Italian Wine Podcast

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Marco Stenico, the Commercial Director at Terre d’Oltrepò. Marco talks about the area of the Oltrepò and the characteristics of the Croatina-based Bonarda wine. Marco discusses also a traditional wine and food local pairing: Bonarda and tortelloni al brasato. Marco also talks about pinot nero, and one of the Oltrepò signature wines very popular in the United States, the ‘Sangue di Giuda’. Tune in to discover another Italian wine personality and for a journey into the world of Italian wine coops! -- [This podcast has been recorded during “Vi.Vite – Vino di Vite Cooperative” an event organized by the Alleanza delle Cooperative Italiane (Alliance of Italian Coops). This episode has been brought to you by Vinitaly 2018, taking place in Verona from April 15th to 18th. Vinitaly is the wine exhibition that helps you discover and get to know Italian wine and features over 4.200 wineries.]

In episode 66 Monty Waldin meets Wolfgang Raifer, who is the Vice Director for Cantina di Soave, one of the biggest coops in Italy and also one of the oldest denominations. Wolfgang, who is also an oenologist by training, talks about the difference of the Garganega grape that grows on different kinds of soils and about the human factor in supporting growers of the coop. Monty and Wolfgang further discuss the pergola system, the typical flavors in Soave wines, sustainability and some of Cantina di Soave’s top brands. -- [This podcast has been recorded during “Vi.Vite – Vino di Vite Cooperative” an event organized by the Alleanza delle Cooperative Italiane (Alliance of Italian Coops). This episode has been brought to you by Vinitaly 2018, taking place in Verona from April 15th to 18th. Vinitaly is the wine exhibition that helps you discover and get to know Italian wine and features over 4.200 wineries.]

Episode 65 opens a series of interviews dedicated to wine coops in Italy. In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Paolo Galassi, CEO of Terre Cevico, the Cevico Group Consortium that includes “cooperative companies that have been active in wine-growing for over 60 years.” Monty and Paolo discuss the richness of Emilia Romagna in food and wine. They talks about Romagna’s native grape varieties such as Sangiovese and Trebbiano and the numerous projects the coops are undertaking in another beautiful Italian region. [This podcast has been recorded during Vi.Vite an event organized by the Alleanza delle Cooperative Italiane (Alliance of Italian Coops). This episode has been brought to you by Vinitaly 2018, taking place in Verona from April 15th to 18th. Vinitaly is the wine exhibition that helps you discover and get to know Italian wine and features over 4.200 wineries.]

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Richard Kershaw MW and owner of the Kershaw Wines in South Africa. Monty’s long time friend Richard talks about the possibility of planting Italian native grapes in South Africa, about the South African wine market at an international level, and the Master of Wine programme. Tune in to find out also which Italian wine Richard has in its cabinet!

In this podcast Monty Waldin meets Francesco Zonin (Zonin 1821) for an interesting discussion on marketing Italian wine and the different psychological perceptions of wine in different cultures. Fran-cesco talks about his father’s “wine” travels in the 70s in places like Australia, New Zealand, Chile, California, Brazil, Argentina, and his stop in Virginia where the family owns Barboursville Vineyards. Francesco talks about the complexities of marketing and communicating Italian wines in today’s rich landscape of social media and communication technologies.

In the second part of Monty Waldin’s interview to Gianluca Garofoli, Monty and Gianluca discuss the Garofoli family history which dates back to and intersects with the mid-nineteenth century Italian Risorgimento, the political, economic and cultural movement that led to the Italian Unification from 1861 onwards. Monty and his guest also continue their conversation about the Marche terroirs and the Garofoli styles of wine.

In this two-part episode Monty meets Gianluca Garofoli of Garofoli Vini in Marche. Monty and Gianluca talk about the Marche region and Garofoli’s Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Podium” wine. Monty and Gianluca also talk about wine and food pairings, particularly their Verdicchio-based wines combined with Asian food. Tune for part 1 of another exciting conversation about Marche and a fantastic Verdicchio terroir!

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Chiara Lungarotti at the Lungarotti Winery in Umbria. The Lungarotti winery put Umbria on the wine map of Italy with the production of their famous wine Rubesco, a perfect wine for a typical lentil soup and other Umbiran produce such as black truffles. Tune in to listen to Chiara’s family history and her childhood memories walking and working in the vineyard with her father Giorgio.

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Giovanni Manetti, owner of Fontodi Winery in Panzano, in Chianti Classico. Monty and Giovanni discuss the family history of Fontodi and their way of following biodynamic principles of viticulture. Giovanni also comments on how biodynamic viticulture helps the vineyard cope better with the challenges of global warming. Join Monty Waldin for another exciting conversation with a great Italian wine personality!

In this episode, we return to the beautiful Conero area of Marche where Monty Waldin meets Paolo Berluti at La Calcinara Winery. Tune in to learn more about organic viticulture, Montepulciano grapes and the importance of insects in the vineyard. Join Monty and Paolo for a "smooth and relaxed" cin cin with Rosso Conero!

Monty Waldin’s journey to Marche continues in this episode, dedicated to the Verdicchio grape and biodynamic viticulture. Monty meets Alessandro Fenino, manager at the Pievalta – Castelli di Jesi winery, and a passionate advocate of biodynamics and sustainability. Alessandro talks about the misperception of Verdicchio-based wines as “pizzeria wines” and unveils the potential of this great white grape to yield terroir-driven and versatile wines.

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Marco Moroder, manager of the Moroder Winery, in the beautiful region of Marche. Marco talks about his motocross expeditions in his vineyards and discusses Marche's wines such as Rosso Conero. Marco tells Monty about his winery’s commitment to organic and low-impact farming and presents some interesting wine and food pairings: the Montepulciano-based red wines in Marche pair well with stockfish-based dishes and “moscioli” spaghetti – moscioli are wild and D.O.P. mussels to be found along the Marche coast. Will Monty join in for a motocross ride in the vineyard with Marco? Tune in to find out!

Cows, genetics, Montepulciano, and the Conero Terroir in the Marche region: these are the ingredients of this episode of Italian Wine Podcast in which Monty Waldin interviews Roberto Mazzoni (Piantate Lunghe Winery). Join us for a Cin Cin with a glass of Rosso Conero!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Lorenzo Marotti Campi of the Marotti Campi Winery in the Marche region. Lorenzo and Monty talk about Marche's native grapes such as Verdicchio and Lacrima di Morro d’Alba—the latter being an almost extinct grape recently rediscovered. Lorenzo also discusses wine and food pairing with Lacrima! Tune in for another vinous and gastronomic journey into another fascinating Italian wine region!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Gerd Stepp, a flying winemaker of German origins, who worked in several countries and spent a considerable amount of time working in Italy in the Chianti region. Gerd discusses with Monty how the style of Tuscan wines changed over the last twenty years. He also talks about his favorite wine and food pairings with Chianti wines and offers some insight into the international market for Italian wine.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Enrico Rivetto of the Rivetto Winery in the Langhe region of Piemonte. Enrico talks about Piedmontese varieties such as Nascetta, Barbera, Nebbiolo, but also a white grape called Nascetta. Enrico presents his wines and tells Monty all about his wine-making philosophy based on biodynamic principles. He also discusses his experiments with winemaking in claypot and terracotta containers. Tune in to discover another energetic Italian wine personality!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Tim Manning owner of Vinochisti Winery in Tuscany. Tim tells Monty all about his experiments with Italian native grape varieties such as Sagrantino, Erbaluce, Vernaccia di San Giminiano, and Lacrima di Morro d’Alba. Tune in to discover another exciting wine-making and ‘wine-anarchist’ story from the heart of Tuscany!

In the second part of Monty Waldin’s interview with Paolo De Marchi, Monty and Paolo continue their conversation about the Chianti Classico landscape and terroir. Paolo discusses his signature wines and his viticulture and wine-making philosophy. Join us for a cin cin with another outstanding Italian wine personality!

In the first of this two-part interview with Paolo De Marchi, Monty Waldin digs deeper into the history of the Chianti Classico area. In this first part, Monty and Paolo discuss the end of the old sharecropping era in the Chianti region and the developments in viticulture in the sixties and seventies. Paolo also talks about the beauty of the Chianti region, the importance of biodiversity in viticulture, and research findings on wild yeasts.

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Sean O'Callaghan who recently started a new wine project called Il Guercio in Chianti Classico. Tune in to discover another compelling story about wine making and the history of the one of the most famous wine areas in Italy and in the world.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Michael Schmelzer, owner of the Monte Bernardi Winery in Chianti Classico. A German-American producer who arrived in Tuscany in 2003, Michael tells Monty about his viticulture studies in Australia and his "Retromarcia" wine-making philosophy --literally meaning reverse but also the name of one of their wines-- implying the commitment to go "back to simple and straight-forward Chianti Classico." Tune in for an exciting conversation about Sangiovese, Chianti Classico, and biodynamic wine-making.

In this episode Monty Waldin meets John Baum, Director of the Winemakers Club in London. John tells Monty about his career in the world of Italian wine and his fondness for the Italian regional wines of Calabria and Basilicata. Monty and John also discuss winemaking trends in popular wine regions such as Chianti.

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Laura Bianchi, owner of Castello di Monsanto winery in Barberino Val d’Elsa in Tuscany. Laura tells Monty about the story of her family, her vineyards, and her forays in the wine business, when she was just a young woman. Laura also teaches Monty some Italian proverbs about wine, whereby you can’t have 'la botte piena' and 'la moglie ubriaca'! Tune in for some Chianti conversations and folk wisdom!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Stefano Chiarlo of the Michele Chiarlo Winery in Calamandrana, Asti. Stefano tells Monty about his family history and his own wine-making philosophy. He also recommends a walk in the vineyard as the perfect way to enjoy the territory and appreciate the wine. Tune in for another exciting conversation about the great Piedmontese wines Barolo and Barbera!

In episode 44 Monty Waldin takes us to England to meet Ben Robson, wine merchant at Bat & Bottle in Oakham, Rutland, that specializes in Italian wine. Ben talks about sales trends of Italian wine in England and his love for Italy and Piemonte. Ben also discusses the enormous potential of the Aglianico grape and his hopes for a growth in Lambrusco. Cin Cin with Italian Wine People from all over the world!

In episode 43 we take a virtual journey to Northern Europe to learn more about the appreciation of Italian wine in Sweden. Monty Waldin is joined by Anna Ronngren Head Sommelier at Restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm. Anna and Monty delve into an interesting conversation about the Swedish market for Italian wine. Anna also talks about wine and food pairings and her favorite combinations of Italian wine with Swedish food. Thirsty and hungry yet?

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Alessandro Ceretto from Ceretto Wines in the beautiful Unesco World Heritage Landscape of Langhe in Piedmont. Monty and Alessandro talk about the terroir, organic and biodynamic farming methods, and Ceretto’s famous wines: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Arneis. Join us for another #ItalianWine journey in one of the most famous wine regions.

In this episode Monty Waldin meets the “volcanic” Elena Fucci, owner of Elena Fucci Wines in Basilicata. Elena tells Monty about her forays in the world of wine and the distinctive character of Aglianico del Vulture and its terroir. Tune in also to find out what to eat with a bottle of Aglianico! Cin Cin with another charismatic Italian Wine Personality!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Julien Boulard who is a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador and wine educator based in China. Julien talks about his experience of learning about Italian wine last April in Verona and his favorite Sicilian wines. He also discusses the Chinese market for Italian wine. Tune in for a Cin Cin between Italy and China!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Mi Zhu, wine buyer for Amazon China and Vinitaly International Academy candidate in April 2017. Mi Zhu tells Monty all about his intense week of study at the Academy learning all about Italian wines and discovering a new favorite, Lambrusco. He also talks about the perception of Italian wine in China and the potential of Italian wine to be paired with Chinese food. Cin Cin with Italian Wine People all over the world!

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Carlo Franchetti, Marketing Manager of Tenuta di Trinoro in Val d’Orcia. Tenuta di Trinoro is part of the Azienda Vini Franchetti with estates also in Sicily. Carlo tells Monty all about his family's wine projects and of his recent experiments with Pinot Noir in Sancaba, on the border among Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria.

Italian Wine Podcast travels back to Veneto to meet the Queen of Amarone, Marilisa Allegrini. Monty discusses the grape varieties of the Veneto region such as Corvina and the Allegrini family estates in Veneto and Tuscany. Marilisa also talks about her upbringing and future prospects for women working the wine business. Tune in to Italian Wine Podcast for another compelling story about Italy’s wine excellence.

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets VIA candidate Kevin Gagnon, a Canadian-born writer and Opera singer based in Germany. Kevin tells Monty of his first encounters with Italian wine in Germany and of his numerous road trips across Italy to discover Italy’s unique indigenous grape varieties. Tune in for another entertaining story about the excitement of learning about Italian wine.

In this episode, Monty Waldin talks to Gill Gordon-Smith “head girl at FFG Fall From Grace Wine Education and Tasting" in Australia and Vinitaly International Academy student. Gill tells Monty about the beautiful coastal region of McClaren Vale in South Australia, where a wide range of Italian grape varieties are cultivated. For example, they grow Nero D’Avola, Carignano, Montepulciano and Arneis. Italian grape varieties according to Gill, seem to respond very well to climate change in Australia. Tune in to discover a thriving wine-producing region and a piece of Italy down under!

In this episode, Monty talks to Alessandro François, owner of Castello di Querceto. Alessandro talks about the history of his French family in Tuscany, and how he became a wine maker from his previous engineering career. Tune in to discover more about Chianti Classico and Sangiovese and about personal and family history of another Italian Wine People.

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Pascaline Lepeltier, Master Sommelier and Beverage Director at Rouge Tomate Chelsea in New York. Pascaline is also a natural wine expert and joins Monty in an interesting conversation about sustainability, biodiversity, and her forays in the world of philosophy.

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Alice Feiring, award-winning wine writer and critic specializing in natural wine. Join Monty and Alice for an exciting conversation about natural wine, sustainability, and kosher wine! Alice has just published a new book entitled “The Dirty Guide to Wine: Following Flavor from Ground to Glass,” a new book that teaches us to look at wine from the soil in which originates. Photograph by Monty Waldin.

In this episode Monty Waldin takes us on another journey to Tuscany and talks to Bibi Graetz of Bibi Graetz Winery in Fiesole. In the interview Bibi defines himself as an Impressionist of wine-making and presents his signature wine Testamatta. Join Monty for a Cin Cin with another charismatic Italian Wine personality!

In this episode Monty Waldin takes us to Puglia to meet Edoardo Falvo, who introduces his winery, Masseria Li Veli. Edoardo, who is originally from Tuscany, tells Monty of his move to Puglia and his discovery of local indigenous grape varieties such as Susumaniello and Verdicchio. Listen to another great story about Italian wine-making and discover the heel of Italy between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea.

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Thomas Bar, the owner of Antico Podere Gagliole, a winery in Castellina in Chianti. Thomas Bar describes the Tuscan landscape of his winery, with dried stone walls. Thomas also reveals a favorite home recipe to accompany a bottle of his Chianti Classico. Join us for another Cin Cin with Italian Wine People!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Elena Pantaleoni of La Stoppa Winery near Piacenza in Emilia Romagna. Elena tells Monty about her family history and her forays in the wine world in the 1990s. Elena also discusses La Stoppa’s commitment to indigenous grape varietals and to sustainable viticulture.

Join us for another exciting wine story from one of Italy’s more well-known wine regions. Monty Waldin chats to Andrea Pieropan of Pieropan winery in Soave, Veneto. According to Andrea “wine is emotion.” Andrea tells Monty all about his family history, the innovation and integrity in wine-making brought about by his father Nino and the challenges in producing Soave.

“Wine-trade quintessential Englishman,” wine writer, and, recently also wine producer, Steven Spurrier reminisces about his initial forays in the wine-trade in London and Paris. In his account, Spurrier talks about the seminal blind competition “The Judgement of Paris” which he organized in 1976 and of his love for Italian wine and Italy. Join Monty Waldin in a friendly chat with a world-famous wine personality.

This Italian Wine Podcast journey today takes us to the beautiful island of Sardinia with Argiolas winery. Monty Waldin chats to Valentina Argiolas who helps listeners discover Sardinian grape varieties and the typical wine and food culture of the island. Sardinia is also the region which boasts the greatest number of centenarians alive. Sip some excellent Sardinian wine with Monty to learn how to drink from the fountain of youth!

In this podcast, Monty Waldin meets JC Viens, editor of the magazine Spirito diVino Asia and Vinitaly International Academy Ambassador. Monty and JC talk about the perception of Italy and of Italian wine in Asia. JC’s comments offer an interesting reflection about the potential of the Asian market for Italian wine producers.

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Henry Davar who completed the Vinitaly International Academy certification course in Verona in April 2017, reaching the Expert Level at first sitting. Henry talks to Monty about growing up in New York City, about his work as wine educator in Las Vegas, and his transformative encounters with Italian wine and the community of Italian wine producers.

In this episode Monty Waldin and Vinitaly International Academy Scientific Director 2014-2018 Ian D’Agata discuss Italy’s most widely planted red grape variety: Sangiovese. Ian brings us on a journey through Sangiovese areas in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. He also talks about the origin of the name and his favorite wine and food combination for Sangiovese. Ian D'Agata is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

Here is another episode dedicated to Italian native grape varieties. Monty Waldin and Vinitaly International Academy Scientific Director 2014-2018 Ian D’Agata discuss the Glera grape variety and one of its most famous wines, Prosecco. Join Monty and Ian also to find out how to make the famous Prosecco-based cocktail Bellini. Ian D'Agata is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

Italian Wine Podcast aims to inform, educate, and entertain about Italian Wine. This episode introduces listeners to one of the many native grape varieties which are cultivated in Italy: the Aglianico. Join Monty Waldin chatting to wine expert and Scientific Director of the Vinitaly International Academy (2014-2018) Ian D’Agata. Ian is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Deborah Brenner, Founder and President of Women of the Wine and Spirits, the “membership alliance dedicated to the support and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry.” Monty meets Deborah on the eve of the inauguration of the European chapter of Women of the Vine and Spirits, launched on 11 April 2017 during Vinitaly. Join Monty and Deborah for a compelling conversation about the work of the alliance in offering support and empowerment for women working in the wine and spirits business.