What is it like to participate in the coveted en premiere tasting of the new vintage of Bordeaux wines in France while they’re still in the barrels aging? Which Spanish foods should you pair with the fabulous red wine Monastrell? How does politics influence wine?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with winemaker, writer and podcast host, Lori Budd who graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program. She and her husband own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s also the host of the podcast called Exploring the Glass.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Who are the Rothschilds and what is their association with banking and wine? What was it like to attend the Rothschild family’s ballet competition as their guest? What was Lori’s experience as a participant in an en premiere tasting in Bordeaux? How does the tasting experience differ for wines that are ready to drink versus still in the barrel? How is Portugal’s turbulent history reflected in its wine? What type of wine did Lori taste from the ungrafted vines of the Jumilla region in Spain? How are Jumilla winemakers adapting their styles to meet the changing taste of Monastrell consumers? Which Spanish foods should you try alongside Monastrell? What does Lori love about Spain and Spanish wines? What was Lori’s early career like, first as a microbiologist and then as an adventure educator? How did Lori first fall in love with wine? What was the journey like from wine lover to winemaker?   Key Takeaways I loved Lori’s story about attending the en premiere tasting of the new vintage in Bordeaux while it’s still in the barrels aging. It sounds exciting, terrifying and eye-opening. Lori had some terrific Spanish dishes to pair with the luscious Spanish red wine, Monastrell. I found Lori’s insights on how politics has influenced wine fascinating.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Lori Budd Lori Budd began her career as a microbiologist, but her need for excitement led her into Adventure Education, teaching students how to rock climb, zip line and tie those all important survival knots. Along the way, she fell in love with wine and graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program, along with certifications from a number of other wine programs. She and her husband, Michael, own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s consumed by the stories that unfold as each glass is poured, and shares those in her award-winning blog and podcast called Exploring the Glass.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/181.