Latest dispatches

Ep. 2803 From Brodetto to Ribona: Exploring Le Marche Through Food and Wine with Lucrezia Bencive...

Welcome to episode 2803 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 263 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with wine export manager Lucrezia Bencivenga to explore the story of Ribona and the dual soul of Le Marche. They explore Ribona’s history and character, the influence of Le Marche’s coastal and mountain landscapes, and how local wines reflect the region’s food, traditions and sense of place. More about the guest: Lucrezia Bencivenga is a multilingual commercial executive whose career brings together international communication, strategic thinking and a deep passion for wine. Before entering the business world, she worked as an interpreter at the European Parliament, an experience that sharpened her ability to navigate different cultures, build connections and communicate with clarity in complex environments. Today, as Commercial Director of Cantine Fontezoppa, she oversees sales development in Italy and abroad, manages ke

Ep. 2802 Italian Wine in South Florida: Restaurant Strategies & Opportunities with Jacqueline Pir...

Welcome to Episode 2802 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa Muoio is joined by award-winning Italian-born restaurateur, beverage director, and sommelier Jacqueline Pirolo in a conversation that focused on how Italian wines are positioned, sold and scaled across multiconcept restaurants in South Florida. Key Takeaways: • How to position Italian wines across different restaurant concepts and guest experiences. • Strategies for introducing indigenous Italian grapes to consumers more familiar with Napa and California wines. • How seasonality, climate, tourism and distributor relationships shape the South Florida wine market. More about the guest: Born in Italy and raised in New York, Jacqueline Pirolo is an award-winning restaurateur, beverage director, and sommelier based in Miami. She began her hospitality career in New York before co-founding The Saint A

In Vino Veritas with Professor Scienza: True or False?

🇮🇹 Se non senti molti aromi non sei portato per la degustazione del vino ? Il Professore di Scienza ci ci spiega cosa succede davvero quando degustiamo un vino e quanto conta allenare l’olfatto. 👨🏻‍🏫🍇

Ep. 2801 Ep. 16: Italy | Study Smart for your WSET Level 3

Welcome to Episode 16 of Study Smart and Episode 2801 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith. Ep. 15: Italy  Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET.  With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way. This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy (https://italianwineacademy.org/) , a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training.  The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator G

Ep. 2800 What Ancient Vines Can Teach Us About Wine Today? | The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ry...

Welcome to Episode 2800 and Episode 12 of The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ryan Robinson.  Episode 12: What Ancient Vines Can Teach Us About Wine Today? In this episode, Ryan Robinson explores how ancient vine-training systems reveal the cultural boundaries between early Italian viticulture and that of ancient Greek colonizers. From vines trained on living trees in Italy to different practices in ancient Greece, these traditions offer clues about how viticulture developed across the Mediterranean. Ryan also reflects on how we tell and understand wine stories today, from the limitations of wine tourism and maps to the importance of preserving a wine’s story as it moves through the three-tier system. 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

Ep. 2799 The Hungarian Wine Market, Italian Wine & the Journey to Master of Wine with Sue Tolson ...

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner and Episode 2799 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA is in conversation with Sue Tolson MW, exploring her path to achieving the prestigious Master of Wine title and her experience of the Hungarian wine market. Sue shares insights into the development and character of the Hungarian wine market, including the role of importers, how consumers discover and purchase wine, and the changing dynamics of the local wine trade. The conversation also looks at the position of Italian wines in Hungary, exploring how Italian wine is perceived, where it fits within the market, and the opportunities and challenges for Italian producers. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast. About today's host: Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience i

Ep. 2798 Greek Wine, Hospitality & AI: The Future of Wine Consumption with Chris Struck | TEXSOM ...

Welcome back to TEXSOM 2026 and Episode 2798 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Jessica Dupuy is in conversation with the New York City-based sommelier, beverage director, and wine educator with over twenty years in the hospitality industry Chris Struck Chris talks about his masterclass at Texsom and explains why Greek wines might be the answer to falling wine consumption. The conversation also covers eating out and the hospitality industry in the context of the current cost of living crisis. Finally the conversation shifts to AI and its possible impact on consumer habits.  The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the third year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2026 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica delves into the experien

Ep. 2797 5th Anniversary Special | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

Welcome to this very special episode of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon! This is episode 2797 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 262 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode Marc celebrates his 5th anniversary as host on the Italian Wine Podcast. To mark this momentous milestone occasion, Marc shares some of the highlights from the past 5 years with personal recollections, special guests and a few surprises! For five years, his blend of deep cultural storytelling and approachable, friendly style has proved a hit with listeners, making him one of the most well known and authoritative voices in Italian wine. His show goes beyond just the glass. It connects wine to local ways of life, regional recipes, traditional foods, and Italy’s diverse winemaking regions. Marc introduces us to the people who know the regions best—multi-generational winemaking families and local producers, striking the perfect balance between deep professional insight and warm welco

Ep. 2796 What Makes Italian Wine Stand Out on NYC’s Top Restaurant Wine Lists? with Jienna Basald...

Welcome to Episode 2796 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Juliana Colangelo is joined by the seasoned American sommelier and wine educator, Jienna Basaldu to discuss, amongst other things, pricing strategies,  Italian wines’ competitive advantage, and how it's becoming increasingly hard to wow consumers. Key Takeaways: • Understand how to get your wine on the wine lists of top-tier restaurants in NYC. • Explore what gives Italian wines a competitive advantage over other popular wine styles. • Learn what Italian producers can do to make their wines more appealing to sommeliers. More about the guest: Jienna Basaldu is an American sommelier and wine educator with nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality and beverage industry. Based in New York City, she has built her career across restaurants, wine education and beverage programs, developing a deep un

Ep. 2795 Ep. 15: Spain | Study Smart for your WSET Level 3

Welcome to Episode 15 of Study Smart and Episode 2795 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith. Ep. 15: Spain  Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET.  With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way. This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy (https://italianwineacademy.org/) , a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training.  The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator G

How ColleMassari welcomes you to Montecucco: hospitality, food & tradition

There’s more to ColleMassari than what happens in the vineyard. This time, we discover how ColleMassari welcomes visitors into Montecucco, following a journey that goes “from the place to the glass.” It begins with visits through the vineyards and cellar, connecting the work behind each bottle with the final tasting. From there, the experience continues at the Wine Relais, the heart of ColleMassari’s hospitality, and in two Tuscan-style villas surrounded by nature. Food becomes part of the experience at I Granai, the restaurant inside the Wine Relais in Montecucco. Here, local Tuscan ingredients, produce from the garden and traditional recipes are given a contemporary interpretation, with each menu created to pair with the wines of ColleMassari. Here, wine and hospitality come together to give full expression to a natural, organic oasis, transforming everything the territory has to offer into an experience to be lived and shared. Discover ColleMassari’s approach to hospitality in

Ep. 2794 Inside the South Korean Wine Market with Juhee Ryou IWA from Ethica Wines | Asia Wine Ma...

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2794 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova is in conversation with the Regional Sales Manager for South Korea at Ethica Wines and VIA Italian Wine Ambassador Juhee Ryou IWA. Juhee offers an overview of the South Korean wine market, from its key cities, consumer groups and distribution channels to recent market developments. She explores what Korean consumers are drinking, how Italian wines are performing, which regions and styles have the greatest potential, and where Italian wine faces competition.  Key Takeaways: • Understand the Structure and Evolution of the South Korean Wine Market • Identify Opportunities for Italian Wines in South Korea • Explore the Role of Importers, Brand-Building and Wine Education About today’s guest: Juhee Ryou is the Regional Sales Manager for South Korea at Ethica Wines and a VIA Italian Wine Amba

Ep. 2793 The Importance of a New Approach to Wine Education with Alexandre Centeleghe and Lisa La...

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner and Episode 2793 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lisa Lazzaretto IWA is in conversation with Alexandre Centeleghe to explore what it really takes to teach wine well in today's market. Alex reflects on a career spanning sales, education and wine criticism, including his time in Asia during its market boom and working with James Suckling. He shares his perspective on Italian wine and the relationship between quality and appellation, as well as why effective wine education is about sharing experience, not just information. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast. About today's host: Lisa Lazzaretto, PhD, is a Swiss-based entrepreneur, wine professional, and marketing strategist. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and a Diploma in Marketing, and is the founder of Wine Mood, an e-commerce platform dedicated to curated Italian wines. An Italian Wine Ambassador a

Watch the interview with Stevie Kim and Giuliano Guerrini, agronomist at ColleMassari on YouTube

For Giuliano Guerrini, agronomist at ColleMassari, Montecucco was once almost a missing piece on Tuscany’s map. 🍇🗺️ Positioned between better-known areas such as Bolgheri and Montalcino, the DOC gradually built a stronger identity, with ColleMassari helping give it a clear imprint and greater visibility. 🌿📍 That’s only part of the story. 👀 Watch the full interview with Stevie Kim and Giuliano Guerrini on YouTube

Ep. 2792 How to Become an Exceptional Wine Professional in Today’s Hospitality Market with Scott ...

Welcome back to TEXSOM 2026 and Episode 2792 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Jessica Dupuy interviews longtime friend and fellow wine professional Scott Ota, sommelier and Culinary Institute of America instructor. As old friends, Jessica and Scott reflect on their shared journey in wine. Scott talks about the community and camaraderie that make TEXSOM special, as well as his unique role at the Culinary Institute of America, where he teaches students from their first through final semester. He also shares what it takes to succeed in today’s hospitality industry and what the next generation of wine professionals needs most. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the third year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2026 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In t

Ep. 2791 Italian Wine in a Changing Climate: PIWI, Terroir & Tradition with Nicola Biasi | Wine, ...

Welcome to episode 2791 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 261 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by Nicola Biasi to explore how Italian wineries are adapting to a changing climate, and why the answer may lie less in chasing higher altitudes and more in rethinking which grapes we grow. Nicola explains why wineries should consider autochthonous and PIWI varieties as a response to climate change, exploring what PIWIs are and their potential to reduce a winery’s carbon and water footprint. He also challenges the traditional link between grape varieties and regions, arguing that terroir and place should take precedence over tradition. More about the guest: Nicola Biasi is an oenologist and winemaker based in Trentino, and the founder of Nicola Biasi Consulting. After nine years working with the Allegrini estates in Montalcino and Bolgheri, he went independent in 2015, launching his own project, Vin de la Neu, made from PIWI (fungus-r

ColleMassari: a long-term vision rooted in Montecucco. 🍇 Watch the video on YouTube

Ep. 2790 Italian Wine in the US: Building a Narrative and Reaching Asian American Consumers with ...

Welcome to Episode 2790 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Barbara Fitzgerald is joined by Susan R. Lin MW to explore how Italian wine producers can build stronger narratives in the US market and connect with one of the industry's fastest-growing audiences: Asian-American consumers. Susan also shares five key elements of a strong wine narrative and insights from her work combining storytelling, music and wine, including the examples of wineries from the US and Italy. Key Takeaways: • Price matters, but your narrative matters more. • Memorable experiences are the key to building presence. • Asian-American wine consumers represent a fast-growing, high-value market segment in the US. More about the guest: Susan R. Lin, MW, is Head of Wine Expertise for San Francisco-based boutique retailer Belmont Wine Exchange and President & Co-Founder of the Asian Wine Asso

Ep. 2789 ColleMassari: a long-term vision rooted in Montecucco with Giuseppe Di Gioia | On The Ro...

Welcome to Episode 2790 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of On The Road Special Edition, Stevie Kim visits Castello ColleMassari to discover Montecucco with Giuseppe Di Gioia, CEO of ColleMassari Estates. Discover the history of the ancient estate where the winery is located, the development of this extraordinary family winery, and the winemaking techniques involved in producing its famous wines. More about the winery: The history of the ColleMassari winery began when siblings Claudio Tipa and Maria Iris Bertarelli set out to revive an overlooked corner of Tuscany's Maremma region, just south of Montalcino. They acquired the estate and immediately converted the existing vineyards to organic farming, with all new plantings organic from the start. In 1999, the family purchased the 13th-century castle and hamlet of Montecucco, expanding the property's hospitality offerings. The winery itself, a striking work of contemporary architecture built into the hillside, o

In Vino Veritas with Professor Scienza: True or False?

Le vecchie vigne fanno sempre vini migliori? 🍇

Ep. 2788 Ep. 14: Austria and Hungary | Study Smart for your WSET Level 3

Welcome to Episode 14 of Study Smart and Episode 2787 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith. Ep. 14: Austria and Hungary Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET.  With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way. This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy (https://italianwineacademy.org/) , a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training.  The series is delivered by the acclaimed wi

INSIDE MONTECUCCO AND COLLEMASSARI: a conversation with Giuliano Guerrini 🌿 NOW on YouTube! 🚨

At ColleMassari, part of the story begins 4 million years ago. 🌿 In the interview with Stevie Kim, Giuliano Guerrini, Agronomist at ColleMassari, explores what makes Montecucco so distinctive and why what lies beneath the vineyards matters so much. There’s more to this territory than meets the eye. A new Italian Wine Travel with Stevie Kim video is now on YouTube! 🚨

Inside Montecucco and ColleMassari: a conversation with Giuliano Guerrini

In this episode of Italian Wine Travel, Stevie Kim sits down with Giuliano Guerrini, Agronomist at ColleMassari, who has spent 27 years working in the Montecucco DOC and knows this territory inside out. Through Giuliano’s perspective, we get a closer look at what makes Montecucco different, how the identity of the DOC has evolved over time, and the role ColleMassari has played in bringing greater recognition to this part of Tuscany. The scale alone tells part of the story: around 1,300 hectares in total, including 100 hectares of vineyards and 627 hectares of woodland, all forming one continuous property. For Giuliano, Montecucco is a place where nature still plays a defining role, from its soils and climate to the way Sangiovese responds to the land. It is also a territory shaped by constant observation, research and an approach that looks firmly to the future. And that leads to one of the strongest ideas in the conversation: Montecucco as the “wild side” of great Tuscan Sangioves

Ep. 2787 Prosecco Superiore by Dr Susan H. Gordon | Book Club with Richard Hough

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2787 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with the wine writer, researcher, and author, Dr Susan H. Gordon. Susan is the author of “The Story of Prosecco Superiore”. This conversation explores Susan’s background and career as a wine writer, the origins of her fascination with Prosecco, the factors that shape the current success of Prosecco internationally, and her approach to wine writing. Further reading: • “What a Little Hilltop in Abruzzo Can Tell Us About Words for Place” published in Gastronomica (University of California Press).  • “A Short History of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce” by Massimo Montanari • “Gastronativism: Food, Identity, Politics” by Fabio Parasecoli • “The Power of the Terroir: The Case Study of Prosecco Wine” by Diego Tomasi (Autore), Federica Gaiotti (Autore), Gregory V. Jones (Autore)