Ep. 2501 Jessica Dupuy interviews Kathleen Thomas | TEXSOM 2025

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Caterina Dei whose family owns the Cantine Dei winery in Montepulciano, Siena. The winery produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from the “Prugnolo Gentile,” the local name for the Sangiovese grape. Monty and Caterina talk about the history of the winery and of the Vino Nobile denomination. Caterina also explains the way different soil types (clay and sandy soils) affect flavour in their Vino Nobile; she also talks about Cantine Dei’s signature wine “Bossone,” their single-vineyard Vino Nobile. Tune in to learn more about Cantine Dei’s sustainable viticulture, their top markets, and some interesting food pairings.

11 Feb 201911min

In episode 173, Monty Waldin talks to Adam Teeter & Zach Geballe, the hosts of the VinePair Podcast, which airs once a week and covers stories from the beverage industry at large. Adam and Zach tell Monty about their approach to podcasting and the power of audio storytelling. They also discuss the challenges to talk about the complexity of Italian wine to the wider public. Tune in to learn about what drives podcasters’s passion in the wine industry.

5 Feb 201922min

In episode 172, Monty Waldin meets Chris Scott, the host of the UK Wine Show Podcast, one of the earliest podcast shows. Chris started in the early 2000s and his podcast currently broadcast on average once a week. Chris tells Monty about his beginnings and his passion for podcasting and wine education. Chris also manages a wine education business in the UK with his wife Jane—ThirtyFifty—a certified Wine & Spirits Education Trust course provider and organizer of various wine tasting events. Chris talks about his most recent podcast series on the UK Wine Show Podcast, which aims to support WSET Level 3 students in their studies. Tune in to learn about the fascinating world of wine podcasts with Monty Waldin and “podcaster extraordinaire” Chris Scott. You will also discover how Chris selects his wine in an Italian restaurant!

4 Feb 201923min

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Angelo Peretti, Director of the Consorzio Chiaretto e Bardolino, business strategist, as well as director and wine writer at The Internet Gourmet. Angelo illustrates the wine denominations typical of the Lake Garda area: Bardolino, Lugana, Custoza, Chiaretto, and Bardolino. Angelo focuses on the history of the Chiaretto denomination, its production, vinification, and turn to the rosé style. Monty and Angelo discuss the markets for Chiaretto as well as very interesting food pairings. Tune in for an exciting journey of discovery into one of the most famous Italian rosés.

29 Jan 201922min

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Emma Bentley, a representative of the VinNatur association founded by natural wine grower Angiolino Maule at La Biancara winery in Gambellara, Veneto. Emma tells the story of how Angiolino founded the association and started to make natural wine following a “wine epiphany.” Tune in to learn about VinNatur’s objectives and certification parameters. Emma and Monty also reflect on the challenges for wine growers and the future the natural wine movement.

28 Jan 201913min

In this podcast, Monty Waldin interviews Chiara Giannotti, the mastermind behind the multimedia project Vino TV. Chiara, whose social media channels are very popular (107,000 followers on Facebook), has an extensive background in the Italian wine world as she worked for 15 years in the family winery Fazi Battaglia in the Marche region and also in the Fassati winery in Montepulciano. Chiara talks about her Vino TV project and her radio show on Radio Food. She tells Monty about the importance of sharing producers’ personal stories and about building a relationship of trust with her interviewees. Tune in to also learn more about Chiara’s life-long passion for Verdicchio!

22 Jan 20198min

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Shenghan Karla Wang, Chinese wine influencer originally from Chengdu in the Sichuan province. Shenghan is the founder of the Lady Penguin brand, the most active wine community in China on various digital and social media platforms. Shenghan tells Monty her personal and family story. She talks about her Lady Penguin project and provides her insight into the Chinese wine market. Tune in also to learn about Shenghan’s memorable visit to an Italian winery with her mother!

15 Jan 201926min

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Angela Maculan, whose family owns the Maculan Winery in Breganze, near Vicenza. Angela tells Monty about their famous Torcolato and Acini Nobili sweet wines. They also discuss local grape varieties such as the distinctive Vespaiola grape and the climate of the area. Angela also provides some very interesting historic information about the cultivation of French grape varieties in the area, documented in a pamphlet dated 1855! Tune in to learn more also about food and wine pairings for Torcolato!

14 Jan 201910min