Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2692 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA interviews Daria Nagornyak IWA, the Kazakhstan-based wine expert, sommelier and educator.

Key learning objectives:

Understand how wine culture is evolving in Astana and how consumers differ from other cities in Kazakhstan.

Gain insights into AlmaWine’s portfolio strategy, market positioning, and collaboration with Italian producers.

Explore trends, price segments, and opportunities for Italian wines in the Kazakhstan market.

Daria’s favorite wine spots in Astana:

Wine Street by Almawine

Monte Bianco Astana

Yellow Bottle

More about today’s guest:

Since 2018, Darya Nagornyak has been working in the restaurant industry with a strong focus on wine, specializing in Italian wines. She currently serves as Wine Development Manager at Almawine and holds the title of Italian Wine Ambassador. A certified WSET Level 3 professional, Darya is also Vice President of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association in Astana, where she works closely with young professionals to foster and develop wine culture in the city.

Connect:

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-nagornyak-4a5046304/ 

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 Book Club and Episode 2691 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Kevin Ferguson on the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris to discuss Kevin’s forthcoming book, “Rain on the Monte Bello Ridge, a memoir about health, aging and winemaking”.

 

Topics of conversation include:

The 1976 Judgment of Paris and its impact on the California wine scene

Kevin’s personal connection with the Judgement

The history of the Gemello Winery in California

Prohibition and its aftermath

Well-being, longevity and coping with loss and ageing

Further reading:

Judgment of Paris by George M. Taber.

Follow Kevin’s Substack at: https://gemello.substack.com/.

 

The Book Review by Richard Hough:

“Kevin Ferguson’s forthcoming book, “Rain on the Monte Bello Ridge, a memoir about health, aging and winemaking”, promises to be a fascinating account of the history of one of Californian’s most interesting historical wineries, the Gemello Winery. Across three generations, the iconic family winery experienced the highs and lows of winemaking in America in the 20th century, from Prohibition and the Great Depression to Gemello’s extraordinary triumph at a 2002 reenactment of the Judgement of Paris. Intertwined with the story of migration, loss and longevity it’s a book I’m looking forward to reading soon.

 

About today’s guest:

Kevin Ferguson worked as a journalist for over a decade, covering sports, business and politics in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He’s currently writing a memoir about his bond with his grandparents, California winemaker Mario Gemello and his centenarian widow Kay. The forthcoming book is called, “Rain on the Monte Bello Ridge, a memoir about health, aging and winemaking”.

Connect: 

Substack: https://gemello.substack.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinferguson1/ 

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

 

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/

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

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/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 2690 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lisa Lazzaretto interviews Pasi Ketolainen MW to explore his journey to becoming a Master of Wine and gain insights on wine in Finland.

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

Key Learning Objectives:

Understand the journey to becoming a Master of Wine, including the level of dedication, challenges, and professional growth involved.

Gain insight into the Finnish and Scandinavian wine markets, with a focus on how monopoly systems shape distribution and trade.

Explore perspectives on Italian wine in Northern Europe, along with practical advice for those aspiring to enter the MW program.

More about today’s host:

Lisa Lazzaretto, PhD, is a Swiss-based entrepreneur, wine professional, and marketing strategist. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and a Diploma in Marketing, and is the founder of Wine Mood, an e-commerce platform dedicated to curated Italian wines. An Italian Wine Ambassador and WSET Diploma holder (DipWSET), Lisa bridges academic insight with hands-on industry expertise. Her recent research focuses on neuromarketing, consumer behavior, and modern wine communication. Active across international wine fairs and competitions, she combines research, storytelling, and business innovation to connect people with Italian wine.

Connect:

Website: http://www.winemood.ch 

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

More about today’s guest:  

Pasi holds a BSc in hospitality management and an MBA, for which he received an academic achievement award in recognition of outstanding academic performance. After a career as a sommelier and completing his WSET Diploma in 2003, he worked in sales and product management positions at various wine importers in Finland. Pasi has partner and board member experience and has consulted in an advisory role on strategy, customer relationship management and start-up company development. He has also represented Finland in blind tasting competitions. As well as speaking four languages, lecturing on wine, and conducting educational tastings, Pasi judges at wine competitions and in 2019 started as the commercial director at Viinitie Oy.

Connect:

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

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

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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 2689 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the 16th episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian.

Episode 16: Il lungo viaggio del vino friulano

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/ 

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!

 

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

Welcome to episode 2688 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 244 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. 

Will you be following the Giro d’Italia? 

After three days in Bulgaria, this 3-week Grand Tour stage race will commence in Italy in Calabria on Tuesday May 12 before moving relentlessly from south to north, west to east, over the steepest bumps and highest mountains to arrive finally in Rome on May 31. 

Beyond cycling, the Giro is a celebration of Italy in all its glorious variety, its rugged and challenging terrain, its beautiful countryside, its art, culture, history and, of course, its gastronomy and wines. 

Marc Millon will be podcasting three episodes this year on May 12, 19, 26, following the route in the company of James MacNay⁩ and his wife Cinzia Long. James will be offering wine suggestions along the route while Cinzia, a certified Italian cheese expert, will highlight cheeses from each area. 

It’s going to be a fun journey and the Giro always offers drama and the unexpected. Hope you will join us and enjoy the Giro d’Italia!

More about today’s guests:

James MacNay⁩ grew up in East Sussex, studied humanities, and holds both British and Italian passports. He began his career as a walking tour guide before moving into the wine and food trade. In 2016, alongside his partner Cinzia, he founded MacNay Travel & Wine, launching their first itinerary, Heart of the Italian Alps. A top-scoring Italian Wine Ambassador, James is among fewer than 500 IWAs worldwide. He also holds other wine qualifications and loves sharing his passion for Italian wine and culture through writing and public speaking.

Cinzia Long, originally from Piemonte and raised in the high Alps of Valle d’Aosta, studied Forestry and Environmental Science at the University of Turin, where she wrote her thesis on the wild red squirrel population of Gran Paradiso National Park. In 2022, she and her family returned to Italy, settling in Torre Pellice, Piedmont. In June 2025, she began her journey to become a Master Cheese Taster, passing the first level with ONAF, Italy’s national organization for cheese experts.

Connect:

Website: https://travelandwine.co.uk/ 

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 

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!