Ep. 2527 Unearthing Italy’s hidden gems: sourcing & positioning small-batch grower wines | wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum

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

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Mario Napolini of the Napolini Winery in Umbria. Monty and Mario talk about Sagrantino, Grechetto, and Trebbiano Spoletino grapes grown in the estate and the winery’s foreign markets. Mario explains also his vine cultivation system and the process of cryomaceration for Sagrantino, that he uses to soften the grape’s tannins. Tune in to discover also some wine and food pairings for Sagrantino- and Grechetto-based wines!

15 Okt 201814min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Fillipo Mazzei whose family, the Mazzei, is the owner of three estates, two in Tuscany (Castello di Fonterutoli in Castellina in Chianti and Belguardo in the Maremma Toscana) and one in Sicily (Zisola in Noto). Mazzei talks about the recent Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and the main international markets for his Chianti wines. He also talks about his production of Morellino di Scansano in Maremma and his Nero d’Avola vineyards in Sicily. Tune in to learn more about a great producer of iconic Italian reds made from native grape varieties, Sangiovese and Nero d’Avola!

9 Okt 201814min

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Leonardo Raspini at the Tenuta Alzatura (part of the Cecchi family) in Montefalco, Umbria. Monty and Leonardo talk about the (in)famous Sagrantino’s tannins, the winery’s softer style of Sagrantino, and Sagrantino as a restaurant wine. Leonardo also discusses the U.S. and Northern European markets for Sagrantino and recommends some his old-time favorite wine and food pairings!

8 Okt 201814min