Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2749 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 254 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by the Etna wine producer Federico Graziani.

Together, they explore Federico’s journey from sommelier to winemaker, the influence of Salvo Foti, the impact of climate change on Etna, and the unique character of the volcano’s diverse contrade. They also discuss the ageability of Etna’s white wines, the expression of Nerello Mascalese, and the distinctive wines of the Feudo di Mezzo contrada.

More about today’s guest:

The Federico Graziani winery is located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, near the towns of Passopisciaro and Randazzo. The winery is famous for its high-altitude, volcanic terroir wines, most notably its iconic "Profumo di Vulcano" (a rare field blend of over 40 ancient, pre-phylloxera white and red grape varieties). The estate is also celebrated for "Mareneve," an exceptional white wine grown at a freezing altitude of 1,200 meters. The project is led by Federico Graziani, who famously transitioned from being voted Italy's Best Sommelier in 1998 to a highly acclaimed winemaker working alongside Etna legend Salvo Foti.

Connect:

Website: https://fedegraziani.it/en/

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

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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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 2748 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this Bonus Episode of Masterclass US Wine Market, Stevie Kim is joined by two VIA Italian Wine Ambassadors, Stefano Campanini and Daisy Penzo, to discuss the Florida wine market and Vinitaly USA.

More about the guests:

Daisy Penzo is an Italian-born wine professional, VIA Italian Wine Ambassador, and Sales Director for ViVino Selections, where she leads U.S. market development for a portfolio of European wineries. Based in South Florida, she is also the founder of Tuscany Wines Import and the women-owned Fiori & Colori Wines, championing boutique producers and authentic Italian wines. A certified Wine Scholar Guild educator, Daisy regularly shares her expertise through trade events and wine education.

Connect:

Website: https://vivinoselectionsfl.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisy-p-a48251139/

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

Stefano Campanini is the founder of Italian Wine School and a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador based in the United States. Born in Parma, Emilia-Romagna, he has built his career around wine education and sharing the diversity of Italian wine. He also founded Wine by the Bay, one of South Florida's leading boutique wine retailers, where he combines education with carefully curated wine experiences.

Connect:

Website: https://www.winebtb.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefano-campanini-64643090/

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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 7 of Study Smart and Episode 2747 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 7: Beaujolais

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!

_______________________________

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 2746 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova speaks with Leonid Kirsanov, Head Sommelier at La Vue Restaurant in Saint Petersburg and the winner of the Italian Sommelier Challenge held during the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2026.

Returning to Almaty for the second consecutive year, Leonid claimed first place in the competition, earning a scholarship to attend the prestigious Vinitaly International Academy Flagship Edition in Verona in 2027.

Now in its third year, the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 29 June 2026, is a trade event that brings together industry professionals, Italian wineries and other key stakeholders. The Roadshow, organized in collaboration with ITA - the Italian Trade Agency, features a walk-around tasting and a series of private masterclasses.

The Italian Sommelier Challenge is an element of the Roadshow dedicated to the next generation of wine professionals organized in collaboration with the Central Asian Wine University and IWINE School.

Key learning objectives:

Explore the Italian Sommelier Challenge and the role it plays in developing wine professionals.

Gain insights into the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow.

Explore the current Italian wine scene in Saint Petersburg.

More about today’s guest:

Leonid Kirsanov is the Head Sommelier at La Vue Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he has built a distinguished career in the hospitality industry. Born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Leonid began working in restaurants at the age of 14, gaining experience in nearly every front-of-house role before discovering his passion for wine in 2017.

A dedicated competitor, he is a two-time Best Sommelier of Saint Petersburg (2023 & 2025) and was named Where to Eat North-West Sommelier of the Year 2025. He also serves as a Winery Ambassador for Galitskiy & Galitskiy.

Connect:

Website: https://lavuespb.ru/

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

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:

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

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Until Next Time Cin Cin!

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2745 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lucia Fragoso IWA is joined by Alessandro Favaro of Rivaluce Winery to explore the renowned Rive of Valdobbiadene. Together, they discuss what makes the Rive subzones unique, how they differ from other Prosecco Superiore vineyards, and how terroir, steep hillside viticulture, and careful winemaking shape the character of these exceptional wines.

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

More about today’s host:

Lucia Fragoso is a Mexican sommelier, wine educator, hospitality entrepreneur, and international wine communicator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Tecnológico de Monterrey and a Master’s degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management from The University of Queensland, Australia. Her professional career has taken her across Mexico, the United States, Australia, and China.

As the founder of The Wine Vibe and co-founder of Madison Grill Restaurant Group, Lucia combines business, education, and wine communication. She teaches wine at the university level and has certified more than 500 students through professional wine education programs, seminars, and masterclasses. Her mission is to make wine approachable while inspiring more people to discover the culture, history, and stories behind every bottle

Connect:

Website: https://thewinevibe.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinevibes/?hl=es

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucia-fragoso-cota-0a50832a/

More about today’s guest:

Alessandro Favaro is an Italian oenologist, vineyard management consultant, and consulting winemaker based in the Veneto region. After graduating from the prestigious Oenological School of Conegliano, he gained extensive experience working with wineries across Friuli, Tuscany, the Valpolicella (Amarone) area, and Australia, developing expertise across diverse terroirs, grape varieties, and viticultural practices.

Today, Alessandro leads Rivaluce, a contemporary winery located in the UNESCO-listed Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, in the renowned Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza.

Connect:

Website: https://rivaluce.it/en/

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

_______________________________

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!