Ep. 2502 Matteo Zoppas of the Italian Trade Agency | On the Road with Stevie Kim

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

***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 about Sardinia, Monty Waldin meets Renzo Erasmi, agronomist at Cantina Arvisionadu, a winery located in the center of Sardinia. Arvisionadu is also the name of the indigenous grape variety which the Cantina cultivated and which makes their award-winning wine. Monty and Renzo talk about the difficulties in growing the Arvisionadu grape. Renzo also described the sensorial profile of the wine and explains the meaning of the word Arvisionadu. Tune in to learn more also about Cantina Arvisionadu’s signature red wine, a blend of Cannonau, Sangiovese, Shiraz, and Cagnulari.---***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!***

2 Huhti 201910min

***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 Monty Waldin interviews Luca Fontana of Cantina Mesa in the Sulcis area of Sardinia, in the south-west of the island. The winery is part of the Gruppo Santa Margherita. Luca talks about the history of the winery founded in 2003. He also speaks about the strong bond which links Sardinians with their homeland and the cultural differences and rivalry between the north and the south of the island. Luca and Monty discuss the Carignano di Sulcis denomination: the Carignano bush vines of the winery are located at sea level in sandy-clay soils and benefit from a hot climate as well as very long summers. They are also characterized by high-yields. Tune in to learn more about this unique denomination and the traditional wine culture of Sardinia with out passionate Sardinian guest at Cantina Mesa. --- ***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!***

1 Huhti 201916min

In this podcast Monty Waldin interviews Chiara Meloni, export manager at Tenute Olbios in the north-east of Sardinia. Tenute Olbios produces Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Vermentino di Sardegna as well as a native-grape-based red and a rosé. Chiara and Monty talk about the Gallura terroir, the local and foreign markets for the winery’s Vermentinos (Tenute Olbios exports 35% of their production), as well as some interesting wine and food pairings. Tune in to discover a beautiful region of Italy and its delicious wines!

26 Maalis 201914min