Ep. 26 Monty Waldin interviews legendary wine expert Steven Spurrier | Italian Wine Personalities

Welcome to episode 2297 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 184 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Tessa Donnadieu of Vinchio Vaglio Cantina Cooperativa, located in the Monferrato wine region of Piedmont, northern Italy. More about today’s winery: The name of the winery derives from the Vinchio and Vaglio Serra villages where nineteen vine growers founded the cooperative in 1959. The cooperative is located in Piedmont, Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site, at the foot of the Alps. Nowadays the cooperative represents nearly 200 family vine growers who take daily care of 500 hectares mostly planted in Barbera grapes (70% of our production) and other indigenous grapes from Piedmont, such as Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Ruché, Albarossa, Grignolino, Arneis, Cortese, Moscato and Brachetto. Since 1985, the winery had sought to maintain and protect the oldest vineyards of minimum 50 years vines of Barbera from which the brand Vigne Vecchie was born. The cooperative is part of a unique and international network established by a UK MW,  The Old Vine Conference. The winery’s latest achievement is the Equalitas certification as a sustainable winery.  Connect Website: https://vinchio.com/en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinchiovaglio/  Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/company/vinchiovaglio  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VinchioVaglioSerra/  More about the host: Marc Millon Marc Millon, VIA Italian Wine Ambassador 2021, has been travelling, eating, drinking, learning and writing about wine, food and travel for nearly 40 years. Born in Mexico, with a mother from Hawaii via Korea and an anthropologist father from New York via Paris, he was weaned on exotic and delicious foods. Marc and his photographer wife Kim are the authors of 14 books including a pioneering series of illustrated wine-food-travel books: The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. Other titles include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, Wine, a global history. Marc regularly lectures and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy and France with Martin Randall Travel, the UK’s leading cultural travel specialist. He has also been the host of the ‘Wine, food and travel with Marc Millon’ series on the Italian Wine Podcast since 2021. When not on the road Marc lives on the River Exe in Devon, England. Connect: Website:  https://www.quaypress.uk   https://www.marcmillon.co.uk  https://www.vino.co.uk    https://www.quaypress.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin! Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!

25 Maalis 35min

Welcome to Episode 2296 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Gary Fisch, Founder and CEO of Gary's Wine & Marketplace, and Scott Ades, President of Dalla Terra Winery Direct, to discuss the potential impact of US tariffs on EU wines and how these changes could affect the wine industry. Key takeaways: What is the current status of US tariffs on EU wines? How will these tariffs affect the US wine industry? What actions can wineries take in response? More about the guest: Gary Fisch  Gary Fisch is the Founder and CEO of Gary's Wine & Marketplace, a leading wine and spirits retailer. He launched his first store in Madison, NJ, in 1987 and has since expanded to multiple locations, including St. Helena, California, in 2019. By 2017, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace surpassed $50M in revenue.  With 35+ years in the industry, Gary has built one of the largest fine wine businesses, known for exceptional customer service and curated selections. His company has been featured in Fox Business, CNN, The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast, and The Wall Street Journal. Beyond retail, Gary actively contributes to the wine community through industry events and mentorship. Connect: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-fisch-b195461/  Website: https://garyswine.com/  More about the guest: Scott Ades Scott Ades serves as the President and Partner of Dalla Terra Winery Direct, a company specializing in importing Italian wines and spirits directly from family-owned producers. He joined Dalla Terra in 2016, bringing over 11 years of experience from his previous role as Chief Operating Officer at The Winebow Group, a prominent distributor of Italian wines in the U.S. Under Ades' leadership, Dalla Terra has expanded its portfolio to include a curated selection of Italian wines and spirits, emphasizing partnerships with family-owned wineries to ensure quality and authenticity. The company operates on a "Winery Direct" model, allowing U.S. distributors to purchase directly from Italian producers, thereby reducing costs and enhancing value for consumers. Connect: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ades-a76855/  Website: https://www.dallaterra.com/  More about the host: Juliana Colangelo Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently, Juliana is a Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman, where she is focused on building their Italian wine portfolio. Prior to that, she led the California Division as a Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. for over 10 years. During her tenure at C&P, Juliana led the development of the California office, growing the agency’s domestic presence to a dedicated office of 15 people with representation of leading wine companies such as Jackson Family Wines, Far Niente, Charles Krug Winery, Foley Family Wines and more.  Juliana has completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University. In 2021, Juliana was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. In 2022 Juliana became a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julezcolang/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: https://x.com/julezcolang?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/   Until next time, Cin Cin!

24 Maalis 32min

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2295 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti meets Skinny Pablo, a musician and record producer based in Mosel, Germany. More about today’s guest: Skinny Pablo Skinny Pablo is a funky, multifaceted artist from Guam — musician, record producer, DJ, filmmaker, and fashion designer — known for blending sound, culture, and adventure into immersive sensory experiences. Best recognized for Paris Mosel, a film and soundtrack that merges his love for food, wine, and music, Skinny spent over 12 years in Los Angeles before relocating to Germany’s Mosel wine country in 2023 to further develop the project. He also created Radio Terroir, a short-format show spotlighting his underground music catalog under the Mosai Music label. His work has led him to collaborate with legends like Lee "Scratch" Perry and Cypress Hill. As Paris Mosel continues to evolve, the next vintage is set for release in 2025. Connect:  Website: https://mosaimusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinny.pablo/ More about the host: Giulia Stocchetti Giulia is an AIS Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. She has 360° experience in the cellar, harvesting, tasting and teaching. Enthusiastic communicator of wine, she believes every bottle is a small universe to discover and her slogan is “Sharing wine means love.” She’s passionate about terroir wines made with autochthonous grape varieties and constantly looking for them and their small producers. Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giulia.caravaggi/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinesoulgirl/?hl=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulia-stocchetti-caravaggi-58a54ab0/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

23 Maalis 51min

Welcome to Episode 2294 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, and Part 1 of Discovering Bordeaux's Left Bank with Bernard Burtschy. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is on a special mission in Bordeaux to discover this important French region with one of the world's greatest Bordeaux experts. Over the course of four days, Stevie traveled through Bordeaux's iconic Left Bank, visiting the "best of the best" — the legendary producers ranked as Premier Cru: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild, all rated as "First Growths." In this episode, Bernard Burtschy breaks down the unique characteristics of each of these prestigious estates. He delves into the processes behind evaluating these wines, the significance of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification system, and shares his insights on why he believes 2022 will be an exceptional vintage for Bordeaux. More about today’s guest: Bernard Burtschy Bernard Burtschy holds a PhD in Mathematical Statistics and has been a professor at Télécom ParisTech and École Centrale de Paris for over 30 years, specializing in data mining and big data research. He has collaborated with top American universities and supported numerous students in launching business ventures in the tech sector. Hailing from Alsace, Bernard’s family has always produced wine. His passion for wine led him to pursue tasting courses at the Académie du Vin in Paris in 1977, where he became an instructor and, by the early 1980s, a senior contributor to Revue du Vin de France and Gault & Millau. Since 2007, he has been a wine taster and columnist for Le Figaro and Figaro Magazine. His personal cellar boasts over 40,000 bottles from the past 50 vintages. Connect: Website: https://www.bernardburtschy.com/ More about the host: Stevie Kim Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing and Communication Expert, Brand Positioning Specialist, and Public Speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines and Wine Without Walls. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale. The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series. Stevie also frequently joins Professor Attilio Scienza on his shows—helping keep our beloved professor in check! Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=stevie%20kim  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevie-kim-0646b04/  Website: vinitalyinternational.com/wordpress/    _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

22 Maalis 10min

Welcome to Episode 2293 of the Italian Wine Podcast coming live from the Grandi Langhe 2025 in Torino. Today's guest is Ryan Lewis, Director of Hidden Vines UK, a company dedicated to importing and distributing Italian wines, with a special focus on indigenous grape varieties. As the official media partner, Italian Wine Podcast brings you firsthand insights from Grandi Langhe 2025—Piedmont’s premier wine event. Join top producers, buyers, and experts as they explore emerging styles, vineyard innovations, and market trends shaping the region's future. From Barolo and Barbaresco to hidden gems, this series offers in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes access, revealing Piedmont’s impact on the global wine stage. More about today’s guest: Ryan Lewis Ryan Lewis is a UK-based wine specialist with a focus on Italian wines. He serves as the Sales Manager at Italian Wines Direct and is the Director of Hidden Vines UK, a company dedicated to supplying Italian wines and Prosecco at trade prices. Beyond his roles in wine importation and sales, Ryan has contributed as a judge in international wine competitions, further solidifying his standing in the wine community.  Connect: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-lewis-2379001b/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiddenVinesUK/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryansouthport/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

21 Maalis 9min

Welcome to Episode 2292 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor 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 Elena Z. Today’s question(s):  In a data-driven future, who's going to have the final say on the wine style: AI or the winemaker? Will AI take the winemaker's place? In un futuro dominato dai dati, chi avrà l’ultima parola sullo stile di un vino: l’intelligenza artificiale o l’enologo? L'enologo verrà sostituito dall'Intelligenza arteficiale?  More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti.  He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff! To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/  If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler: Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods! To find out more about Stevie Kim visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/ Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin! Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek :)

21 Maalis 14min

Welcome to Episode 2291, where we present a session recording from the wine2wine Business Forum 2024. Today’s session is entitled “Systembolaget, how the tender process and tasting works - one of the tools for reducing the climate impact” with Gad Peterson. In this session, we explore how generative AI is transforming the wine industry—from vineyard practices to customer relations. By optimizing workflows and driving innovation, AI is freeing up resources to focus on sustainability efforts, such as reducing climate impact.  Gad Pettersson, Head of Product Quality & Sustainable Supply Chain at Systembolaget, brings over 25 years of experience. He discusses how the tender process at Systembolaget supports sustainability and aligns with the company’s ambitious climate targets. Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of market-focus sessions, recorded in Verona in November 2024. wine2wine Business Forum is an international wine business event held annually in Verona, Italy since 2014. The event is a key reference point for wine producers and wine professionals from around the world, providing an opportunity to network, develop and expand their wine business worldwide. Find more about the session at:  https://www.vinitaly.com/en/events-calendar/wine2wine/ticket-wine2wine-business-forum-2024/systembolaget-how-the-tender-process-and-tasting-work-tools-for-reducing-the-climate-impact/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

20 Maalis 30min

Welcome to Episode 2290 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode, Italian Wine Ambassador Rebecca Severs interviews Primo Franco of the renowned Nino Franco winery, located in the Prosecco-producing Valdobbiadene region of northern Italy. Today’s learning objectives: To spotlight Primo Franco and his remarkable achievements. To introduce his book, The Prosecco Way of Life, published to celebrate Nino Franco’s 100th anniversary. To explore Villa Barberina and its unique offerings. To learn about single-vineyard Proseccos and what makes them truly special. Co-Moderator – Rebecca Severs: Rebecca Severs is the owner and general manager of Bari Ristorante e Enoteca, a distinguished Italian restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in cuisine from the Puglia region. Her journey in the hospitality industry began at age 19, starting as a server to support her college education. After relocating to California and later returning to Memphis, Rebecca and her husband established Bari Ristorante, driven by her passion for Italian cuisine. In 2024, Rebecca achieved the esteemed title of Italian Wine Ambassador through the Vinitaly International Academy. Connect: Website: https://barimemphis.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bariristorante/ https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_barimemphis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-severs-08165016/ About the guest - Primo Franco: Antonio Franco was a wine merchant. His son Giovanni, known as Nino, began producing sparkling wines. But it was the “quiet revolution” of Primo Franco, Antonio’s grandson, that brought the wind of change, opening the doors of the best restaurants in the world to his Valdobbiadene Prosecco wines. Assuming leadership of the family-owned Nino Franco winery in 1982, he modernized winemaking techniques to craft wines characterized by exceptional energy, freshness, and harmony. Franco's innovative approach included experimenting with vineyard management and collaborating closely with local grape growers to enhance quality. His contributions have been pivotal in shaping Prosecco's global reputation. Connect: Website: https://www.ninofranco.it/it/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninofranco1919/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin! Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions!  Psssst…FYI this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!

20 Maalis 38min