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

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews wine producer, restaurateur, MasterChef TV star, and musician Joe Bastianich. Tune in for a fantastic interview where Bastianich talks openly about his Italian origins and his relationship with Italian culture. Joe tells Monty that his parents came to America from the contested North-Eastern territory of Istria (former Italian territory and now Croatian) and set up an innovative and successful restaurant business in New York City. After talking about his upbringing in New York, Joe unveils his passions for rock music, good food and good wine—the latter culminating in starting the family winery in 1997 in the Colli Orientali area of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Joe tells Monty about his non-interventionist wine-making philosophy, marketing wine to millennials, and wine and food pairings. Enjoy Monty Waldin’s exclusive conversation with Italian wine and food celebrity Joe Bastianich!

25 Syys 201829min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Lamberto Spacchetti, owner of Colle Ciocco winery in Montefalco, Umbria. Before starting his wine business in Montefalco, Lamberto spent 40 years in the navy as a Commander. His experience taught him a great deal also on the weather and particularly on winds and their impact on grape growing. Monty and Lamberto also talk about pairing Sagrantino with local dishes such as wild boar, truffles, and T-bone steak and Sagrantino Passito with cheese. He also Lamberto also talks about one of Colle Ciocco whites, the Clarignano Umbria Bianco IGT, a blend of Grechetto and Viognier. Tune in for another gourmet stop in the wine heart of Umbria!

24 Syys 201817min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Simon Grosjean, owner of Grosjean Vins, an organic winery in the bilingual region of Valle d’Aosta. Monty and Simon talk about Valle d’Aosta’s indigenous grape varieties such as Petit Rouge, Fumin, Cornalin, and Vien de Nus. They also chat about the Torrette Valle d’Aosta’s appellation, Grosjean’s wines and viticulture in the mountains. Tune in to discover wine and viticultural traditions in a charming mountainous region in the North-West of Italy.

18 Syys 201811min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Giampaolo Tabarrini, owner of the Tabarrini Winery in Montefalco, Umbria. Giampaolo tells Monty about the beginnings of the winery and its first important awards from Gambero Rosso. He describes his single-vineyard wines, which are bottled from his three sites Colle alle Macchie, Campo alla Cerqua, and Colle Grimaldesco. Tune in also to find out how Monty reacted to a Sagrantino “grammar” lesson and to discover Giampaolo’s passion for Trebbiano Spoletino and his dream of building a wine village.

17 Syys 201827min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Gina Gallo, Senior Director of Winemaking at E. & J. Gallo Winery in California, the largest family-onwed winery in the United States. Gina tells Monty all about her family’s Italian roots and her personal connections with Italy. Gina also talks about market trends for her wines with the new generations and provides her views on how Italian wineries and wine brands can harness the potential of the American market. Tune in also for some “bubbly” conversations on the Chinese market for wine and… Prosecco!

11 Syys 201815min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Donatella Adanti from Cantine Adanti in Bevagna, near Montefalco, in Umbria. Donatella talks about the evolution of wine making and wine growing in the area from the seventies onwards and the role her father Domenico and their winery played in the promotion of Sagrantino and Umbria. She also talks about her views on recent investments made in the region, and the reception of Sagrantino among American consumers. Tune in also to find out more about Adanti’s Sagrantino and Montefalco Rosso wines!

10 Syys 201816min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Maria Stella Carletti at the Poliziano Winery in Montepulciano, Tuscany. Maria Stella tells Monty all about the origin of the name Poliziano and discusses the rich family history. Maria Stella introduces also Poliziano’s famous crus, the “Vigneto Caggiole” and the vineyard of the Asinone, the latter yielding Poliziano’s signature Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. She also talks about their Maremma vineyards and their production of Morellino di Scansano. Tune in for another fantastic immersion in the Tuscan wine tradition!

3 Syys 20189min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Devis Romanelli, owner and winemaker at the Romanelli winery in Umbria. Romanelli produces wine but also olive oil. Monty and Devis talk about harvesting Sagrantino grapes, the winery’s production of Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino and their cru wines. Tune in for a deep dive into Sagrantino terroir and viticulture in Umbria!

3 Syys 201834min