Ep. 245 Shigeru Hayashi (Solo Italia) on the Japanese market for Italian wine
In this interview, Monty Waldin talks to Shigeru Hayashi, CEO of Solo Italia, a Japanese wine import company based in Tokyo. Shigeru, who has lived and worked in Italy for 14 years, is an importer, wine educator, and wine writer who authored several publications on Italian wine and food. With Monty he talks about the Japanese market for Italian wine, and what strategies and approaches may work best to penetrate it. He also talks about Japanese wine consumers, his latest book on the basics of Italian wines and Italian restaurant in Japan! Tune in to this useful podcast about the Japanese wine market! --- This episode is part of the Native Grape Odyssey sponsored series. This podcast series is brought to you by Native Grape Odyssey. Native Grape Odyssey is an educational project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE) for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines in Japan, Canada, and Russia. Learn more about "Europe. Quality. Wine." at nativegrapeodyssey.com/. Enjoy it's from Europe!
5 Nov 201912min
Ep. 244 Brandon Tebbe MS on the sommelier profession in the US
In this podcast, Monty Waldin interviews Brandon Tebbe MS, currently the lead sommelier at the Encore Boston Harbor in Boston, MA. Brandon is a certified Master Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. In this interview he tells Monty how he got into wine and what the sommelier profession in the United States is like. He also talks about his new winemaking project in the Willamette Valley in Oregon producing Pinot Noir. Tune in to also learn more about Brandon’s passion for Piemonte and Barolo!
4 Nov 201912min
Ep. 234 Alessandro Gallo (Castello di Albola) on Chianti Classico and Chardonnay
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Alessandro Gallo, general manager as well as vineyard manager and wine maker at Castello d’Albola, an estate in Radda in Chianti, Tuscany, which belongs to the Zonin family. Alessandro, who is originally from the Langhe region in Piemonte, has been living and working in the area for 15 years and tells Monty about the Chianti Classico terroir of Radda in Chianti. The village of Radda in Chianti is one of the highest in the appellation and the most historical for Chianti Classico production. Castello d’Albola grows mostly Sangiovese, which is cultivated up to 600 meters on the sea level. The estate also grows Chardonnay at 700 meters to make their Poggio alle Fate white wine; they also grow Cabernet Sauvignon for their “Super Toscano” Acciaiolo. Monty and Alessandro discuss the difference between the Chianti Classico Riserva and the Gran Selezione and Alessandro presents some of Castello di Albola’s flagship wines: Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, and the Gran Selezione Santa Caterina and Il Solatio. Tune in to learn more about the Chianti Classico soils and wines and discover Alessandro’s passion for steak!
30 Okt 201922min
Ep. 243 Sara Norell (Systembolaget AB) on the Swedish alcohol monopoly system and consumer trends
In this episode, which is part of the wine2wine series “Let’s Talk Wine Biz,” Monty Waldin interviews Sara Norell, Director of Assortment, Purchasing, and Supply Chain at Systembolaget AB, the Swedish alcohol monopoly. Sara tells Monty about her career: her beginnings in the hotel business as a sommelier and her current position at Systembolaget. Sara provides useful insights into the way the Swedish liquor board operates in comparison with other national alcohol boards such as those in Canada. She talks about Systembolaget’s commitment to alcohol awareness and to organic wines. In particular, Sara presents some interesting demographics about organic wines in Sweden. Tune in to learn more about the Swedish wine market and their monopoly system.
29 Okt 201913min
Ep. 242 Ginevra Venerosi Pesciolini (Tenuta di Ghizzano) on organic viticulture and Sangiovese
In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Ginevra Venerosi Pesciolini, owner and CEO of Tenuta di Ghizzano near Pisa in Tuscany. The Venerosi Pesciolini family arrived in Pisa around 1370 and the estate is a beautiful medieval “borgo” surrounded by vineyards. Ginevra tells Monty the reasons behind her choice of going organic and then biodynamic in the vineyard. She talks about her red wines, Il Ghizzano, Veneroso, and Nambrot. Veneroso in particular is made with a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon from her oldest vines; Nambrot which she considers her “Tuscan Pomerol” is made with a blend of French grapes. Ginevra also presents her white and Passito wines and discusses a new project still in the making from her oldest Sangiovese vines. Tune in to learn more about a historic estate in the heart of the Pisa province and about Ginevra’s commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture!
28 Okt 201920min
Ep. 241 Massimo Serradimigni (Winebow Imports) on the U.S. wine market
In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Massimo Serradimigni, Portfolio Specialist for Winebow Imports in Chicago and Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Massimo, whose family is originally from Modena, also worked for Eataly U.S. and tells Monty about current trends in wine in the United States. Massimo discusses wine styles and Italian regions with potential in the U.S. market and explains some of the educational initiatives and tastings he undertook as Portfolio Specialist at Winebow. Tune in to learn more about Massimo’s love for the Montecucco area near Montalcino, his interest in travelling to Sardinia, Sicily, and Campania to discover wines from local grapes, and his passion for tortellini!
22 Okt 201912min
Ep. 239 Dmitry Fedotov (journalist & brand ambassador at Gambero Rosso) on the Russian wine market
In this podcast which is part of the wine2wine series “Let’s Talk Wine Biz”, Monty Waldin interviews Dmitri Fedotov, Russian wine journalist and Brand Ambassador at Gambero Rosso. Dmitry discusses the trends for wine in the Russian market and talks about his passion for Italy, a country which “is promoting its wine more actively than other countries.” Monty and Dmitry also talk about Russian wine growers and Dmitry’s love for Barbaresco!
15 Okt 20198min
Ep. 238 Rosa Moio (Quintodecimo) on Taurasi, Fiano d'Avellino, and Greco di Tufo
In this podcast, Monty Waldin interviews Rosa Moio Communication and Hospitality Manager at Quintodecimo in Campania. Monty and Rosa discuss the main wines of the estate—Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, and Fiano di Avellino—and some gourmet food combinations. Rosa also talks about the main foreign markets for Quintodecimo and the origin of the winery name deriving from a toponym of the Longobard era. Tune in to learn more about the iconic wines of Campania and its native grapes.
14 Okt 201910min
