
Ep 2352 Robert Joseph| Book Club with Richard Hough
Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2352 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with wine expert, consultant, producer and industry analyst, Robert Joseph. Amongst other things, the conversion covers Robert’s memories of the summer of love of wine, his role as a General Chair of 5StarWines, the challenges of wine production, and playing devil’s advocate and questioning the status quo On the bookshelf: The books discussed in today’s show include: The Last American Road Trip by Sarah Kendzior The Mick Herron Slough House series O. Henry (AKA William Sydney Porter) About today’s guest: Robert Joseph is an associate editor of Meininger’s Wine Business International, which he helped to launch in 2006. In 1983, after living in Burgundy for five years, he launched the Wine International magazine; set up the International Wine Challenge; became a wine writer for the Sunday Telegraph, and wrote The Wine Lists, the first of his 25 books. He has chaired and launched over 50 wine competitions in Asia, Europe and the UK. Robert has been in Who’s Who since 2013, and the awards he has received include the Jacob’s Creek ‘Golden Vine’; ‘the Best Wine Guide in the World’; the Glenfiddich (twice); The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom Premier; the Marques de Caceres. He regularly appears on television and radio and has lectured at the Wine & Spirits Educational Trust, Burgundy and Sonoma Wine Business Schools. Joseph is one of the trio behind Hugh Kevin & Robert Wines, whose Le Grand Noir range now sells over 3.8m bottles per year in over 60 countries. He recently-launched his own Georgian wine venture: K’AVSHIRI. Connect: Website: https://winethinker.com/ More about the host: Richard Hough is the editor, translator and project curator behind Wine Democracy and Vine and Prejudice. He has also published several books about life in Verona, chronicling the city’s history, culture and daily life, not forgetting, of course, its wine! With a long-standing passion for whisky and beer, he’s a relative newcomer to the world of wine and is now desperately trying to make up for lost time! He is the host of Book Club on the Italian Wine Podcast. Connect: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rickhough.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricksnotesfromverona Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhough/ _______________________________ 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!
14 Touko 47min

Ep 2351 Annabella Pascale | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon
Welcome to episode 2351 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 191 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Annabella Pascale, CEO of Tenuta di Artimino. More about today’s guest: Tenuta di Artimino covers approximately 700 hectares in the heart of Tuscany, including 80 hectares of vineyards and 16,000 olive trees. Situated across the provinces of Prato and Florence, the estate benefits from the unique ability to produce both Chianti DOCG and Carmignano DOCG wines. Acquired in the late 1980s by Giuseppe Olmo, a distinguished Italian cyclist and entrepreneur, the estate has since flourished under the guidance of the Olmo family. Today, the third generation—Annabella Pascale and Francesco Spotorno Olmo—continues to manage the estate with a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the preservation of Tuscan winemaking traditions. Connect: Tenuta d’Artimino Website: https://www.artimino.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artimino/ Annabella Pascale Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pascaleannab/ Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/in/annabella-pascale-84aa725 More about the host: Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. His other notable works include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, and Wine: A Global History. In addition to his writing, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy and France in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. Since 2021, he has also been the engaging host of the “Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon” series on the Italian Wine Podcast. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic 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!
13 Touko 36min

Ep 2350 Juliana Colangelo interviews Cokie Ponikvar | Masterclass US Wine Market
Welcome to Episode 2350 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews the wine communicator, content creator, and Master of Wine candidate, Cokie Ponikvar. Key takeaways: How is GenZ consuming wine? What is GenZ's perception of Italian wine in particular? How to better appeal to GenZ drinkers? What makes Italy so exciting? More about the guest: Cokie Ponikvar is a wine communicator, content creator, and Master of Wine candidate passionate about making wine education approachable, rigorous, and inspiring for a new generation of drinkers. With a background in academic excellence, studying English and Classical Civilizations at University of Toronto and a drive for clarity, she combines technical knowledge with engaging storytelling across social platforms. Her work bridges deep industry insight and fresh, Gen Z relevance—highlighting both classic producers and emerging trends through a lens of sustainability, inclusivity, and fun. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cokiesworldofwine/?hl=en More about the host: 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: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang 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!
12 Touko 25min

Ep 2349 Karla Ravagnolo interviews Elisa Rezzano | Next Generation
Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2349 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Karla Ravagnolo interviews Elisa Rezzano. More about today’s guest: Elisa Rezzano, 28, is a passionate Italian wine enthusiast and dedicated professional in the hospitality and wine industry. Her journey began at the age of 19, when she became a certified sommelier through the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS) and collaborated with her family to open a restaurant called L'Agave, located along the scenic Italian Riviera in Framura (SP), Italy. The experience of managing a family-run restaurant deepened her appreciation for fine wine and the art of hospitality. After a few years, driven by a desire to expand her horizons, Elisa decided to take a new path—traveling the world and gaining international experience in the hospitality sector, where she continues to grow both personally and professionally. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisarezz/?hl=it More about the host: Born in the Dominican Republic, Karla Ravagnolo holds the WSET Level 3 Certificate and has an endless curiosity for all things wine and beverage. Her never-ending quest for knowledge has led her to multiple international beverage experiences in Italy, the USA and Japan. During her time at Colangelo & Partners, a New-York based wine PR agency, she recognized the challenges of conveying the cultural, geographical and historical value of Italian wine to an international and inter-generational audience. Her goal has always been to make wine more approachable and inclusive, through sharing authentic experiences and making real interpersonal connections! Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlamassielravagnolo/ _______________________________ 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!
11 Touko 35min

Ep 2348 Discovering Château Smith Haut Lafitte Florence Cathiard | On the Road with Stevie Kim
Welcome to Episode 2348 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, Discovering Château Smith Haut Lafitte Florence Cathiard. In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is back in Bordeaux, where she sits down with Florence Cathiard, co-owner of Château Smith Haut Lafitte in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux. Florence explains the history of the chateau, the importance of organic and biodynamic agriculture, and the contribution of George Smith, the Scottish merchant who acquired the property in the mid-18th century, as well as the hidden symbology behind the chateau's distinctive label. Join Stevie on a backstage tour of the historic underground cellar as she learns about a very important guest who visited the chateau in 2023, and meet the next generation behind Les Sources de Caudalie, the luxury hotel adjoining the chateau. Website: https://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com/en/home/ More about the host: Stevie Kim Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & 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: 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!
10 Touko 13min

Ep 2347 Giorgia Rangoni | Everybody Needs A Bit Of Scienza
Welcome to Episode 2347 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 Giorgia Rangoni. Today’s question(s): AI and machine learning are being increasingly applied in viticulture, from analyzing satellite imagery for vineyard health to optimizing irrigation and disease prevention. How do you see these technologies evolving in the genetic improvement of grapevines? Could AI accelerate crossbreeding programs or even predict ideal genetic traits for future climate conditions? L’intelligenza artificiale e il machine learning vengono applicati sempre più spesso alla viticoltura, dall’analisi delle immagini satellitari per monitorare la salute dei vigneti all’ottimizzazione dell’irrigazione e della prevenzione delle malattie. Come vedi l’evoluzione di queste tecnologie nel miglioramento genetico della vite? L’IA potrebbe accelerare i programmi di incrocio o persino prevedere i tratti genetici ideali per le condizioni climatiche future? 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 Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & 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 & 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 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! Connect: 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 :)
9 Touko 11min

Ep. 2346 Svetlana Fedoseeva of Nachalo Wine Group in Tashkent | Asia Wine Market: Almaty Special Edition
Welcome to Episode 2346 and the third episode of the new special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Svetlana Fedoseeva of Nachalo Wine Group to dive into the wine scene in Uzbekistan. Key Learning Objectives: Understand the evolution of wine culture and consumer awareness in Uzbekistan Learn about the country’s import and distribution landscape. Identify current trends, gaps and opportunities in Uzbekistan’s wine market. Asia Wine Market is a new podcast series from the Italian Wine Podcast that explores the fast-growing wine markets across Asia. Designed for wine professionals, importers, and producers, the series highlights regional trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities for Italian wine exports. Through 10 exclusive episodes, this series offers insights from key industry players and builds up to the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strategic event connecting Italian wineries with Central Asian wine importers, sommeliers, and distributors. Whether you're looking to enter the wine market or expand your brand presence in Central Asia, this series is your starting point. Today’s guest: Svetlana Fedoseeva Svetlana Fedoseeva is a Master of Technology in Winemaking and a current WSET Diploma student. A pioneering force in Uzbekistan’s wine scene, she co-founded Tashkent’s first wine club and has played a key role in shaping the country’s modern wine culture. Svetlana manages events for the Uzbekistan Association of Bartenders and Wine Professionals and oversees operations at Nachalo Wine Group — a dynamic collective that includes an importing company, the contemporary Nachalo restaurant, and Wine Bazaar, a trendy wine bar she also co-founded. She is additionally behind the launch of No Name Wine School, an educational project designed to engage a new generation of wine lovers and professionals in Uzbekistan. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svetlana.wine/ https://www.instagram.com/nachalo.tashkent/ Today’s host: Roza Zharmukhambetova 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 in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA), Italian Wine Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since late last year, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine. Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roza.zharmukhambetova Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vin_enrose/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rozazharmukhambetova/ _______________________________ 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!
8 Touko 33min

Ep 2345 Lia Falconieri | Voices with Cynthia Chaplin
Welcome to Episode 2345 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this installment of Voices, Cynthia Chaplin interviews Lia Falconieri of the Chiek winery in Piemonte. About today’s guest: The Chiek winery is located in San Giorgio Canavese, Piemonte, between the towns of Turin and Ivrea, and includes 13 hectares of vineyards. The grapes are almost all Erbaluce, an ancient white grape variety native to the Canavese district, cultivated using the “pergola” vine training system, which creates large canopies in the vineyard. Lia Falconieri is responsibile for administration, commerce and communications. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BlackGirlsWine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackGirlsWine About today’s host: VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador and sommelier with FIS, Cynthia Chaplin is a professor of Italian Wine and Culture, with 20 years experience in the wine industry. Cynthia is a wine content creator, author and judge for several international wine competitions. She designs and presents events for embassies, corporate and private clients, develops Italian wine collections for restaurants and private clients and works with Italian wineries to train their sales and export staff. Hosting Voices has increased her commitment to DEI in the wine sector, interviewing emerging and established wine professionals and discussing topics such as inclusivity, equity, language, sustainability and challenges facing under-represented groups and cultures as they move into careers in wine. As a certified WSET Educator, Cynthia is passionate about developing wine education for a future that will have a place at the table for anyone interested in wine. Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/?hl=en Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179/ _______________________________ 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 this pod! Remember Voices is all about diversity, equity, and heart-warming personal stories about real people!
7 Touko 28min