Italian Wine Podcast

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Mi Zhu, wine buyer for Amazon China and Vinitaly International Academy candidate in April 2017. Mi Zhu tells Monty all about his intense week of study at the Academy learning all about Italian wines and discovering a new favorite, Lambrusco. He also talks about the perception of Italian wine in China and the potential of Italian wine to be paired with Chinese food. Cin Cin with Italian Wine People all over the world!

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Carlo Franchetti, Marketing Manager of Tenuta di Trinoro in Val d’Orcia. Tenuta di Trinoro is part of the Azienda Vini Franchetti with estates also in Sicily. Carlo tells Monty all about his family's wine projects and of his recent experiments with Pinot Noir in Sancaba, on the border among Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria.

Italian Wine Podcast travels back to Veneto to meet the Queen of Amarone, Marilisa Allegrini. Monty discusses the grape varieties of the Veneto region such as Corvina and the Allegrini family estates in Veneto and Tuscany. Marilisa also talks about her upbringing and future prospects for women working the wine business. Tune in to Italian Wine Podcast for another compelling story about Italy’s wine excellence.

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets VIA candidate Kevin Gagnon, a Canadian-born writer and Opera singer based in Germany. Kevin tells Monty of his first encounters with Italian wine in Germany and of his numerous road trips across Italy to discover Italy’s unique indigenous grape varieties. Tune in for another entertaining story about the excitement of learning about Italian wine.

In this episode, Monty Waldin talks to Gill Gordon-Smith “head girl at FFG Fall From Grace Wine Education and Tasting" in Australia and Vinitaly International Academy student. Gill tells Monty about the beautiful coastal region of McClaren Vale in South Australia, where a wide range of Italian grape varieties are cultivated. For example, they grow Nero D’Avola, Carignano, Montepulciano and Arneis. Italian grape varieties according to Gill, seem to respond very well to climate change in Australia. Tune in to discover a thriving wine-producing region and a piece of Italy down under!

In this episode, Monty talks to Alessandro François, owner of Castello di Querceto. Alessandro talks about the history of his French family in Tuscany, and how he became a wine maker from his previous engineering career. Tune in to discover more about Chianti Classico and Sangiovese and about personal and family history of another Italian Wine People.

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Pascaline Lepeltier, Master Sommelier and Beverage Director at Rouge Tomate Chelsea in New York. Pascaline is also a natural wine expert and joins Monty in an interesting conversation about sustainability, biodiversity, and her forays in the world of philosophy.

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Alice Feiring, award-winning wine writer and critic specializing in natural wine. Join Monty and Alice for an exciting conversation about natural wine, sustainability, and kosher wine! Alice has just published a new book entitled “The Dirty Guide to Wine: Following Flavor from Ground to Glass,” a new book that teaches us to look at wine from the soil in which originates. Photograph by Monty Waldin.

In this episode Monty Waldin takes us on another journey to Tuscany and talks to Bibi Graetz of Bibi Graetz Winery in Fiesole. In the interview Bibi defines himself as an Impressionist of wine-making and presents his signature wine Testamatta. Join Monty for a Cin Cin with another charismatic Italian Wine personality!

In this episode Monty Waldin takes us to Puglia to meet Edoardo Falvo, who introduces his winery, Masseria Li Veli. Edoardo, who is originally from Tuscany, tells Monty of his move to Puglia and his discovery of local indigenous grape varieties such as Susumaniello and Verdicchio. Listen to another great story about Italian wine-making and discover the heel of Italy between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea.

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Thomas Bar, the owner of Antico Podere Gagliole, a winery in Castellina in Chianti. Thomas Bar describes the Tuscan landscape of his winery, with dried stone walls. Thomas also reveals a favorite home recipe to accompany a bottle of his Chianti Classico. Join us for another Cin Cin with Italian Wine People!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Elena Pantaleoni of La Stoppa Winery near Piacenza in Emilia Romagna. Elena tells Monty about her family history and her forays in the wine world in the 1990s. Elena also discusses La Stoppa’s commitment to indigenous grape varietals and to sustainable viticulture.

Join us for another exciting wine story from one of Italy’s more well-known wine regions. Monty Waldin chats to Andrea Pieropan of Pieropan winery in Soave, Veneto. According to Andrea “wine is emotion.” Andrea tells Monty all about his family history, the innovation and integrity in wine-making brought about by his father Nino and the challenges in producing Soave.

“Wine-trade quintessential Englishman,” wine writer, and, recently also wine producer, Steven Spurrier reminisces about his initial forays in the wine-trade in London and Paris. In his account, Spurrier talks about the seminal blind competition “The Judgement of Paris” which he organized in 1976 and of his love for Italian wine and Italy. Join Monty Waldin in a friendly chat with a world-famous wine personality.

This Italian Wine Podcast journey today takes us to the beautiful island of Sardinia with Argiolas winery. Monty Waldin chats to Valentina Argiolas who helps listeners discover Sardinian grape varieties and the typical wine and food culture of the island. Sardinia is also the region which boasts the greatest number of centenarians alive. Sip some excellent Sardinian wine with Monty to learn how to drink from the fountain of youth!

In this podcast, Monty Waldin meets JC Viens, editor of the magazine Spirito diVino Asia and Vinitaly International Academy Ambassador. Monty and JC talk about the perception of Italy and of Italian wine in Asia. JC’s comments offer an interesting reflection about the potential of the Asian market for Italian wine producers.

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Henry Davar who completed the Vinitaly International Academy certification course in Verona in April 2017, reaching the Expert Level at first sitting. Henry talks to Monty about growing up in New York City, about his work as wine educator in Las Vegas, and his transformative encounters with Italian wine and the community of Italian wine producers.

In this episode Monty Waldin and Vinitaly International Academy Scientific Director 2014-2018 Ian D’Agata discuss Italy’s most widely planted red grape variety: Sangiovese. Ian brings us on a journey through Sangiovese areas in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. He also talks about the origin of the name and his favorite wine and food combination for Sangiovese. Ian D'Agata is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

Here is another episode dedicated to Italian native grape varieties. Monty Waldin and Vinitaly International Academy Scientific Director 2014-2018 Ian D’Agata discuss the Glera grape variety and one of its most famous wines, Prosecco. Join Monty and Ian also to find out how to make the famous Prosecco-based cocktail Bellini. Ian D'Agata is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

Italian Wine Podcast aims to inform, educate, and entertain about Italian Wine. This episode introduces listeners to one of the many native grape varieties which are cultivated in Italy: the Aglianico. Join Monty Waldin chatting to wine expert and Scientific Director of the Vinitaly International Academy (2014-2018) Ian D’Agata. Ian is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.