Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 24

Cork Crew Q&A with Texas Winemaker, Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars

Air Date: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

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We are switching things up this week and doing things a little differently! 

Every month with the Cork Crew I host a virtual community event and in September I had the pleasure of bringing Texas winemaker, Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars, into the Cork Crew for a Q&A!

Wait! Texas produces wine?!

Yes you read that right! Texas does produce wine and I wanted to share this conversation with you and give you an exclusive sneak peek into the Cork Crew Virtual Tasting Club!

Join me as I chat with Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars. After earning his civil engineering degree and working his “big boy job,” as he calls it, for a couple years, Andrew found himself being pulled back toward the passion he’d cultivated for growing grapes and making wine. 

Andrew believes that Texas can produce the highest quality wine, as high quality as anywhere in the world. And once you try his wines, you’ll have a hard time arguing with that.

In this episode, Andrew dives into the importance that farming has in Texas winemakin as well as how the continental climate affects the growing conditions in Texas year after year. He also explains how it differs grape growing in different areas of the state from the Hill Country to the High Plains (two of Texas’ AVAs).

Discover why Texas is better off growing grapes like Picpoul and Viognier over more popular varieties like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio! Gain insight on the misconceptions surrounding Texas wines. Are they flawed? Are they too sweet? Well, Andrew has all of the answers during this conversation!

If you are ready to be inspired to try wines from Texas press play and listen in!

Episode Highlights:

• Who is Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars

• How Andrew went from a civil engineering graduate to founder of Lost Draw Cellars

• Importance of farming in Texas winemaking

• Challenges of Texas weather on growing grapes

• Is Texas wine any good

• Unique vintage variation that Texas embraces

• Growing grapes in the Hill Country AVA vs the High Plains AVA

• What makes Texas great for growing grapes

• Why Lost Draw Cellars grows Picpoul grapes

• Common misconceptions about Texas wine

• What wine is Texas known for

Have you joined the Cork Crew?! 
The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Use code WINE101 to get your first month free!

Learn more about the Cork Crew here - https://www.corkandfizz.com/thecorkcrew

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Email - [email protected]