Ep. 2397 Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Andrea Eby of Wine Scholar Guild | Masterclass US Wine Market

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Isidoro Vajra at the G. D. Vajra winery in Barolo, in the heart of the Langhe hills in Piedmont. Isidoro talks about the history of the family and about one of their famous vineyard sites for Nebbiolo grapes called “Bricco delle Viole” (literally the summit of pansies). The winery also produces Barbera as well as local native grape Nascetta. The winery is also re-planting a long forgotten indigenous grape the “Baratuciat.” Tune in to discover also Isidoro’s passion for the work in the vineyard and a lake oasis in the middle of the winery grounds where wild ducks stop by!

12 Nov 201815min

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews William Predhomme, Canadian sommelier based in Toronto and Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. William tells Monty about the burgeoning wine culture in the city and the strong Italian wine selection there. Will also praises the great diversity of Italian wines and recommends some old favorite of his, Timorasso and Verdicchio. Tune in to get a glimpse into the world of somms in Canada!

7 Nov 201817min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Luca and Lisa Tommasini (father and daughter) who own the San Gervasio Winery between Pisa and Florence in Tuscany. The winery is certified organic and focuses on the Sangiovese grape variety. Lisa and Luca talk about viticulture, the vineyards soils, their production of Chianti DOCG and Chianti Riserva, and their signature wine A Sirio (100% Sangiovese).

6 Nov 201812min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Aldo Vacca, General Manager of the Produttori del Barbaresco coop. Produttori del Barbaresco now comprises 54 farmers. The project started back in 1958 thanks to the work of the local priest who set up the coop to give work to local vintners and prevent them from fleeing the Langhe hills to go and work in factories in the big cities. Vacca tells the fascinating story of the Coop and their rigorous system of 31 steps to measure and reward grape quality brought to the coop by its associates. Vacca also talks about the main markets for Barbaresco and its most famous crus such as Asili and Ovello. Tune in for another wine story dedicated to the Langhe territory in Piedmont!

5 Nov 201816min

In this episode rugby meets wine! Monty Waldin interviews Marco Lazzaroni, rugby player in the Benetton Rugby Team in Treviso and aspiring sommelier. Marco is studying to become a somm and work in the wine business after his rugby career. His family already manages some vineyards in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Marco is great wine and food lover. Tune in for an exciting conversation about rugby, Italian wine and food pairing, and role models!

30 Okt 201813min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Valentina Abbona at the Marchesi di Barolo Winery in Barolo, in the heart of the Langhe hills, in Piemonte. In the podcast Valentina and Monty discuss the history of the winery and the wines that they produce, that is, all the typical wines of the area: Arneis, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo Langhe, Barolo, and Barbaresco. Valentina also tells Monty about the winery’s 200 year-old wooden vats recently restored in which they age wine. Tune in also to discover wine and food pairings, such as hand-made “Tajarin” pasta with "Fassona" beef ragout and rabbit roast, the latter paired perfectly with Arneis wines.

29 Okt 201810min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Christopher Barnes, wine writer, video maker, and founder of Grape Collective, an online magazine and store aimed at younger consumers. Christopher tells Monty about his previous career in the movie industry and how he founded Grape Collective. Monty and Christopher talk about Grape Collective’s video making techniques such as the 360 videos, the store in New York that features jars of soils from the different wine regions, and the latest Italian wine trends on the U.S. market.

23 Okt 201812min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Roberto Di Filippo, owner of the Di Filippo Winery in Umbria. The Di Filippo winery is an organic and biodynamic estate producing Montefalco Rosso, Sagrantino, Grechetto, and other traditional wines from the region. Roberto explains his strategies for biodynamic vine growing—the use of draft horses and geese in the vineyard—and his ‘think global, act local’ philosophy. Roberto also tells Monty about the economics of biodynamic viticulture and his trip to the Hamish communities in the United States to learn how to build more efficient horse-working tools. Tune in to discover also how his Grechetto with no added sulphites is made!

22 Okt 201838min