Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2826 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 3 of the Italianity series with Jessica Dupuy. In this episode, Jessica is in conversation with Master Sommelier, author and critic John Szabo MS, to explore why diversity is the heart of Italian wine.

John looks back on how he got into wine 25 years ago, from starting (and eventually closing) a wine import business in Canada to becoming a wine writer after earning his Master Sommelier title. He explains how his background in linguistics has made him a better writer, since people connect more when they are interviewed in their mother tongue. The conversation then turns to what makes Italy unique, especially compared with France.

More about the guest:

John Szabo, MS, is a Toronto-based Master Sommelier, author and wine critic. In 2004 he became the first Canadian to earn the Master Sommelier title, and he also holds the WSET Diploma with honours. He is a partner and principal critic at WineAlign.com, Canada’s largest wine publication, and co-host of the podcast Wine Thieves. John is the author of Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power, winner of the André Simon Award, and co-founder of Volcanic Wines International. He has also built wine programs for restaurants and hotel groups across Canada, and has travelled to virtually every wine-producing country in a career spanning more than 25 years.

Connect:

Website: https://www.johnszabo.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-szabo-ms-76a2105

More about the host:

Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. Her book Italianity, released this year and co-authored with Andrea Lonardi MW, explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. She also co-hosts the podcast Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/

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

More interviews on Italianity Series: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italianity-series-with-jessica-dupuy/

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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 2825 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Episode 267 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc speaks with Alesio Piccioni, founder of Garage del Vino, about Umbria’s wine culture, the potential of Sagrantino and Trebbiano Spoletino, and the challenges of communicating regional wines to consumers.

Alesio discusses why Sagrantino’s powerful tannins should be seen as a strength, how confusion around Montefalco’s wine classifications affects its reputation, and why Trebbiano Spoletino deserves greater recognition for its versatility. He also reflects on the evolution of the sommelier profession, the influence of wine trends and social media, and the importance of selecting wines for their quality and precision rather than labels such as “natural” or “biodynamic.”

More about the guest:

Alesio Piccioni became a sommelier at 16 and has worked in the wine industry ever since. After beginning his career as a winery agent in 1999, he deepened his knowledge of international wine regions, specializing in French wines and high-quality food products. In 2018, he founded Garage del Vino, a distribution company focused on artisan wine producers from Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. In 2025, he opened his first bistrot à vin in Spoleto, combining his passions for wine and gastronomy.

Connect:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alesio-piccioni-985882173/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alesio.piccioni/

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

Website: https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

Website: https://www.vino.co.uk

Website: https://www.quaypress.com

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

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

More interviews on Wine, Food & Travel: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/food-travel/

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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!

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 2824 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa Muoio is joined by Matthew Conway, owner and sommelier of The Tippling House in Charleston, South Carolina, to explore the city’s wine and dining scene and the opportunities it holds for Italian producers.

Matthew shares who has shaped the Charleston market and how it has evolved, and how Charleston’s culinary identity shapes the Italian wines that complement it. He explains how his daily list is built for both collectors and occasional guests: nothing is priced above $99, and every bottle is available in half-bottle format. He closes with practical tips for Italian producers who want to find a place in the Charleston market.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the Lowcountry market: how local regulars, culinary tourists and visitors from New York and the West Coast approach high-end and artisanal Italian wine.

Elevated fine dining without the stuffiness: bringing Michelin-star standards of service, cellar depth and daily list curation to a warm, unpretentious neighborhood setting.

The power of half bottles: letting guests explore beyond safe, household-name wines.

More about the guest:

Matthew Conway is the owner, operator and sommelier of The Tippling House, an intimate wine bar in a restored 19th-century Charleston single house in the Elliotborough neighborhood, which he opened in 2021 with his partner, Carissa Hernandez. A native Californian, he moved to Charleston in 2020 after 17 years in New York City, including 14 as partner and beverage director at Michelin-starred Restaurant Marc Forgione. He was named one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” in 2012 and one of StarChefs’ Rising Star Sommeliers in 2015. At The Tippling House, the wine list is printed and dated daily and every wine is available by the half bottle.

Connect:

Website: https://thetipplinghousechs.com

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

More about the host:

Equal parts wine geek and storyteller, Marissa Muoio turns up the volume on the Italian Wine Podcast as a host of the Masterclass US Wine Market series! Marissa’s love affair with Italian wine started with a simple realization: behind every bottle of Nebbiolo, Brunello, or Fiano is a wild story of ancient history, passionate families, and incredible food pairings. But getting those stories onto American tables takes strategy.

In the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa bridges the gap between Italian cellars and the American trade. She brings high energy, sharp questions, and plenty of laughs while chatting with top industry insiders, sommeliers, and importers on the East Coast. When she’s not in front of the mic geeking out over volcanic soils and forgotten appellations, you’ll usually find Marissa on the hunt for the perfect plate of pasta, road-testing new wine bars, or swirling something new with friends. Her ultimate motto? No acqua, solo vino.

Connect:

Website: http://linktr.ee/marissamuoio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissamuoio/c

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-muoio/

More interviews on the 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 the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2823 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova is in conversation with Saloni Khanapurkar IWA.

Saloni shares her journey into Italian wine, her favorite regions and grape varieties, and her experience as India’s first Italian Wine Ambassador, including the VIA exam. The conversation introduces the new India Special Edition subseries, exploring why the Indian market deserves closer attention and what listeners can expect from upcoming episodes and their guests.

Key Takeaways:

Discover Saloni’s journey into Italian wine and her experience as India’s first Italian Wine Ambassador.

Understand the opportunities and challenges shaping the Italian wine–India relationship.

Explore what to expect from the Asia Wine Market: India Special Edition and the voices, topics, and questions it will bring to the conversation.

About today’s guest:

Saloni Khanapurkar is an Italian wine professional, educator, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of wine, culture, and India. She is India’s first and only Italian Wine Ambassador, a WSET Level 3 in Wine holder, and currently a DipWSET candidate. She has worked with Italian wineries and wine organizations across Piemonte, Tuscany, Lombardy, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, with experience spanning wine education, export consulting, communications, and cross-cultural projects. Saloni is currently one of the producers of the Italian Wine Podcast, where she contributes to the creation and production of conversations around Italian wine and its people. She is also the founder of SipSaathi, a women-first wine ecosystem focused on building education, professional opportunities, and global connections for India’s emerging wine community.

Connect:

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saloni-khanapurkar/

About the host:

Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA), Italian Wine Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since the end of 2024, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine.

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rozazharmukhambetova/

More interviews on Asia Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/asia-wine-market-almaty-special-edition/

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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 20 of Study Smart and Episode 2822 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 20: California

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!

More episodes from Study Smart for your WSET Level 3:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/study_smart_for_your_wset_level_3/

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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!