Italian Wine Podcast

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 21-3...

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 Wi...

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...

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):  🇬🇧 In your opinion, what is it about wine that still fascinates people even in a time when everything moves fast, people drink less, and communication happens in seconds?  🇮🇹 Secondo te, cosa ha ancora il vino di così affasc...

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 abo...

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:  <p...

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 sens...

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...

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 importa...

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 stewardsh...

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: Cant...

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. ...

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...

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 proc...

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 climat...

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):  🇬🇧 Wine education often relies on technical sheets and scores. But are we truly teaching people to feel a wine or merely to decode it like a technical object? 🇮🇹 L’educazione al vino si basa spesso su schede tecniche e punteggi. Ma stiam...

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 lo...

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 system...

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...

Welcome to episode 2570 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, Promoting wine - achieving success in a hostile environment. Speaker: Karen MacNeil The cumulative difficulties that the wine industry now faces are well known. They include negative and biased reporting about alcohol, generational down shifts, competition from cannabis and cannabis-infused beverages, the flattening of food and drink consumption by GLP-1 drugs, the proliferation of Ready to Drink cocktails, disruptions in distribution channels, the continued threat and impact of tariffs, and more. Yet despite these gale-force headwinds, a small team of professionals...