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(2531)

Ep. 27 Monty Waldin interviews Andrea Pieropan of Pieropan Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Veneto

Ep. 27 Monty Waldin interviews Andrea Pieropan of Pieropan Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Veneto

Join us for another exciting wine story from one of Italy’s more well-known wine regions. Monty Waldin chats to Andrea Pieropan of Pieropan winery in Soave, Veneto. According to Andrea “wine is emotion.” Andrea tells Monty all about his family history, the innovation and integrity in wine-making brought about by his father Nino and the challenges in producing Soave.

23 Mai 201712min

Ep. 26 Monty Waldin interviews legendary wine expert Steven Spurrier | Italian Wine Personalities

Ep. 26 Monty Waldin interviews legendary wine expert Steven Spurrier | Italian Wine Personalities

“Wine-trade quintessential Englishman,” wine writer, and, recently also wine producer, Steven Spurrier reminisces about his initial forays in the wine-trade in London and Paris. In his account, Spurrier talks about the seminal blind competition “The Judgement of Paris” which he organized in 1976 and of his love for Italian wine and Italy. Join Monty Waldin in a friendly chat with a world-famous wine personality.

22 Mai 201716min

Ep. 25 Monty Waldin interviews Valentina Argiolas of Argiolas Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Sardinia / Sardegna

Ep. 25 Monty Waldin interviews Valentina Argiolas of Argiolas Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Sardinia / Sardegna

This Italian Wine Podcast journey today takes us to the beautiful island of Sardinia with Argiolas winery. Monty Waldin chats to Valentina Argiolas who helps listeners discover Sardinian grape varieties and the typical wine and food culture of the island. Sardinia is also the region which boasts the greatest number of centenarians alive. Sip some excellent Sardinian wine with Monty to learn how to drink from the fountain of youth!

17 Mai 20177min

Ep. 24 Monty Waldin interviews JC Viens (VIA Ambassador & Editor at Spirito diVino Asia) | Education meets Business

Ep. 24 Monty Waldin interviews JC Viens (VIA Ambassador & Editor at Spirito diVino Asia) | Education meets Business

In this podcast, Monty Waldin meets JC Viens, editor of the magazine Spirito diVino Asia and Vinitaly International Academy Ambassador. Monty and JC talk about the perception of Italy and of Italian wine in Asia. JC’s comments offer an interesting reflection about the potential of the Asian market for Italian wine producers.

15 Mai 201713min

Ep. 23 Monty Waldin interviews Henry Davar (Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Expert) | Education meets Business

Ep. 23 Monty Waldin interviews Henry Davar (Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Expert) | Education meets Business

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Henry Davar who completed the Vinitaly International Academy certification course in Verona in April 2017, reaching the Expert Level at first sitting. Henry talks to Monty about growing up in New York City, about his work as wine educator in Las Vegas, and his transformative encounters with Italian wine and the community of Italian wine producers.

10 Mai 20178min

Ep. 22 Monty Waldin interviews Ian D'Agata (Vinitaly International Academy 2014-2018) on Sangiovese | Introduction to Aglianico, Glera, and Sangiovese

Ep. 22 Monty Waldin interviews Ian D'Agata (Vinitaly International Academy 2014-2018) on Sangiovese | Introduction to Aglianico, Glera, and Sangiovese

In this episode Monty Waldin and Vinitaly International Academy Scientific Director 2014-2018 Ian D’Agata discuss Italy’s most widely planted red grape variety: Sangiovese. Ian brings us on a journey through Sangiovese areas in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. He also talks about the origin of the name and his favorite wine and food combination for Sangiovese. Ian D'Agata is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

9 Mai 201714min

Ep. 21 Monty Waldin interviews Ian D'Agata (Vinitaly International Academy 2014-2018) on Glera | Introduction to Aglianico, Glera, and Sangiovese

Ep. 21 Monty Waldin interviews Ian D'Agata (Vinitaly International Academy 2014-2018) on Glera | Introduction to Aglianico, Glera, and Sangiovese

Here is another episode dedicated to Italian native grape varieties. Monty Waldin and Vinitaly International Academy Scientific Director 2014-2018 Ian D’Agata discuss the Glera grape variety and one of its most famous wines, Prosecco. Join Monty and Ian also to find out how to make the famous Prosecco-based cocktail Bellini. Ian D'Agata is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

8 Mai 201710min

Ep. 20 Monty Waldin interviews Ian D'Agata (Vinitaly International Academy 2014-2018) on Aglianico | Introduction to Aglianico, Glera, and Sangiovese

Ep. 20 Monty Waldin interviews Ian D'Agata (Vinitaly International Academy 2014-2018) on Aglianico | Introduction to Aglianico, Glera, and Sangiovese

Italian Wine Podcast aims to inform, educate, and entertain about Italian Wine. This episode introduces listeners to one of the many native grape varieties which are cultivated in Italy: the Aglianico. Join Monty Waldin chatting to wine expert and Scientific Director of the Vinitaly International Academy (2014-2018) Ian D’Agata. Ian is an award winning-wine writer, his book "Native Grapes of Italy" (University of California Press) received the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award in the category Book of the Year 2015. He has been writing and lecturing about food and wine for more than 25 years.

7 Mai 201714min

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