Ep. 2501 Jessica Dupuy interviews Kathleen Thomas | TEXSOM 2025

This is the English-language translation of episode 196, which has originally been recorded in Italian. In this educational podcast, Monty Waldin speaks to Attilio Scienza, vine genetics scholar and Chief Scientist of the Vinitaly International Academy. Scienza’s most recent book La Stirpe del Vino (Sperling & Kupfer, 2018) explores the genetic history of an iconic grape variety. In this interview, Scienza and Monty discuss the genetic origins of Sangiovese, its genetic relationships with Mantonico, Nerello Mascalese, Foglia Tonda and other Southern grape varieties. Scienza redefines the notion of grape indigeneity by stating that a grape is native to the place where it finds its best genetic expression, rather than to the place where it originates. Thus, despite its Southern Italian origins and progeny, Sangiovese has found its best genetic expression in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Scienza talks about Sangiovese’s soils and wine-making styles and introduces key issues related to the main Sangiovese territories and denominations: Morellino di Scansano, Brunello, Chianti, and the Sangiovese in Emilia-Romagna. This podcast will give you an overview of the importance of Sangiovese to the Italian wine tradition and cannot be missed if you are studying wine! [A transcript of this interview in English is available on www.italianwinepodcast.com]. --- This episode is part of the Native Grape Odyssey sponsored series. This podcast series is brought to you by Native Grape Odyssey. Native Grape Odyssey is an educational project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE) for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines in Japan, Canada, and Russia. Learn more about "Europe. Quality. Wine." at nativegrapeodyssey.com/. Enjoy it's from Europe!

29 Huhti 201929min

In this educational podcast recorded in Italian, Monty Waldin meets Attilio Scienza, vine genetics scholar and Chief Scientist of the Vinitaly International Academy. Scienza’s most recent book La Stirpe del Vino (Sperling & Kupfer, 2018) explores the genetic history of an iconic grape variety. In this interview, Scienza and Monty discuss the genetic origins of Sangiovese, its genetic relationships with Mantonico, Nerello Mascalese, Foglia Tonda and other Southern grape varieties. Scienza redefines the notion of grape indigeneity by stating that a grape is native to the place where it finds its best expression, rather than to the place where it originates. Thus, despite its Southern Italian origins and progeny, Sangiovese has found its best expression in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Scienza talks about Sangiovese’s soils and wine-making styles and introduces key issues related to the main Sangiovese territories and denominations: Morellino di Scansano, Brunello, Chianti, and the Sangiovese in Emilia-Romagna. This podcast will give you an overview of the importance of Sangiovese to the Italian wine tradition and cannot be missed if you are studying wine! [A transcript of this interview is available on www.italianwinepodcast.com. A recorded audio translation into English of this interview is available in the next episode. An English-language transcript can also be found on the Italian Wine Podcast official website]. --- This episode is part of the Native Grape Odyssey sponsored series. This podcast series is brought to you by Native Grape Odyssey. Native Grape Odyssey is an educational project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE) for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines in Japan, Canada, and Russia. Learn more about "Europe. Quality. Wine." at nativegrapeodyssey.com/. Enjoy it's from Europe!

29 Huhti 201932min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Sue Tolson, wine writer and editor based in Budapest, Hungary. Sue also contributes to the periodical Wine Sofa which specializes in food and wine from central Eastern Europe and is also a certified Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Expert. In this interview she offers some insights into the Hungarian market for Italian wine and on Hungarian consumers. Tune in to learn more about which Italian wines are popular in Hungary and which segment of the Hungarian market Italian wineries should invest on if they would like to sell their labels in Hungary.

23 Huhti 20198min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Henry Davar, Vinitaly International Academy Faculty Member and experienced wine educator. In this educational podcast, Henry offers students of Italian wine a road map to understand one of the Italian varieties with greatest quality potential: Verdicchio. The Verdicchio grape is highly expressive of place and demonstrates the variety and complexity of styles that Italian native white grapes can produce. Henry explains the ABC of the Verdicchio variety and what distinguishes the two iconic territories and denominations where Verdicchio is cultivated: Castelli di Jesi and Matelica.

22 Huhti 201911min

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Niklas Bergqvist, sommelier at Vinkallaren Grappe, a wine club located in Stokholm, Sweden. Niklas is also a certified Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Expert. Monty and Niklas talk about wine clubs and Sweden’s growing interest in Italian wines. Niklas illustrates emerging trends on the market such as natural wines and Sweden’s love for Italian classics such as Brunello di Montalcino. Tune in to find out more also about how Niklas got into wine while skiing on snowy Alpine slopes!

16 Huhti 20197min

In this podcast Monty Waldin interviews Sarah Heller Master of Wine and Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) Faculty Member on the approach to tasting Italian wine devised by the Academy. Sarah talks about the reformatted, tasting-intensive VIA Italian Wine Ambassador course and the new VIA Tasting Schematic, VIA’s standardised tasting grid with descriptors which are specific to Italian wines. The new VIA schematic forms the basis of both tasting sessions during the course and the blind tasting section of the exam. In the interview, Sarah goes through each descriptor and explains its relevance to Italian wines. If you are planning to take the next VIA Italian Wine Ambassador course, you cannot miss this podcast!

15 Huhti 201938min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Erik Klein, wine export consultant based in Slovakia. Erik has more than ten years of experience and has worked with the famous American wine importer Neil Empson. Monty and Erik talk about the Slovakian and the Czech market for Italian wines and their attraction to the dolce vita! Tune in to learn which Italian native grapes and related wines are popular in those markets!

9 Huhti 201914min

***This episode is brought to you by: Native Grape Odyssey is an educational project financed by the European Union to promote European wine in Canada, Japan, and Russia. Enjoy, it's from Europe!*** --- In this podcast in Italian with consecutive translation, Monty Waldin interviews Federica Capobianco, press officer at Silvio Carta Winery in Sardegna, a beautiful Mediterranean island and home to wonderful wines such as Vernaccia di Oristano. Tune in to discover Silvio Carta's iconic Vernaccia di Oristano, its terroir as well as the way grapes are vinified. Monty and Federica also talk about the winery's main markets and the best food matches.---***This podcast has been brought to you by Native Grape Odyssey, Discovering the true essence of quality wine from Europe. Find out more on www.nativegrapeodyssey.eu. Enjoy, it's from Europe!***

8 Huhti 20199min