Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2299 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Stevie Kim’s Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Italian Wine Ambassador Beverley Bourdin IWA interviews Grégoire Desforges of Baglio di Pianetto. Today’s learning objectives: To learn about the challenges Baglio di Pianetto is facing now. To understand what it takes to bottle great wine during a generational transition. Co-Moderator – Beverley Bourdin Beverley Bourdin  IWA lives in Alberta, Canada. Although her career has been a Registered Nurse in the operating room, she is a serious wine enthusiast and promoter of quality Italian wines, particularly those of smaller producers.  Her qualifications include International Sommelier Guild Advanced, several Wine Scholar Guild programs, WSET 3 and most notably, Italian Wine Ambassador through Vinitaly International Academy .  Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevbourdin/ Guest Bio – Grégoire Desforges Born and raised in Paris to an Italian mother and a French father, Grégoire

Welcome to Episode 2298 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this special edition, Juliana Colangelo interviews her co-host, Barbara Fitzgerald, to discuss the power of Wine Advocacy and the role of positive communication in wine. They explore the impact of Come Together, an initiative dedicated to fostering social connection through wine. Come Together was founded in 2024 by Karen MacNeil, Gino Colangelo, and Kimberly Noelle Charles to promote wine’s role in social connection. Their initiatives, like Come Over October and Share & Pair Sundays, encourage gatherings centered around wine and food. The organization aims to highlight wine’s cultural and communal significance. Key Takeaways:  Why advocating for positive communication around wine is more important now than ever?  Case Study: Come Over October  New initiative: Share & Pair Sundays and how wine brands can get involved    More about today’s guest: Barbara Fitzgerald With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C m

Welcome to episode 2297 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 184 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Tessa Donnadieu of Vinchio Vaglio Cantina Cooperativa, located in the Monferrato wine region of Piedmont, northern Italy. More about today’s winery: The name of the winery derives from the Vinchio and Vaglio Serra villages where nineteen vine growers founded the cooperative in 1959. The cooperative is located in Piedmont, Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site, at the foot of the Alps. Nowadays the cooperative represents nearly 200 family vine growers who take daily care of 500 hectares mostly planted in Barbera grapes (70% of our production) and other indigenous grapes from Piedmont, such as Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Ruché, Albarossa, Grignolino, Arneis, Cortese, Moscato and Brachetto. Since 1985, the winery had sought to maintain and protect the oldest vineyards of minimum 50 years vines of Barbera from which the brand Vigne Vecchie was born. The cooperative is part of a unique an

Welcome to Episode 2296 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Gary Fisch, Founder and CEO of Gary's Wine & Marketplace, and Scott Ades, President of Dalla Terra Winery Direct, to discuss the potential impact of US tariffs on EU wines and how these changes could affect the wine industry. Key takeaways: What is the current status of US tariffs on EU wines? How will these tariffs affect the US wine industry? What actions can wineries take in response? More about the guest: Gary Fisch  Gary Fisch is the Founder and CEO of Gary's Wine & Marketplace, a leading wine and spirits retailer. He launched his first store in Madison, NJ, in 1987 and has since expanded to multiple locations, including St. Helena, California, in 2019. By 2017, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace surpassed $50M in revenue.  With 35+ years in the industry, Gary has built one of the largest fine wine businesses, known for exceptional customer service and curated selections. His company has been featured in Fo

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2295 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti meets Skinny Pablo, a musician and record producer based in Mosel, Germany. More about today’s guest: Skinny Pablo Skinny Pablo is a funky, multifaceted artist from Guam — musician, record producer, DJ, filmmaker, and fashion designer — known for blending sound, culture, and adventure into immersive sensory experiences. Best recognized for Paris Mosel, a film and soundtrack that merges his love for food, wine, and music, Skinny spent over 12 years in Los Angeles before relocating to Germany’s Mosel wine country in 2023 to further develop the project. He also created Radio Terroir, a short-format show spotlighting his underground music catalog under the Mosai Music label. His work has led him to collaborate with legends like Lee "Scratch" Perry and Cypress Hill. As Paris Mosel continues to evolve, the next vintage is set for release in 2025. Connect:  Website: https://mosaimusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.i

Welcome to Episode 2294 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, and Part 1 of Discovering Bordeaux's Left Bank with Bernard Burtschy. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is on a special mission in Bordeaux to discover this important French region with one of the world's greatest Bordeaux experts. Over the course of four days, Stevie traveled through Bordeaux's iconic Left Bank, visiting the "best of the best" — the legendary producers ranked as Premier Cru: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild, all rated as "First Growths." In this episode, Bernard Burtschy breaks down the unique characteristics of each of these prestigious estates. He delves into the processes behind evaluating these wines, the significance of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification system, and shares his insights on why he believes 2022 will be an exceptional vintage for Bordeaux. More about today’s guest: Bernard Burtschy Bernard Burtschy holds a PhD i

Welcome to Episode 2293 of the Italian Wine Podcast coming live from the Grandi Langhe 2025 in Torino. Today's guest is Ryan Lewis, Director of Hidden Vines UK, a company dedicated to importing and distributing Italian wines, with a special focus on indigenous grape varieties. As the official media partner, Italian Wine Podcast brings you firsthand insights from Grandi Langhe 2025—Piedmont’s premier wine event. Join top producers, buyers, and experts as they explore emerging styles, vineyard innovations, and market trends shaping the region's future. From Barolo and Barbaresco to hidden gems, this series offers in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes access, revealing Piedmont’s impact on the global wine stage. More about today’s guest: Ryan Lewis Ryan Lewis is a UK-based wine specialist with a focus on Italian wines. He serves as the Sales Manager at Italian Wines Direct and is the Director of Hidden Vines UK, a company dedicated to supplying Italian wines and Prosecco at trade prices. Beyond his roles i

Welcome to Episode 2292 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 Elena Z. Today’s question(s):  In a data-driven future, who's going to have the final say on the wine style: AI or the winemaker? Will AI take the winemaker's place? In un futuro dominato dai dati, chi avrà l’ultima parola sullo stile di un vino: l’intelligenza artificiale o l’enologo? L'enologo verrà sostituito dall'Intelligenza arteficiale?  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 U

Welcome to Episode 2291, where we present a session recording from the wine2wine Business Forum 2024. Today’s session is entitled “Systembolaget, how the tender process and tasting works - one of the tools for reducing the climate impact” with Gad Peterson. In this session, we explore how generative AI is transforming the wine industry—from vineyard practices to customer relations. By optimizing workflows and driving innovation, AI is freeing up resources to focus on sustainability efforts, such as reducing climate impact.  Gad Pettersson, Head of Product Quality & Sustainable Supply Chain at Systembolaget, brings over 25 years of experience. He discusses how the tender process at Systembolaget supports sustainability and aligns with the company’s ambitious climate targets. Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of market-focus sessions, recorded in Verona in November 2024. wine2wine Business Forum is an international wine busi

Welcome to Episode 2290 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode, Italian Wine Ambassador Rebecca Severs interviews Primo Franco of the renowned Nino Franco winery, located in the Prosecco-producing Valdobbiadene region of northern Italy. Today’s learning objectives: To spotlight Primo Franco and his remarkable achievements. To introduce his book, The Prosecco Way of Life, published to celebrate Nino Franco’s 100th anniversary. To explore Villa Barberina and its unique offerings. To learn about single-vineyard Proseccos and what makes them truly special. Co-Moderator – Rebecca Severs: Rebecca Severs is the owner and general manager of Bari Ristorante e Enoteca, a distinguished Italian restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in cuisine from the Puglia region. Her journey in the hospitality industry began at age 19, starting as a server to support her college education. After relocating to California and later returning to Memphis, Rebecca and her husband e

Welcome to Episode 2289 in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews Isis Daniel, The Millennial Somm (TMS), in this installment of Voices on the Italian Wine Podcast.  About today’s guest: Isis Daniel Isis Daniel, known as "The Millennial Somm," is a dynamic wine educator and content creator who has made a significant impact on the wine industry. Based between Washington, D.C., and Paris, she is dedicated to making wine culture more accessible and engaging for a diverse audience. Her passion for wine education and promotion led her to found Elevage LLC, an initiative aimed at increasing wine knowledge and appreciation, particularly among younger generations. In 2021, Isis was recognized in Wine Enthusiast's prestigious 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list, solidifying her role as a rising star in the wine world. Through her platforms, she continues to inspire and educate wine enthusiasts, aiming to bridge the gap between the wine industry and a new, more diverse audience. Connect: Website: https://linktr.ee/themillennialso

Welcome to episode 2288 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 183 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Cecilia Paltrinieri of the Paltrinieri winery, a family-run winery dedicated for three generations to the production of Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC. More about today’s guest: Cecilia Paltrinieri  Paltrinieri is a family-run winery that has been specializing in Lambrusco di Sorbara for nearly 100 years. Located in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Sorbara, the winery blends tradition and innovation to create authentic wines. With a deep respect for the land and a passion for winemaking, Paltrinieri offers visitors an immersive experience through guided tastings and tours, including a glimpse into its small family acetaia. Cecilia Paltrinieri represents the fourth generation of her family's winery. As the front office and social media manager, she brings a modern touch to Cantina Paltrinieri, combining tradition with digital storytelling. Passionate about Lambrusco and hospitality, she cu

Welcome to Episode 2287 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews fine wine specialist Hayley Black, who oversees sales for seven states with Winebow Imports. Hayley shares her expertise on selling and promoting imported wines on the West Coastand and offers insights into the VIA Program. Key takeaways: How to bring more creativity and fun to wine marketing? What are some tangible ideas and examples for promoting wines? How to face the current trends and challenges?  More about the guest: Hayley Black Hayley Black is an avid learner of all things beverage and has a gift for sharing that knowledge with those around her. She believes that a passion for wine paired with a desire to learn creates a never-ending journey. Hayley has always understood what it means to pursue the pinnacle of quality in the wine industry in all facets. Hayley cut her teeth in the restaurant industry in the Greater Seattle Area. During this time she was named 425 Business Magazine’s 30 under 30, 2

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2286 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, McKenna Cassidy interviews Emanuel Schürer and Christian Ramisch of Munich’s Society of Sommeliers. The main topic of today’s interview is Student Wine Clubs and how the younger generation perceives wine.  More about today’s guests:  Emanuel has been the Head of Partnerships at the Society of Sommeliers e.V., Munich’s first and largest student wine club, for the past year. A founding member, he has been actively involved since the club’s inception, contributing to its growth and success. Emanuel is currently pursuing a degree in Management and Technology at the Technical University of Munich. Connect:  Website: https://www.societyofsommeliers.de/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/societyofsommeliers/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyofsommeliers/  Christian is a board member responsible for partnerships at the Society of Sommeliers. Alongside Emanuel, he oversees the club’s collaborations, external rel

Welcome to Episode 2285 in which Jessica Dupuy interviews the sommelier and wine director, Austin Farina. The fourth edition of the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO) takes place in Austin, Texas on 25 March 2025. This year, the spotlight shines on three southwestern states, with educational events and dedicated tastings taking place in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio in Texas as well as Phoenix, Arizona; and Denver, Colorado throughout February 2025. Italian Wine Podcast is a proud media partner of BBWO and is pleased to present this series of interviews recorded for this year’s event. Join us as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this renowned 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. More about today’s guest: Austin Farina is the son of an Italian immigrant. He has worked

Welcome to Episode 2284 of the Italian Wine Podcast coming live from the Grandi Langhe 2025 in Piedmont. Today’s guest is the award-winning sommelier and wine consultant, Reeze Choi. As the official media partner, Italian Wine Podcast brings you firsthand insights from Grandi Langhe 2025—Piedmont’s premier wine event. Join top producers, buyers, and experts as they explore emerging styles, vineyard innovations, and market trends shaping the region's future. From Barolo and Barbaresco to hidden gems, this series offers in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes access, revealing Piedmont’s impact on the global wine stage. More about today’s guest:  Meticulous about his service and knowledgeable on food and beverage, Reeze is one of the most sought-after sommeliers in the world. He has worked at prestigious restaurants such as L’atelier de Joël Robuchon Hong Kong and Upper Modern Bistro. His acquaintance with various cuisines and beverages—from French menu, cheese and coffee, to Cantonese dishes, sake and tea—

Welcome to Episode 2283 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 Elena Z. Today’s question(s):  How is climate change influencing Italian vine growers in terms of varietal selection?  In che modo il cambiamento climatico sta influenzando le scelte dei viticoltori italiani in termini di varietà coltivate?  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 p

Welcome to Episode 2282, where we present a session recording from the wine2wine Business Forum 2024. Today’s session is entitled “Adopting AI at Treasury Wine Estates with Justin Noland”. In the wine industry, generative AI is transforming various aspects of operations. From the vineyards to the way we connect with customers, we are adopting these models to enhance experiences, streamline tasks, and drive innovation.  Justin Noland is Vice President of Digital Experience for Treasury Americas at Treasury Wine Estates, one of the global leaders in wine. From the start of Justin’s career in wine, he has worked to bring digital transformation to business, marketing, and consumer experiences. He, working with an incredible team, is enabling new technology and building better ways to connect with customers online. Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of market-focus sessions, recorded in Verona in November 2024. wine2wine Business

Welcome to Episode 2281 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Italian Wine Ambassador Julianne Farricker IWA interviews Mattia Montanari of Opera 02 wine resort in Emilia-Romagna. Today’s learning objectives: To understand the uniqueness of Lambrusco Grasparossa in the world of Lambrusco. To explore other native grapes vinified in Emilia-Romagna. To discover essential pairings with the region’s gastronomic powerhouse. Co-Moderator – Julianne Farricker: Julianne is an Italian Wine Ambassador and co-owner of The Italian Cellar. She has visited all 20 regions of Italy, especially focusing on her maternal roots on the island of Stromboli. She is also in her 21st year of teaching high school English, economics and European history.  Connect: Website: https://www.theitaliancellar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giuliafarr/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianne-farricker-484202169/ About the guest - Mattia Montanari: Mattia Montanari started prod

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2280 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Mike Madaio to discuss his book, “A History of Philadelphia Sandwiches: Steaks, Hoagies, Iconic Eateries & More”.  Mike Madaio: “As I’ve come along in my career as a food and wine writer, I think that so many of the most compelling stories are human stories, so when I interview an Italian wine maker to talk about his or her wine I want to understand who that person is, what motivates them, what struggles they’ve had. All those things make the story more compelling than just saying ‘here’s a wine that tastes like this or here’s a sandwich that tastes like that’, so I’m glad that came across.”   On the bookshelf: The books discussed in today’s show include: Lost Mount Penn: Wineries, Railroads and Resorts of Reading by Mike Madaio Becoming Chianti Classico: A Wine Region's Fight for Authenticity by Mike Madaio Chianti Classico: The Search for Tuscany's Noblest Wine by Bill Nesto The C