Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2219 in which Jessica Dupuy interviews sommelier David Way live from TEXSOM 2024! Together, they explore Piemonte, its wines, grape varieties and MGAs.   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:   David Way initially specialised in the wines of the Tuscan Maremma before broadening his interests to the rest of Italy and beyond. He has always had a particular interest in local varieties and wine styles, alongside the famous wines of a region. His articles are published on his website, www.winefriend.org, which has sections on countries and regions he has visited: Italy above all, France, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.  David works as Senior Researcher for WSET on the

Welcome to Episode 2218 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 shows are generally in the Italian language.  Today’s question comes from Andrey Batkilin. Today’s question(s):  What's your opinion about the new Chianti Classico UGA classification system of 11 villages that started with the 2020 vintage?  Qual è la Sua opinione sul nuovo sistema di classificazione UGA del Chianti Classico, basato su 11 comuni e introdotto con l'annata 2020? Does this help the customer to understand the style of a particular wine or is it more about the geographical location of the producer inside Chianti Classico zone, where each makes wine "with their own taste"? Ritiene che questo aiuti il consumatore a comprendere meglio lo stile di un determinato vino o sia più legato alla posizione geografica del produttore all'interno della zona del Chianti Classico, dove ciasc

Welcome to Episode 2217 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Stevie Kim’s Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Alberto Martinez-Interiano IWA interviews Matteo Marenda of Sesta Di Sopra winery. Today’s learning objectives: Brush up on Brunello di Montalcino, with a deep dive on the southeastern sub-zones of Castelnuovo dell’Abate and Sant’Angelo in Colle. Learn about the dynamic process of generational transition in a family-owned winery, balancing tradition and innovation.  Hear inspiring anecdotes from Ettore and Matteo’s experiences, challenges and successes in continuing the winery’s legacy Co-Moderator – Alberto Martinez-Interiano Alberto is a wine educator, writer, and communicator based in Seattle. He teaches WSET and Wine Scholar Guild courses in both Seattle and Portland, Oregon. He also judges at international wine competitions, and his work has been featured in industry and trade publications such as SOMMTV, The Vintner Project, and The Italian Wine Podcast. Alberto holds the WSET D

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2216 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Elia Quarzago an Italian vineyard manager based on the Spanish island of Mallorca and co-author of “ 100 custodi per 100 vitigni”.   Amongst other things, the conversion covers Elia’s career in wine, Mallorca’s winemaking culture and the preservation of at risk Italian grape varieties.   On the bookshelf: The books discussed in today’s show include:  Theroux The Keyhole: Diaries of a Grounded Documentary Maker by Louis Theroux You can listen to Marc Millon’s interview with Matteo Bisol of the Venissa winery in Venice (which preserves the native grape variety Dorona) at: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/jumbo-shrimp-maps-series/ep-763-matteo-bisol-wine-food-travel-with-marc-millon-2/   More about today’s guest: Elia Quarzago is a winemaker and vineyard manager at Bodega Finca Can Gelat in Mallorca and member of GRASPO, a reserach project based in Verona, Italy, with the aim of studyin

Welcome to episode 2215 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 174 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Mario Fontana of the Cascina Fontana winery in the Langhe region of Piedmont in northwest Italy. Mario Fontana has been named Winemaker of the Year 2025 by Gambero Rosso. In this episode, they talk about the history of the winery, sustainable viticulture and winemaking techniques used by the estate, their flagship wines and some of the unexpected food and wine pairings. More about today’s guest: Mario Fontana together with his wife Luisa and sons Edoardo and Vasco are the proprietors of Cascina Fontana which comprises 5 hectares (about 12.5 acres) of estate vineyards dedicated exclusively to the cultivation of the classic grape varieties of Le Langhe: dolcetto, barbera and nebbiolo. Mario’s vineyards are located in the best zones of production in the commune of Castiglione Falletto (vigna Valletti, cru Mariondino, vigna Villero/cru Villero e vigna del Pozzo); La Morra (vigna Ga

Welcome to Episode 2214 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode Barbara Fitzgerald interviews the marketing and communications consultant Erica Nonni. Together, they talk about marketing agencies and collaborations, different media channels and the importance of developing sales mindset. More about the guest: Erica Nonni founded Nonni Strategic Marketing (NSM) in 2014 to serve international wine and food brands in pursuit of communications objectives to support export sales to the USA. Before opening NSM, Erica worked for 10+ years in wine, food and consumer goods marketing in the USA, the UK and continental Europe, developing trade, press and consumer campaigns to help brands and institutional clients achieve growth. An agency of one has become a dynamic team of professionals who support wine and specialty food brands exporting to the US, the UK and around the world from four continents. Erica has worked in traditional and digital marketing with McCann-Erickson, in wine retail sales (Oddbins UK, Win

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2213 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, McKenna Cassidy interviews Roza Zharmukhambetova, an IWA based in Kazakhstan and a new member of the Italian Wine podcast team. Together, they explore Roza's inspiring journey into wine, her approach to studying and building a career in wine and their experience with VIA. More about today’s guest: Roza 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 Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since late last year, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine. Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roza.zharmukham

Welcome to Episode 2212 in which Jessica Dupuy interviews sommelier Matt Dulle live from TEXSOM 2024!    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:   Matt Dulle is the CMS Advanced Sommelier with over two decades of experience in hospitality. He is the wine director of Spago, the flagship restaurant of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group located in the heart of Beverly Hills.  Connect: Website: https://wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/spago-beverly-hills/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somm_antics/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dulle-903a9b17/   More about today’s host:   Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine & Spirit Educatiol

Welcome to Episode 2211 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 shows are generally in the Italian language.  Today’s question comes from Markus Patz. Today’s question(s):  Throughout your distinguished career in viticulture and vine genetics, what has been the most fascinating or unexpected discovery that particularly influenced your understanding of the vine and its relationship with terroir? Durante la sua illustre carriera in viticoltura e genetica, qual è stata la scoperta più affascinante o inaspettata che ha influenzato la sua comprensione della vite e il suo rapporto con il terroir? More about Professor Scienza: Professor Atillio 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 Science

Welcome to Episode 2210 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Stevie Kim’s Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Italian Wine Ambassador Antonina Sergeyeva interviews Alberto Lusini from Bertani. Today’s learning objectives: Learn about the history of the winery and the modern technologies it has embraced Discuss marketing strategies which can be useful for importers Learn about innovations at the winery and future plans Co-Moderator – Antonina Sergeyeva In 2018, Antonina was working in the procurement department of a distribution company when she first developed an interest in wine. Her role required her to communicate with producers about contract terms, orders, and logistics. To enhance her knowledge of wines and wine regions, she enrolled in a basic sommelier course. Her passion for wine deepened as she studied, leading her to earn a WSET Level 2 certificate in spring 2019 and compete for the title of Best Sommelier of Kazakhstan. Antonina went on to achieve her WSET Level 3 certificate, tra

Welcome to Episode 2209, in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews Master of Wine Liz Thach in this installment of Voices on the Italian Wine Podcast.   About today’s guest: Dr. Liz Thach, MW, is a professor, wine writer, and consultant based in Napa and Sonoma, California. She is an award-winning author and educator specializing in wine business strategy, marketing, leadership/executive development, and wine lifestyle. As one of the nation’s leading wine experts, Liz also serves as President of the Wine Market Council, a non-profit organization that provides research on U.S. wine consumer behaviors and attitudes. Her passion is wine, and she has visited most of the major wine regions of the world and more than 70 countries. Liz has published over 200 articles and nine books, including Call of the Vine, Best Practices in Global Wine Tourism, and Wine Marketing & Sales. She frequently contributes to Forbes, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Spectator, and The SOMM Journal, among others. In addition, Liz teaches wine clas

Welcome to episode 2208 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 173 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is the gastronome and professor of food and wine, Paolo Tegoni. More about today’s guest: Paolo Tegoni is a gastronome and professor of food and wine studies at various Italian universities and training centers. Throughout his professional career, he has worked as a sommelier in Paris, collaborated on the creation of important cultural exhibitions related to food, and has written—and continues to write—for various agri-food sector magazines. He is also a tireless traveler of wine terroirs, and in 2022, he published his first book titled "Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo" (Malvasia, a Mediterranean Diary), with Terrae Opificio Culturale Enogastronomico. In the book, he explores wines made from different Malvasia grape varieties grown in the vineyards of Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italian_association_exeter/   Facebook: https:

Welcome to Episode 2207 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode Barbara Fitzgerald interviews the acclaimed wine journalist, educator and author Deborah Parker Wong. In this episode, they discuss Deborah’s extensive experience as a globally renowned wine educator and guide editor, exploring how her expertise has sharpened her insights into consumer preferences, emerging trends, and her role in shaping the future of the wine industry. More about the guest: Deborah Parker Wong Recognized by Wine Business Monthly as a 2023 Wine Industry Leader, Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, is the Global Wine Editor for The SOMM Journal and a contributor to The Tasting Panel magazine. She has been writing about the beverage alcohol industry for these and other outlets since 2004. In 2020, she was appointed National Editor, USA, for the Slow Wine Guide, now in its seventh edition. Deborah teaches as an associate instructor at San Jose State University, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Cabrillo College, and owns a Wine & Spir

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2206 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti interviews Serena Costanzo of Palmento Costanzo winery of Mount Etna, Sicily. More about today’s guest: Serena graduated in agricultural sciences and completed a Master’s in enology and viticulture. She has worked in the family winery for a year and her main focus is on the vineyards. Palmento Costanzo winery is located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna between 600 and 800 metres above sea level. The winery only cultivates native varieties: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for red wine production and Carricante and Catarratto for white wine production. The vineyard is very old, and as traditional viticulture on Etna is cultivated by alberello, with chestnut posts. It has an old Palmento that has been restored and it continues to vinify inside using modern technology.  Connect:  Website: https://www.palmentocostanzo.com/en/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palmentocostanzoetnawine/ Linkedin: ht

Welcome to Episode 2205 of On The Road Edition with Stevie Kim. Today Stevie is in conversation with Marco Alberti, Ambassador of Italy to Kazakhstan. More about today’s show:  Kazakhstan is an important emerging market with growing demand for premium products such as Italian wine. The Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow, held at the exclusive Rixos Almaty Hotel on 18 November 2024, was Vinitaly's first international project in Central Asia. The program included walk-around tastings, in-depth masterclasses and informal networking opportunities, with a full range of Made in Italy products on offer. The event coincided with the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) Italian Wine Ambassador program. VIA is the Italian wine education gold standard, a study path which aims to train competent and professional figures to promote Italian wine all over the world. Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country in the world with a population of 20 million. Fifty per cent of the population is under 24 years old with a rising

Welcome to Episode 2204 and the first episode of 2025 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 questions come from Karla Ravagnolo. Today’s question(s):  What is your plan for 2025 and what do you think the plan should be for the wine industry in 2025? VIA is also turning 10, do you have any learning takeaways from the academy? Any tips and wishes for the students that are planning to attend this year? Qual è il Suo piano per il 2025 e quale pensa dovrebbe essere il piano per l'industria del vino nel 2025? Il VIA sta per compiere 10 anni, ha qualche insegnamento che ha tratto dall'Accademia? Ha qualche consiglio e augurio per gli studenti che stanno programmando di partecipare quest'anno? More about Professor Scienza: Professor Atillio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mi

Welcome to episode 2203 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 172 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is the Italian journalist and writer Michelangelo Iossa. More about today’s guest: Michelangelo Iossa is an Italian journalist, writer and university teacher. He has been writing for some of Italy’s most important newspapers since the 1990s and is a contributor for the national newspaper ‘Corriere della Sera’, for the cultural and life-style magazine ‘The Way Magazine’ and for other Italian newspapers. Connect Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/michelangeloiossa/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelangeloiossa Twitter: https://x.com/michelangepress More about the host Marc Millon: Marc Millon, VIA Italian Wine Ambassador 2021, has been travelling, eating, drinking, learning and writing about wine, food and travel for nearly 40 years. Born in Mexico, with a mother from Hawaii via Korea and an anthropologist father from New York via Paris, he was weaned on exotic and del

Welcome to Episode 2202 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this special year-end episode of Masterclass US Wine Market, hosts Barbara Fitzgerald and Juliana Colangelo reflect on an exciting year of the series. From unforgettable guest interviews to the most insightful episodes, they recap the stories, trends, and moments that defined 2024. Tune in for their favorite highlights, expert takeaways, and a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2025!   More about the hosts: Barbara Fitzgerald   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 recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and ho

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2201 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti interviews Mattia Castagnedi of Tenuta Sant'Antonio. More about today’s guest: Third Generation of winemakers of the Castagnedi Family, born and raised with the agronomic and oenological passion transmitted by his father Paolo Castagnedi, founder and owner of the Castagnedi Family brands: Tenuta Sant'Antonio / SCAIA / TéLOS. Today together with his uncle Massimo Castagnedi, agronomic manager of the company and directly responsible for the ORGANIC sector for the TéLOS Brand. Connect:  Website: https://famigliacastagnedi.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenutasantantoniowine/   https://www.instagram.com/scaiawine/  https://www.instagram.com/telos_wine/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TenutaSantAntonio https://www.facebook.com/scaiawine  https://www.facebook.com/teloswine   More about the host:  Giulia is an AIS Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. She has 360° experience in the cellar, harv

Welcome to Episode 2200 of On The Road Edition with Stevie Kim. Today Stevie visits Ristorante Il Centro di Priocca in Piedmont and meets sommelier Giampiero Cordero, whose family established the restaurant in 1956. More about today’s guest:  Growing up amidst the flavours and knowledge of the dining room and the kitchen, Giampiero soon developed an intense passion for the world of wine. After graduating in Oenology in Alba, he acquired extensive experience in the wine and catering sector, initially with local wineries and producers and then honing his gastronomic and oenological expertise in international contexts. Upon returning to Italy, he decided to concentrate all his time on the family business, specialising in sourcing and selecting exclusive labels, focusing on the Langhe and Roero and the most important wine regions throughout the world. The wine list, for which he is personally responsible, is one of the jewels in the restaurant’s crown, now featuring hundreds of references of rare excellence, t