito

Beyond Your Control: The Creation of Newfound Wines

This episode features the founders of California's Newfound Wines [https://www.newfoundwines.com/], Matt & Audra Naumann, in their Napa home. The fearless husband-wife duo started the nature-led project in 2016 after discovering a 40-acre Sierra Foothills property with a bonded winery and about 16 plantable acres. With roughly 20 years experience in the wine industry at renowned wineries, they chose to build a tangible, farming-driven estate winery rather than just a label, tearing out five heavily virused acres, and enduring setbacks including extreme rainfall and a landslide. Their first estate fruit arrived in 2024, which shows the patience and persistence of these two talented winemakers and farmers. They focus on Mediterranean varieties like Grenache and Chenin Blanc, farm organically, and price most wines at $55 and under to keep them accessible for many.  Enjoy this episode and go get yourself a bottle, they're fun to taste with their rugged edges and unique flavors. Buy here: https://www.newfoundwines.com/collection/available/ [https://www.newfoundwines.com/collection/available/]

Follow Your Skill, Not Your Dream: Boia De's Gabriela Ospina on Finding Her Way Into Wine

Boia De [https://www.boiaderestaurant.com/] is one of Miami’s top restaurants. Bar none. How this 27-seat restaurant wedged between a coin laundry and supermarket in a strip mall rose to the top is a testament to the vision of owners and chef-partners Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer. And of course, Gabriela Ospina, the wine director responsible for putting together an esoteric wine list filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered and remembered.  In our latest podcast episode, Gaby talks about her life leading up to Boia De, which includes a decade-long stint in San Francisco, meeting Robin Williams during her cocktail waitress days, managing a restaurant during peak COVID days, and coming into wine at her own pace.  Gaby also opens up about a devastating fire that took her home and precious belongings in 2024, and how the wine community showed up to get her back on her feet.  For aspiring sommeliers and restaurant lovers, this chat is for you. Gaby gets technical and breaks down how bottle pricing really works, what the industry’s ‘panic’ headlines get wrong, and why there will always be room for wine at the table.

No Investors, Pure Grit: How Jeff Mausbach Built One of Argentina's Top Wines, Mil Suelos

Jeff Mausbach's lift changing wine was a bottle of Giacomo Conterno. A young kid scrapping for extra cash in the busy restaurant scene of Chicago, he took one sip and got hooked. Born and raised in Nebraska then studying in Chicago, Jeff was nowhere near wine country. But when he fell in love with an Argentinean during his European travels, destiny took him to his wife's hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. With only his taste for fine wine and a few words of Spanish in his back pocket, he convinced legendary vintner Nicolas Catena to bring him on, kickstarting a lifelong journey in wine. In 2010, Jeff co-founded 'Mil Suelos [https://milsuelos.com/en/mil-suelos-winery/]' with award-winning viticulturist Alejandro Sejanovich and Jorge Crotta. With a handful of savings, an old vineyard purchase, and a dream of capturing Argentina's most iconic sites, they set off to produce wines of extraordinary caliber from Uco Valley, Mendoza to Jujuy's 10,000 foot vineyards. As Mil Suelos celebrates 15 years, a recent tasting of their first vintages reveals the wines' superior quality and aging potential.  This is Jeff Mausbach's incredible story from the midwest to the Andes Mountains.

Bolgheri: The Wine That Captured America with Castello di Bolgheri’s Clemente Zileri Dal Verme

What do Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Castello di Bolgheri and Guado al Tasso have in common? They come from a small coastal wine appellation called BOLGHERI.  Clemente Zileri of Castello di Bolgheri delivers a masterclass on this paradise along the Tuscan Coast, which has captured the attention of Americans for the wines' approachable flavor profile and superior aging potential. We thought that Castello di Bolgheri would be the perfect place to start. The winery houses the oldest cellar dating back to 1796. And Clemente's winemaking family dynasty goes back 1,000 years! Listen in as we break down the history of Bolgheri through the lens of the family that built it from the ground up. For more information on Bolgheri DOC, visit https://www.bolgheridoc.com/en/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjViTjBJLXNvRndTeElIN1pEZE90STBDaDlmd3xBQ3Jtc0tuV3pTV2t1U3FYVkVKTmRUR0duUzNBUmpadzNCMllUTDFNWnpwaWoxRDRMY1gzTzB1dHRGOTdJak12Ymk4RkRJS00zU2dRT19aSURuZ1Q5OTNUTldNdGRfdmpqQzJ5N3dBaFUzemREcDBfck5YeEkwNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bolgheridoc.com%2Fen%2F&v=5tp7zLJKCOM]For more information on Castello di Bolgheri, visit https://www.castellodibolgheri.com/en [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHJyWXhOZEVXZjJxRWlia0VheElTMlhUV3J3QXxBQ3Jtc0trTTNpR05BU3p0aHdxYXlzUHJnZE9uc0xMa3NER0dEUzhGSGRrWGg4NzVQWkNZZ25PeEdJWW44WEZIRFNXdFNqcVQxQ0JnOFE5R01EOHBxRXRFb1JocFNCTXh1WG42LXJFYmxaT2FBTEhqaFFpZHlXcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.castellodibolgheri.com%2Fen&v=5tp7zLJKCOM]