Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2818 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Juliana Colangelo is joined by Amari Collins, the New York wine educator and creator known as Vin Dealer, to explore how wine can be made more culturally relevant, more fun, and more exciting for the next generation of drinkers.

Amari shares her approach to teaching and tasting at Swirl School, her three-hour wine experience that mixes education, games, and movement, and who actually shows up to her events. She talks about taking Swirl School from New York out on the road, and how she chooses the wines to pour at each stop. The conversation turns to what Italy needs to do to connect with younger wine consumers and keep them curious. They also look at social media: what people want to learn from wine content, and how wineries can make their own stories relatable.

Key Takeaways:

Making wine education more fun, engaging, and culturally relevant.

Finding new ways to connect Italian wine with younger consumers.

Cultivating the next generation of wine drinkers by sparking curiosity and excitement.

More about the guest:

Amari Collins is a New York-based wine educator and digital creator, known online as Vin Dealer. She is the founder of Swirl School, an interactive wine event series that has traveled across the US and to Europe, built around the idea that wine should be social, accessible, and free of snobbery. Before moving into wine, Amari worked as a television casting producer, a background that shaped her storytelling and her eye for event design. She was named to Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 Tastemakers list for 2025 and has been featured in outlets including Bon Appétit and The New York Times.

Connect:

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amari-collins-8599b979

More about the host:

Juliana Colangelo is the Director of Marketing at T. Edward Wines & Spirits, the NYC-based national importer and distributor. She leads the company’s marketing strategy across a growing portfolio of global wine and spirits producers, driving brand development, trade engagement, and national visibility during a period of significant expansion.

Previously, Juliana was Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman & Sons, where she played a key leadership role in the Italian wine division, overseeing marketing strategy for shareholder brands within the Gruppo Italiano Vini and Cantine Riunite portfolios. Prior to that, she served as Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S., where she opened the firm’s first secondary headquarters in California in 2016, establishing its Bay Area office. Over the past decade, Juliana has become one of the most dynamic and influential marketing and communications executives in the wine industry. She is widely recognized as a mentor and connector for women in beverage alcohol, leveraging her network to create opportunities and elevate others in the field. Juliana has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and other leading publications speaking on the future of wine marketing and consumer growth.

Connect:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/

Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/

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

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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 19 of Study Smart and Episode 2817 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 19: USA Overview

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!

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2816 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova speaks with Gerald Lu, President of the Sommelier Association of Singapore, seasoned sommelier, and director and owner of Praelum Wine Bistro, one of Singapore’s best-known wine spots.

In Part 2, they discuss career opportunities and salary expectations in the wine industry, the role of the Sommelier Association of Singapore, and advice for Italian wine producers looking to enter the market.

Listen to Part 1:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-2805-singapore-a-gateway-to-premium-wine-in-asia-with-gerald-lu-of-praelum-part-1-asia-wine-market/

Gerald also shares his favourite wine spots across the city:

Luxury: 67 Pall Mall, Park90

Cosy: Soif & Co, Patrimonio Wines, Convivial

Natural wine: Revolution, Temple Cellars

Key Takeaways:

Understand Singapore's Role as Asia's Wine Hub: Explore why Singapore has become one of Asia's most important markets for premium wine, re-export, hospitality and international trade.

Discover What Drives Singaporean Wine Consumers: Learn about Praelum, consumer preferences and opportunities for Italian wines.

Learn How Sommeliers Shape Wine Culture: Understand how education, competitions and professional associations influence both consumers and the wine trade.

About today’s guest:

After completing his national service in 2007, Gerald Lu began his wine career with the IndoChine Group of Restaurants. He earned qualifications from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and Court of Master Sommeliers, and in 2009 received the Singapore Experience Award for Best Service in Food & Beverage. He went on to win Singapore’s National Sommelier Competition in 2010 and again in 2017.

In 2011, Gerald opened Praelum Wine Bistro in Duxton Hill, which today encompasses a restaurant and bar, wine education, events and wine tourism. He is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and President of the Sommelier Association of Singapore. He is also Chief Critic at Asian Wine Review and a judge and speaker for international wine publications and events including Decanter, IWSC, Vinexpo and ProWein.

Connect:

Website: https://praelum.com.sg/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerald-lu-a3445646/

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 Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner and Episode 2815 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Ekaterina Vislinskaya IWA meets Luca Speri, sixth-generation member and export manager of the Speri family winery in Valpolicella Classica and newly appointed president of Famiglie Storiche.

Luca shares the family’s commitment to estate-grown grapes, native varieties and organic viticulture, as well as the association’s mission to protect Amarone’s quality and identity. They also discuss the 2026 harvest, adapting to warmer summers and welcoming visitors to the family’s restored 15th-century home.

About today's host:

Ekaterina Vislinskaya is a certified wine sommelier and content creator from Yekaterinburg, Russia, specializing in Italian wines. She holds WSET Level 3 and is an accredited Italian Wine Ambassador (IWA) through Vinitaly International Academy. Ekaterina is also a guest blogger for the Italian Wine Podcast and a passionate wine traveler, sharing insights on wine tourism, viticulture, and Italian wine culture.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vislinskaya.wine/

More about today's guest:

Luca Speri is the sixth generation of the Speri family, one of the historic producers of Valpolicella Classica, with the seventh generation already involved in the winery. Having grown up immersed in every aspect of the family business, he is now Export Manager, overseeing sales across approximately 65 countries.

Involved with Famiglie Storiche since its foundation in 2009, Luca also served as president of the board of Verona’s Bottega del Vino. After three years as vice-president, he was elected president of Famiglie Storiche, the association of historic Amarone producers.

Connect:

Website: http://www.speri.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speriwinery/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/speri-viticoltori/?originalSubdomain=it

More interviews on Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/clubhouse-ambassadors-corner/

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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 2814 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 1 of the Italianity series with Jessica Dupuy. In this episode, Jessica is in conversation with Yannick Benjamin, owner of the Beaupierre wine store in NYC, about Italian hospitality and the people who made him feel welcome and inspired his career in wine.

From Lidia Bastianich’s “nonna” treatment to his early days at Le Cirque under Sirio Maccioni, Yannick shares the experiences that shaped his journey. He also discusses changing wine tastes, his discovery of lighter reds, the influence of Stoicism on his work, his connection to Rome and his love for the wines of Valle d’Aosta.

More about the guest:

Yannick Benjamin is a New York City-based sommelier, wine educator and advocate for accessibility in hospitality. He is Director of Wine at the University Club of New York, co-founder of Beaupierre Wines & Spirits and founder of Wine on Wheels, a nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities through community, education and advocacy. He co-founded Beaupierre with his wife and fellow sommelier, Heidi Turzyn, and the shop is named after his father, Pierre. A car accident in 2003 left him paralyzed, but he went on to become a sommelier, working at Le Cirque, Jean-Georges, Felidia and Atelier at the Ritz-Carlton. He also co-founded Contento in East Harlem, and starred in the Esquire TV documentary series "Uncorked". He received the Michelin Guide New York Sommelier Award in 2023, and was named Sommelier/Wine Director of the Year at the 2021 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards.

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannick-benjamin-b50a5b5/

Wine on Wheels: https://wineonwheels.org

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

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 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/

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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!