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