Ep. 259 Yannick Benjamin (Wine on Wheels & Wheeling Forward) on inclusivity in hospitality & wine
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews US-based sommelier Yannick Benjamin, co-founder of Wine on Wheels and Wheeling Forward, owner of Contento restaurant, and Head Sommelier at the University Club in New York. Yannick talks about his beginnings in the hospitality sector in New York until a life-changing accident left him paralyzed from the waist down and forced him to reconsider his life and career choices. Yannick tells Monty about his struggles and the process that led him to return to work in hospitality and in the wine industry. Tune in for an amazing story of resilience that inspired attendees at wine2wine 2019.
13 Jan 202032min
Ep. 258 Elizabeth Schneider (Wine for Normal People) on wine podcasts | Monty Interviews Other Wine Podcasters
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Elizabeth Schneider, host of Wine for Normal People Podcast, a show for wine lovers and learners. Elizabeth tells Monty how the show came about in 2009 and talks about her focus on wine consumers. From the show, Elizabeth also published a book entitled Wine For Normal People, now widely available in print and ebook format. Tune in to also learn more about her outstanding work as a wine educator.
7 Jan 202023min
Ep. 257 Gaia Gaja (Gaja Estates) on the family estates in Barbaresco, Montalcino, Bolgheri, and Etna
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Gaia Gaja, co-owner of the Gaja Estates in Barbaresco, Montalcino, Bolgheri, and Etna. Gaia is the fifth generation of a family who started making wine in Barbaresco in 1859. Gaia tells Monty about the beginnings with her great-great grandfather Giovanni in the nineteenth century and about the work of her grandfather and father (both named Angelo). Gaia speaks about their “sori” or crus in Barbaresco, about her father Angelo’s groundbreaking work in the vineyard and his passion to embark in new projects such as the estates in Montalcino (Pieve di Santa Restituta), Bolgheri (Ca' Marcanda), and most recently in Etna, Sicily, with Alberto Graci. Tune in to listen to the history of an iconic family who shaped trends and styles in Piemonte and beyond!
6 Jan 202020min
Ep. 256 Heini Zachariassen (VIVINO) on wine apps and online marketplaces
In this podcast Monty Waldin interviews Heini Zachariassen, Founder of Vivino, world’s largest wine app. Heini, who is originally from the Faroe Islands, tells Monty how he founded Vivino and helped the project grow into a community of 30 million users. Heini also talks about life in California where he currently lives and some of his favourite Italian wines.
17 Des 201914min
Ep. 255 Giovanni Luigi Brumat (Cantina Toblino) on Trentino wines, Nosiola, Schiava, and Rebo
In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Giovanni Luigi Brumat, Brand Manager at Cantina Toblino in Madruzzo, near Trento. This wine coop was established in 1960 and features more than 600 growers to date. 10% of its vineyards are organic and local grape varieties such as Nosiola, Schiava, and Rebo are grown. Monty and Giovanni talk about award-winning Vin Santo made with Nosiola grapes and Rebo, a crossing between Teroldego and Merlot, which was developed by Rebo Rigotti in the enological institute San Michele all’Adige in the province of Trento. Giovanni suggests some interesting food pairings with Cantina Toblino wines and discusses wine tourism in the area. Tune in to learn more also about Cantina Toblino’s latest experiments in the vineyard with the traditional “pergola trentina” training system and in the cellar with amphoras.
16 Des 201921min
Ep. 254 Angelo Minelli (Wine-Searcher) on wine search engines, New Zealand and Italian wines
In this episode Monty Waldin interview Angelo Minelli, Italian wine specialist at Wine-Searcher, one of the most influential wine search engines. Angelo, who is based in Auckland, New Zealand, tells Monty about his role at Wine-Searcher, how the search engine works, and the importance of the data gathered by the Wine-Searcher for producers. Angelo, whose family also owns a small winery in Franciacorta, tells Monty about his passion for Italian wines from native grapes and for New Zealand Pinot Noir!
10 Des 201926min
Ep. 253 Serena Imazio (Book Author & Researcher) on the lineage & genetics of vines and wine history
In this podcast Monty Waldin interviews book author and vine genetics expert Serena Imazio who recently published a book with scientist Attilio Scienza on the lineage and genetic ties amongst Italian and European vines. The book entitled La Stirpe del Vino came out in 2018 in Italian and was a bestseller; in November 2019 the English translation with the title Sangiovese, Lambrusco, and Other Vine Stories followed. Serena tells Monty some of the fascinating stories that the book presents: the journey of Malvasia vines and wines across the Mediterranean, Leonardo Da Vinci’s vineyard in Milan, the genetics of the Lambrusco varieties, and the origin of the Sangiovese grape. Tune in to learn more about iconic Italian and European grapes with Serena Imazio, co-author of the newly published "Sangiovese, Lambrusco, and Other Vine Stories".
9 Des 201913min
Ep. 252 Gérard Spatafora (E-Studi’OZ.wine) on e-commerce, big data, and SVOD platforms
In this episode which is part of the Let’s Talk Wine Biz Series, Monty Waldin interviews Gérard Spatafora, E-Commerce strategist and Director of E-Studi’OZ.wine. Gerard tells Monty about his experience in e-commerce platforms for wines and discusses the state of the art of online sales for wine globally. He also talks about the importance of big data analysis for wineries and the potential of creating content for SVOD platforms. Tune in for the latest insights into wine e-commerce, big data, and digital content!
4 Des 201917min
