Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2686 of the Italian Wine Podcast recorded live at Grandi Langhe e il Piemonte del Vino 2026.

As an official media partner, Italian Wine Podcast brings you firsthand insights from Grandi Langhe e il Piemonte del Vino 2026, Piedmont's premier wine event that took place on January 26-27, in Turin. Join top producers, buyers, and experts to explore emerging styles, winemaking innovations, and market trends shaping the region's future. From Barolo and Barbaresco to hidden gems, this series offers in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, revealing Piedmont's impact on the global wine scene.

Today’s guest: Brian Larky, the founder of Dalla Terra Winery Direct.

More about the guest:

Brian Larky is a respected wine educator, importer, and long-time advocate for Italian wine in the United States. As the founder of Dalla Terra Winery Direct, he has played a significant role in introducing and promoting some of Italy’s most renowned wineries and regions to the American market, with a strong focus on authenticity, terroir, and family-owned producers. 

Connect: https://www.dallaterra.com/ 

About the Grandi Langhe: 

Grandi Langhe e il Piemonte del Vino is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine events, dedicated to showcasing the excellence of Piedmont. Organized with the support of the region’s leading wine consortia, it brings together hundreds of producers representing top denominations such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Gavi, Asti, and Alta Langa. The event is designed as a key meeting point for international trade, offering tastings, professional networking, and a powerful snapshot of Piedmont’s role in the global wine market.

Discover more: https://www.grandilanghe.com/  

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Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2685 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Almaty-based sommelier and wine expert Igor Baranov.

Key learning objectives:

Understand SunGroup's Market Position: Learn how SunGroup influences Almaty’s luxury dining scene through service and curated wine lists.

Italian Wine Performance: Identify which Italian regions and styles are currently dominating the sales mix in SunGroup's diverse restaurant portfolio.

Market Forecasting: Identify high-potential Italian grape varieties and styles poised for growth in the Kazakhstani market.

More about today’s guest:

Igor Baranov is the Head Sommelier of SunGroup projects in Almaty. SunGroup is a large restaurant group that brings together different concepts with a strong focus on high-quality service, gastronomy, stylish interiors, and carefully selected wine lists. Igor has worked in the wine industry since 2021. Before wine, he spent many years working as a bartender, which helped shape his understanding of hospitality and gastronomy. He started his wine journey with WSET Level 2 and later earned WSET Level 3 and ASI Certification Level 2. Igor is a semifinalist of the National Sommelier Competition of Kazakhstan and the Vinitaly competition, winner of The Best Sommelier of Great Steppe competition, and a teacher at Iwine school.

Connect:

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

More 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/ 

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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 

Until Next Time Cin Cin!

Welcome to Episode 2684 and Episode 9 of The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ryan Robinson. In this episode, Ryan explores the Border Metaphor and how it relates to wine storytelling.

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:

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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 Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2683 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Alberto Rivera IWA interviews Andi Punter of Franz Haas winery in Alto Adige.

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

Key Learning Objectives:

Strategic role of export professionals and how global markets influence the way wines are communicated, positioned, and understood.

How international trade fairs and direct conversations between producers and wine professionals help build long-term relationships and shape market strategies, especially in lesser-known markets like Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Overview of Alto Adige and its wines.

More about today’s host:

Alberto Rivera began his wine journey after serving as a diplomat at the Mexican Embassy in Japan. He later developed a private wine collection and hosted exclusive tastings before becoming Italian Wine Director for a Latin American online platform, where he educated wine professionals on Italian wine and culture. In 2024, Alberto earned the title of Italian Wine Ambassador through the Vinitaly International Academy in Verona and also became a Langhe Wine Ambassador. Today, he consults for Italian-focused restaurants in Chihuahua and northern Mexico, curating wine programs that celebrate Italy’s diverse wine heritage.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somm.albertorivera/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/y-alberto-rivera-o/ 

More about today’s guest:  

The Franz Haas winery is located in Montagna (Montan), in the Alto Adige (South Tyrol) region of Northern Italy. Founded in 1880, it is world-renowned for producing exceptional, high-altitude Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir)—often considered among the best in Italy—as well as elegant white wines like Pinot Grigio and a cuvée, Manna.The winery is currently managed by the seventh generation of the family.

Andi Punter was born in Merano, Alto Adige and after being a personal trainer and athletic coach he joined Franz Haas Winery as head of sales for export in 2010. He is part of the family and he is also CEO of the wineries resort, the Manna Resort.

Connect:

Website: https://www.franz-haas.it/en/the-winery/ 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CL61rcwJU/?mibextid=wwXIfr 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-punter-009b6049/ 

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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 

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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 2682 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the 15th episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian.

Episode 15: La Romea Strata tra ambra, vino e imperi

You want to dive into the stories and myths behind Professor Scienza’s new series, but Italian isn’t your thing? No problem! You’ll find all the conversations, translated in English, in the new Mamma Jumbo Shrimp book: An Italian Wine Pilgrimage: with Professor Attilio Scienza. Now available in English on Amazon.

A true oenological journey led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. Genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory. Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine.

Join us on A Wine Pilgrimage with Professor Attilio Scienza.

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:

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

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

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

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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!

 

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