Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2557 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Leonardo LoCascio, the founder and former CEO and Chairman of Winebow, Inc. Drawing on decades of experience as one of the most influential importers in the United States, Leonardo shares his perspective on what it truly takes for Italian producers to succeed today. Key Takeaways: Why some Italian wine categories are gaining traction in the U.S. while others are struggling. How importers and distributors assess producer readiness, including portfolio fit, pricing, and long-term strategy. Where Italian wine can realistically win market share in an increasingly competitive and challenging market environment. More about the guest:  Leonardo LoCascio is a pioneering figure in the American wine industry and the founder of Winebow, one of the United States’ most respected importers and distributors of fine wine and craft spirits. LoCascio left a successful career in corporate finance and banking to

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2556 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Walter Giomi, wine educator and portfolio manager at Bangkok beer and beverages, to discuss the dynamics of Thailand’s fast-evolving wine scene. Key learning objectives: Get an overview of Thailand’s wine ecosystem, including key players, latest regulations and taxation. Identify consumer trends and the top-performing Italian wine categories in Thailand. Learn about the Bangkok Beer & Beverages portfolio and gain practical, on-the-ground insights from Walter’s experience. More about today’s guest: Born and raised in Rome, Walter Giomi comes from a long line of hospitality professionals. He started working in restaurants at 13, developing strong skills in service, product quality, and guest interaction. After earning his first wine certification at 19, he began his path in the wine world. Since 2013, Walter has worked for a leading beverage importer in Thailand, growin

Welcome to episode 2555 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, Beyond the Border: why Mexico matters for Italian wine. Speaker: Larissa Lawrence IWA, Moderator: Diva Maddalena Moretti Polegato While often overlooked, Mexico is a dynamic, fast-evolving wine market with growing demand for premium and lifestyle wines—especially among younger urban consumers in cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey - and in high-end international tourist destinations. As local wine culture develops, Italian wines have a unique opportunity to position themselves as aspirational, food-friendly, and authentic. This session explores distribution models, regulatory pathways, consumer behavior, and on-trade opportunities—especially in the context of Mexico’s strategic proximity to the U.S. and rising gastronomic tourism. 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 i

Welcome to Episode 2554 of the Italian Wine Podcast and this On The Road Special Edition. In this episode, Stevie Kim is in conversation with Marco Alberti, the Italian Ambassador in Tirana, Albania. Marco Alberti was previously Italy’s Ambassador of Kazakhstan and he reflects on the differences between the two diplomatic postings. They also discuss how Albania has been influenced by Italian culture, and how wine can be used to increase the trade and cultural links between the two countries.  More about the host Stevie Kim:  Stevie Kim is an Italian wine marketing & communication expert, bandpositioning 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. 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 launch

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2553 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stephanie Johnson IWE interviews Sophie Conte of Tregole winery in Castellina in Chianti. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Gain first-hand insights into the 2025 Chianti harvest. Understand what defines the Castellina UGA and its identity. Explore the challenges and realities faced by young start-up wineries. The conversation covers the timing of Sangiovese picking, differences between vineyard plots, and how Castellina’s unique territory shapes its distinctive tasting “DNA.” Sophie explains Tregole’s place within the Castellina UGA, touches on curiosities like “white Sangiovese,” and reflects on how the winery’s techniques and approach have evolved from its early days to today. More about today’s host:   As well as being a certified Italian Wine Expert (IWE), Stephanie Johnson holds a WSET Diploma in W

Welcome to Episode 2552 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 2551 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 221 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today, Marc is in conversation with Gudrun Cuillo to discuss the Chianti estate she and her husband brought back to life and her romance book inspired by the winery. Gudrun shares how they transformed the once-abandoned post–World War II borgo of Livernano into a magical retreat with a restaurant and boutique lodging, while also restoring Casalvento, the nearby winery. She explains the differences between the two estates, their organically farmed vineyards, and their collaboration with the University of Pisa to further sustainable vineyard practices. More about today’s guest: Gudrun Cuillo was born in Leibnitz, Austria. Soon after graduation, she joined the opera as an artist-in-residence for stage scenery and makeup. That work eventually took Gudrun to New York to continue her education.While enjoying traveling throughout the U.S., Gudrun came to Florida where she met Robert Cuillo, an Italian Ame

Welcome to Episode 2550 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Amy Liu, Senior Brand Manager at Mark Anthony Group, for a deep dive into the Canadian wine market. Together they break down how Canada’s monopoly system works, what smaller producers should know before entering the market, how category buyers operate across provinces, and the differences between the Canadian and U.S. markets. They also touch on regulations around advertising, discounts, quotas, and share examples of marketing campaigns that truly resonate. Key Takeaways: A clear overview of how the Canadian wine market operates. How the removal of American wines from retail shelves has opened new doors for Italian producers. Strategies for building long-term brand equity in Canada. More about the guest:  Amy Liu graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Psychology and Pre-Law. Throughout her career, she has worked with renowned brands, including White Claw, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark,

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2549 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today McKenna Cassidy interviews Matteo Guerrini of Guerrini winery in Umbria for a lively look at how young consumers are drinking today, why his family decided to produce Pinot Noir in the heart of Umbria, and how the estate is embracing low-intervention, sustainable practices. Matteo also shares what makes Umbria such an exciting region to watch and reveals details about a new collaborative project with a Californian winery. More about today’s guest: Located in the hills of Monteleone d’Orvieto in Umbria, Guerrini is a family-run estate dedicated to crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines with a focus on Pinot Noir. Although the Guerrini family has been active in the wine world since 1958 as merchants in Rome, the move into production began in the early 2000s, when the family established their modern estate at the border of Umbria and Tuscany. Today, the winery cultivates around 22 acres of vines within an 81-acre estate rich i

Welcome to episode 2548 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, ITA Masterclass "ITA Connects - Decoding the U.S. market: importing, policy, and promoting Italian wine". Speakers: Bill Terlato, Roger Murry, Ted Campbell, Kristen Reitzell Moderator: Stevie Kim The U.S. remains a strategic market for Italian wine, but success requires navigating not only the three-tier system but also the policy environment in Washington. This interactive masterclass, organized by ITA – Italian Trade Agency, brought together four leading voices shaping the future of Italian wine in America. Bill Terlato (Terlato Wine Group), who has the unique distinction of having imported, distributed, marketed, and produced luxury Italian wines for decades, shares the importer’s perspective. Ted Campbell (Winebow) provides insights on portfolio strategy and category trends, representing one of the most influential Italian portfolios in the U.S. Roger Murry (Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP) provides i

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2547 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Jane Masters MW to discuss her book, Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine. Amongst others things, Richard and Jane discuss: Jane’s career in wine Current trends in the UK wine retail scene How vineyards are responding to climate change What consumers can do to ensure that the wine they are drinking is sustainable What Jane will be drinking at Christmas. On the bookshelf: The books discussed in today’s episode include: Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine by Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neither is available now at: https://academieduvinlibrary.com/ and all good bookshops. OIV Report on Global Wine Production: https://www.oiv.int/press/oiv-releases-2025-world-wine-production-first-estimates  Employees at firm that supplied grape-pickers for Champagne on trial for human trafficking https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/19/gr

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2546 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Anna Obukhovskaia interviews Massimo Bronzato of Bronzato winery in Valpolicella. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understand what makes Valpolicella unique, from its ancient soils to its diverse micro-terroirs. Learn how local producers are preserving freshness and typicity despite the challenges of a warming climate. Explore how passionate winemakers like Massimo Bronzato are shaping the region’s evolution through innovation and tradition. More about today’s host:   Anna Obukhovskaya has over 15 years of experience in wine retail, marketing and sales. She has worked in several large companies and independent projects, and founded the Italian Wine Tasting Club in Saint Petersburg in Russia. In 2023 she became a certified Italian Wine Ambassador. Driven by passion for European wines she moved from Saint

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2545 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin interviews New York–based wine educator and digital creator Amari Collins to explore her personal journey into wine, from childhood memories with her sommelier father to her unexpected career shift from television production into the world of wine education. Amari shares how she built Vin Dealer as an accessible, culture-driven platform, how a viral rooftop tasting changed everything, and how her tastes have evolved along the way. More about the guest: Amari Collins is a New York–based wine educator and digital creator who brings a fresh, inclusive voice to the world of wine. Through her platform @vin_dealer, Amari demystifies wine with humor, cultural insight, and storytelling that resonates with a diverse audience.  Before stepping into the wine space, Amari built a successful career as a television casting producer. In recognition of her impact on the industry, Amari was named to Wine Enthusiast’s Future 4

Welcome to episode 2544 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 220 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today, Marc speaks with Marco Nardi, sommelier at Caractère, the Michelin-starred London restaurant led by Chef Emily Roux. They discuss what it’s like to work in a Michelin-starred environment, how Caractère builds a uniquely personalized guest experience, and why its “wine list” is actually a storytelling book that diners love to explore. Marco also explains the four curated wine experiences he offers, and how his approach focuses on truly understanding what each guest wants. More about today’s guest: Marco Nardi is from the northern region of Lombardy. He started his journey in hospitality at catering college (Scuola Professionale Provinciale Alberghiera "C. Ritz"), in Merano while working in local restaurants during the weekend and school holidays. A certified AIS (Associazione Italiana Sommelier) sommelier, in 2014 he joined the sommelier team at Chewton Glen Hotel in Hampshire, where he was m

Welcome to Episode 2543 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Tim Marson MW of wine.com, the leading online wine retailer in the United States, to unpack how the platform operates and take a closer look at its Italian wine category - what’s trending in price and style, and what drives their wine-selection decisions. Key Takeaways: Why does wine.com lean into or out of certain Italian wine categories? How does wine.com evaluate producer readiness for the US market? What formats and price tiers outperform in the Italian wine category. More about the guest:  Tim Marson MW is a Master of Wine and Category Director at Wine.com, responsible for purchasing over 7,000 wines from France and Italy. He graduated in Classics from Oxford University and entered the wine industry in 1997. After completing his WSET examinations with honors in 2000, he worked in various roles across the UK wine retail sector before moving to Napa, California in 2011. Tim is a highly respect

Welcome to Episode 2542 of the Italian Wine Podcast and a special edition of Voices to celebrate the 4th anniversary of this much loved show. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin looks back on how Voices has evolved into a platform celebrating under-represented perspectives in wine. She reflects on the show’s mission, from amplifying women and people of color to spotlighting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ professionals, educators expanding access, sustainability leaders, career changers, and winemakers working in challenging contexts. To celebrate the milestone, Cynthia shares hand-picked outtakes from some of her most meaningful conversations, highlighting lessons on diversity, allyship, communication, and the future of an inclusive wine industry. More about our 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.

Welcome to episode 2541 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, ITA masterclass "VINI RARI – Beyond the Ordinary". Speaker: Marco Sabellico Chicago was host to one of the most anticipated highlights of Vinitaly.USA 2025: the VINI RARI masterclass by Gambero Rosso, held with the patronage of ITA – Italian Trade Agency. Leading the experience was Marco Sabellico, Senior Editor of Vini d’Italia, who guided participants through 10 extraordinary wines, some produced in fewer than 500 bottles per year. VINI RARI masterclass was a sensory journey through tiny vineyards, rediscovered grape varieties, bold winemaking choices, and long patient aging. A unique opportunity to explore the most intimate, artisanal, and innovative side of Italian wine, in the heart of one of the most dynamic and receptive cities for Italian wine in the U.S. 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 fr

Welcome to Episode 2540 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 Beatrice Motterle (Part 2). Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2539 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Michele Longari IWA interviews Riccardo Binda, Director of Consorzio Vini Oltrepò Pavese, to explore his experience with the Bolgheri and Oltrepò Pavese consortia, and how Oltrepò can strengthen its positioning and strategy in today’s wine market. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understand how Italian wine consortia shape regional identity, quality, and long-term strategy. Explore the challenges and opportunities of positioning Oltrepò Pavese on the global wine stage. Learn practical lessons in leadership, data-driven quality, and sustainability in regional wine development. More about today’s host:   Ten years ago, Michele Longari was working as a Computer Engineer in Emilia Romagna, but his passion for food and wine soon led him down a different path. What began as a casual interest inspired him to en

Welcome to episode 2538 of Italian Wine Podcast. In this Bonus Episode Stevie sits down with Mattia Manferrari of Borgo del Tiglio, the Friulian winery recently devastated by a massive landslide. Mattia recounts what happened on that tragic night and shares the current state of the winery as they face the aftermath of destruction. It’s a heartfelt conversation about resilience, community support, and the first steps toward rebuilding. Stay tuned to learn how you can help Borgo del Tiglio on their path to recovery. More about the winery:  Borgo del Tiglio is a renowned winery located in the rolling hills of the Collio region in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Founded in 1981 by Nicola Manferrari, the estate is known for its meticulous terroir-driven approach. Spread across three estates, Borgo del Tiglio focuses on careful low impact vinification with a prevalence of white wine production, to enhance the organoleptic characteristics linked to the terroir of the different grapes and vineyards. Connect: Website: h