NAPA’S 2021 VINTAGE: JOHN SCHWARTZ OF AMUSE BOUCHE ON A CHALLENGING YEAR

John Schwartz, the proprietor of Napa vintners Amuse Bouche, Au Sommet and Coup de Foudre, talks with James in this Zoom interview about the challenging 2021 harvest and vintage."The drought conditions had an impact," Schwartz said. "Everybody should be down by 40 to 60 percent. ... The quality looks good, it's just that the quantity is way down," he added. "The trade is hoarding'19s now because they're panicking that there's no '20s and now are worried that '21s are going to be probably half of what they should have been."James and John also discuss supply-chain problems, including in procuring glass and having wines shipped. They also give their views on Napa's 2018 versus 2019 vintages.