Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2437 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Stevie Kim, discussing her background in publishing, breaking into wine writing; the art of wine storytelling; the use of AI; on the road - from Calabria to Kazakhstan; wine2wine goes to Chicago; Verona Campione and Italian Neighbours.  On the bookshelf: The books and authors discussed in today’s show include:  The Art of Wine Storytelling by Professor Attilio Scienza Italian Neighbours by Tim Parks Verona Campione and Notes from Verona by Richard Hough Normal People by Sally Rooney About today’s guest: Stevie Kim is an Italian wine marketing & communication expert, brand positioning specialist, and public speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls. A passionate Italian wine evangelist, she harnesses so

Welcome to episode 2436 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 204 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Massimo Alois, owner and managing director of Cantine Alois.    More about today’s guest: Alois Winery is located in Pontelatone, in the province of Caserta, Campania, Italy. Specifically, it is situated in the lower valley of the Volturno River, with vineyards at the western end of the Pontelatone Valley. The farm itself, a restored farmhouse dating back to the early 1800s. Cantine Alois, also known as Vini Alois, is famous for its revival of ancient, nearly lost Italian grape varieties, particularly Casavecchia and Pallagrello (both Nero and Bianco). The winery is also known for its silk-making history, with the Alois family's silk fabrics once adorning famous locations like the White House and Louvre Museum. Massimo is the son of Michele Alois, who originally established the winery and began the revival of ancient, indigenous grape varieties. Massimo has continued his father

Welcome to Episode 2435 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Benjamin Aneff, President of the US Wine Trade Alliance, to break down the latest developments on tariffs affecting EU products entering the US Key Takeaways: An update on the current US–EU tariff landscape. The chances for tariff exemptions and reductions. Ways the Italian wine industry can help shape a favorable outcome. Want to dive deeper into the US Wine Trade Alliance and Benjamin Aneff’s insights on tariffs? Check out his earlier conversation with Juliana Colangelo in Ep. 2221 of the Masterclass U.S. Wine Market.  More about the guest:  Benjamin Aneff is the President of US Wine Trade Alliance and the Managing Partner of Tribeca Wine Merchants in New York City, named one of “America’s Best Wine Shops” by Food & Wine Magazine, and an “Editor’s Favorite” by Wine Spectator. Ben’s voice has been in the fight against wine tariffs from the beginning. Prior to the formation of the USWTA, Ben wo

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2434 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In today’s show, Giulia Stocchetti interviews Alberto Sabaini and Sara Piubelli from Cantina Sabaini.   More about today’s guest:  Cantina Sabaini is a family-run winery in Val d'Illàsi on the outskirts of Verona. The winery is led by Adolfo, his wife Mirca and their sons Riccardo and Alberto. The business was established by great-grandfather Adolfo who acquired land in the Santa Giustina neighbourhood of Illasi, but livestock was the principal activity and there were only a few rows of vines. The estate includes six diverse vineyards totalling 115 hectares with varying orientations and altitudes allowing the production of a diverse range of wines. The winery makes a full range of sparkling, red, white and sweet wines. Connect:   Website: https://www.cantinasabaini.it/en/home-en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantina.sabaini/  More about the host: Giulia Stocchetti is an AIS Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. Sh

Welcome to Episode 2433 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Julie Kuhlken of Pedernales Cellars at TEXSOM 2025. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. More about today’s guest: Julie Kuhlken, PhD is Owner of Pedernales Cellars, located in Stonewall in the Texas Hill Country. A well-versed wine professional, she ha

Welcome to Episode 2432 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian.   Today’s question comes from Kim Yanan Lee. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2431 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Robert Maggi IWA interviews Nicola Biasi of Nicola Biasi Consulting.  These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Explore Nicola Biasi’s pioneering work in sustainable viticulture through PIWI varieties. Discover the challenges and opportunities of working with non-traditional grape varieties in Italy. Gain insight into how PIWI wines are perceived in both the Italian and international markets — and what this could mean for the future of wine production. More about our Co-host:  Born in Puglia and now based in Cardiff, Robert combines southern Italian passion with British entrepreneurial spirit. A certified Italian Wine Ambassador and WSET Level 3 graduate, he has extensive experience in the sector including time with the award winning Australian winery Jim Barry Wines. Over the past ten years he has focused on

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2430 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin meets Jessica Summer, a cheese and wine expert and founder of the Mouse & Grape, a business dedicated to curated pairings and tasting experiences. More about the guest: Jessica launched her Instagram account in July 2020 to share her passion for cheese and wine. As her audience grew, she recognized a gap in the market for a platform that treated cheese and wine as equal partners in flavor exploration. Over the past three years, she’s worked as a cheesemonger and in a wine shop, earned her WSET Level 3 with merit, completed WSET Wine Educator Training, and achieved Level 2 at the Academy of Cheese. In December 2021, she officially launched Mouse & Grape, a luxury online business specializing in paired hampers and bespoke tasting events that bring the joy of cheese and wine pairing to a wider audience. Connect: Website: https://www.mouseandgrape.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mouseandgrape Linke

Welcome to episode 2429 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 203 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Giovanni Giacobazzi from Giacobazzi Vini in Modena, winner of 5StarWines BEST SEMI - SPARKLING WINE 2025.    More about today’s guest: The Giacobazzi family winery has been dedicated to farming for generations, but it wasn't until 1958 that Angelo Giacobazzi, together with his son Antonio, decided to expand and strengthen the small family winery. The winery is synonymous with Lambrusco and is located in Nonantola, in the province of Modena, a city famous for its fine cuisine and as the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari and Luciano Pavarotti. The company has a strong connection to sports, not least with Gilles Villeneuve and Ferrari, but also with cycling, motorcycling, and volleyball. The winery’s Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC Frizzante Secco 2 N.V. won 5StarWines Best Semi - Sparkling Wine 2025.   Connect: Website: https://giacobazzivini.com/  Instagram: https://www.in

Welcome to Episode 2428 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Mark Jammal, sommelier, actor, wine consultant, and co-founder of The Vinous Bunch, a sales and marketing agency helping boutique and commercial wine & spirits brands grow their audience and impact. Key Takeaways: What are younger consumers ordering in restaurants?  How can Italian wine better resonate with a young audience in NY? What makes a wine region stick in the minds of younger audiences? More about the guest:  Mark Jammal is a sommelier with extensive experience in New York City’s dynamic restaurant scene. He is the co-founder of The Vinous Bunch, a boutique sales and marketing agency dedicated to helping wine and spirits brands grow through strategic engagement and authentic storytelling. Mark holds an MBA and WSET Level III certification.  Before entering the wine world, he built a successful career in musical theater — a background that now fuels his creative approach to wine communicat

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2427 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today Margherita Andrenacci interviews Alejandro Fargosonini of Châteauneuf-du-Fargosonini.   More about today’s guest:  Alejandro Fargosonini is the co-founder and winemaker at Châteauneuf-du-Fargosonini, an organic natural winery focused on upcycling fruits that would be wasted at the farm level, and on making them into Dionysian wild wines with zero additions. Châteauneuf-du-Fargosonini LLC is a natural winery in Central California focused on creating unique new beverages from fruits that would otherwise be lost in the $218,000,000,000 of estimated food that is wasted in the USA yearly. They leverage ancient and bleeding edge post modern wine technologies to improve the carbon footprint of the farming and beverage sectors, by up-cycling fruit that normally spoils at various positions in the supply chain, particularly at the farm level. Connect:   Website: ​​https://www.chateauneuf.xyz  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c

Welcome to Episode 2426 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews James Tidwell MS, CWE, the founder and producer of the TEXSOM Conference and TEXSOM Awards. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine.   More about today’s guest: James Tidwell is a Master Sommelier, Certified Wine Educator, writer, and speaker. He founded and

Welcome to Episode 2425 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian.   Today’s question comes from Manuela Clarizia. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2424 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA interviews Giovanni Folonari of Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute in Tuscany.  These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Get to know the Folonari family legacy and Giovanni's personal journey in the wine world. Gain a clear overview of the Folonari estates, wine styles, and their unique identities across Tuscany. Understand how the group is investing in future growth, sustainability, and new opportunities across global markets. More about our Co-host:  Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA

Welcome to episode 2423 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 202 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Alessandra Seghene from the Nuraghe Crabioni winery in Sardinia, winner of 5StarWines BEST SWEET WINE 2025.    More about today’s guest: The Nuraghe Crabioni winery is located in Sorso, Sardinia. Specifically, it is in the Romangia region, in the north of the island. The winery takes its name from a Nuraghe, an ancient Sardinian tower, located on the estate in an area called “Lu Crabioni”. The winery and vineyards are situated on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Asinara. The winery cultivates the main Sardinian vines such as Cannonau di Sardegna, Vermentino di Sardegna, as well as those particular to the area, such as Cagnulari and Moscato di Sorso.  Alessandra Seghene is the second generation to lead the family winery. The winery’s Moscato di Sorso - Sennori DOC Pritziosu 2023 won 5StarWines Best Sweet Wine 2025.   Connect: Website: https://nuraghecrabioni.it/?lang=en  Inst

Welcome to Episode 2422 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Bourcard Nesin, VP of Research at Rabobank and co-host of the Liquid Assets podcast. The conversation is based on Bourcard’s report, “The Real Reasons Generation Z Is Drinking Less Alcohol.” Key Takeaways: The foundational data misread crisis: What must companies understand before building Gen Z strategies? The organizational readiness gap: Why leadership composition is a strategic prerequisite—not just an HR initiative. The investment timeline paradox: How can companies navigate resource allocation effectively? More about the guest:  Bourcard Nesin is a beverage industry analyst specializing in trends and strategy across wine, spirits, distribution, and technology in the U.S. and globally. At Rabobank, he helps food and beverage companies navigate disruption in areas such as e-commerce, digital transformation, diversity and demographics, and sustainability. He also co-hosts the acclaimed Liq

Welcome to Episode 2421 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is back in Asolo, one of Italy's most beautiful towns, in the Veneto region of northern Italy, near Venice. Today, Stevie is in conversation with local brand ambassador Gianpaolo Giacobbo, exploring the characteristics that give this lesser-known Italian region its unique identity. Stevie and Gianpaolo discuss the use of local varieties, the various production methods used, and the secrets to distinguishing between different types of Italian bubbles. Gianpaolo also explains the differences between the Charmat method, also known as the Martinotti method, and the classic method and the differences between the traditional "col fondo" and ancestral methods, and the impact these techniques have on the finished product. Finally, Gianpaolo reveals the 5 things you have to know about Asolo. More about the guest:  Gianpaolo Giacobbo is a wine writer, educator, and taster based in Bassano del Gr

Welcome to Episode 2420 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from Yegas Naidoo (Part 2). Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2419 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Mihai Popescu IWA interviews Carlotta Salvini of Consorzio del vino Brunello di Montalcino.  These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Gain a deeper understanding of the wines of Montalcino, including their history, styles, and unique terroir. Explore the role of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino in protecting quality, promoting producers, and guiding educational efforts. Learn about current trends, challenges, and opportunities for Brunello in global markets and how the region is evolving to meet them. More about our Co-host:  Mihai Popescu is a Canadian-based wine expert dedicated to helping producers enter and thrive in the Canadian market. A WSET Diploma holder (DipWSET), Italian Wine Ambassador, and international wine judge, he supports wineries with strategic brand positioning, market access,

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2418 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin meets the team behind Mela Vino, a private label wine and lifestyle brand centered on creating wine for the modern social drinker. More about the guests: Mela is a Black women-owned wine brand rooted in friendship, culture, and connection. Founded by four lifelong friends, Mela blends premium Napa Valley winemaking with intentional storytelling and joy. Their four signature wines—Rosé, White, Red, and the limited-edition IV—honor the act of gathering and the richness of identity. Named for melanin and inspired by the Sanskrit word meaning “to gather,” Mela creates more than wine, it creates space. From its origin in a shared Zoom toast during the 2020 pandemic to pop-ups and community events today, Mela invites everyone to pour up, connect, and celebrate life’s moments, big and small. Connect: Website: https://www.melavino.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_melavino/  More about our host:  VIA