Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2681 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 243 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!

Welcome to episode 2680 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 is the American wine educator Julia Coney Walters. 

In this conversation with Stevie Kim, Julia shares her strategy for navigating Grandi Langhe, her approach to wine education, and her top takeaway from the event.

Julia also discusses Black Wine Professionals, the resource she founded for wine industry employers, gatekeepers, professionals, and the broader food and beverage community.

Find about more about Julia and her work at: https://www.juliaconey.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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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 2680 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/  

_______________________________

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: Almaty Special Edition and Episode 2679 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Natalya Budayeva, a wine educator at Champagne Sommelier School in Almaty. Together, they dive into the role of education in shaping the market, and the opportunities for building a stronger connection between trade and HoReCa.

Key learning objectives:

Understand the role of wine education in Kazakhstan, including current knowledge levels, key challenges, and how educators make wine more accessible.

Identify the main gaps between education, trade, and HoReCa, and how industry initiatives contribute to building wine culture in an emerging market.

Learn how to build and position a wine portfolio for Kazakhstan, including selection criteria and market fit.

Bonus: Natalya’s favorite wine spots in Almaty:

Champagne Wine Gallery

Agora

More about today’s guest:

Natalya Budayeva is a wine educator and industry professional based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, working at the intersection of wine education, trade, and hospitality. She is an educator at the Champagne Sommelier School, where she develops training programs, teaches courses for professionals and wine lovers, and organizes tastings and brand presentations.

She also plays an active role in the local wine community as Board Coordinator of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association (KazSomm), contributing to competitions, tastings, and educational initiatives that support the growth of wine culture in the region. Natalya holds the DipWSET qualification and takes part in international wine competitions as a jury member.

Connect:

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/?checkpoint_src=any 

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/ 

_______________________________

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 

Explore New Market Opportunities with Us!

Until Next Time Cin Cin!

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2678 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Jessica Dupuy, co-author of “Italianity, The Culture of Italian Wine”. 

Highlights of the conversation include:

What is “Italianity”?

Working with Andrea Lonardi MW

Exploring Italy and the concept of “Italianity”

Embracing the Italian concept of “sprezzatura”

How the US Wine Market has survived recent political and economic instability 

Further reading:

“Italianity, The Culture of Italian Wine” is available online at: www.italianity.wine and www.jessicadupuy.com and other major online retailers.

Jessica’s substack is: https://jessicadupuy.substack.com/.

The restaurant in Masala that Jessica mentioned in the conversation is Le Lumie (https://www.ristorantelelumie.com/). 

The Book Review by Richard Hough:

“Italianity is an extraordinary achievement. Not only have Jessica Dupuy and Andrea Lonardi created a sumptuous, original and insightful meditation on the culture of Italian wine, they have done so in two languages in a style that is ambitious yet humble, soaring yet grounded. Italianity is one of those books that effortlessly inspires, as it takes the reader on an unforgettable journey across Italy alongside two of the wine world’s most capable contemporary communicators.”

About today’s guest:

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. She also co-hosts podcast, Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: www.jessicadupuy.com  

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

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/

_______________________________

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!