Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2520 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, “From Critic to Sommelier: Mastering Italian Wine with VIA Benchmark Wines” Speakers: Stephanie Johnson DipWSET & IWE, Torrence R. O'Haire IWE, Moderator: Alessio Planeta This 45-minute masterclass brings together two Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Experts Stephanie Johnson, long-time Italian Wine Editor at Wine & Spirits Magazine, and Torrence O’Haire, sommelier, wine educator, and hospitality group beverage director, for a dynamic tasting of VIA benchmark wines. From Stephanie’s vantage point as a journalist and critic, Italian wines tell stories of place, culture, and evolving styles that shape international perception. From Torrence’s role as a sommelier and educator, the focus shifts to how Italian wines live on the table: how to communicate their character to guests, pair them with food, and integrate them into diverse wine programs.Together, they will contrast their perspectives while sharing