Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2590 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews the wine consultant, educator, and champion of Malaysia's wine scene, KC Tay, about the wine market and consumer preferences in Malaysia. Key learning objectives: Understand the structure and cultural specificities of the Malaysian wine market, including consumption habits and key cities. Identify key market players, distribution channels, and the Malaysian wine consumer profile. Gain practical insights into opportunities, challenges, and long-term strategies for Italian wineries entering or expanding in Malaysia. Companies mentioned by KC: Boutiq Wine, With Love from Italy Places to check out while in Kuala Lumpur: Park90 KL, Racines KL, Chim by Chef Noom, Farmer's Bar More about today’s guest: Kwang Chan (KC) Tay is an experienced sommelier, wine and cheese expert, and Treasurer for the Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY). He is the Winner of Best Sommeli

Welcome to episode 2589 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, Beyond the Decline: how U.S. 21–39 year-olds really see wine. Speaker: John Gillespie, Moderator: Ryan Goydos Sales of wine in the U.S. are trending downward. In 2023, U.S. wine sales fell by 36 million cases vs. the previous year. In 2024 another 15 million cases in sales were lost, bringing sales of wine in the U.S. to their lowest annual level since 2011. The session considered the results of a July 2025 survey of U.S. beverage alcohol consumers in ages 21-39 with the primary objective of detailing the current position of wine among the overall beverage alcohol usage and attitudes of the consumer segment that will drive the beverage alcohol market for the coming 20 years. 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 b

Welcome to Episode 2588 and Episode 6 of The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ryan Robinson. In this episode, Ryan explores the rhetoric of wine, breaking down three chapters of his book The Art of Wine Storytelling. He explains how rhetoric - the art of persuasive communication - can turn a simple wine sale into an experience that makes consumers truly desire the wine. At the end, Ryan shares a practical exercise so listeners can try this style of communication immediately. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an eager student, or simply a curious wine lover, The Art of Wine Storytelling takes you on a journey that bridges ancient history with modern consumer culture. Discover how wine is much more than just a drink – it’s a narrative shaped by centuries of tradition, innovation and human interaction. Ignite your imagination, deepen your appreciation for wine, and be inspired to savor not just what’s in the bottle, but the remarkable story behind each and every glass.   About Ryan Robinson: Ryan Robinson

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2587 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stephanie Johnson IWE is in conversation with Rosanna Petrozziello and Carla Giusy Favati of I Favati winery in Campania. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understand Avellino as a wine-growing region, including its terroir, climate, and why it plays a key role in Campania’s wine identity. Explore Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo, learning how these grape varieties express themselves in Avellino and how I Favati works with them in the vineyard and cellar. Gain insight into the realities of small family wineries, including the challenges, values, and long-term vision of producers like I Favati in today’s wine market. 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 a

Welcome to Episode 2586 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 (part 2). Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to episode 2585 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 227 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Robert Princic of the Gradis'ciutta winery in the heart of the Collio wine region, near the Italian border with Slovenia. They explore the Collio region, its history, and wines, including the DOC rules and unique Ponca soil. Robert shares the story of Gradis’ciutta, the winery’s organic philosophy, and their “cross-border” Metodo Classico Ribolla Gialla, made 50% in Italy and 50% in Slovenia, as well as Collio’s rich gastronomic traditions. More about today’s guest: The Gradis'ciutta winery is located in San Floriano del Collio, in the heart of Italy's Collio wine region, near the border with Slovenia, in the province of Gorizia (GO). The winery is situated in a beautiful area known for its distinctive terroir, offering views of both the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea. The family-run winery is known for its high-quality, organic wines, particularly fr

Welcome to Episode 2584 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo explores the subject of wine education with a particular focus on the Caribbean wine market with the Brooklyn-born wine and spirits professional Deniece M. Bourne. Key Takeaways: The evolving role of formal wine education in building confidence and credibility for wine professionals in the US. The importance of representation and accessibility in shaping the next generation of wine educators, consumers and wine professionals. How emerging markets like the Caribbean are engaging with Italian wines. More about the guest:  Born in Brooklyn, NYC, Deniece Bourne grew up in Barbados, completing an Associate degree in French, Spanish and Italian for Business and Tourism followed by a BSc in Biology. In 2007, she fell in love with wine while pursuing a Master’s degree in Management which led her to Palate Selections, a boutique wine import and distribution business which she co-founded and managed for almost a deca

Welcome to the On the Road Edition and the Episode 2583 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stevie Kim chats with Amy Gross, President of Women For WineSense and CEO of VineSleuth and Wine4.Me, about wine marketing, personalized wine experiences, and her role in Houston’s prestigious Rodeo Wine Competition. They also explore the history and mission of Women For WineSense in reshaping how wine is perceived. More about today’s guest: Amy Gross is a wine technology entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of VineSleuth and Wine4.Me, platforms that use sensory science, data, and artificial intelligence to help people discover wines they truly enjoy. Her work focuses on flavor-based wine recommendations, moving beyond traditional scores toward personalized taste matching. VineSleuth’s technology is used by wineries, retailers, and restaurants to improve customer experience and increase engagement through data-driven personalization. Amy is a frequent international speaker at major wine and business events, wh

Welcome to episode 2582 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, The Importance of Wine Tourism: How a Wine Media Company Created a Travel Division to Attract More Visitors to Wineries. Speaker: Jacqueline Strum Moderator: Alicia Lini Wine Enthusiast is a media and commerce company that stands as the leading source of innovation and information around wine. The Certified B Corporation has been bringing the wine lifestyle to wine lovers around the globe for more than 45 years, and the company launched a travel division in 2024. Jacqueline Strum, President and Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media, speaks to why the media business created the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Room Directory and Cork+Compass Travel, why it was important to incorporate the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Panel in the new wine tourism operation, and how these new resources can help attract more visitors to wineries. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum and is

Welcome to the Italian Wine Podcast Book Club and Episode 2581 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation  with Professor Edward Slingerland about his book “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization”. Amongst other things, this conversation explores Professor Slingerland’s academic background, his thoughts on effortless actions and the Chinese concept of Wu Wei, the Beer Before Bread Hypothesis, alcohol and creativity, how to emulate the Southern European drinking culture, the Evolutionary Hijack Hypothesis and Asian flush syndrome, as well as the rise of neo-prohibitionism and the importance of impactful first lines.  The Turkish archaeological site mentioned by Professor Slingerland is Göbekli Tepe. Archaeological evidence suggests it is one of the world's earliest sites for brewing beer, with massive stone troughs showing residue of fermented grain, indicating beer was central to large ritual feasts that may have spurred the develop

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2580 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Mauricio de Chiaro IWA interviews Matteo Altare of Castell'in Villa in Chianti. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understand the history and identity of Castell’in Villa, including its origins, location in Chianti, and how heritage, climate, and soil shape the estate’s wines. Learn how organic viticulture and sustainability are applied in practice, through real examples from vineyard management, winemaking, and long-term estate stewardship. Explore Castell’in Villa’s winemaking philosophy and portfolio, including flagship wines, other key labels, and the role of agrotourism in expressing the estate’s values. 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 au

Welcome to episode 2579 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 226 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Andrea Girgenti, representative of Cantina Carlo Hauner, to explore the unique identity of one of Sicily’s most iconic island wineries, located between Salina and Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands. Together, they discover the winery’s deep connection to volcanic terroir, the artistic legacy of its founder Carlo Hauner, and the central role of Malvasia delle Lipari in shaping its history and wines. More about today’s guest: Cantina Hauner (Hauner Winery) is located on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Salina, part of the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. The winery was established by the artist and architect, Carlo Hauner, who uses his paintings depicting Aeolian architecture, volcanic colors, and sea, to create iconic wine and caper labels, making them instantly recognizable. Cantina Hauner is famous for revitalizing traditional wines from the Aeolian Islands

Welcome to Episode 2578 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald discusses how Italian wines can succeed in international markets with Cristina Mercuri DipWSET by understanding consumers, crafting clear messaging, and choosing the right commercial partners. Key Takeaways: The importance of a precise, evidence-based understanding of consumer preferences, rather than relying on assumptions. Why clear and targeted messaging matters, and how wineries should shape and translate their stories for different international markets. How choosing the right importer can make or break a winery’s long-term success in a market. More about the guest:  Cristina Mercuri DipWSET – presenter, Wine Educator and Master of Wine candidate. She abandoned her career as a lawyer to dedicate herself to her great passion, wine. She is also a Founder & CEO of Mercuri Wine Club, an innovative academy and consultancy supporting leading Italian wine brands in education, communication, and marketing.

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