@vintageMD

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from @vintageMD! #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): We’d like to introduce you to #Sommelier Mark Davidson @vintageMD #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): We’re about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to @vintageMD to say hello & so he knows you’re here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Don’t forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): As we ask @vintageMD our Qs, you can ask him your Qs as well! He’ll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat #WW

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @KeeperColl: I’m at #SommChat 11AM CST!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Let’s start talking #wine with @vintageMD #WineWednesday #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): .@KeeperColl good morning wine Tweeps! #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): @KeeperColl @vintageMD Happy #SommChat, guys!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD In your opinion, what sets #Australian #wine apart from all other regions in the world? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): A. @KeeperColl (1 of 2) Home to the some of the oldest vines on the planet. #Shiraz, #Grenache, #Mourvedre. #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): A. @KeeperColl (2 of 2) Planted in 1840’s 50’s & 60’s still producing today #SommChat #WineWednesday #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): Its time for #SommChat with Australian wine expert, #Sommelier Mark Davidson @vintageMD. Happy #WW @KeeperColl.

@ENOontheMagMile (Scott Harney): Very excited to have @vintageMD on #SommChat today. A great ambassador for OZ wine, and a good guide to hidden bars in OZ as well!

@Delysia_Choc (Delysia Chocolatier): Looking forward to what @vintageMD has to share about wines during today’s #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD What are the current trends on the rise in the Australian #wine industry? Opinion on these trends? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): A. @KeeperColl Move towards regional specificity. Connecting regions w/ varieties & #wines styles that do well there. the way fwd! #SommChat

@ecovinowines (ecoVINO Wines): @vintageMD Is organic viticulture growing or declining in Oz? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): .@ecovinowines increasing for sure. McLaren Vale in Sth Aust leading the charge #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): @vintageMD @drewhendricksms @KeeperColl Helllllloooo #SommChat! Excited to learn more about #Aussiewine… I know very little!

@zoltanszabo (Zoltan Szabo): got a (wine) question? ask-away folks, all about Australia today RT @vintageMD @KeeperColl good morning wine Tweeps! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD @MauricesCru via @KeeperColl Does the moon affect the #wine in the bottle? If so, how? #biodynamic #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl @MauricesCru yes it does. Affects clarity pre bottling- Difficult to say post bottling. Not my expertise! #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): .@vintagemd What are the most impressive and most accessible (in the US) GIs in Austrailia? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @MattMcGinnis @KeeperColl I’d say Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale, Barossa and Eden Valleys + Margaret River #SommChat

@LaurBreu (Lauren Breuning): g’day mates, I’m here! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @vintageMD Heard you sat for the #MW 2 weeks ago – WOW – tell us more #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl Yes. It was a marathon. 4 days. 11 essays 36 wines blind!! Brilliant experience. Bloody exhausting though!! #SommChat

@drinkportuguese (Drink Portuguese): @vintageMD @KeeperColl Q:What’s going on in wine in Morington Peninsula #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @drinkportuguese @KeeperColl Pinot Noir territory! Maritime influence. Restrained fruit balance with fine natural acidity. #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – How do you think the style of Shiraz Australia has changed over the past decade? (If you think it has) – #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @demilove @KeeperColl 1of 2 Understanding that there are many styles of regional Shiraz is first step. Cool vs warm climate #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @demilove @KeeperColl 2 of 2 move to French oak for maturation. Picking Shiraz at perfect ripeness rather than over ripe. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD As we celebrate #SummerofRiesling, tell #SommChat tweeps some #Australian #Riesling to try! #WineWednesday #WInelover

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): A. @KeeperColl Pewsey Vale, Kilikanoon Mort’s Block , Grosset Polish Hill. I love dry Aussie Riesling #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @vintageMD Q. @wblakegray mentioned that yellowtail has destroyed the image of the Australian wine market. Do you agree? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @MauricesCru @wblakegray @KeeperColl I don’t think Yellowtail destroyed image. Plethora of copy cat brands created sea of sameness #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD During #SummerofRiesling and all year long, what food pairings do u like with #Australian #Riesling #WineWednesday #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl Fresh oysters, Grilled spot prawns, salads w/goat’s cheese #SommChat

@ONEHOPEWINE (ONEHOPE Wine): mmm @_Santa_Barbara spot prawns #roadtrip! RT @vintageMD: @KeeperColl Fresh oysters, Grilled spot prawns, salads w/ goat’s cheese #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl (2 of 2) brilliant as an aperitif or for simply contemplating ur navel. #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): Q. @vintageMD @KeeperColl I see ur based in SF–any fav spot w good selection of Aussie wine u rec? I’d love to taste, learn more #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @StevieStacionis @KeeperColl K&L wines has great selection on retail side. Farallon was pouring Hunter Semillon BTG. #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): Q. @vintageMD @KeeperColl Also: Any cool Aussie tastings scheduled? Perhaps with @guildsomm?! #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @StevieStacionis @KeeperColl. Yes. Grosset will be in town in Aug. Email me mark.davidson@wineaustralia.com for details #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @StevieStacionis @KeeperColl we doing 5 city Master class series with @guildsomm this fall #SommChat

@BlindedBite (Blinded By The Bite): Awesome! RT @vintagemd: @StevieStacionis @KeeperColl we doing 5 city Master class series with @guildsomm this fall #SommChat #WW

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): Q. @vintageMD @KeeperColl How/why did you get into Aussie wines specifically? (Are you Australian?) #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @StevieStacionis @KeeperColl I am Australian. Grew up there. Father was in business. Osmosis initially #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @vintageMD @KeeperColl What is most versatile Australian red grape that can pair with veg, fish or meat? #SommChat #ww #winelover

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @enjoielife @KeeperColl Pinot Noir or surprisingly, Grenache. Soft tannins and forward fruit #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): #SommChat Vietnamese food is my favorite. I dislike red wines with Viet, don’t think they belong. Which whites go with spicy Viet soups?

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @WarrenBobrow1 @KeeperColl I love Hunter Verdelho w Vietnamese spicy dishes. Clare Riesling works too #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): @rascality #SommChat Love Gewürztraminer for spicy AND savory foods. Such as Vietnamese pho’

@EllaDogSays (Ella Dog): @KeeperColl drove as fast as I could to be back for #SommChat … so hard to drive the car from the back seat though! http://pic.twitter.com/VDsUcqb9

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): RT @KeeperColl: RT @lisasharahall: @vintageMD Was that old vine in the Eden from Hill of Grace? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl @lisasharahall No but close. Mount Edelstone Planted in 1912 #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): good morning and thanks 4 great info on Australian wines… tweeps, get in! RT @vintageMD: .@KeeperColl good morning wine Tweeps! #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @vintageMD Q. what are the hot WINE spots in Melbourne? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @MauricesCru @KeeperColl. City Wine Shop. Melbourne Supper Club. Cutler & Co. GREAT food city!! #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @vintageMD Thanks! Gotta check them out next time I go. Melbourne is the center of the S.Hemisphere for food and style! #SommChat

@raelinn_wine (Raelinn_wine): @vintageMD now following thanks to #SommChat cheers!

@italianwineguy (Alfonso Cevola): @vintageMD 4 folks looking 4 more Eurostyle fr/Australia. Higher acid, lowr alcl, restrained fruit,etc-some areas, wines 2 suggest? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @italianwineguy @KeeperColl 1 of 2: Yarra Valley for Pinot, Chard and savory, med weight Shiraz #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @italianwineguy @KeeperColl 2 of 2: Margaret River for Cab Sauv. Tasmania for fantastic Method Trad sparkling & delicate Pinot Noir #SommChat

@italianwineguy (Alfonso Cevola): thanks for the direction! always wondered where to start people who liked those kinds of wines @vintageMD @KeeperColl #SommChat

@BlindedBite (Blinded By The Bite): @vintageMD making me miss my home of #SanFrancisco! Glad it’s a short flight! Also glad Texas wine industry is growning #SommChat cc:…

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @MauricesCru Santé! Now following thanks to #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – Are there any grapes unique to Australia that may make an impact in other markets soon? – #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): #SommChat RT @vintageMD: @demilove Not really unique grapes, unique interpretations. Try Hunter Semillon or Rutherglen Muscat. No rivals anywhere

@BlindedBite (Blinded By The Bite): Adding to list! RT @vintagemd: A @KeeperColl Pewsey Vale, Kilikanoon Mort’s Block, Grosset Polish Hill. I love dry Aussie Riesling #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD What were the biggest challenges you faced in the beginning of your career? How is it different now? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): 1 of 3 recognition as a serious profession. “no, ma’am, I am not from Somalia, I am the #Sommelier.”(I kid you not!)

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl 2 of 3 Most people didn’t even know what the word meant let alone what the profession was #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl 3 of 3: Now a little bit of super star status has emerged. #SommChat #WineWednesday

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Australia! wow RT @vintageMD: @KeeperColl Home 2 the sum of the oldest vines on the planet #Shiraz, #Grenache, # Mourvedre. #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): @vintageMD Mark: What is your favorite Viet in SF? #SommChat @raelinn_wine

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @WarrenBobrow1 @KeeperColl good question. Just new to city. Need to find one. Slanted Door is brilliant more pan Asian though #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): @vintageMD @KeeperCollhttp://www.urbanspoon.com/r/6/92743/restaurant/SOMA/Tu-Lan-San-Francisco#SommChat My fave is Tu Lan. Julia Child’s favorite too.

@raelinn_wine (Raelinn_wine): @vintageMD @WarrenBobrow1 #SommChat I’m headed to Golden Star for Pho today. Have been once already. Loved it.

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @WarrenBobrow1 Thanks! I like Vietnamese food too. @EnigmaAbsinthe #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @raelinn_wine @vintageMD @WarrenBobrow1 Golden Star for Pho sounds good. Enjoy! #SommChat #vietnamesefood

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks): .@vintageMD @KeeperColl Give us an example essay question from this years #MW exam that you answered…#SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @drewhendricksms @KeeperColl one question was. Is wine too expensive? #SommChat

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks): @vintageMD @KeeperColl Love it! Sooooo Broad. #MW #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): we agree Drew – will have to hear your answer to that! RT @drewhendricksms: @vintageMD Love it! Sooooo Broad. #MW #SommChat

@italianwineguy (Alfonso Cevola): how many words/minutes did you have to answer? @vintageMD @drewhendricksms @KeeperColl one question was. Is wine too expensive? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @italianwineguy @KeeperColl we had 90 minutes for that question. most of the other essays were 60 minutes #SommChat

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): #SommChat @vintageMD What sparkling wines that really stand out for you? What qualities make it so?

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @UBIWineSpirit @KeeperColl Tasmania and Yarra are the areas. I love Jansz. Vibrant, pure delicate fruit. lipsmacking acidity #SommChat

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @vintageMD @KeeperColl Thanks! I adore the idea of Tasmanian sparkling. #SommChat (forgive me that I think of Tasmanian Devil?) -Raelinn

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – Hope you bring a little Australia to Chicago soon! Any plans for an event here? – #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @demilove @KeeperColl email me and we will keep you in the loop for Aussie Chicago love mark.davidson@wineaustralia.com #SommChat

@apluswines (A+ Australian Wine): Head on over and watch @vintagemd as he answers your questions on #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @vintageMD Q. The ladies love it…What do you think about Sparkling Shiraz? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @MauricesCru @KeeperColl Sparkling Shiraz is weird for most at first. I love it. Think food. Brilliant w Peking Duck. Also charcuterie… #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @vintageMD @MauricesCru @KeeperColl Sparkling Shiraz w/Peking Duck is unexpected and interesting. Love it! #SommChat

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @vintageMD @MauricesCru @KeeperColl #SommChat sparkling shiraz reminds me just a bit of dry lambrusco, which I happen to ADORE!

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery): @drewhendricksms @vintageMD @KeeperColl and a couple of the wines that were tasted? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @harleywine1 @KeeperColl lots of classics like wh Burg and Bord but also got a Zweigelt from Burgenland and Tasmanian Riesling #SommChat

@kloebatx (Karla Loeb): @KeeperColl @vintageMD this was great! Thanks for all of the info! #SommChat

@EllaDogSays (Ella Dog): @vintageMD If 1 wanted to dip 1′s paw back into Aussie Shiraz after boycotting b’c too much sameness in mkt what would u rec’d? #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @EllaDogSays @KeeperColl great q. Try Innocent Bystander Shiraz Viognier, Spring Seed Shiraz fr McLaren Vale. #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @CaravelleChamp Good morning Rita! @vintageMD @KeeperColl #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @vintageMD What inspired your oenology career in #Australia? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl (1 of 3) was always surrounded by #wine because of my path through hotel school etc. #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl (2 of 3) but drank a bottle of 1971 #Chambolle-Musigny & it stopped me in my tracks. #SommChat

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl (3 of 3) That is when I took #wine seriously & started studying in earnest #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk with @vintageMD #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): It was great to have @vintageMD join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Please join us in thanking @vintageMD for his time #SommChat #WW #Winelover

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @vintageMD @KeeperColl Thanks for #SommChat…Good on you! If ever in #SanDiego stop in @IPrime_CLevel and say hi. Cheers!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): If any1 missed some of the chat today, remember we’ll post an archive soon to http://bit.ly/ikBrJx for you to review later #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Thank you @vintageMD RT @KeeperColl: Please join us in thanking @vintageMD for his time #SommChat #WW #Winelover

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @KeeperColl @vintageMD #SommChat Can’t believe it’s over already! Always look forward to it. Santé till next week! And thank you!!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): #SommChat always brings you the best from the #wine world, so it’s only fitting 4 ext week’s guest 2 b Allen Meadows #burgundy #wine expert!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Start off 4th of July w/ a bang! No better way to celebrate than w/ next week’s #SommChat w/ @burghound , #Burgundy #wine expert & author!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Mark ur calendar for #SommChat Wed 7/4 at 11 AM CST w/ #burgundy #wine expert & author Allen Meadows @burghound LIVE from Burgundy!

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @KeeperColl great being on #SommChat today. Thanks for all the fantastic question! #SommChat

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks): @KeeperColl @vintageMD Thanks Mark!! #SommChat

@italianwineguy (Alfonso Cevola): thanks @vintageMD for your answers and thanks @KeeperColl for another interesting #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): Thanks Mark @vintageMD and @KeeperColl for an excellent #SommChat! Happy #WW

@vintageMD (Mark Davidson): @drewhendricksms Thanks Drew. Will call you this week. Coming to @Texsom… #SommChat