Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2832 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 4 of the Italianity series with Jessica Dupuy. In this episode, Jessica is in conversation with wine critic and author Michael Godel, to explore what it means to write about Italy.

Michael looks back at how his love of Italian culture began, shares how he reviews wines with WineAlign and the nuances of travelling and writing across Italy. The conversation then turns to his new book on Chianti Classico, The Next Rooster, which profiles the next generation of the region’s producers, and to the continuity of Tuscan winemaking across generations.

More about the guest:

Michael Godel is a Toronto-based wine writer, critic and partner at WineAlign.com, often known as “Godello.” He is also the Wine Director at Toronto’s Barque Smokehouse, a role he has held for 15 years, following a 25-year career in restaurants and catering. Michael has judged the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada since 2013, and in 2018 the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico named him one of its first five recipients of the Ad Honorem title of Ambasciatore. His first book, The Next Rooster: Chianti Classico’s Next Generation, tells the stories of the families shaping the region’s future.

Connect:

Website: https://godello.ca/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.godel.7/

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 the 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/

More interviews on Italianity Series:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italianity-series-with-jessica-dupuy/

_______________________________

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 2831 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Episode 268 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc speaks with Paolo Librandi of Librandi, one of Calabria's leading family-owned wineries and a key contributor to the development of Cirò DOC.

Together, they explore Calabria's ancient Greek heritage, the philosophy behind wine, the evolution of Librandi and the region's native grape varieties, including Greco Bianco, Mantonico Bianco and Gaglioppo. The conversation also touches on local gastronomy, the region's wine culture and the growing opportunities for wine tourism.

More about the guest:

Paolo Librandi graduated in Philosophy from the State University of Milan and later completed a master's degree in Winery Management. Today, he is primarily responsible for the vineyards and international markets at Librandi, the family-owned winery founded in 1953 and based in Cirò Marina, Calabria.

Committed to promoting Calabria's indigenous grape varieties, Librandi has played an important role in raising the profile of Calabrian wines, particularly Cirò DOC. Paolo oversees the winery's relationships with markets across North America, Asia and Europe, including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and several European countries.

Connect:

Website: http://www.librandi.it

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WineLibrandi

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

Website: https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

Website: https://www.vino.co.uk

Website: https://www.quaypress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

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

More interviews on Wine, Food & Travel:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/food-travel/

_______________________________

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 2830 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Barbara Fitzgerald is joined by Stephanie Schlis, a Colorado-based wine specialist and Italian Wine Ambassador, to explore what American wine drinkers are really looking for and how Italian producers can connect with them.

Stephanie shares her Colorado perspective on authenticity, private labels, and the younger generation of wine consumers. They look at what new drinkers want beyond heritage and provenance, and at Italian wines beyond the classics that spark curiosity. Stephanie closes with practical tips for producers who want to enter the Colorado market.

Key Takeaways:

What people buying wine are actually looking for.

Demystifying the younger generation of wine drinkers.

The best ways to connect with the American market, from a Colorado perspective.

More about the guest:

Stephanie Schlis is a wine specialist and beverage distribution professional based in the Denver metropolitan area. She holds WSET Level 3 and is an Italian Wine Ambassador through the Vinitaly International Academy. Her career spans retail at Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits in Colorado Springs, distribution at Republic National Distributing Company in Boulder, and Maverick Beverage Company. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-schlis-wset3-iwa-54897089/

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

More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald specializes in D2C marketing and business development. As part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, she also owns and operates a boutique wine production company and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.

Connect:

Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/

More interviews on the US Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/masterclass-us-wine-market/

_______________________________

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 1 the India Special Edition, a of a very exciting series of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Saloni Khanapurkar IWA is in conversation with Luca Bernardini to explore consumer consumption trends in India and how events can connect Indian drinkers with Italian wine.

Luca breaks down the free trade agreement signed between India and the EU and what it really means for the wine trade. He also shares his unique approach to wine events, which combines tastings with stand-up comedy to keep audiences engaged, along with practical tips on storing and enjoying wine. He closes with some practical ideas for the producers who wish to enter the market.

More about the host:

Saloni Khanapurkar is an Italian wine professional, educator, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of wine, culture, and India. She is India’s first and only Italian Wine Ambassador, holds WSET Level 3 in Wine, and is currently a DipWSET candidate. She has worked with Italian wineries and wine organizations across Piemonte, Tuscany, Lombardy, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, with experience spanning wine education, export consulting, communications, and cross-cultural projects. She is also one of the producers of the Italian Wine Podcast and the founder of SipSaathi, a women-first wine ecosystem focused on building education, professional opportunities, and global connections for India’s emerging wine community.

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saloni-khanapurkar/

More about the guest:

Luca Bernardini is an Italian wine and food educator based in Mumbai. He studied Philosophy and History at the University of Padua and worked with Slow Food in Italy before moving to India, where he has become a familiar presence on the Italian food and wine scene. He is a sommelier who leads wine tastings and food pairing events for audiences across India, including events organised with the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-bernardini-20705517/

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

More interviews on Asia Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/asia-wine-market-almaty-special-edition/

_______________________________

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 21 of Study Smart and Episode 2828 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 21: Oregon, Washington and NY

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/

_______________________________

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!