Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2589 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, Beyond the Decline: how U.S. 21–39 year-olds really see wine.

Speaker: John Gillespie, Moderator: Ryan Goydos

Sales of wine in the U.S. are trending downward. In 2023, U.S. wine sales fell by 36 million cases vs. the previous year. In 2024 another 15 million cases in sales were lost, bringing sales of wine in the U.S. to their lowest annual level since 2011. The session considered the results of a July 2025 survey of U.S. beverage alcohol consumers in ages 21-39 with the primary objective of detailing the current position of wine among the overall beverage alcohol usage and attitudes of the consumer segment that will drive the beverage alcohol market for the coming 20 years.

The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of conversations from Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum is an international wine business event, held annually since 2014. This year the Forum was held alongside Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, taking it outside of Verona for the first time.

Full details about this and all other wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum sessions available online at: https://www.vinitaly.com/en/forum/wine2wine-vinitaly-business-forum/programme/.     

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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 Episode 2588 and Episode 6 of The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ryan Robinson. In this episode, Ryan explores the rhetoric of wine, breaking down three chapters of his book The Art of Wine Storytelling. He explains how rhetoric - the art of persuasive communication - can turn a simple wine sale into an experience that makes consumers truly desire the wine. At the end, Ryan shares a practical exercise so listeners can try this style of communication immediately.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an eager student, or simply a curious wine lover, The Art of Wine Storytelling takes you on a journey that bridges ancient history with modern consumer culture. Discover how wine is much more than just a drink – it’s a narrative shaped by centuries of tradition, innovation and human interaction. Ignite your imagination, deepen your appreciation for wine, and be inspired to savor not just what’s in the bottle, but the remarkable story behind each and every glass.

 

About Ryan Robinson:

Ryan Robinson is the Director of Education for Brescome-Barton Inc., and Worldwide Wines in Connecticut, an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven, and is the Principal at SommCentric, a beverage education and consulting agency. He is a member on the USA Wine Tasting Team, representing the United States and the World Wine Tasting Championships and holds the credentials of Advanced Sommelier-CMS; WSET Diploma and WSET Educator in Wine, Sake and Beer; Rioja Wine Educator; VIA Italian Wine Ambassador; Wine Scholar Guild Educator and Italian and Spanish Wine Specialist; and Certified Scotch Whisky.

Connect:

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

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

The Art of Wine Storytelling by Professor Attilio Scienza is available now at:

https://mammajumboshrimp.com/products/the-art-of-wine-storytelling 

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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 

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

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

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

 

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2587 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stephanie Johnson IWE is in conversation with Rosanna Petrozziello and Carla Giusy Favati of I Favati winery in Campania.

These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast. 

Key Learning Objectives:

Understand Avellino as a wine-growing region, including its terroir, climate, and why it plays a key role in Campania’s wine identity.

Explore Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo, learning how these grape varieties express themselves in Avellino and how I Favati works with them in the vineyard and cellar.

Gain insight into the realities of small family wineries, including the challenges, values, and long-term vision of producers like I Favati in today’s wine market.

More about today’s host:  

As well as being a certified Italian Wine Expert (IWE), Stephanie Johnson holds a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. Her wine career spans the journalism, retail and restaurant sectors. She joined Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2013 and later served as Italian Wine Editor from 2016 to 2024. Stephanie has judged at international competitions such as the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in Bordeaux and 5StarWines – the Book in Verona. She has led masterclasses for top sommeliers in New York City and presented at major industry events including Vinitaly and wine2wine Business Forum in Verona. A passionate educator, she teaches WSET Level 2, Level 3, and Diploma courses at NYC’s International Wine Center. Her upcoming venture, SteepleJack, will spotlight the heroic stories of Italian wine producers, blending deep expertise with compelling storytelling.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-johnson-dws-b0a0121a/   

More about today’s guest:  

I Favati winery (Cantine I Favati) is located in Cesinali, a town in the heart of the Irpinia region, within the Province of Avellino. This prestigious wine-producing zone in Southern Italy is known for its volcanic soils and indigenous grapes. The winery is known for producing high-quality, mineral-driven wines from indigenous grapes (Fiano, Greco, Aglianico) and for its exceptional Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Greco di Tufo DOCG, and Taurasi DOCG, emphasizing organic practices, vineyard focus, and a welcoming, family-run tasting experience with homemade food.

Connect:

Website: https://www.cantineifavati.it/ 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CantineIFavati/ 

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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 

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

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

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

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 2586 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Attilio Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! 

These episodes are generally in Italian.

Today’s question comes from Richard Hough (part 2).

Today’s question(s): 

🇬🇧 In your opinion, what is it about wine that still fascinates people even in a time when everything moves fast, people drink less, and communication happens in seconds?

 🇮🇹 Secondo te, cosa ha ancora il vino di così affascinante anche in un’epoca in cui tutto scorre veloce, si beve meno e si comunica in pochi secondi?

More about Professor Scienza:

Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti. 

He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff!

To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/ 

 

If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler:

Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & Communication Expert, Brand Positioning Specialist, and Public Speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale.

The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series. Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods!

Connect: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/

Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/ 

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

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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 

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

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

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

 

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

 

Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek 🙂

Welcome to episode 2585 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 227 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Robert Princic of the Gradis'ciutta winery in the heart of the Collio wine region, near the Italian border with Slovenia. They explore the Collio region, its history, and wines, including the DOC rules and unique Ponca soil. Robert shares the story of Gradis’ciutta, the winery’s organic philosophy, and their “cross-border” Metodo Classico Ribolla Gialla, made 50% in Italy and 50% in Slovenia, as well as Collio’s rich gastronomic traditions.

More about today’s guest:

The Gradis'ciutta winery is located in San Floriano del Collio, in the heart of Italy's Collio wine region, near the border with Slovenia, in the province of Gorizia (GO). The winery is situated in a beautiful area known for its distinctive terroir, offering views of both the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea. The family-run winery is known for its high-quality, organic wines, particularly from indigenous grapes like Ribolla Gialla and Friulano, alongside international varieties, emphasizing sustainability, biodiversity, and a cross-border identity with Slovenia, while reflecting the unique terroir of the region and distinctive Ponca soil. 

Connect:

Website: https://www.gradisciutta.eu/en/ 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gradisciutta/ 

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.uk   

https://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 

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

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

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

 

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!