Ep. 2502 Matteo Zoppas of the Italian Trade Agency | On the Road with Stevie Kim

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Jeffrey Porter, Beverage Director at Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group in New York. Jeffrey shares his exciting and multifaceted professional story in the beverage industry in the US, from his experience as a sommelier in restaurants in the Napa Valley, to winemaking in California, to his current experience—with an Italian twist!—with the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group in New York. Tune in to meet a knowledgeable, dedicated, and humble sommelier sharing his passion for wine!

26 Mar 201817min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Francesca Paladin (Casa Paladin Estates). Francesca talks about the family’s wineries located in multiple regions such as Tuscany (Chianti Classico), Lombardy (Franciacorta), and on the border between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Monty and Francesca discuss the Prosecco boom and the impact of climate change in the Franciacorta and Veneto areas. Francesca also gives the family recipe for the Agricanto liqueur, a sweet drink made from Raboso grape with almond and cherry juice. Tune in also to find out an Agricanto-based recipe for aperitivo! Cin cin with Italian Wine People!

20 Mar 201811min

In this episode, Monty Waldin talks to Robert Joseph, wine writer, journalist, and consultant. Currently, Robert is also producing wine in the Languedoc region of France with two partners. He has recently completed a new book, The future of wine has changed (forthcoming in March/April 2018). In the podcast, Robert sketches the future of viticulture and wine making in the face of climate change. His future projections deal with the implementation of artifical intelligence in viticulture, the use of water for irrigation and more. Robert and Monty also discuss the idea of wine cooperatives. Step into possible futures in this episode of Italian Wine Podcast!

19 Mar 201816min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Denise Marrone at the Agricola Gian Piero Marrone in La Morra in the Langhe wine region in Piemonte. Denise together with Serena and Valentina are the three Marrone sisters who work in the family winery. Denise tells Monty all about her family history and her father Gian Piero’s pioneering work in the vineyard. She also talks about their signature Barolos, Barolo Bussia and Barolo Pichemej. Denise and Monty also discuss climate change and native grape varieties such as Favorita, Arneis, and Moscato.

13 Mar 201812min

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Steve Raye the owner of Bevology INC, a consulting company specializing in helping wine export brands penetrate the U.S. market. Steve and Monty discuss wine importing and distribution in the American market and the impact that Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods will have on U.S. retail. Let’s get down to (wine) business in another episode of the Italian Wine Podcast “Let’s talk wine biz" series on air every Tuesday.

12 Mar 201811min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Antonio Michael Zaccheo of Carpineto Wines in Tuscany. Monty’s guest talks about how Carpineto Wines came to be, that is, from the joint efforts of two families: the Zaccheo family from Puglia and the Sacchet family from Veneto. Carpineto’s founders came from opposite parts of Italy and met half-way in Tuscany, united by their love of Tuscany and Sangiovese. Antonio Michael Zaccheo talks about Tuscan wines, global markets, and… the ironic sobriquet “pulci in culo” for a local grape variety! Tune in to find out more!

6 Mar 201813min

In episode 86 Monty Waldin meets Alison Napjus, Senior Editor at Wine Spectator, the leading American magazine about wine and wine culture. Alison is one of the experts at Wine Spectator who selects the 100 Italian wine producers for Vinitaly’s opening gala, OperaWine (goo.gl/jcB6eN). In this interview, Alison tells Monty about her career and daily work in the magazine, her personal connection with Italy and her passion for Italian wine. Alison explains Wine Spectator’s rigorous blind tasting methodology and talks about wine tasting and the future of wine journalism.

5 Mar 201814min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Mateja Gravner who works in the family winery “Gravner” in Oslavia in Friuli Venezia Giulia on the border with Slovenia. Mateja’s father, Josko Gravner is an iconic producer who created the paradigm for so-called “orange wines”—his famous Ribolla wine being made from Ribolla Gialla native grapes. Mateja tells Monty about his father Josko’s innovation in wine-making that includes skin contact and fermentation in amphoras coming from Georgia. Tune in to discover the history of the Slovenian-speaking Gravner family that intersects also with major events in the history of Italy and its contested north-east borders.

27 Feb 201819min