Ep. 2492 Sunny Hodge | Book Club with Richard Hough

Ep. 2492 Sunny Hodge | Book Club with Richard Hough

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2492 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Sunny Hodge to discuss his new book, The Cynic's Guide to Wine. In this in-depth conversation, Richard and Sunny discuss Sunny’s varied career in hospitality, the ups and downs of the London wine scene, the philosophies behind his award winning wine bars, and the science behind his book, The Cynic's Guide to Wine. On the bookshelf: Sunny shared his passion for journals articles on mycorrhizal networks, while currently on Richard’s bookshelf is Question 7 by Richard Flanagan. The Cynic’s Guide to Wine is published by The Académie du Vin Library and is available to order at: https://academieduvinlibrary.com/products/the-cynics-guide-to-wine-sunny-hodge. About today’s guest: Sunny Hodge is the founder of two renowned London wine bars and a recognised disruptor in the wine trade. With a background in hospitality and a passion for truth-telling, Hodge has built a reputation for making wine approachable, exciting, and rooted in reality. Sunny Hodge completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering before embarking on a career in hospitality. He worked his way up from fast food restaurants to become a founding team member at Paulo de Tarso and Nicholas Jaouën’s London restaurant, Margot. His scientific training has always led him to look for the how and why behind food and wine, and he currently runs science-based wine tastings and is developing programmes to provide wine education based on science and functionality. Hodge is the founder and owner of two wine bars in south London, Diogenes the Dog and Aspen & Meursault, for which he was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the Southwark Business Awards. Both wine bars showcase unusual and lesser-known wines and share a mission to educate customers about wine. Sunny is an annual wine judge for the IWSC awards and has commentated on wine for the Evening Standard, The Times and The Guardian. Connect: Website: https://www.diogenesthedog.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyhodgewine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-hodge-wine/ More about the host: Richard Hough is the editor, translator and project curator behind The Art of Wine Storytelling, 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, including Verona Campione, published in May 2025. 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/verona_campione 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!

Episoder(2535)

Ep. 132 Monty Waldin interviews Devis Romanelli (Romanelli Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

Ep. 132 Monty Waldin interviews Devis Romanelli (Romanelli Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Devis Romanelli, owner and winemaker at the Romanelli winery in Umbria. Romanelli produces wine but also olive oil. Monty and Devis talk about harvesting Sagrantino grapes, the winery’s production of Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino and their cru wines. Tune in for a deep dive into Sagrantino terroir and viticulture in Umbria!

3 Sep 201834min

Ep. 131 Monty Waldin interviews Gelasio Gaetani d'Aragona | Discover Italian Regions: Tuscany / Toscana

Ep. 131 Monty Waldin interviews Gelasio Gaetani d'Aragona | Discover Italian Regions: Tuscany / Toscana

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Gelasio Gaetani D’Aragona, whose historic family winery (Argiano) is located in the Brunello area of Tuscany. Gelasio and Monty talk about Brunello di Montalcino and the changes and developments in the area across five decades, from the seventies onwards. Gelasio also reflects on other Tuscan wine areas such as Bolgheri and sketches his personal vision for the future of Montalcino. Tune in to learn more about the history of one of the leading wine denominations of Italy with an iconic wine personality!

28 Aug 20189min

Ep. 130 Monty Waldin interviews Valentino Valentini (Bocale Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

Ep. 130 Monty Waldin interviews Valentino Valentini (Bocale Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Valentino Valentini, one of the owners of the Bocale Winery in Montefalco and also former town counsellor and mayor of Montefalco. Valentino tells Monty all about the rich history of the Montefalco area, including old vine-growing systems on elm trees, the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi and his Franciscan monks who were among the first wine producers in the region. An energy efficient winery, Bocale specializes in Sagrantino- and Trebbiano Spoletino-based wines and is also a mixed farm growing olive trees and cereals. Tune in for a deep dive into the rich history, culture, and delicious wines of Umbria!

27 Aug 201822min

Ep. 129 Monty Waldin interviews Debora Bosoni (Cantine Lunae) | Discover Italian Regions: Liguria

Ep. 129 Monty Waldin interviews Debora Bosoni (Cantine Lunae) | Discover Italian Regions: Liguria

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Debora Bosoni at the family-owned Cantina Lunae Bosoni in Liguria. Debora explains that the area of Lunae takes its name from an ancient Roman site of Luni, that was also renowned for its wines. Debora and Monty talk about local indigenous grapes such as Vermentino and Albarola and the complexity of the Ligurian terroir between the Alps and the sea. Tune in to discover another incredible and underrated wine region in Italy!

31 Jul 20187min

Ep. 128 Monty Waldin interviews Peter Heilbron (Tenuta Bellafonte) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

Ep. 128 Monty Waldin interviews Peter Heilbron (Tenuta Bellafonte) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Peter Heilbron at Bellafonte Winery in Umbria. Peter, whose former career was in the Umbrian chocolate industry, tells Monty about his energy efficient winery, the aromas of Sagrantino wines and the rediscovery of Trebbiano Spoletino native grape. Tune in to learn more about the ins and outs of viticulture and winemaking in Umbria’s beautiful Montefalco region.

30 Jul 201819min

Ep. 126 Monty Waldin interviews Paolo Montioni (Montioni Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

Ep. 126 Monty Waldin interviews Paolo Montioni (Montioni Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

In this episode Monty Waldin continues his journey through the land of Sagrantino in Montefalco, Umbria. Monty meets Paolo Montioni, owner of the Montioni Winery. Monty and Paolo discuss the work undertaken in the vineyard and in the cellar to produce Sagrantino wines. The Montioni family is also involved in olive oil production at their local oil mill. Tune in also to learn all about pairing Sagrantino with truffle- and porcini-based dishes.

17 Jul 201815min

Ep. 124 Monty Waldin interviews Sara Goretti (Goretti Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

Ep. 124 Monty Waldin interviews Sara Goretti (Goretti Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Umbria

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Sara Goretti, whose family wineries Vini Goretti are located in Umbria. Sara’s wineries produce Sagrantino, Grechetto, and Trebbiano Toscano wines. Monty and Sara talk about the international markets for Sagrantino. Sara talks abut unusual wine and food pairings, matching Sagrantino with Korean spicy soup, Japanese fish tartare or grilled salmon. Sara also talks about traditional Umbrian dishes such as the Torta al Testo or the Umbricelli pasta. Sara also presents one of their reds, l’Arringatore (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Ciliegiolo), that will make you talk a lot after drinking it! Tune in also to learn more about Nonna Marcella Goretti’s cooking classes and the wine therapy sessions offered at the Goretti winery!

16 Jul 201825min

Ep. 125 Monty Waldin meets Matteo Santoiemma (Ognissole Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Puglia/Apulia

Ep. 125 Monty Waldin meets Matteo Santoiemma (Ognissole Winery) | Discover Italian Regions: Puglia/Apulia

In this podcast Monty Waldin meets Matteo Santoiemma, owner of Ognissole Winery in the Apulia (Puglia) region of Italy, a certified organic and biodynamic winery. Matteo takes Monty on a beautiful journey through the local grape varieties such as Primitivo, Uva di Troia, Bombino Bianco, Moscato Bianco and through the Puglia terroirs. Join Monty and Matteo also to discover more about local food and the history of the region!

16 Jul 201813min

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