Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2397 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Andrea Eby of the Wine Scholar Guild. Key takeaways: Understanding the rising interest in wine education while consumption is in decline. How to empower trade professionals to educate customers confidently, without overwhelming them. Tips for translating Italian wine stories into language that resonates with American consumers. More about the guest: Andrea Eby Andrea Eby is the Italian programs director at the Wine Scholar Guild and a stage two Masters of Wine student with over a decade of experience in the wine trade. In 2020 she founded Vinsanity Consulting and Vinsanity School of Wine in Winnipeg, Canada. She imports Italian wines and consults for Italian wineries looking for help to navigate the complex Canadian market. Connect: Website: https://www.winescholarguild.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrea_elizabeth_eby/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaeby More a

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2396 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, McKenna Cassidy interviews Luca Paolo Virgilio of the Caprera farm winery in Abruzzo.   More about today’s guest:  The Caprera winery is located in Pietranico, in the heart of the Abruzzo region. It was founded in 2013 by two friends, Luca Paolo Virgilio and Alfonso Morelli. In 2014, they planted their first two vineyards of Montepulciano and Trebbiano and in 2018 they bottled their first vintage. The winery forms part of an organic, artisan farm that also produces its own olive oil. Connect:    Website: https://www.agricolacaprera.it/en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agricolacaprera/  More about the host:    McKenna found her love of wine while serving in a Napa Valley tasting room. She later graduated from the University of Notre Dame and pursued wine on the East Coast with E. & J. Gallo Winery. She has worked in wine distribution for restaurants and luxury retail stores for the past three years. Ori

Welcome to Episode 2395 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim meets Spanish Master of Wine Almudena Alberca to explore the iconic Ribera del Duero region. Almudena shares what sets this area apart—its altitude, soils, and climate—and how these factors shape its bold, age-worthy wines. She also touches on local winemaking techniques, blending styles, and the importance of Tempranillo. A must-listen for anyone curious about one of Spain’s most celebrated wine regions. More about our guest: Almudena Alberca MW Almudena Alberca MW is Spain’s first female Master of Wine and a leading voice in modern Spanish winemaking. With a background in agricultural engineering and oenology, she has built an impressive career working across some of Spain’s top wine regions, including Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Rías Baixas, and Toro. Almudena has held technical director roles at renowned wineries such as Viñas del Cenit and Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos, where she led s

Welcome to Episode 2394 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 Claudia Stern (Part 2).   Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Episode 2393 and the tenth episode of the special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Denis Salimzianov of ABR Restaurant Group.   Key Learning Objectives: Learn about ABR, one of the biggest restaurant chains in Almaty. Explore the Blanca and Astra restaurants, their wine lists, what is trending among consumers, and their bestselling Italian wines. Get to know what wine styles or varieties have a potential in the market. 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 Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strategic event connecting Italian wineries with Central As

Welcome to episode 2392 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 197 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Gian Paolo Repetto of Vigneti Repetto winery in Piedmont, winner of 5StarWine’s BEST WHITE WINE 2025.   More about today’s guest: Born into a family of farmers, Gian Paolo was always considered the black sheep—drawn more to technology than to the land. At the age of twenty, he chose to follow his passion by founding an engineering company, leaving behind the countryside in pursuit of innovation. Starting from scratch, the company grew successfully over the years. However, the demands of international business kept him away from home for more than half the year. Twelve years ago, he made a life-changing decision: to sell the company’s operations outside of Italy and return to his roots. Together with his wife Marina, he chose to fully embrace farming once again, focusing on the winery. Guided by the motto “ancient method, modern technology,” they produce wines that honor bo

Welcome to Episode 2391 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Jamie Evans of The Herb Somm in California. Key takeaways: The rise of THC infused beverages: what does the industry look like in the US?  Similarities and differences between wine and cannabis markets What does the future look like for these two different markets?  More about the guest: Jamie Evans is the founder of The Herb Somm, a culinary-meets-cannabis blog and lifestyle brand focused on the gourmet side of the cannabis industry. Jamie is also the author of four books, a certified sommelier and entrepreneur and was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2018. Connect: Website: https://www.theherbsomm.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theherbsomm/?hl=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-evans-95a4952b/  More about the host: Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alco

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2390 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Margherita Andrenacci interviews Matthew Drewry Baker.    More about today’s guest:  Matthew Drewry Baker is a Bay Area native and San Francisco based artist. In his work, he strives to capture a feeling of hopeless romanticism amongst an array of sceneries and individuals. Matthew studied fine art at the Academy of Art University. He primarily focuses on water color and ink illustrations as well as block prints. A professed jack of all trades, Matthew also is a fortune teller and works with floral. Drawing inspiration from, not only people and places lost in time, but the magic in nature and things tinged with esoterica.   Connect:    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.verdant.vigil/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-drewry-baker-a2917885 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.d.baker.18/    More about the host:    Music producer, biker, and runner, Margherita Andrenacci is a wine PR profes

Welcome to Episode 2389 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition. Today Stevie Kim is in New York City with Lia Tolaini to get her take on how to approach the US Market. Key Takeaways Knowing that the US is not a single market, but that every state has its own laws and market conditions within the three tier system Understanding how the market changed in the last 20 years Appreciating the great potential in italian whites and in particular the white wines of Sardinia  More about the guest: Lia Tolaini is an importer of wine and spirits (Banville Wine Merchants) and a producer in Chianti Classico of the same name – Tolaini. Banville Wine Merchants is a family-owned national importer of fine wine, spirits, and beer with distribution in New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Oregon and Ontario, Canada. Connect  Website: https://www.banvillewine.com/im/en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banvillewine/    More about the host:   Stevie Kim is an

Welcome to Episode 2388 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 Claudia Stern.   Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Episode 2387 and the ninth episode of the new special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Elena Shtepa of Vintage Bishkek. This episode focuses on Kyrgyzstan.   Key Learning Objectives:   Understand the evolution of wine culture and consumer awareness in Kyrgyzstan Learn about the import and distribution landscape  Identify current trends, gaps and opportunities in Kyrgyzstan’s wine market    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 Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strategic event connecting Italian wineries with Central Asian wine importers, sommelie

Welcome to episode 2386 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 196 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Carlo Cavicchioli of Castel Faglia winery, the winner winery of BEST ITALIAN WINE – BANCO BPM TROPHY for 5StarWines - the Book.   More about today’s guest: Castel Faglia winery was established in 1989 in Calino, a hamlet of Cazzago San Martino. The winery, named after the castle of its former owner, Colonel Umberto Faglia, is located at 300 meters above sea level, in the heart of Franciacorta. In 2010, the Cavicchioli family took full ownership of the winery. Castel Faglia’s Brut Rosé Millesimato Cuvée Monogram 2016 won the 5StarWines – the Book 2025 Best Italian Wine. Connect Website: https://www.castelfaglia.it/en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castelfaglia/    More about the host:  Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico

Welcome to Episode 2385 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Russ Lorber, founder of Wide Roots, LLC.    Key takeaways:   Understanding the DC Metro market How important is the concept of agility in this kind of business?  Thoughts about the new US tariffs    More about the guest:  Russ is certified by Vinitaly International Academy as an Italian Wine Ambassador. He is also the subject of Wine Hunter, a documentary that follows his journey launching Wide Roots and his travels through the vineyards of Italy. Connect: Website: https://www.widerootsllc.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russlorber/  More about the host:  With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognit

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2384 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti interviews the team from Cascina Elena, Filippo and Eugenio.   More about today’s guests:  Cascina Elena was founded in 2020 in a small natural amphitheater in Rocchetta Belbo, Alta Langa. Here it produces grapes and makes wine directly according to the dictates of organic farming. The vineyards cover just over four hectares, all clustered in a single plot adjacent to the winery and surrounded by forest.  The winery philosophy is to accompany the vines in their most natural expression, intervening minimally where necessary. Connect:  Website: https://cascinaelena.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cascinaelena16?igsh=bTFlZjNrNmFwbGFl&utm_source=qr  More about the host:    Giulia is an AIS Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. She has 360° experience in the cella, harvesting, tasting and teaching. Enthusiastic communicator of wine, she believes every bottle is a small universe to disc

Welcome to Episode 2383 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, 5 things about Bordeaux wineries, Part 3.   In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is in Bordeaux visiting some of the region’s most iconic wineries and discovering five must know facts about them. The three iconic Bordeaux wineries on Stevie’s itinerary are CHATEAU CLIMENS CHATEAU DROISY-VEDRINES CHATEAU COUHINS More about the host:   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 and Wine Without Walls. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale.   The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps

Welcome to Episode 2382 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 Giorgia.   Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Episode 2381 and the eighth episode of the special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Alexandr Averianov of Champagne Wine Gallery.   Key Learning Objectives: Understand Champagne Wine Group’s import strategy and how Italian wines are positioned within their portfolio. Explore how Champagne Wine Group engages consumers through its restaurant, retail store, and wine education programs. Learn how a sommelier sells and positions Italian wines in a premium restaurant setting. 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 Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strateg

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2380 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Jessica Dupuy, the Texas-based writer, educator, and consultant, specializing in wine, spirits, food, and travel.   Amongst other things, the conversation covers Jessica’s career in wine writing, the cuisine of the American south, the thriving Texas wine scene, her forthcoming writing project with Italian Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi, and the potential impact of tariffs on the domestic and international wine market.   On the bookshelf:   Amongst the items discussed in today’s show were:    To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor  A Season for That by Steve Hoffmann A History of Philadelphia Sandwiches by Mike Madaio Another Bottle Down podcast Forbes Magazine, How Tariffs Could Make American Wine And Spirits More Expensive: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicadupuy/2025/03/14/why-wine-and-spirits-tariffs-are-bad-for-american-business/  A

Welcome to episode 2379 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 195 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Steve Edwards, operations director of Lympstone Manor Hotel, Restaurant and Vineyard.   More about today’s guest: Originally from Sydney Australia, Steve Edwards emigrated with his family to the UK when he was a teenager. He studied food preparation and food service at Newton College of Further Education before joining the RAF's catering squadron. After leaving the armed forces he came to Devon in 1987 to join the team at Gidleigh Park. Steve worked closely with Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park to achieve and maintain 2 Michelin stars, helping to deliver service and hospitality of the highest calibre, and developing his knowledge and passion for wine, working and maintaining one of the best cellars in the UK. In 2002, Steve took some time away from work to further his knowledge of wine, travelling extensively and visiting wineries and producers in France, Spain, Australia an

Welcome to Episode 2378 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Barron Beltz, a leading executive in the U.S. wine and spirits industry, to unpack the news of RNDC’s decision to exit the California market—a move that’s sending ripples across the entire distribution landscape. RNDC (Republic National Distributing Company), the second-largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., recently announced that it will cease all operations in California by September 2, 2025. As the largest market in the country, California has long been a key player in the wine trade—and this sudden shift raises critical questions for producers, retailers, and on-premise operators alike. Key takeaways: What are the root causes and major factors that led RNDC to withdraw from California? How RNDC’s departure will affect suppliers, retailers, and on-premise accounts? Why could this major shift serve as a catalyst, encouraging producers and distributors to rethink their go-to-