Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2810 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Joseph Walker, author of “Buried Italy”.



Highlights of the conversation include:

Joseph’s personal background and career in the US military

His “origin story” as an explorer of Italian history

The discovery of the submerged Roman remains at Portus Julius

Tourism as a vehicle for sharing history and storytelling

The challenges of managing competing demands of tourism and preservation

How to be a more responsible tourist in Italy

The importance of wine to the Italian visitor experience

What wine can tell us about the history of Italy

“Buried Italy” by Joseph M. Walker is available to order on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/06NdhEa3.



About today’s guest:

The US military sent Joseph Walker to Italy in 1988, and the country has had a hold on him ever since. He began studying history in Naples, before returning to the States to wrap up his Master’s degree. By 1994, he was back in Italy with a burning curiosity and absolutely no plans to leave. Over the next thirty years, Joseph personally guided more than three thousand groups across the country. He even became the very first person to take travelers underwater to explore the sunken Roman ruins of Portus Julius near Naples! His deep expertise has also caught the eye of television producers, leading him to consult as a historian for shows on the History Channel, the BBC, and the Discovery Channel. Today, Joseph channels everything he’s uncovered over the last three decades — the buried cities, the forgotten kingdoms, and the fascinating stories that never make the guidebooks — into crafting unforgettable itineraries for his clients.

Connect:

Website: https://italianhistorywithjoseph.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italian_history_with_joseph/

More about the host:

Richard Hough is the editor, translator and project curator behind The Art of Wine Storytelling, Wine Democracy and Vine and Prejudice. He has also published several books about life in Verona, chronicling the city’s history, culture and daily life, not forgetting, of course, its wine, including Verona Campione, published in May 2025. With a long-standing passion for whisky and beer, he’s a relative newcomer to the world of wine and is now desperately trying to make up for lost time! He is the host of Book Club on the Italian Wine Podcast.

Connect:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rickhough.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verona_campione

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhough/



More interviews hosted by Richard Hough:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italian-wine-book/

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If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner and Episode 2809 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Karlijn Tiemersma interviews Arnoud Zuijdendorp, director of NOVITALIA, an Italian food and wine distributor in the Netherlands, about the evolving Dutch wine market and the growing popularity of Italian wines.

They discuss changing consumer preferences, the importance of storytelling and food pairings, and how Italian producers can stand out in a competitive market. Arnoud also shares how NOVITALIA selects its winery partners, promotes lesser-known Italian regions and varieties, and builds connections between Italian wine, food and culture.

About today's host:

Karlijn Tiemersma is a marketer, creative connector and curious woman with a love for bringing people and ideas together. Alongside her work in marketing, she has a soft spot for Italy, wine, travel and the stories that unfold around a table. Grounded by her Dutch roots and inspired by the Italian way of life, Karlijn is always looking for new places, people and experiences. She has been a part of the Italian Wine Ambassador community since this April.

Connect:

Website: http://karlijntiemersma.nl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karwijnn/

More about today's guest:

Arnoud Zuijdendorp is the director of NOVITALIA, a rapidly growing company specializing in Italian food and wine distribution. Representing 40 food and beverage producers and around 15 wineries, NOVITALIA supplies restaurants across the Netherlands, helping them bring Italian products and wines to their menus. Passionate about Italian wine, Arnoud regularly visits wineries, attends tastings and trade fairs, and organizes training to share his knowledge and promote Italian wine.

Connect:

Website: http://novitalia.nl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arnoudzuijdendorp/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoud-zuijdendorp-54475345/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arnoud.zuijdendorp

More interviews on Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/clubhouse-ambassadors-corner/

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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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp



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!

Welcome to episode 2808 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 264 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Gilda Martusciello of Salvatore Martusciello winery to explore Campi Flegrei, from sunken Roman cities to Piedirosso.

They discuss what it means to make wine on an active volcano, how the volcanic and yellow tuff soils shape the wines, and how Campi Flegrei differs from Vesuvius. Gilda also shares how her husband's family helped map the area's key terroirs and grapes and were the first to petition for DOC status in Campania. The conversation ends with food and wine pairings, from Falanghina and Piedirosso with local seafood to Asprinio with mozzarella.

More about the guest:

Gilda Guida Martusciello discovered her love for wine through her encounter with Salvatore Martusciello and his family, pioneers since the 1990s in reviving Campania's native grape varieties. Their commitment and perseverance promoted the very creation of three DOCs: Campi Flegrei, Aversa (home of Asprinio) and Penisola Sorrentina. A passion Gilda married into in 2005, and turned into a shared project in 2015, when she and Salvatore founded their own winery, Salvatore Martusciello. Together they carry his family's name and legacy forward, engaging the local rural community and helping bring these territories back to life. Gilda tells their story, in Italy and abroad, weaving Greek, Roman and Italic heritage into every glass — wine first as culture, then as product. She is Delegate for Campania of Le Donne del Vino, Vice President of Vitica, a board member of the Consorzio Penisola Sorrentina DOP, holds a WSET Level 2 diploma, and is an ONAS Maestra Assaggiatrice.

Connect:

Website: https://www.salvatoremartusciello.it/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvatoremartusciellowines/

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 and an award-winning author of 15 books on these topics. Since 2021, he has been the host of the 'Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon' weekly series on the Italian Wine Podcast, which now has well over 220 episodes of the show. Marc's latest book is "Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History" published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (Guild of Food Writers 'Drinks Writer Award' 2025 and the World Gourmand 'Best Wine History Book in the World Award' 2025). In addition to his writing and podcasting, 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.ukhttps://www.quaypress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon

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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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

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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!

Welcome to Episode 2807 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Barbara Fitzgerald is joined by Giuseppe LoCascio of Lucidity Wine Merchants to explore how Italian wine producers can find the right importer and turn that partnership into lasting success in the US market.

Giuseppe explains how his company chooses the producers it works with and the main pillars behind those decisions. He also breaks down the differences between key California markets, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego, and shares how producers can support their importer once the contract is signed.

Key Takeaways:

Finding the importer that needs you is the first step toward a successful US launch.

Getting an importer is just the beginning — the real work starts after the contract is signed.

Choosing the right market within the US matters, as each region, even within California, has its own dynamics.

More about the guest:

Born in New York City, Giuseppe grew up in Italy, where he earned a degree in Economics and Business. He returned to New York in 2002 and obtained an MBA from the Fordham Graduate School of Business in 2010. In 2004, he spent a year in Florence as a Junior Associate at Matura, a consulting firm specializing in the wine business and owned by renowned Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini. Until August 2016, Giuseppe served as Vice President of Portfolio Management at Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian wine import division of The Winebow Group. Prior to his current role, he worked as Brand Management Director for Italy and Austria, National Brand Manager for the Allegrini Group, and Sales Manager for New York City and Westchester County. Passionate about wine and food, Giuseppe enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with friends and clients.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glocascio/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/giuseppe-l-locascio-1805141

Website: https://www.luciditywine.com/

More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald 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/

More interviews on US Wine Market: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/masterclass-us-wine-market/

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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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Episode 17 of Study Smart and Episode 2806 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 17: Portugal and Greece

Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET.

With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way.

This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy, a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training.

The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator Gill Gordon Smith. Gill is a VIA certified Italian Wine Expert, an artisan wine producer, retailer, writer, judge and educator based between Australia's McLaren Vale Region and Verona and Tuscany in Italy.

Look out for new episodes every week wherever you get your podcasts!

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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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp



If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!