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. 18 Monty Waldin interviews Deborah Brenner of Women of the Vine and Spirits | Italian Wine Personalities

Ep. 18 Monty Waldin interviews Deborah Brenner of Women of the Vine and Spirits | Italian Wine Personalities

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Deborah Brenner, Founder and President of Women of the Wine and Spirits, the “membership alliance dedicated to the support and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry.” Monty meets Deborah on the eve of the inauguration of the European chapter of Women of the Vine and Spirits, launched on 11 April 2017 during Vinitaly. Join Monty and Deborah for a compelling conversation about the work of the alliance in offering support and empowerment for women working in the wine and spirits business.

6 Mai 201719min

Ep. 19 Monty Waldin interviews Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga of Tenuta San Leonardo | Discover Italian Regions: Trentino-Alto Adige

Ep. 19 Monty Waldin interviews Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga of Tenuta San Leonardo | Discover Italian Regions: Trentino-Alto Adige

In this episode, Monty Waldin hosts Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga of Tenuta San Leonardo in Trentino to discuss regional grape varieties, their traditional methods of winemaking, interesting wine and food combinations, and ‘la botte’, an old and unusual wine bar in the heart of the San Leonardo estate. Tune in to Monty Waldin’s and his guests’ storytelling!

3 Mai 20178min

Ep. 17 Monty Waldin interviews Norbert Reinisch of Braida Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Piedmont / Piemonte

Ep. 17 Monty Waldin interviews Norbert Reinisch of Braida Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Piedmont / Piemonte

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Norbert Reinisch of the Braida winery in Piedmont. Together they unveil the history of the Bologna family, the evolution and charm of Braida’s barbera wines and their suitability with some typical Piedmontese dishes. Not to miss if you love wines with a great character and versatility like barbera!

2 Mai 201710min

Ep. 16 Monty Waldin interviews Karoline Walch of Elena Walch Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Trentino-Alto Adige

Ep. 16 Monty Waldin interviews Karoline Walch of Elena Walch Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Trentino-Alto Adige

In this episode of Italian Wine Podcast, Monty Waldin talks to Karoline Walch of the Elena Walch wine estate founded in 1869 in Alto Adige. Karoline represents the fifth generation of wine-makers in her family. In the interview she talks to Monty about sustainable viticulture and indigenous grape varieties of Alto Adige, and about the reception of women working in the wine business.

25 Apr 201713min

Ep. 15 Monty Waldin interviews Chiara De Iulis Pepe of Emidio Pepe | Discover Italian Regions: Abruzzo

Ep. 15 Monty Waldin interviews Chiara De Iulis Pepe of Emidio Pepe | Discover Italian Regions: Abruzzo

In this episode Chiara De Iulis Pepe of the Emidio Pepe wineries tells Monty Waldin about the benefits of growing grapes using pergola supports — a technique her estate has always successfully employed since the beginning. Chiara fondly describes how grape stomping at Emidio Pepe is also a tradition which brings the family together. Hear more about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the story of Chiara’s grandfather Emidio in this conversation with Monty.

24 Apr 201710min

Ep. 14 Monty Waldin interviews Renzo Rosso of Diesel Farm | Discover Italian Regions: Veneto

Ep. 14 Monty Waldin interviews Renzo Rosso of Diesel Farm | Discover Italian Regions: Veneto

Fashion entrepreneur Renzo Rosso, generally known for being the “denim genius” who founded Diesel Jeans and a number of global fashion and lifestyle brands, is also a passionate wine producer. His Diesel Farm features over 100 hectares on the Marostica hills and grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Nero. In the interview Rosso speaks about his humble beginnings, growing up on a farm and helping his father with the land and the animals. Join us for another Cin Cin with Italian Wine People!

5 Apr 201713min

Ep. 12 Monty Waldin interviews Alessio Planeta of Planeta Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Sicily / Sicilia

Ep. 12 Monty Waldin interviews Alessio Planeta of Planeta Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Sicily / Sicilia

In this podcast Alessio Planeta of the Planeta Wineries talks to Monty Waldin about the history of his family wineries, five estates in beautiful spots around Sicily. Alessio tells Monty about his love for Sicily which he deems “the heart of the Mediterranean” not only for its wines but also for its food. He also tells Monty that “one of the greatest pleasures of life is to drink wine while you cook.” Join Monty Waldin on Italian Wine Podcast and stay tuned more “cin cin” with Italian Wine People, forthcoming after Vinitaly 2017.

8 Mar 201710min

Ep. 13 Monty Waldin interviews Francesco Zonin of the Zonin Family Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Veneto

Ep. 13 Monty Waldin interviews Francesco Zonin of the Zonin Family Winery | Discover Italian Regions: Veneto

In this episode, Francesco Zonin of the Zonin Family Winery talks to Monty Waldin about the challenge to communicate the uniqueness of Italian wine, since Italy has a huge grape biodiversity. Francesco also talks about the Italian wine culture and how wine is synonymous with community: in Italy people “live wine” with family and friends. Italian Wine Podcast, hosted by wine writer Monty Waldin, explores family histories, wine-making traditions, and personal stories of renowned producers of Italian wine.

7 Mar 201716min

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