Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2377 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Karla Ravagnolo will talk about wine and communication with Simone Ingrassia, sommelier and founder of Become Somm.    More about today’s guest:  Become Somm is a community dedicated to promoting wine culture, created with the goal of making the world of wine & food simple, engaging, and accessible. Through digital content shared on social media, its website, and newsletters, it reaches both curious beginners and passionate enthusiasts as well as industry professionals. In addition to educational content, Become Somm supports wineries in building effective communication strategies, helping them share their identity with the right audience. The project was born from an idea by Simone Ingrassia, founder and soul of the brand, who leads the community’s growth and oversees its vision and strategy.     Connect:    Website: http://www.becomesomm.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomesomm/ Linkedin: https://www.

Welcome to Episode 2376 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, 5 things about Bordeaux wineries, part 2. 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.   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, 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, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series. Stevie also frequently joins Professor Attilio Scienza on his shows

Welcome to Episode 2375 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 Stevie Kim. Today’s question(s):  Stevie asked Professor Scienza about the mood amongst producers, how they are dealing with the new tariffs and how the industry should approach this kind of issue. Stevie ha chiesto al professor Scienza quale sia il mood dei produttori, come stanno affrontando il nuovo contesto tariffario globale, e come l'industria dovrebbe affrontare questo tipo di situazione.   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

Welcome to Episode 2374 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Victor Owen Schwartz of VOS Selections. Together, they explore Victor’s recent legal battle against the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs—an important case with major implications for the U.S. wine trade. Key takeaways: The Origins of the Lawsuit: How a small wine importer became the lead plaintiff in a nationally significant legal challenge against the Trump administration’s tariffs. Implications of the Court’s Decision: What the ruling means for U.S. wine importers, distributors, and producers, particularly those dealing with European wines. Advice for Italian Wine Producers: How Italian wineries can prepare for and adapt to ongoing trade uncertainties and potential tariff-related disruptions. More about the guest: Victor Owen Schwartz  Victor Owen Schwartz is the founder and president of VOS Selections, an independent wine and spirits import company he launched in 1987. Based in New York

Welcome to Episode 2373 and the seventh episode of the new special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Anastasiia Filiuta of BIBIT LLC in Azerbaijan.   Key Learning Objectives: Understand the evolution of wine culture and consumer awareness in Azerbaijan. Learn about the import and distribution landscape. Identify current trends, gaps and opportunities in Azerbaijan’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, sommeliers, and distributors. Whether you're

Welcome to Episode 2372 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this installment of Voices, Cynthia Chaplin interviews Tish Wiggins, an educator, event curator, speaker and wine writer and founder of the brand "Tish Around Town".   About today’s guest: Tish Wiggins Tish Wiggins is an educator, event curator, speaker, and wine writer, best known as the founder of the lifestyle and wine brand "Tish Around Town." After a 20-year career in consulting, Tish transitioned into the wine industry, where she now combines her love of culture, travel, and storytelling through wine-focused experiences. She is also the visionary behind the Celebration of Women in Wine Napa Valley Tour, an initiative that spotlights and supports the contributions of women in the wine industry. Tish brings a fresh, inclusive voice to wine education and community-building, always with a focus on connection, empowerment, and authenticity. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tisharoundtown/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tisharo

Welcome to episode 2371 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 194 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Erin DeMara of WineKnow Inc. More about today’s guest: Erin DeMara Erin DeMara IWA is a wine and restaurant industry expert with a 29-year career. For the past seven years, he has been working with 1821 Fine Wine and Spirits, a specialized importer, managing a portfolio of over 100 wines and spirits in Florida, USA.  Erin also boasts the title of Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators, is an Italian Wine Ambassador and an Educator for the Vinitaly International Academy, the only American professional to have both titles. Additionally, he is a Certified Spirits Specialist, a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and an award-winning member of the Guild of Sommeliers. Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wineknowfl/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-demara-38006110/    More about the host: Marc Millon Marc Millon, a

Welcome to Episode 2370 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews May Matta-Aliah of In The Grape Inc.    Key takeaways: How to bridge tradition with contemporary relevance in brand storytelling. Adapting wine marketing strategies to meet the demands of a changing consumer landscape. The strategic thinking behind the creation of the Ambassador Wall and its role in brand visibility. More about the guest: May Matta-Aliah With nearly two decades of experience, May Matta-Aliah is a respected voice in the New York City wine and spirits scene. She represents leading wine regions and brands as an educator and ambassador, bringing depth, clarity, and charisma to every seminar and presentation she leads. Her work spans industry training, high-profile conferences, and consumer-facing events—always with a passion for translating complex topics into engaging, relatable stories. May is a long-time instructor at the International Wine Center, and holds some of the industry'

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2368 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti interviews Eugenia Caggiano.  More about today’s guest:  Eugenia Caggiano is Sella delle Spine’s manager, a winery founded in 1971 in Taurasi, in the heart of Irpinia. Growing up among the vineyards, Eugenia developed a deep passion for wine and an innovative entrepreneurial vision. While staying true to the Irpinian winemaking tradition, the winery embraces new technologies to create wines with a strong personality and a deep connection to their land of origin. Constantly evolving, Sella delle Spine cultivates its vineyards with respect for the soil, climate, and environment, following the natural winemaking process. Its DOCG wines, recognized internationally, embody the excellence and authenticity of the territory. [ITA]Eugenia Caggiano è amministratrice di Sella delle Spine, cantina fondata nel 1971 a Taurasi, nel cuore dell’Irpinia. Cresciuta tra i filari, Eugenia ha sviluppato una profonda passione

Welcome to Episode 2368 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, 5 Things About…Bordeaux Wineries Edition Part 1. 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 five iconic Bordeaux wineries on Stevie’s itinerary are: Château Lafite Rothschild Château Lynch-Moussas Château Pontet-Canet Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Château Palmer 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 Shr

Welcome to Episode 2367 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):  If you had to suggest a wine region to a wine enthusiast, which one would you choose and why? Se dovesse consigliare una regione vitivinicola ad un appassionato di vino, quale sceglierebbe e perché? 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 project

Welcome to Episode 2366 and the sixth episode of the special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Isa Ketebaev, Managing Director of Monte Bianco Almaty. Key Learning Objectives: Understand Monte Bianco’s role, operational structure and portfolio development strategy. Gain insights into operational realities, partnerships and bureaucratic hurdles. Understand consumer behavior, identify trends and market opportunities for Italian producers. 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

Welcome to episode 2365 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 193 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon and the third and final part of this Giro d’Italia Special Edition.  The 2025 Giro d’Italia kicks off in Durrës, Albania, and crosses into southern Italy for nine early stages through cities like Lecce, Matera, and Naples—offering a rich taste of regional food, wine, and culture before the race heads north. More about the host: Marc Millon 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 to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads o

Welcome to Episode 2364 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews wine writer, consultant and educator, Stevie Stacionis.  Key takeaways: the power of strong writing as the foundation of a winery marketing plan  what is the state of wine writing now in the US  the future of wine writing  More about the guest: Stevie Stacionis is a community, resiliency and brand galvanizer offering content, strategy, education and inspiration to wine and hospitality brands. She lives to stir the pot, inspire joy and cultivate community. Stevie and her husband own the Michelin-recommended MAMA Oakland restaurant, and they founded, operated and successfully sold two nationally acclaimed Bay Area wine shops and bars. Stevie also co-founded the non-profit Bâtonnage Forum for women in wine. Stevie writes the Resilient Wine Substack, advocating for a more inclusive, pragmatic and holistic course forward for the wine industry at large. She is also the author of a forthcom

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2363 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, McKenna Cassidy interviews Jonathan Capitanini, president and Head Dishwasher of Italian Village Restaurant.  More about today’s guest:  Italian Village Restaurants is a restaurant complex and 4th generation family business located in Chicago, IL. Founded in 1927 by Italian immigrant Alfredo Capitanini, it includes 4 different concepts including The Village, a local institution and the oldest Italian restaurant in the city. Now led by the brother/sister team of Jonathan and Giovanna Capitanini, the group continues to reinvent Italian-American tradition with the opening of Sotto & Bar Sotto. These new concepts write the next chapter of Italian Village connecting the restaurants to new generation of guests. In addition to a vast selection of Italian and Italian-inspired fare, the group has longstanding relationships with many Italian wine producers and maintains a legendary wine list of over 1,500 labels.  Connect:  Web-site

Welcome to Episode 2362 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, 5 things about Château Marquis D'alesme Becker. 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. Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker is a prestigious Grand Cru Classé estate located in the heart of the Margaux appellation in Bordeaux. With roots tracing back to the 18th century, the château is renowned for producing elegant, complex wines that capture the unique character of its exceptional terroir. Combining French tradition with a touch of exotic inspiration, the estate offers a distinctive experience where architecture, gardens, and wine come together in perfect harmony. 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 Int

Welcome to Episode 2361 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 Cynthia Chaplin. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Episode 2360 and the fifth episode of the new special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Asem Tusupbayeva to explore consumer behavior in the Kazakh market. Key Learning Objectives: Discover local wine producer ArbaWine. Understand consumer profiles and behavior in the Kazakh market. Explore emerging opportunities and perceptions of Italian wines in Kazakhstan. 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, sommeliers, and distributors. Whether you'r

Welcome to Episode 2359 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this installment of Voices, Cynthia Chaplin interviews Lauren Buzzeo, the founder, editor and publisher of Full Pour magazine. About today’s guest: Full Pour, an independent print magazine with a fresh take on drinks media, was launched in March 2023 by editor and publisher Lauren Buzzeo, a decades-long drinks and publishing industry vet. The magazine reports across beverage category lines providing a comprehensive view of the modern social-drinks landscape.  Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullpourmag/  Website: https://full-pour.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/full-pour/  About today’s host: VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador and sommelier with FIS, Cynthia Chaplin is a professor of Italian Wine and Culture, with 20 years experience in the wine industry. Cynthia is a certified wine educator, author, international judge, and content creator. She designs and presents events for embassies, corporate an

Welcome to episode 2358 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 192 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon and the second part of this Giro d’Italia Special Edition.  The 2025 Giro d’Italia kicks off in Durrës, Albania, and crosses into southern Italy for nine early stages through cities like Lecce, Matera, and Naples—offering a rich taste of regional food, wine, and culture before the race heads north. 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 to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the