Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2577 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Ettore Donadeo IWE to explore the Japanese wine market, the role of wine education, and practical insights for producers and wine professionals entering the market. Key learning objectives: Understand Japanese consumer taste preferences and identify which Italian wine categories perform best. Learn how wine education and institutions influence the market and support market entry. Gain practical guidance on cultural adaptation and communication strategies for sustainable success in Japan. Wine spots in Tokyo recommended by Ettore: Grand Marché du Vin, Madeira Entrada, both located in Ginza. More about today’s guest: Ettore Donadeo is a wine educator originally from Marche, Italy, and has been based in Japan since 2008. He entered the wine industry in 2012 and began his career as a wine educator in 2017 at Caplan Wine Academy in Tokyo. Ettore holds the WSET Level 4 D

Welcome to episode 2576 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, An inside look at wine competitions and 5StarWines - the Book. Speakers: Robert Joseph, Stephanie Johnson DipWSET & IWE, Yannick Benjamin This Tasting Session explores some of the “Top Scoring” wines selected for 5StarWines - the Book 2026. During the session, Robert Joseph, General Chair of the Selection, Stephanie Johnson DipWSET & IWE and Yannick Benjamin, Panel Chairs of the Selection, explain the tasting process and the rationale behind such exceptional scores, simulating the discussion that takes place during the evaluation process for the Selection, giving participants the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at 5StarWines - the Book. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of conversations from Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum is an international wine business event, held annual

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2575 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stephanie Johnson IWE interviews the winemaker Marco Ferrari about his journey from Brescia to the Rhône Valley and Valtellina, the extreme challenges of Valtellina viticulture, and how Valtellina Nebbiolo differs from Langhe Nebbiolo in the context of climate change. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Get more familiar with Valtellina and its subzones. Appreciate the challenges of making wine in Valtellina. Hear how climate change is affecting the region. More about today’s host:   As well as being a certified Italian Wine Expert (IWE), Stephanie Johnson holds a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. Her wine career spans the journalism, retail and restaurant sectors. She joined Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2013 and later served as Italian Wine Editor from 2016 to 2024. Stephanie has judged at international comp

Welcome to Episode 2574 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 Richard Hough. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to episode 2573 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 225 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Rachel Roddy, British food writer & columnist, to talk about her life in Italy, her deep connection to Rome, and the way everyday food experiences shape her writing. They explore what it means to truly live a place through food from shopping at the local bakery to sharing meals around the family table. More about today’s guest: Rachel Roddy is a British food writer, cookery author, and long-time Rome resident. Born in Southampton in 1972, she originally trained in acting before moving to Italy in 2005, where she settled in Rome’s Testaccio neighborhood and began writing about food on her blog Rachel Eats and later for major publications. Rachel writes a weekly food column called “A Kitchen in Rome” for The Guardian and has contributed to outlets like Financial Times, Noble Rot, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, and Eater. She is the author of three Ita

Welcome to Episode 2572 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo speaks with Michael Laudenslager, a seasoned American sommelier, about his new role at Wine Enthusiast, current New York on-premise trends, how Italian wine and culture are communicated to restaurant guests, and what’s shaping consumer preferences - from Sardinia and Cannonau to natural wines, age-worthy bottles, and Italian spirits. Key Takeaways: Key trends shaping New York City’s on-premise wine scene, as seen through Peasant’s guest preferences. How wine professionals can better bridge the gap between wine media, scoring systems, and real-world consumers. Insights into emerging styles, regions, and categories to watch as the wine industry looks ahead to 2026. More about the guest:  Michael Laudenslager is a seasoned American sommelier and wine professional, currently serving as the Wine Director at Peasant, an Italian restaurant in New York City known for its Italian-focused wine list. At Peasant, he

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2571 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, McKenna Cassidy speaks with Elizabeth Terracina, a sommelier at Andros Taverna and Mano a Mano, about her experience working with wine in the Chicago food and wine scene. They also explore the intersection of wine and cocktail culture, the importance of staff training, and how thoughtful guest interactions shape meaningful hospitality experiences. More about today’s guest: Elizabeth is a sommelier at Andros Taverna and Mano a Mano whose approach to wine is shaped by working across a wide range of roles within hospitality. With experience spanning multiple positions on the floor and behind the bar, she brings a practical, guest-centered perspective rooted in service, rhythm, and real-world drinking habits. Her background in cocktails and bartending informs the way she thinks about balance, flavor, and accessibility. Elizabeth is drawn to the way food and wine bring people together and create shared experiences, an

Welcome to episode 2570 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, Promoting wine - achieving success in a hostile environment. Speaker: Karen MacNeil The cumulative difficulties that the wine industry now faces are well known. They include negative and biased reporting about alcohol, generational down shifts, competition from cannabis and cannabis-infused beverages, the flattening of food and drink consumption by GLP-1 drugs, the proliferation of Ready to Drink cocktails, disruptions in distribution channels, the continued threat and impact of tariffs, and more. Yet despite these gale-force headwinds, a small team of professionals have launched one of the most successful pro-wine movements in recent history. Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible and co-founder of the campaigns Come Over October and Share & Pair Sundays, leads this session, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the campaigns and their successes. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine

Welcome to Episode 2569 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 Anselmo Acquah. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to episode 2568 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 224 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today, Marc is in conversation with the author, food writer, and historian Mary Taylor Simeti. Mary reflects on moving to Sicily after her studies, inspired by her interest in Frederick II, and on building a life there with her husband Tonino, including taking over a family winery that became a passion. The conversation explores Sicily’s food and wine culture and their early commitment to organic farming and winemaking. More about today’s guest: Mary Taylor Simeti is an American-born author, food writer, and historian renowned for her deep expertise in Sicilian culinary and medieval history, having moved to Sicily in 1962 and becoming a key figure in documenting its culture, food, and social life through books like Pomp and Sustenance and articles for the New York Times. She and her family own and run an organic farm in western Sicily, and she was also involved in Sicilian feminist publishing and s

Welcome to Episode 2567 of the Italian Wine Podcast, Masterclass US Wine Market, The Year in Review with Barbara Fitzgerald and Juliana Colangelo. In this episode, they revisit the best conversations and key takeaways from 2025. Key Takeaways: The recurring themes and topics that shaped conversations about the US wine market in 2025. Tangible, real-world advice shared by their guests. Holiday wine picks from Barbara Fitzgerald and Juliana Colangelo. More about the series: Masterclass US Wine Market is a podcast series tailored to offer Italian wine producers and trade valuable insights on mastering the U.S. market for their brands. The podcast delves into best practices and case studies covering sales & distribution, social media, communications, and more. Each episode is presented with key takeaways for the audience, accompanied by a mini “quiz” at the end to reinforce the episode’s key lessons. Each episode is structured as a lesson, covering topics ranging from sales/marketing strategies

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2566 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Sanghamitra Banik in a conversation that focuses on the Indian market. Key learning objectives: Gain an overview of how wine importing and distribution work in India, including whether the market is centralized or state-based, how regulations differ across regions, and how import duties and taxation impact pricing and market access. Identify who the main importers and distributors are, how they operate, and which Italian wine categories and styles are currently performing best in the Indian market and why. Learn how Winesutra supports market entry and growth and what brand activation strategies proved to be successful.  The wine importers mentioned in the episode: Dhall Group, Hema Connoisseur, Brindco, Wine Park, Rad Elan Distributors. Wine spots in Mumbai recommended by Sanghamitra: AER, Vetro and Enoteca, Le Cirque Signature, The Table. More about today’s guest:

Welcome to episode 2565 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, Wine titles decoded: why MS and MW both matter. Speakers: Jessica Dupuy DipWSET, Doug Frost MW & MS, Jim Bube MS What’s the difference between a Master Sommelier and a Master of Wine? Is one more for blind tasting parlor tricks? And the other for breaking down the finer points on what soil compositions and export markets have in common? Join Jessica Dupuy, DipWSET, Certified Sommelier and seasoned wine journalist, for a dynamic discussion exploring the differences, similarities, and shared value of two of the wine world’s most respected credentials. For too long, confusion has hovered between the two. In the U.S., Master Sommeliers are often elevated to near-celebrity status, while in Europe, the title is less understood or recognized. Conversely, Masters of Wine are widely revered across Europe as the pinnacle of expertise yet often perceived in the U.S. as overly academic or inaccessible. This panel shifts

Welcome to Episode 2564 of the Italian Wine Podcast and this On The Road Special Edition: Getting to know Albania with one of its most successful female entrepreneurs.  In this episode of the Italian Wine Podcast, Stevie Kim is in conversation with Erjola Braha, the founder and CEO of the Alehandro Group, one of Albania's most successful importing and distributing companies. With over 25 years of experience, the Alehandro Group represents over 70 Italian producers in Albania.  In this intimate conversation from the cellar of Château Braha, Erjola tells the story behind her business, describes the scope of the Albanian market, and shares strategies for cracking this young and emerging market. Erjola also explains the close links between Albania and Italy, not least in relation to cuisine, and shares some of her favourite Albanese dishes. This conversation took place in November 2025 against the backdrop of the historic Vinitaly Preview in Tirana, a special event celebrating the deep bond between Italy and A

Welcome to episode 2563 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 223 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today, Marc is in conversation with Giulia Abbona of the Poderi Luigi Einaudi winery in Piemonte. More about today’s guest: The Poderi Luigi Einaudi winery, a historic estate known for its elegant wines, is located in the heart of Italy's famous Piedmont wine region, primarily in Dogliani (Cuneo province), with significant vineyards also in renowned areas like Barolo (Terlo, Cannubi) and other Langhe locations. Poderi Luigi Einaudi is  historic winery, established by Italy's second president, Luigi Einaudi, pioneering quality wines from prime Langhe vineyards, particularly for making Dolcetto famous beyond its local area and producing renowned Barolo from prestigious crus like Cannubi and Terlo, blending tradition with modern techniques for authentic terroir expression.  Giulia Abbona joined Poderi Einaudi Relais in 2015 and, driven by her passion for wine, began hosting winery tours in 2019. Toda

Welcome to Episode 2562 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Alder Yarrow, creator of the award-winning Vinography blog, to uncover how the wine review process works. Key Takeaways: How the wine review process works and the details producers often overlook. What critics value in communication with producers. What resonates with American consumers and gives producers a strategic advantage. More about the guest:  Alder Yarrow is a pioneering wine writer and one of the original voices of wine blogging. He launched Vinography on 15 January 2004 and continues to publish regularly on the site, which San Francisco Magazine famously described as making him “The Wine World’s Brightest Cyberstar.” Since 2011, Alder has been a columnist and wine critic for jancisrobinson.com, where he focuses on American wines and the U.S. wine scene. His work has received numerous honors, including awards from the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards, and in 2013 he w

Welcome to episode 2561 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, An Inside Look into Wine Enthusiast’s 100-point Rating System, Upholding Blind-Tasting Protocols, and Scoring Non-Imported Products. Speaker: Anna-Christina Cabrales, Moderator: Marilisa Allegrini Wine Enthusiast is a media and commerce company that stands as the leading source of innovation and information around wine. The Certified B Corporation employs nearly 20 wine critics with deep knowledge and credibility in the industry who blind taste and rate 25,000 wines and spirits annually. In July 2025, the company expanded the Wine Enthusiast Ratings Platform to accept wines and spirits that are not currently imported into the United States. Anna-Christina Cabrales, Tasting Director and Reviewer for Burgundy, Champagne, Rhône Valley, leads a 45-minute blind-tasting session while speaking to Wine Enthusiast’s 100-point rating system and blind-tasting protocols, shares why it was important to build a ratings platfo

Welcome this special Christmas edition of Book Club and Episode 2561 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard speaks with Sophie Thorpe about her top five books of 2025. They explore how Sophie first became interested in wine, trace her career in the luxury wine sector, and discuss the role and influence of wine writing in shaping the industry. The conversation also touches on the wine she plans to enjoy on Christmas Day, making for a festive and insightful discussion. Sophie Thorpe’s Top 5 Wine Books of 2025: Saint-Julien: Vineyards, Cellars, People, and Place (English Edition) by Marc Bouffard The Wines of California by Elaine Chukan Brown Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate by Alex Maltmans Drinking the World: A Wine Odyssey by Victoria Brzezinski and Bert Blaize  The Cynics Guide to Wine by Sunny Hodge The wines discussed in today’s show include: Nascetta, the rare indigenous white grape from the Langhe hills of Pimonte Timorasso, the rare ancie

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2559 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin is joined by Canadian wine educator, writer, and influencer Will Ferguson, better known as The Queer Wino. Together, they explore Will’s personal journey into wine, the realities faced by LGBTQ+ professionals in a traditionally conservative industry, and how inclusive communication, community-building, and social media can make wine more accessible, authentic, and welcoming. The conversation also touches on Pride in Wine, Will’s new wine club, the impact of DEI rollbacks in the U.S., and what true allyship looks like today. More about the guest: Will Ferguson (also known as Queer Wino) is a prominent Canadian wine educator, writer, and influencer focused on making wine accessible and inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community and all enthusiasts, using platforms like Instagram (@Queerwino) to share insights, tastings, and fight for diversity in the wine world. He holds WSET certifications and works in wine retail, cre

Welcome to episode 2558 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 222 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today, Marc is in conversation with the wine educator and entrepreneur Robert Maggi, who shares his unique journey between two lives: one rooted in Puglia, Italy, and the other in Wales, where he now lives and works. Together, they discuss Robert’s path as an Italian wine importer in the UK, his role as an Italian Wine Ambassador, and the creation of the Cardiff Wine Festival as a platform connecting producers directly with consumers. More about today’s guest: Robert Maggi is a wine educator, entrepreneur, and Italian Wine Ambassador, originally from Puglia and now based in Cardiff, Wales. Half Italian and half Welsh, he is the founder of WinesnVines and an importer working to connect Italian producers with the UK market. With over 15 years of international experience, including work with producers such as Jim Barry Wines in Australia, Robert is deeply involved in wine education, tastings, and mark