Ep. 2540 Beatrice Motterle Part 2 | Everybody Needs A Bit Of Scienza
Welcome to Episode 2540 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Attilio Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from Beatrice Motterle (Part 2). Today’s question(s): 🇬🇧 Younger generations seem more attracted to pop narratives than to technical jargon. How can we teach wine without diluting its scientific and cultural complexity? 🇮🇹 Le giovani generazioni sembrano più attratte da narrazioni pop che da linguaggi tecnici. Come possiamo insegnare il vino senza annacquare la sua complessità scientifica e culturale? More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti. He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff! To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/ If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler: Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & Communication Expert, Brand Positioning Specialist, and Public Speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale. The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series. Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods! Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/ Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/ _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek 🙂
28 Nov 13min
Ep. 2539 Michele Longari IWA interviews Riccardo Binda, Director of Consorzio Vini Oltrepò Pavese | Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner
Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2539 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Michele Longari IWA interviews Riccardo Binda, Director of Consorzio Vini Oltrepò Pavese, to explore his experience with the Bolgheri and Oltrepò Pavese consortia, and how Oltrepò can strengthen its positioning and strategy in today’s wine market. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast. Key Learning Objectives: Understand how Italian wine consortia shape regional identity, quality, and long-term strategy. Explore the challenges and opportunities of positioning Oltrepò Pavese on the global wine stage. Learn practical lessons in leadership, data-driven quality, and sustainability in regional wine development. More about today’s host: Ten years ago, Michele Longari was working as a Computer Engineer in Emilia Romagna, but his passion for food and wine soon led him down a different path. What began as a casual interest inspired him to enroll in the Italian Sommelier Association’s professional course, and although he hadn’t planned to take the exams, he went on to earn his AIS Sommelier Diploma in 2013. That same year, Michele moved to the UK to pursue an MSc in Wine Business Management at the Royal Agricultural University. While completing his dissertation, he joined Hay Wines, an independent British wine merchant. Eight years later, he is now the company’s Purchasing Director, overseeing buying strategy and import management. Connect: Website: https://haywines.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheletlongari/ More about today’s guest: Born in 1986 in Oltrepò Pavese, Riccardo Binda graduated in Gastronomic Sciences from the University of Pollenzo, later completing a master’s in gastronomic heritage management and further wine studies at San Michele all'Adige. He began his career in Bolgheri in 2013 at Tenuta Argentiera and, just a year later, became Director of the Consorzio Bolgheri DOC Wines at age 28. During his decade-long leadership, Bolgheri grew from 36 to 74 member wineries, achieved 99% production representation, created the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, renewed the Bolgheri Bianco DOC, and became Italy’s highest-value appellation with €150M in annual turnover. In 2020, four Bolgheri wines ranked in the Liv-ex Power 100 top ten. In 2024, Riccardo returned to Oltrepò Pavese to lead its consortium, bringing his experience to support the region’s quality focus and premiumization. Connect Website: https://www.consorziovinioltrepo.it/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riccardobinda86 _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions! Psssst…FYI, this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!
27 Nov 48min
Ep. 2538 Italian Wine Podcast 4 Friuli: In conversation with Mattia Manferrari of Borgo del Tiglio winery
Welcome to episode 2538 of Italian Wine Podcast. In this Bonus Episode Stevie sits down with Mattia Manferrari of Borgo del Tiglio, the Friulian winery recently devastated by a massive landslide. Mattia recounts what happened on that tragic night and shares the current state of the winery as they face the aftermath of destruction. It’s a heartfelt conversation about resilience, community support, and the first steps toward rebuilding. Stay tuned to learn how you can help Borgo del Tiglio on their path to recovery. More about the winery: Borgo del Tiglio is a renowned winery located in the rolling hills of the Collio region in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Founded in 1981 by Nicola Manferrari, the estate is known for its meticulous terroir-driven approach. Spread across three estates, Borgo del Tiglio focuses on careful low impact vinification with a prevalence of white wine production, to enhance the organoleptic characteristics linked to the terroir of the different grapes and vineyards. Connect: Website: https://www.borgodeltiglio.it Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borgodeltiglio/ Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/company/borgo-del-tiglio _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!
26 Nov 34min
Ep. 2537 Heydi Bonanini of Possa Winery in Cinque Terre | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon
Welcome to episode 2537 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 219 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc is in conversation with Heydi Bonanini of Possa Winery in the Cinque Terre, exploring the region’s ancient myths, its harsh past, and the loss of vineyards after people left for work in the 1960s. Once home to 24 native grape varieties, the area risked losing much of its biodiversity, yet Heydi, who began this work at just 17, has already restored 19 of them and continues bringing the heritage of the Cinque Terre back to life. More about today’s guest: Samuele Heydi Bonanini is a wine producer from the municipality of Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, in the Liguria region, the heroic territory more commonly known as Cinque Terre. Possa winery is famous for heroic viticulture in the Cinque Terre region, which involves cultivating vineyards on steep, terraced hillsides. It is particularly renowned for preserving and producing local wines, especially the sweet Sciacchetrà dessert wine, and for its commitment to traditional, natural, and organic winemaking methods. The winery is also known for recovering ancient and nearly extinct grape varieties, using local woods like acacia and cherry for aging, and other artisanal products. Connect: Website: https://possa.it/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/possaitara 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, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Since 2021, he has been the engaging host of the “Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon” series on the Italian Wine Podcast. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the taste of history” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (this book won the Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025.Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 other acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. His other notable works include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, and Wine: A Global History.In addition to his writing, 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast 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!
25 Nov 43min
Ep. 2536 Brand Building for Beverage and Wine Companies with Courtney O’Brien | Masterclass US Wine Market
Welcome to Episode 2536 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Courtney O'Brien, beverage brand strategy expert and founder of The Outlier Initiative, to explore how modern beverage and wine brands can sharpen their marketing strategy. Courtney shares practical insights on brand storytelling, consumer behavior, and how companies can position themselves clearly in a crowded market. Key Takeaways: The wine industry focuses too much on product storytelling and not enough on building a clear, compelling brand identity. Younger consumers view wine as part of a broader lifestyle ecosystem rather than a standalone luxury item. Future growth depends on simple, disciplined brand positioning that brings clarity instead of complexity. More about the guest: Courtney O’Brien is a strategic brand leader behind some of the most successful beverage brands in the world. She built Apothic into a $100M+ wine powerhouse, led the U.S. launch and repositioning of Coke Zero into a $1B+ megabrand, and spearheaded Evian’s marketing strategy in one of the most competitive beverage categories. As founder of The Outlier Initiative, she helps ambitious beverage brands break through the noise, claim their space, and engineer demand - using the same proven strategies that built billion-dollar brands, without the Fortune 500 budget. Connect: Website: https://theoutlierinitiative.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-obrien/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoutlierinitiative/ More about the host: With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarajeanfitz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/ Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/ _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!
24 Nov 48min
Ep. 2535 Inside Hong Kong’s Wine Scene with Reeze Choi, Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific 2025 | Asia Wine Market
Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2535 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Roza Zharmukhambetova sits down with Reeze Choi, Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific 2025, to explore the Hong Kong wine scene, uncover consumer trends, and discuss opportunities for Italian wines in this dynamic market. Key learning objectives: Understand the Hong Kong wine market, consumer preferences, and top-performing Italian wines. Learn practical strategies for market entry, partnerships, and brand activation. Gain insights on cultural adaptation, education, and long-term planning for success. More about today’s guest: Reeze Choi is one of the world’s most acclaimed sommeliers. He has worked at prestigious venues in Hong Kong and, in 2019, became the Hong Kong Ambassador for Star Wine List, sharing the city’s best wine stories with the world. He is the founder of Somm's Philosophy, a sommelier services and wine consultancy company, and launched his winemaking project in Hiroshima with Vinoble Vineyard and Winery in 2023. Reeze holds the Advanced Sommelier diploma from The Court of Master Sommeliers, A.S.I. Gold Diploma, WSET Level 3, and Certified Specialist of Wine Certification, and is also a WSET educator. Reeze’s accolades include Champion of the 2025 Best Sommelier of Asia and Pacific, third place in the 2023 Best Sommelier of the World Competition, and multiple wins as Best Sommelier Greater China (2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2025). He is also the brand ambassador for Saicho Sparkling Tea, VIVANT, Star Wine List, and serves as wine consultant for Yata. Connect: Website: https://www.sommsphil.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reeze_the_sommbie/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeze-choi-a5852477 More about the host: Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA), Italian Wine Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since late last year, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vin_en_rose/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rozazharmukhambetova/ _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!
23 Nov 37min
Ep. 2534 Cracking Canada: Understanding its government Liquor Control Boards and unlocking the opportunities | wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum
Welcome to episode 2534 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, “Cracking Canada: Understanding its government Liquor Control Boards and unlocking the opportunities within and beyond.” Speakers: Michaela Morris DipWSET & IWE and Jenna Briscoe DipWSET & IWA Moderator: Alessandro Pasqua When it comes to the importation and distribution of alcohol, Canada has a reputation for being convoluted. However, many Italian brands have enjoyed long-term success. As producers actively explore markets beyond the USA, its neighbour to the north presents unique opportunities. Michaela Morris and Jenna Briscoe have worked in various aspects of the industry collectively for over 45 years. They provide an overview of Canada’s multifaceted system highlighting the country’s most important markets. Their presentation reveals Canada’s current appetite for Italian wine and offers insight into what and where the most viable prospects lie. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of conversations from Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum is an international wine business event, held annually since 2014. This year the Forum was held alongside Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, taking it outside of Verona for the first time. Learn more about the event: wine2wine.net/programma/?lang=en _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!
22 Nov 28min
Ep. 2533 Becoming an Italian Grape Geek: Course Breakdown | Italian Grape Geek
Welcome to Episode 2533 of the Italian Wine Podcast. This is a bonus episode where the Italian Wine Academy educators, Gill Gordon-Smith IWE and Cynthia Chaplin IWA, break down the program from the inside. Together they share how the course was born: from a book that looked more like a journal, to a podcast series where IWA talked about their favorite Italian grapes, finally evolving, after more than a year of work, into a full educational program put together by Gill and Cynthia. More about the Course: The Italian Grape Geek program teaches Italian wine knowledge and tasting skills through two levels. The course is divided into two parts. Level 1 is completely online, allowing you to study anytime and anywhere. For those who want the full experience, Level 2 offers in-person lectures and guided tastings led by specialized educators around the world. Developed by Italian wine specialists, the course, along with its companion podcast series, aims to make Italian wine more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for all enthusiasts. Connect: Website: https://courses.mammajumboshrimp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mamma-jumbo-shrimp-agency/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mammajumboshrimp/ _______________________________ 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!
21 Nov 18min
