Ep. 268 Maureen Downey (Chai Consulting) on Combating Wine Fraud
Maureen Downey, founding member of Chai Consulting (chai pronounced chez), walks Monty Waldin—and listeners of the Italian Wine Podcast—through her decision to start representing the interests of fine wine consumers and collectors who occasionally find themselves on the receiving end of deals gone bad. Maureen, having amassed loads of knowledge, skill, and industry experience, began to notice trends in fraudulent bottles appearing in collections and changing hands at auctions. She has called out famous wine sellers, collectors, and auctioneers, and has bravely backed up her claims against criminal organizations with facts and evidence. She’s even been tapped by the FBI and Department of Justice in the United States to assist in special cases requiring the highest authority on rare wines and wine scams. Tune in to find out how technology, observation, and logic combine to shine a light on fraudulent wines, and how Maureen and her crew seek answers to uncomfortable questions that media, industry professionals, and consumers often prefer to not ask.
11 Feb 202030min
Ep. 267 Joe Fattorini (The Wine Show) on Wine on TV and the UK Wine Market
In this episode Monty Waldin meets volcanic TV personality Joe Fattorini, co-host of TV show, The Wine Show (now broadcasting in 100 countries and on Prime). Joe is also a wine merchant and wine writer. In the interview Joe tells Monty about his beginnings in the wine business and relates a number of funny anecdotes in his broadcasting career. Tune in to learn more also about the UK wine market for Italy and his future plans for a new series of The Wine Show set in Italy!
10 Feb 202035min
Ep. 266 Lamberto Frescobaldi (Marchesi Frescobaldi) on Frescobaldi per il Sociale and Gorgona Island
Esteemed guest Lamberto Frescobaldi returns to the Italian Wine Podcast to further discuss Frescobaldi wines and associated social projects. Since 2012 Lamberto has been involved with a small vineyard on Gorgona Island, home to a prison, just off the coast of Tuscany. Here, select residents practice the cultivation of wine grapes, learn work ethic and skills, and earn money to ease their transition back into society. According to Lamberto, those that find success in the program develop a sense of self-worth and do not commit new offenses once free. Host Monty Waldin tries to imagine how one could commit a crime in a moment of blindness and live with the consequences for years afterward. Listen in to find out why Frescobaldi doesn’t seek reviews from wine critics and why the social side of the company isn’t a simple publicity stunt but an earnest investment in community and high-quality wine. We even manage to touch on grape varieties, wine composition, and organoleptic qualities.
4 Feb 202021min
Ep. 265 Sonal Holland MW (Sonal Holland Wine Academy) on the Indian Wine Market for Italian Wine
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews India’s first Master of Wine, Sonal Holland MW. Sonal, who is a wine educator, entrepreneur, and consultant, tells Monty how she got into the wine business after a career in the corporate world and how she got inspired to do so from Jancis Robinson. Sonal and Monty discuss the demographics of the Indian wine market and some of the changes that took place with regards to Indians’ wine drinking habits. She presents some interesting insights from the India Wine Insider market research, a survey she conducted on population segments of wine consumers such as “affluent drinkers”, “millennials” and “women”. Sonal also chats about her recent experience in the wine retail business with Vine2Wine, a chain of luxury wine stores in five big Indian cities. Tune in also for some advice about the way Italian wine producers should leverage India’s growing interest for wines.
3 Feb 202019min
Ep. 264 --ENGLISH-- Attilio Scienza (VIA Chief Scientist) on Vermentino | Italian Wine Essentials
English language translation of episode 264 (originally recorded in Italian). Italian Wine Podcast favorite (and Vinitaly International Academy Chief Scientist) Attilio Scienza returns to go another round with Monty Waldin. This time the two discuss Vermentino—its origins, etymology, preferred climate, soil, and importance in Italian viticulture and oenology. Monty grills Professor Scienza in near perfect Italian with an ever-so-slight Tuscan lilt. The professor is up for the challenge and offers insight into this grape variety that will surely interest wine scholars such as VIA candidates. As in previous iterations we offer both the original, Italian version as well as the English language recording, read by future voice of the BBC and WSET Programme Provider, Rebecca Lawrence. Though we’ll dig deep and may mention terms such as “flysch,” attentive listeners will also catch food pairing suggestions. Please find a full English transcript of this interview at the show's official website, www.italianwinepodcast.com.
28 Jan 202014min
Ep. 264 --ITALIAN-- Attilio Scienza (VIA Chief Scientist) sul Vermentino
Original educational podcast recorded in Italian language. Italian Wine Podcast favorite (and Vinitaly International Academy Chief Scientist) Attilio Scienza returns to go another round with Monty Waldin. This time the two discuss Vermentino—its origins, etymology, preferred climate, soil, and importance in Italian viticulture and oenology. Monty grills Professor Scienza in near perfect Italian with an ever-so-slight Tuscan lilt. The professor is up for the challenge and offers insight into this grape variety that will surely interest wine scholars such as VIA candidates. As in previous iterations we offer both the original, Italian version as well as the English language recording, read by future voice of the BBC and WSET Programme Provider, Rebecca Lawrence. Though we’ll dig deep and may mention terms such as “flysch,” attentive listeners will also catch food pairing suggestions. Please find a full Italian transcript of this interview at the show's official website, www.italianwinepodcast.com.
28 Jan 202021min
Ep. 263 Annette Scarfe MW (Wine Consultant) on the MW Journey and the Singapore Wine Market
Annette Scarfe MW visits Monty Waldin at Itialian Wine Podcast home base to discuss her journey from corporate banking to Master of Wine. At the peak of a successful banking career in Singapore, Annette was asked by her company to pick up and move to South Africa. Instead, she “retired” to follow her passion for wine. Annette describes what she believes are the most important factors shared by successful MWs as well as the biggest pitfalls along the way. Listen in to a conversation that ranges from home wine bottling kits to the many Italian wines finding popularity in Singapore. Warning: this episode contains content that may cause the listener to travel to Singapore to experience “bottomless” brunch culture in person.
27 Jan 202017min
Ep. 262 Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator) on Wine Journalism, Barolo and Montalcino
Senior Editor at Wine Spectator Bruce Sanderson joins Monty Waldin on the podcast to talk about his career in wine journalism and Italian wine trends in the United States. Former model and actor in Australia, Canada, and the United States, Sanderson tells Waldin how he got into wine and about his beginnings as a sommelier in New York. Sanderson also talks about his approach to wine writing and wine tasting and discusses his work at Wine Spectator, particularly in relation to Italian wine and his areas of expertise (Piemonte and Toscana). Tune in to learn more about current U.S. trends with regards to Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto and the rebirth of Montalcino and its Brunello.
21 Jan 202028min
