Ep. 249 Michele Scienza (Guado al Melo) on Bolgheri wines, co-plantation, and microvinification
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Michele Scienza, whose family owns Guado al Melo, in the Bolgheri area in Tuscany. Michele explains Monty the viticultural methods at Guado al Melo: co-plantation or so-called field blends, whereby different grape varieties are planted together in the one vineyard. Michele goes into his winemaking techniques and presents his wines which bear legendary and antiquarian names: Criseo, Jassarte, Bacco in Toscana, Atis, and Rute! Tune in to learn more about the history of the Guado al Melo winery in Bolgheri, as well as their viticulture and winemaking that combine tradition, innovation, and sustainability!
20 Nov 201943min
Ep. 248 Marco Ferrarese (Guado al Tasso - Antinori) on Bolgheri wines, winemaking, and terroir
In this episode recorded on site, Monty Waldin interviews Marco Ferrarese, winemaker and vineyard manager at Guado al Tasso, an estate owned by the Antinori family in Bolgheri. Marco tells Monty about the history of the estate, its soils, and his approach to vineyard management. He presents Guado al Tasso’s iconic wines which bear legendary names such as Scalabrone (their rosé), Il Bruciato (Bolgheri DOC), Guado al Tasso (Bolgheri DOC Superiore) and others. Discover the flavours and the legends behind these wines and Marco’s favourite food pairings. Warmest thanks to Marco’s wife, Luisa Foschetti, Hospitality Manager at Guado al Tasso for the greatest welcome and for the facilitating the recording of this podcast!
18 Nov 201923min
Ep. 247 Leonardo Raspini (Tenuta Argentiera) on Bolgheri wines and agronomy
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Leonardo Raspini, General Manager of Tenuta Argentiera near Donoratico, Tuscany, in the Bolgheri denomination area. An agronomist by training who has been worked in Bolgheri for almost 20 years, Leonardo tells Monty how he recently joined Tenuta Argentiera and began working on its vineyards, some of the highest in altitude in the Bolgheri DOC area. Monty and Leonardo discuss covercrops and the importance of soils in the Bolgheri area. Leonardo also talks about the origin of the name “Argentiera” and presents the estate’s main wines: their flagship Argentiera, Villa Donoratico, and Poggio ai Ginepri (among others). Tune in also for a tour of some of the main wine areas in Tuscany!
12 Nov 201929min
Ep. 246 Federico Zileri Dal Verme (Consorzio Bolgheri DOC) on the Bolgheri DOC & Supertuscans
In this episode recorded in September 2019, Monty Waldin interviews Federico Zileri Dal Verme, Former President of the Consorzio Bolgheri DOC (until September 2019). Zileri is also the owner of the Castello di Bolgheri winery and Manager of Tenuta Argentiera. In this interview, Zileri focuses on the history of the Bolgheri DOC Consortium that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019. Zileri talks about the varieties which make the Supertuscans, the characteristics of the Bolgheri appellation and terroir, the importance of the Bolgheri and Tuscany brands and the main export markets for Bolgheri DOC. Tune in to learn more about a distinctive wine region in Tuscany!
11 Nov 201919min
Ep. 245 Shigeru Hayashi (Solo Italia) on the Japanese market for Italian wine
In this interview, Monty Waldin talks to Shigeru Hayashi, CEO of Solo Italia, a Japanese wine import company based in Tokyo. Shigeru, who has lived and worked in Italy for 14 years, is an importer, wine educator, and wine writer who authored several publications on Italian wine and food. With Monty he talks about the Japanese market for Italian wine, and what strategies and approaches may work best to penetrate it. He also talks about Japanese wine consumers, his latest book on the basics of Italian wines and Italian restaurant in Japan! Tune in to this useful podcast about the Japanese wine market! --- 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!
5 Nov 201912min
Ep. 244 Brandon Tebbe MS on the sommelier profession in the US
In this podcast, Monty Waldin interviews Brandon Tebbe MS, currently the lead sommelier at the Encore Boston Harbor in Boston, MA. Brandon is a certified Master Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. In this interview he tells Monty how he got into wine and what the sommelier profession in the United States is like. He also talks about his new winemaking project in the Willamette Valley in Oregon producing Pinot Noir. Tune in to also learn more about Brandon’s passion for Piemonte and Barolo!
4 Nov 201912min
Ep. 234 Alessandro Gallo (Castello di Albola) on Chianti Classico and Chardonnay
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Alessandro Gallo, general manager as well as vineyard manager and wine maker at Castello d’Albola, an estate in Radda in Chianti, Tuscany, which belongs to the Zonin family. Alessandro, who is originally from the Langhe region in Piemonte, has been living and working in the area for 15 years and tells Monty about the Chianti Classico terroir of Radda in Chianti. The village of Radda in Chianti is one of the highest in the appellation and the most historical for Chianti Classico production. Castello d’Albola grows mostly Sangiovese, which is cultivated up to 600 meters on the sea level. The estate also grows Chardonnay at 700 meters to make their Poggio alle Fate white wine; they also grow Cabernet Sauvignon for their “Super Toscano” Acciaiolo. Monty and Alessandro discuss the difference between the Chianti Classico Riserva and the Gran Selezione and Alessandro presents some of Castello di Albola’s flagship wines: Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, and the Gran Selezione Santa Caterina and Il Solatio. Tune in to learn more about the Chianti Classico soils and wines and discover Alessandro’s passion for steak!
30 Okt 201922min
Ep. 243 Sara Norell (Systembolaget AB) on the Swedish alcohol monopoly system and consumer trends
In this episode, which is part of the wine2wine series “Let’s Talk Wine Biz,” Monty Waldin interviews Sara Norell, Director of Assortment, Purchasing, and Supply Chain at Systembolaget AB, the Swedish alcohol monopoly. Sara tells Monty about her career: her beginnings in the hotel business as a sommelier and her current position at Systembolaget. Sara provides useful insights into the way the Swedish liquor board operates in comparison with other national alcohol boards such as those in Canada. She talks about Systembolaget’s commitment to alcohol awareness and to organic wines. In particular, Sara presents some interesting demographics about organic wines in Sweden. Tune in to learn more about the Swedish wine market and their monopoly system.
29 Okt 201913min
