Ep. 2681 Giro d’Italia 2026 Special Episode 1: From Bulgaria to the Mezzogiorno in search of wine and cheese | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

Welcome to episode 2681 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 243 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Will you be following the Giro d’Italia? After three days in Bulgaria, this 3-week Grand Tour stage race will commence in Italy in Calabria on Tuesday May 12 before moving relentlessly from south to north, west to east, over the steepest bumps and highest mountains to arrive finally in Rome on May 31. Beyond cycling, the Giro is a celebration of Italy in all its glorious variety, its rugged and challenging terrain, its beautiful countryside, its art, culture, history and, of course, its gastronomy and wines. Marc Millon will be podcasting three episodes this year on May 12, 19, 26, following the route in the company of James MacNay⁩ and his wife Cinzia Long. James will be offering wine suggestions along the route while Cinzia, a certified Italian cheese expert, will highlight cheeses from each area. It’s going to be a fun journey and the Giro always offers drama and the unexpected. Hope you will join us and enjoy the Giro d’Italia! More about today’s guests: James MacNay⁩ grew up in East Sussex, studied humanities, and holds both British and Italian passports. He began his career as a walking tour guide before moving into the wine and food trade. In 2016, alongside his partner Cinzia, he founded MacNay Travel & Wine, launching their first itinerary, Heart of the Italian Alps. A top-scoring Italian Wine Ambassador, James is among fewer than 500 IWAs worldwide. He also holds other wine qualifications and loves sharing his passion for Italian wine and culture through writing and public speaking. Cinzia Long, originally from Piemonte and raised in the high Alps of Valle d’Aosta, studied Forestry and Environmental Science at the University of Turin, where she wrote her thesis on the wild red squirrel population of Gran Paradiso National Park. In 2022, she and her family returned to Italy, settling in Torre Pellice, Piedmont. In June 2025, she began her journey to become a Master Cheese Taster, passing the first level with ONAF, Italy’s national organization for cheese experts. Connect: Website: https://travelandwine.co.uk/ More about the host: Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel and an award-winning author of 15 books on these topics. Since 2021, he has been the host of the ‘Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon’ weekly series on the Italian Wine Podcast, which now has well over 220 episodes of the show. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025). In addition to his writing and podcasting, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England. Connect: Website: https://www.quaypress.uk https://www.marcmillon.co.uk https://www.vino.co.uk https://www.quaypress.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon _______________________________ 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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!