Ep. 601 Whitney Pope | Voices

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino at the Tenuta Conte di Vistarino in the Oltrepo Pavese area of Lombardy. The winery specializes in Pinot Noir but also grows the Croatina indigenous grape variety which features in their Sangue di Giuda sweet blend and Riesling. Tune in to learn more also about local foods and specialties to pair with these wines.

29 Jul 20196min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Catherine Stratton, founder of C.S. Selections and Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. A native of Los Angeles, Catherine lived in Italy for over six years and is a big fan of southern Italian wines. She tells Monty about the reception of Italian wines in the multifaceted L.A. market and discusses some consumer trends in the area. She also talks passionately about her work as an educator, leading Italian wine tastings for consumers. Catherine and Monty also talk about Italian organic and biodynamic wines.

23 Jul 201923min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Gabriele Brugnoni, export manager at Bisci winery, in the Verdicchio di Matelica zone in Le Marche. Monty and Gabriele talk about the Verdicchio grape and the Matelica denomination. The Bisci family winery produces roughly 120,000 bottles and has three types of Verdicchio di Matelica wines: their entry level Verdicchio, the Vigneto Fogliano D.O.C. from one of their crus, and the Senex, which is a selection of the Vigneto Fogliano cru produced only in the best years. Tune in to learn more about an iconic white wine denomination which Gabriele dubs the “white Barolo.”

22 Jul 201913min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Silvia Imparato, the owner of the Montevetrano winery near Salerno in the Campania region. Silvia talks about her grandparents who acquired the property and the vineyards in the forties and explains how she turned it into a business in the mid-eighties. Silvia also tells Monty about her previous career as a professional photographer and how she fell in love with the wine world while taking a portrait picture in Rome! The Montevetrano winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Aglianico into their signature blend “Montevetrano.” Tune in to learn more about pairing Montevetrano wines with regional foods such as fried anchovies, fat fish and “capretto” (goatling) roast.

16 Jul 201921min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Armando Castagnedi, whose family owns Tenuta Sant’Antonio in the Illasi valley between the Valpolicella and Soave region in Veneto. Tenuta Sant’Antonio produces Soave, Valpolicella Superiore, and Amarone (among other local wines). Armando talks about local viticultural techniques such as pergola veronese and the winery’s rediscovery of two indigenous grapes: Oseleta and Croatina. Armando also tells Monty about Tenuta Sant’Antonio’s style of Amarone and presents some typical food matches also with their Recioto sweet wine! Tune in for a journey in the heart of Veneto wines and local grape varieties.

15 Jul 201914min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Puru Manvi, owner of the Manvi winery together with his wife Sudha in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano area. Puru and Sudha left their career in the banking sector in Switzerland, Canada, and India (among other countries) to move to Italy and become vignerons, acquiring the winery in 2015. Manvi is the smallest winery in the Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and its owners are very much focussed on quality and they have been organic since its previous owners. Puru tells Monty about the location of his vineyards and some changes he brought about in the wine-making, for instance the use of French oak barrels instead of barrique. Tune in to learn more about a beautiful spot in Tuscany and Puru and Sudha’s Italian dream come true!

12 Jul 201914min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Diana D’Isanto, whose family owns I Balzini Winery in Barberino Val D’Elsa in Tuscany. The winery specializes in IGT Toscana and Supertuscans and all its workers are women, including I Balzini’s consultant-oenologist Barbara Tamburini. Tune in to learn more about their signature wines—I Balzini White Label and I Balzini Black Label—the tufo soils which are ideal for their Merlot grapes, and the main markets!

9 Jul 20196min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Simona Fino. Simona and Gianfranco own the Gianfranco Fino winery in the Manduria region of Puglia. Simona tells Monty about how her adventure in wine started and the winery’s focus on old vines which are from 60 to 90 years old. Simona and Monty talk about the winery’s signature Primitivo di Manduria, the Es 2012, and their main markets. Tune in to also learn about typical dishes to pair with Primitivo.

8 Jul 201910min