Ep. 2530 Adriana Valentini of Monteverdi Tuscany Resort | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Barbara Widmer owner of the Brancaia Winery in Castellina in Chianti. Barbara is also the enologist of the winery which is owned by her family originally from Switzerland. Barbara tells Monty about her parents’ dream of setting up an estate in Chianti and the way she subsequently developed the winery starting from 1998, when Brancaia released their first vintage. Barbara talks about Brancaia’s Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva and recommends some food pairing. Tune in to also learn how Barbara works in the cellar and for an interesting discussion on wine styles! --- This episode has been brought to you by Lux Wines, Importer of fine wines from Italy (www.luxwines.com).

30 Mai 201913min

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Pietro Ratti owner of the Renato Ratti winery in La Morra, in the heart of the Barolo region. Monty and Pietro talk about the innovation in wine making and viticulture brought about by Pietro’s father Renato, who “introduced the concept of single vineyard.” Pietro also comments on the 50 year anniversary of their signature Barolo Marcenasco and illustrates the characteristics of two of the winery’s single vineyards: Conca and Rocche dell’Annunziata. Pietro also presents Renato Ratti’s Dolcetto and Barbera and discusses some traditional methods of viticulture in the Langhe hills. In this podcast you will also learn more about some of the effects of climate change on the area and recent market trends for Ratti’s wines. --- This episode has been brought to you by Lux Wines, Importer of fine wines from Italy (www.luxwines.com).

28 Mai 201922min

[This is the English-language translation of episode 204, which has originally been recorded in Italian.] In this educational podcast, Prof. Attilio Scienza is back on the show with Monty Waldin to talk about Aglianico. Prof. Scienza is a famous Italian vine genetics scholar and Chief Scientist of the Vinitaly International Academy. Scienza’s most recent book La Stirpe del Vino (Sperling & Kupfer, 2018) explores the genetic history of iconic grape varieties. In this interview, Scienza and Waldin discuss the origin of the name Aglianico, Aglianico’s genetic ties with other grape varieties, and the main areas where this vine is cultivated. Scienza also talks about the traditional growing methods for Aglianico called “tennecchia” and the way Aglianico responds to various soils and climates. Tune in to learn more about its wine denominations such as Taurasi, Vulture, and Taburno and discover traditional foods paired with Aglianico. This podcast provides an insight into the importance of the Aglianico grape and its wines in the Italian wine and viticultural tradition and cannot be missed if you are studying Italian wine! [A transcript of this interview in English is available on www.italianwinepodcast.com.]

27 Mai 201926min

In this educational podcast recorded in Italian, Prof. Attilio Scienza is back on the show with Monty Waldin to talk about Aglianico. Prof. Scienza is a famous Italian vine genetics scholar and Chief Scientist of the Vinitaly International Academy. Scienza’s most recent book La Stirpe del Vino (Sperling & Kupfer, 2018) explores the genetic history of iconic grape varieties. In this interview, Scienza and Waldin discuss the origin of the name Aglianico, Aglianico’s genetic ties with other grape varieties, and the main areas where this vine is cultivated. Scienza also talks about the traditional growing methods for Aglianico called “tennecchia” and the way Aglianico responds to various soils and climates. Tune in to learn more about its wine denominations such as Taurasi, Vulture, and Taburno and discover traditional foods paired with Aglianico. This podcast provides an insight into the importance of the Aglianico grape and its wines in the Italian wine and viticultural tradition and cannot be missed if you are studying Italian wine! [A transcript of this interview is available on www.italianwinepodcast.com. A recorded audio translation into English of this interview is available in the next episode. An English-language transcript can also be found on the Italian Wine Podcast official website].

27 Mai 201926min

This interview is the second of two podcasts with Alojz Felix Jermann (Jermann Winery). In this episode Monty Waldin meets Alojz Felix Jermann at the Jermann Winery in Friuli Venezia-Giulia to discuss virtual reality in wine communication. Felix talks about the winery’s investment in VR to bring their story and experience of their wines to wine lovers abroad who cannot travel all the way to Italy. The Jermann Winery was filmed in a virtual reality documentary that will bring foreign consumers—virtually—inside the Jermann estate. Tune in to learn more about this new technology and the ins and outs of filming a wine documentary! --- This episode has been brought to you by Lux Wines, Importer of fine wines from Italy (www.luxwines.com).

21 Mai 201913min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Vincenzo Ippolito, owner of the Ippolito 1845 historic winery in Calabria. Vincenzo talks about the family history and his resourceful grandfather. Ippolito 1845 was among the first wineries who initiated the transformation of Calabria from being a grape producing region to becoming a distinctive wine producing and wine making area! Vincenzo and monty discuss the iconic Gaglioppo grape and its terroir as well as regional food pairings between Cirò wines and “Pasta China” as well as local sausages. Tune in to also learn more about other indigenous grapes from Calabira such as Pecorello, Greco Nero (which makes a distinctive Rosé wine), and Greco Bianco.

20 Mai 201917min

This interview is the first of two podcasts with Alojz Felix Jermann (Jermann Winery). In this first episode Monty Waldin interviews Alojz Felix Jermann, who is the International Communications Manager in his family winery in Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Jermann. Monty and Felix talk about the Jermann family history and their investment in local grape varieties of the Collio region such as Ribolla Gialla. Felix also presents some of the winery’s labels, including one of their most renowned one, the Vintage Tunina. Monty and Felix also dig deeper into the “Ponca” soil type of the Collio area and the way this soil impacts on the local viticulture. Tune in to find out more about Felix’s favourite food pairings with his iconic wines. --- This episode has been brought to you by Lux Wines, Importer of fine wines (www.luxwines.com).

14 Mai 201918min

In episode 200 Monty Waldin interviews Wine Spectator Executive Editor Thomas Matthews. Thomas tells Monty about his personal and professional journey in wine, from picking grapes in Bordeaux while writing a novel to his current role as Executive Editor of one of the most prestigious American wine magazines. Thomas talks about Italian wine in the United States and the latest trends in Italian wine consumption as documented in a survey launched through the Wine Spectator website and illustrated also during the Press Conference of OperaWine 2019 “Finest Italian Wines, 100 Great Producers selected by Wine Spectator.” Tune in also to find out about the way wine brought together Thomas and his wife Sara Matthews, who works as a wine photographer!

13 Mai 201912min