The Porróncast

Can a famous wine region reinvent itself without losing its audience?

In this live panel discussion led by De Maison Selections founder André Tamers, we explore the changing landscape of Rioja as it transitions from traditional brand-driven consistency toward site-specificity, terroir, and wines of place. Joined by four independent grower-producers from the De Maison portfolio, Andre tackles one of the biggest questions in the wine world today: When a region’s commercial success is built on a uniform, recognizable identity, how do you reframe the narrative around quality and origin without leaving consumers behind?

The panel goes deep on why Rioja is often misunderstood and why place and village identity is the clearest path forward. We debate time versus place, how labeling rules shape what you see on a bottle, and what has to change for small producers to survive and thrive.

In this episode, the panel covers:

• Terroir vs. Aging: How traditional aging classifications can flatten diversity, and why Reserva and Gran Reserva can coexist with village wines when terroir leads the story.
• Village Microclimates: How limestone soils drive acidity in Samaniego whites, altitude brings freshness to Labastida, and river-influenced terraces shape San Vicente.
• Rethinking Oak: The role of oak as a complementary tool rather than the dominant flavor profile.
• Industry Action: What importers, retailers, and educators must do as Rioja portfolios become more granular and place-focused.

Guest Panel: 

Pablo Rodríguez of Remelluri

Alain Quintana representing the Cosecheros de Labastida 

Maríasun Saenz de Samaniego from Bodegas Ostatu 

Carlos Yécora of Bodegas Luberri

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If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

In the live panel discussion, Mike Aloi, the National Spirits Portfolio Manager at De Maison selections leads a discussion about Whisky distilleries in France, the Basque Region and Breton through the lens of water, wood, time. Through this panel, both perspective and pathways are charted for the future of these burgeoning areas for world-class whisky.

Guest Distillers include:

Stéphane Bogaert of T.O.S Distillery in the Hauts-de-France

Lénaïck Lemaitre of Naguelann Distillery in Brittany

Santi from Acha distillery in the Basque Country

Philippe Vançon from Jacoulot Distillery in Burgundy

Whisky Tasted:

• T.O.S Distillerie Whisky Artesia Pur Malt
• Jacoulot 13yr Single Malt
• Destilerías Acha Ibar 8 yr Basque Mountain Whisky
• Destilerías Acha Haran 21 yr Basque Mountain Whisky
• Naguelann Dieil Sklaer
• Naguelann Dieil Pevar Ch'oad

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If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

In this live seminar, third-generation winemaker Louise Chéreau of Chéreau-Carré leads us through the origins of the Muscadet appellation and the modern development of its Cru Communaux system.

This episode offers a seminal exploration of terroir and time as Louise highlights four distinct Cru Communaux wines from the Chéreau-Carré portfolio:

Chéreau-Carré Cru Monnières Saint Fiacre 2016

Chéreau-Carré 'Le Clos' Cru La Haye Fouassière 2018

Chéreau-Carré Cru Clisson 2018

Chéreau-Carré Cru Chateau-Thébaud 2022

Chéreau-Carré Comte Leloup de la Chasseloir 'Cuvée Ceps Centenaires' 2019

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demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

In this live seminar, Noah Chichester lays out the context, history and incredible potential of Galician wine while exploring four pioneering wineries: 

• Do Ferreiro in Rías Baixas
• Ladeiras do Xil in Valdeorras
• Abadía da Cova in Ribeira Sacra 
• Emilio Rojo in Ribeiro.

Providing a spotlight on these iconic producers, Noah walks through how these wineries contributed to the vinous landscape of Galicia and explores how Galicia is producing some of the most important wines of terroir in Spain today.

For the most important resource on Galician Wine on the web visit: winesofgalicia.com & follow Noah on instagram @nchichester

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demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

Michael Aloi (insta: @porronthebar), Spirits Portfolio Manager at De Maison joins us to explore Naguelann, a distinctive Breton distillery of Celtic-style whisky.

We dive into Brittany’s culture, the state of French Whisky through the lens of Whisky Breton and explain “cask-started” aging while tasting the Naguelann lineup -- each whisky that turns the artistic and explorative intent of the talented distiller, Lénaîck Lemaitre, into deeply balanced flavor.

As promised and for your listening pleasure, here is a link to the album Lénaîck Lemaitre composed, and his distillerie website. 

Remember, if you #findtheporrón, it’s De Maison.

Send us Fan Mail

demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

In 2019, Théo Cordonnier joined his family at Château Anthonic, a pioneer in organic and agroforestry farming, as well as their new project in the gravel terroir of Grands Poujeaux, Lestage-Darquier.

Théo shares the principles of regenerative farming and agroforestry practiced at his family estate that are humbly transforming the landscape of the Left Bank. We also decode En Primeur and La Place de Bordeaux through an example that includes tickets to Taylor Swift…

Send us Fan Mail

demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

Bàrbara Mesquida Mora is a biodynamic wine producer on the island of Mallorca.

Bàrbara Mesquida Mora shares the rich winemaking tradition of Mallorca and how her winery, Mesquida Mora, champions indigenous grape varieties on this stunning Mediterranean island. We explore beyond the beaches and tourist spots to discover the authentic culture and terroir that make Mallorcan wines unique.

Send us Fan Mail

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Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

Stéphane Bogaert is one of the founders of T.O.S Distillerie, a Craft French Whisky, Geniévre and Eau-de-Vie distiller near the Belgian border in the Hauts-de-France. 

Stéphane reveals the hidden treasures within the canon of French spirits, particularly quality eau-de-vie de bière and the ancient classic spirit of the area, Geniévre. 
He also charts the future of French Whisky and its growing allure in international markets, including the US. 

Send us Fan Mail

demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

BCN is a distillery and spirits project in Priorat, Spain that makes Craft Mediterranean Gin, and Artisan Vermouth. 

CEO Stefan Lismond unveils his artistic approach to crafting gin and vermouth. Imagine gin-making as painting, where each bottle is a canvas, and balance, soul, and emotion are the strokes that bring it to life.  

Send us Fan Mail

demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers 

Tina Vaughn and her Chef/Partner/Husband Chip Smith received a 3-star NY times review in January of 2024 for their restaurant Eulalie, a jewel-box of hospitality in Tribeca.

In this episode, Tina recounts her journey from Rockette to restaurants, the mission of hospitality and how to pair wine fearlessly from a place of learning and gastronomy.

If a restaurant with only a phone number for reservations (no reservation system like Resy or Open table) that leads to a notoriously long voice-message and presents hand-written menus with food from a chef that cooked with Jean-Louis Palladin in a dining room where wine is poured fearlessly AND you can actually talk without shouting is what you crave (and why wouldn't you?), then Eulalie is a place for you. 

This is the second 3 star NY times review for this talented couple. Their first was for The Simone, which opened in 2013 and closed in 2022 after the pandemic. 

We shared two wines, and they were fan-tastic:

• Manuel Aragón Fino Granero sherry 
• El Maestro Sierra Amontillado Anticuario Sherry

Find them anywhere that shares the porrón.

"I dwelt alone. In a world of moan, And my soul was a stagnant tide. Till the fair and gentle Eulalie became my blushing bride." Edgar Allen Poe.

Send us Fan Mail

demaisonselections.com

Follow us on IG: @demaisonselections  @demaisoneast

If you find a Porrón on the back label of a bottle, it is imported to the US exclusively by De Maison Selections 

The Porróncast is hosted and produced by Ryan Looper - @iamlooper

Original Music by @juliantamers