Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2630 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 234 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc speaks with Umberto Cosmo, co-founder of the pioneering Prosecco producer Bellenda. They dive into Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco, exploring the region’s history, the evolution from bottle to tank fermentation, and the revival of traditional col fondo wines. The conversation also covers the concept of Rive and Metodo Classico Glera, Bellenda’s flagship wines and their international grape experiments, local gastronomy and pairings. More about today’s guest: Umberto Cosmo is an Italian winemaker and entrepreneur, and co-founder of Bellenda Winery in Carpesica near Vittorio Veneto, in the heart of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG area. Founded in 1986 with his brother Luigi, Bellenda is a family-run winery known for producing terroir-driven sparkling wines, including traditional bottle-fermented (col fondo) and Charmat-style Prosecco. Born in 1961 in the

Welcome to Episode 2629 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo speaks with sommelier and certified Italian wine expert Jack Liggett about the role of wine education and certification in building a successful career in the wine and hospitality industry. Key Takeaways: Why structured wine education matters beyond tasting skills and restaurant service. The real impact of professional wine certifications for today’s sommeliers. How specialized Italian wine education can open new opportunities in the wine trade and hospitality sector. More about the guest: Jack Liggett serves as the Head Sommelier and Wine Program Lead at 53, a contemporary Asian restaurant in NYC. His connection to wine began at an early age through family tradition, picking grapes from his grandfather’s small backyard vineyard in Groton Massachusetts. Jack’s interest in wine rekindled during his travels to Rome, Italy, where he took a class about Italian wine and culture. Upon returning back to the U.S

Welcome to #openbarstevie and Episode 2628 of the Italian Wine Podcast.  It’s a casual video podcast filmed in the office, where wine people drop by, open a bottle or two, and hang out with moi!

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2627 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin talks with Californian winemaker and consultant Terah Bajjalieh about her journey from finance to winemaking, her international experience, and the challenges she’s faced as a LGBTQ+ Palestinian American in the industry. They discuss her low-intervention, regenerative approach, her focus on fresh and expressive wines, and her role at Batonnage supporting mentorship programs for women and underrepresented voices in wine. More about the guest: Terah Bajjalieh is a California-born winemaker and founder of Terah Wine Co., crafting distinctive wines through organic, biodynamic, and regenerative vineyard partnerships. She champions Mediterranean varieties suited to California’s warming climate, using native fermentations and minimal intervention to create wines that are fresh, lively, and expressive. With 14 harvests across France, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and California, Terah holds a Master’s in Enology

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2626 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Daniel Mwangi interviews Roberto Bava and Roberto Cardinale of Bava winery in Piedmont.  These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understanding the Bava Winery Identity. Explore the family’s journey, heritage, and what distinguishes their winery within the Piedmont wine landscape. Viticulture, Winemaking & Innovation. Learn about their approach to vineyard management, winemaking philosophy, and the technologies and innovations shaping their wines. Market Vision & Future Direction. Understand how the winery responds to evolving consumer trends and what their long-term vision is for the future. More about today’s host: Daniel Mwangi is a sommelier and food & beverage expert from Kenya. He has served as a sommelier with Silversea / Celebrity Cruises, curating fine wine experiences for a global clientele, and has w

Welcome to Episode 2625 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the fifth episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian. Episode 5: Moscato, Barolo e l’alba della modernità. A true oenological journey led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. Genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory. Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine.  Join us on A Wine Pilgrimage with Professor Attilio Scienza. More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio 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 Agricultura

Welcome to episode 2624 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 233 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, In this episode, Marc speaks with Emanuele Scarello and Michela Scarello of Agli Amici, the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant group, to explore the diversity of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, from its people and landscapes to its culinary traditions and wines. They discuss how the restaurant adapts traditional recipes, the importance of sourcing exceptional local ingredients such as Prosciutto di San Daniele and regional cheeses, and how their signature dishes are paired with local wines. More about today’s guests: Emanuele Scarello and Michela Scarello are the fifth-generation siblings leading Agli Amici, a historic restaurant founded in 1887 and awarded two Michelin stars.  Born in 1970, Emanuele developed his passion for cooking through the influence of his mother Ivonne. After training at hospitality school and gaining experience in Italy and abroad, he joined the family restauran

Welcome to Episode 2623 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald talks with the wine business consultant and researcher Tim Hanni MW about how individual taste preferences and perception challenge traditional wine communication, why perceptual segmentation matters, and how conventional sensory-based wine education may unintentionally exclude many consumers. Key Takeaways: Individual Preference vs. Wine Culture. Why wine preference is highly individual and how this reality often clashes with the way the U.S. wine market promotes wine. The Power of Perceptual Segmentation. How segmenting consumers by shared perceptual traits, alongside demographics, can fundamentally change how the wine industry understands and reaches drinkers. Rethinking Wine Education. How traditional wine education and sensory evaluation frameworks may unintentionally suppress demand instead of growing it. More about the guest: Tim Hanni MW is a wine industry consultant, lecturer, and researcher wit

Welcome to episode 2622 of the Italian Wine Podcast recorded live at Grandi Langhe e il Piemonte del Vino 2026. As an official media partner, Italian Wine Podcast brings you firsthand insights from Grandi Langhe e il Piemonte del Vino 2026, Piedmont's premier wine event that took place on January 26-27, in Turin. Join top producers, buyers, and experts to explore emerging styles, winemaking innovations, and market trends shaping the region's future. From Barolo and Barbaresco to hidden gems, this series offers in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, revealing Piedmont's impact on the global wine scene. Today’s guest: Sergio Germano, President of the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani More about the Consorzio: The Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani is the official producers’ association that protects, regulates and promotes some of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions and their wines including Barolo, Barbaresco, Dogliani and other Langhe a

Welcome to Episode 2621 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald is in conversation with Chloë Syrah Schwartz to break down the Supreme Court ruling and examine what it signals for the future of the U.S. wine trade. Key Takeaways: Why a family-run wine importer took a stand when others didn’t.
Victor and Chloe (and by extension V.O.S.) didn’t just join a lawsuit, they became the public face of a challenge that other businesses were hesitant to touch. How tariffs disrupt small business operations.
The story isn’t abstract, it’s about cash flow, relationships with producers abroad, and survival tactics. Unanswered questions and strategic positioning.
The larger story is about anticipation, uncertainty, and how a business positions itself after a major but incomplete legal outcome. More about the guest:  Chloe Syrah Schwartz is the Vice President at V.O.S. Selections, a wine & spirits importer founded by her father, Victor, in 1987. Chloe and Victor were the lead plaint

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2620 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lisa Lazzaretto interviews Tancredi Biondi Santi of Castello di Montepò in Maremma, Tuscany. They explore the legacy (and pressures) of growing up in the iconic Biondi Santi family, the family’s bold move from Montalcino to Maremma, and the unique Sangiovese Grosso clone discovered in the 1970s. Along the way, they discuss how terroir shapes Sangiovese differently in Montalcino versus Maremma, the estate’s wines, the challenge of climate change, and even the rumors that Elon Musk once eyed Castello di Montepò. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understand the legacy of the Biondi Santi family and the evolution from Montalcino to Maremma. Learn about the unique Sangiovese Grosso clone and the differences in growing Sangiovese between Montalcino and Maremma. Gain insight into Castello di Montepò’s wines, terroir,

Welcome to Episode 2619 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the fourth episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian. Episode 4: Vie della fede, vie del vino. A true oenological journey led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. Genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory. Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine.  Join us on A Wine Pilgrimage with Professor Attilio Scienza. More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio 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

Welcome to episode 2618 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 232 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Alessandro Cellai of Domini Castellare di Castellina in the heart of Chianti Classico. They explore the estate’s history and philosophy, from the legacy of mezzadria to pioneering work with Attilio Scienza on Sangiovese clone selection, long before the Chianti 2000 project. The conversation also covers organic vineyard practices, the key soils shaping Sangiovese’s expression, lessons from Giacomo Tachis, signature wines, Malvasia Nera as Sangiovese’s partner, and the gastronomy and hospitality that define the Castellare vision. More about today’s guest: Founded in the 1970s, Castellare di Castellina was created with the goal of producing high-quality, terroir-driven Chianti Classico rooted in Tuscan tradition. The estate spans about 80 hectares, with 33 hectares of vineyards farmed according to organic principles at around 370 meters above sea level. Kn

Welcome to Episode 2617 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo is in conversation with the wine sales and brand development leader, Kevin Di Lucente, focusing on small regional markets in the Northeast US. Together, they discuss promising cities and areas, the advantages these markets offer compared to major metro areas, price “sweet spots”, and the common mistakes brands make when entering these markets. Key Takeaways: Why smaller Northeast markets offer strong growth potential. How to adapt portfolio, pricing, and positioning for regional markets. What to understand about distribution, depletion, and velocity outside major metro areas. More about the guest:  Kevin Di Lucente is an experienced leader in wine sales and brand development, with over 16 years of experience growing premium portfolios. He is an ambassador for the Vinitaly International Academy and a specialist in Italian wines. Kevin has focused much of his career on expanding distribution for family-owne

Welcome to #openbarstevie and Episode 2617 of the Italian Wine Podcast.  It’s a casual video podcast filmed in the office, where wine people drop by, open a bottle or two, and hang out with moi!

Welcome to episode 2615 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025: The end of an era: what the collapse of traditional wine media means for communicators - and the industry. Speaker: Robert Joseph With traditional critics losing ground to influencers and peer reviews, Joseph examines what this shift means for brand visibility and consumer trust in today's fragmented media landscape. 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 annually since 2014. This year the Forum was held alongside Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, taking it outside of Verona for the first time. Full details about this and all other wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum sessions available online at: https://www.vinitaly.com/en/forum/wine2wine-vinitaly-business-forum/programme/.      _________________________

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2614 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Mauricio de Chiaro IWA interviews Christian Carlevero of Marchesi Alfieri winery in Piedmont. The conversation focuses on the Terre Alfieri DOCG, its history, terroir, wines, and the winery’s exciting new project recently introduced at Grandi Langhe. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: History of Marchesi Alfieri and their ties to Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. Location, terroir, and wines made at the estate. An overview of their new project presented at Grandi Langhe. More about today’s host:  Mauricio de Chiaro, Italian Wine Ambassador based in Brazil and Piemonte, has visited more than 150 wineries across Italy and actively promotes Italian wines to Brazilian audiences worldwide, with a strong focus on lesser-known native grape varieties. With a 30+ year career in finance, he brings solid business exper

Welcome to Episode 2613 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the third episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian. Episode 3: Quando l’Italia imparò a fare il vino. A true oenological journey led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. Genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory. Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine.  Join us on A Wine Pilgrimage with Professor Attilio Scienza. More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio 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 a

Welcome to episode 2612 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 231 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with the renowned Sicilian chef Salvo Lo Castro. Salvo shares stories from his remarkable career, including his experience cooking at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, preparing meals for NATO, and his journey from Sicily to New York, where he opened coffee shops and later launched his restaurant project. The episode also explores his signature dishes, the wines most popular with his guests, and why Italian cuisine deserves its place as UNESCO heritage. More about today’s guest: Salvo Lo Castro is a renowned Sicilian chef, best known for having cooked at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for ten years (2000–2010). After gaining international experience, including work in Romania and in luxury hospitality, he moved to the United States and launched CasaSalvo in SoHo, New York, in July 2025, bringing authentic Medit

Welcome to Episode 2611 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo is in conversation with Luca Venturelli, Account Director at Colangelo & Partners, to explore the topic of OCM funding and how Italian wineries and consortia can use it strategically to promote their wines in the U.S. market. Key Takeaways: Designing regional marketing programs that genuinely resonate with U.S. trade professionals and consumers. Most effective channels and activities for promoting Italian wines in the U.S. market. Common mistakes to avoid when allocating OCM budgets and how to make the most of subsidized resources. More about the guest:  Luca Venturelli is an Account Director at Colangelo & Partners in New York, where he leads the Italian Division and oversees integrated marketing and PR programs for some of Italy’s most prominent wine regions and brands. He specializes in U.S. market strategy, OCM-funded initiatives, trade and media engagement, and large-scale consumer events. Luca has