Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2417 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 201 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is the Italian wine travel expert, writer, and founder and CEO of Fufluns Wine Tours, Filippo Magnani.   More about today’s guest: Born and raised in the Tuscan village of Suvereto, Filippo is a wine travel expert, writer, and founder and CEO of Fufluns Wine Tours. His journey started in 1996, when he received a degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from the University of Economics in Florence, followed by an MBA in Hospitality Management from Brighton University, in the UK. He subsequently worked as a food and beverage manager in several luxury hotel chains, before transitioning his career into wine following several life changing tastings and trips to leading wine producing regions around the world. In 2001 he earned a degree from Le Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux and in 2006 completed the WSET Diploma, becoming the first Italian to achieve this distinction. C

Welcome to Episode 2416 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Stacy Buchanan, the creator of the Blood of Gods zine. Together, they explore how the wine industry can better connect with new audiences through passion and unexpected experiences. More about the guest:  Stacy Buchanan is the creator of the “Blood of Gods” zine, a biannual publication that brings together his appreciation for wine with his passion for heavy metal music. Stacy also organises Merrymaking, an annual event held in Walla Walla that brings together heavy metal, wine, and art. With a background in both the music and hospitality industries, Stacy was named to Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 list in 2023 for his innovative contributions to wine culture. Connect: Website: https://bloodofgods.bigcartel.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloodofgodszine/  More about the host: Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2415 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti interviews Claudia Bustos from Viña Raíz Criolla in Chile.   More about today’s guest:  Claudia Bustos, a Chilean winemaker, has been immersed in the world of wine from a very young age, influenced by her father, Patricio Bustos, a winemaker himself. The profession had traditionally been passed down through the men in her family, reaching its fifth generation with Claudia. Captivated by this heritage, she chose to dedicate herself fully to the craft after graduating from university, joining her father at Viña Raíz Criolla — a small family winery committed to environmental stewardship and honoring the traditions of its land. Viña Raíz Criolla is a Chilean winery located in Portezuelo, specializing in traditional, handcrafted wines made from old-vine País and Moscatel de Alejandría grapes. They focus on minimal intervention winemaking, using native yeasts and emphasizing the terroir of their vineyards. Thei

Welcome to Episode 2414 of the Italian Wine Podcast and On the Road Edition. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is in conversation with Michele Noal, President of Consorzio Asolo Prosecco. More about this episode: In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is in Asolo, one of Italy's most beautiful towns, in the Veneto region of northern Italy near Venice.  From the breathtaking Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova, Michele Noal, President of the Consorzio Vini Asolo Montello, provides an overview of the region, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the area and introducing the masterpieces of one of the greatest neo-classical sculptors in the world as well as introducing Asolo Prosecco and other wines from the region.  Connect:  Website: https://www.asoloprosecco.com/   More about the host: Stevie Kim Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & Communication Expert, Brand Positioning Specialist, and Public Speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly

Welcome to Episode 2413 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Attilio 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. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2412 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, James MacNay IWA interviews Maddalena Pasqua di Bisceglie of Musella winery in Veneto, to talk about Valpolicella production and biodynamic practices in the vineyard and the cellar. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and replayed here on the Italian Wine Podcast.  In this interview, today’s guest host covers the following learning objectives:   To introduce beginners and the wine-curious to Valpolicella: Learn the basics of Valpolicella winemaking — from the native grape varieties to the characteristics of the territory and the production methods behind its various styles. To explore the world of natural wines: Discover Maddalena’s strong views on what makes a truly good natural wine, and how she brings that philosophy to life in her own winemaking. To gain an overview of Maddalena’s historic, multi-crop estate with its on-site hotel, and enjoy highlights from her fascinating personal a

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2411 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough.  Today Richard is in conversation with Paul Balke, the author of the Piemonte Wine and Travel Atlas and North Adriatic. Amongst other things, the conversation covers Paul’s career in wine, origins and trends of winemaking in the Netherlands, the advantages and benefits of blending, and the challenges of writing in a second language. The places Paul mentioned in the North Adriatic include Colli Orientali, Collio, Aquilinia, Brda, Karst and the Vipava Valley. On the bookshelf: The books and authors discussed in today’s show include:  Pascal Mercier Graham Green Normal People by Sally Rooney About today’s guest: Paul Balke is an author, journalist, wine expert and Barolo specialist. From Langerak in the Netherlands, Paul was studying law in Utecht when he was struck by the wine virus! His career began as a wine-importer in the Netherlands, where he also organized wine courses, tastings, masterclasses and other e

Welcome to episode 2410 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 200 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Anna Ruini from Pellegrino Winery in Marsala, Sicily, winner of 5StarWines BEST FORTIFIED WINE 2025.    More about today’s guest:  Born in Florence, Anna Ruini holds a degree in Gastronomic Sciences from the University of Pollenzo. In 2010, she moved to Sicily, where she has worked in the wine sector for over 15 years, specializing in marketing and public relations. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with several prominent Sicilian wineries. She currently serves as Head of Corporate Public Relations at Cantine Pellegrino, one of the island’s most historic and renowned wine producers. The Pellegrino vineyards are located in the westernmost part of Sicily where the family-owned winery was established in 1880. Today the daily management of the winery is in the hands of the seventh generation. The vineyard produces a range of single variety, organic, aromatic, sparkling,

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2409 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, McKenna Cassidy interviews Riccardo Baldi of La Staffa from Castelli di Jesi.   More about today’s guest:  Riccardo Baldi (born 1990) heads La Staffa, an organic family winery in Staffolo, Marche, overseeing twelve hectares primarily planted with Verdicchio and Montepulciano. Although he at first studied Economics, in 2009 he officially took over the cellar he co-founded with his father and swiftly immersed himself in vineyard and cellar management. Under his leadership, La Staffa became one of Italy’s most acclaimed producers, earning the Best Winemaker Under 35 award at the 2021 Food & Wine Italia Awards. A passionate advocate of tradition blended with innovation, Riccardo pursues artisan winemaking that both honors Verdicchio’s heritage and enhances terroir expression using modern insights . His flagship wines, such as the classic La Staffa, Rincrocca (from a 1972 vineyard), and the bottle-fermented “Mai Sentito!”, hig

Welcome to Episode 2408  of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim meets Antonello De Riu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to the Republic of Kazakhstan More about our guest:  Antonello De Riu, born in Chieti in 1968, is the current Italian Ambassador to Kazakhstan. A political science graduate and career diplomat since 1995, he has held key posts in countries such as Iran, South Korea, Tunisia, Hong Kong, and most recently Kosovo. Appointed to Astana in 2025, he is focused on strengthening economic, cultural, and scientific ties between Italy and Kazakhstan, with particular attention to energy, agribusiness, and innovation. Known for his practical approach and openness to dialogue, he also actively promotes academic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Connect:  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/italyinkazakhstan/  Web-site: https://ambastana.esteri.it/it/   More about the host: Stevie Kim is an Italia

Welcome to Episode 2407 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Attilio 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 Giulia Stocchetti and it is:

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2406 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Mihai Popescu IWA interviews Charlie Iacono of Iaco-Vino Wines & Spirits in Canada. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and replayed here on the Italian Wine Podcast.  In this interview, today’s guest host covers the following learning objectives:   The Role of Italian Wines in the Canadian Market Current Trends and Consumer Demand in the Canadian Wine Market U.S. Tariffs: A Strategic Opportunity for Italian Wine Producers in Canada? 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, and distribution.  Mihai organizes professional tasting events, attends major trade shows, and creates tailored marketing plans to boost visibility and sal

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2405 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia interviews Felicia Livengood of Gallo.  More about the guest: In 2016, Felicia emerged from the University of Florida, diving headfirst into the dynamic world of wine with Breakthru Beverage in Jacksonville, Florida. Her career’s trajectory took her to the esteemed Johnson Brothers and Gallo Winery, where she honed her skills across Indiana and South Carolina. Now based in Tampa, Florida, with her husband, Felicia channels her industry expertise into her current role as the Director of Future Leaders for The Veraison Project. Known for her bright demeanor and passion for bringing smiles to those around her, Felicia is a driving force behind the organization’s mission. She oversees the Future Leaders Program program, steering the organization towards its goal of creating meaningful change. With an unwavering commitment to The Veraison Project, Felicia is set on leveraging her role to build a more inclusive community and

Welcome to episode 2404 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 199 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Giuseppe Avigliano from Vitis in Vulture in Basilicata, winner of 5StarWine’s BEST ROSE' WINE 2025.  More about today’s guest:  Vitis in Vulture, with its 95 hectares of vineyards spread across the Vulture area, is one of the most important wine producers in the Basilicata region. Leading this enterprise is President Giuseppe Avigliano, an agronomist and agricultural entrepreneur with significant experience in the winemaking and agri-food sectors. The company’s goal is to create a unique connection throughout the production chain, starting from vineyard cultivation, passing through the various stages of vinification and aging in the cellar, and culminating in bottling and distribution in Italy and around the world. At the heart of the company is the innovative winery, designed by renowned Japanese architect Hikaru Mori—a modern and distinctive structure where activities, spa

Welcome to Episode 2403 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Molly Matelski of Vinitaly USA to talk about Vinitaly USA 2025 — happening this year on October 5–6 at Navy Pier in Chicago! Key takeaways: What can exhibitors expect from this year's Vinitaly USA? What’s in store for buyers at the trade show? How does the team maintain strong ties between US trade and Italian producers? More about the guest:  Molly Matelski is the Director of Buyer Relations, Programming, and Media Partnerships for Fiere Italiane and Vinitaly.USA, the leading Italian wine and spirits expo in the United States. She is also the founder of Mmmm...Enjoy., a modern wine and lifestyle brand rooted in the belief that life’s greatest luxury is being fully present and savoring the moment. Through fresh storytelling and thoughtful collaborations, she brings a contemporary lens to Italian wine and spirits while honoring their deep legacy. As the Chicago Co-Host of Let’s Talk Womxn, Molly

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2402 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Margherita Andrenacci interviews Erin Kirschenmann of Wine Business Monthly. More about today’s guest: Erin Kirschenmann is a dynamic wine entrepreneur and the Managing Editor of Wine Business Monthly, where she covers industry trends across business, technology, marketing, and beyond. In addition to her editorial and production work, she curates content for WBM’s trade shows and seminars and frequently speaks at leading conferences like the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and the World Bulk Wine Exhibition. Erin is also the founder of NOVEL PAIRING, a creative book club that blends literature, wine, music—and mindfulness. Each month, members explore curated wine and book pairings, along with custom playlists, guided meditations, and creative workshops. Erin has judged at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles since 2016 and contributes her expertise to wine competitions across the U.S. In 2025, she was named to Beverage Dynamic

Welcome to Episode 2401 and the eleventh episode of the special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Alexey Dudin of Where To Eat Award. This episode is recorded in Russian. Key Learning Objectives: Inside WHERETOEAT: how the award works, who votes, and why it matters in the restaurant world. WHERETOEAT in Kazakhstan: current status, goals, and why the award is expanding into this dynamic market. Practical insights: how restaurants, chefs, and sommeliers can raise their visibility and stand out in the eyes of the professional community. Asia Wine Market is a new podcast series from the Italian Wine Podcast that explores the fast-growing wine markets across Asia. Designed for wine professionals, importers, and producers, the series highlights regional trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities for Italian wine exports. Through 10 exclusive episodes, this series offers insights from key industry players and builds up to the

Welcome to Episode 2400 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Attilio 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 Giulia Stocchetti. Today’s question(s):  How did the introduction of the bottle impact the wine trade and consumption? Che impatto ha avuto l’introduzione della bottiglia sul commercio del vino e sul relativo consumo? More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti.  He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physio

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2399 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA interviews Samuela Speri of Cantina Siridia in Valpolicella. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and replayed here on the Italian Wine Podcast.  In this interview, today’s guest host covers the following learning objectives:   Discover how new-generation winemakers are reshaping tradition in Valpolicella. Explore the power of storytelling and experience in modern wine branding.  Gain insight into the challenges and opportunities of building an export strategy from scratch. Co-Host:  Roza Zharmukhambetova    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), Italian Wine Sc

Welcome to episode 2398 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 198 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Emiliano Morando of Pico Maccario in Piedmont, winner of 5StarWine’s BEST RED WINE 2025.   More about today’s guest: Emiliano Morando Emiliano Morando has been an export manager of Pico Maccario since 2017. He has been in the wine business for 23 years, specialized in overseas and North American markets. Runned by the Maccario family for 3 generations, Pico Maccario is a leader located in Piemonte with 112 hectares of vineyards in one piece of property in the heart of the Langhe and Monferrato region with vineyards in Nizza Monferrato area, Neive, Barolo and Serralunga d'Alba. Pico Maccario winery’s Barolo DOCG Cannubi 2021 won the 5StarWines – the Book 2025 Best Red Wine.  Connect Website: https://www.picomaccario.it/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picomaccario/     More about the host: Marc Millon Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a cele