Justin Vann has been selling wine and spirits in his native Houston for more than 11 years. He started around the age of 22, on the floor at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse as well as in retail and as a wine consultant for Houston-area liquor stores and restaurants. He was the owner and wine buyer for Public Services Wine & Whisky in the city’s Downtown area, as well as the wine buyer for James Beard Award–winning chef Justin Yu’s Better Luck Tomorrow and Theodore Rex. Today, he is the beverage director for Nancy's Hustle on Houston's east side. 

With a sharp wit and an encyclopedic mind for wine, Vann helps break down the white wines of Spain from Rias Baixas and Rioja, to Txakoli, Sherry, and Cava. 

A conversation wine professionals can sink their teeth into, this episode may have an “inside baseball” feel, but it’s a perfect primer for understanding the white wines of Spain. 

Notable producers mentioned: 

Rias Baixas, Albariño

Bodegas Zarate

Nanclares y Prieto

Do Ferreiro 

White Rioja

R. Lopez de Heredia

Cvne Blanco

Txakoli

Ameztoi Bodega 

Sherry

Bodegas Alvear 

Toro Albala

Cota 45 

Catalunya Cava

Recaredo

Gramona 

Clos Lentiscus 

Godello 

Val de Sil 

Canary Islands 

Las Bermejos 

Mallorca 

Cati Ribot 

Public Service Announcement: Moscato 

Bera 

Paolo Saracco 

Vietti