Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2612 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 231 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with the renowned Sicilian chef Salvo Lo Castro. Salvo shares stories from his remarkable career, including his experience cooking at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, preparing meals for NATO, and his journey from Sicily to New York, where he opened coffee shops and later launched his restaurant project. The episode also explores his signature dishes, the wines most popular with his guests, and why Italian cuisine deserves its place as UNESCO heritage.

More about today’s guest:

Salvo Lo Castro is a renowned Sicilian chef, best known for having cooked at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for ten years (2000–2010). After gaining international experience, including work in Romania and in luxury hospitality, he moved to the United States and launched CasaSalvo in SoHo, New York, in July 2025, bringing authentic Mediterranean cuisine to an international audience. With over 28 years of experience across 5-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and high-end catering, Salvo now leads the CASASALVO NYC project with passion and a strong commitment to excellence.

Connect:

Website: https://www.casasalvonyc.com/ 

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

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 2611 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo is in conversation with Luca Venturelli, Account Director at Colangelo & Partners, to explore the topic of OCM funding and how Italian wineries and consortia can use it strategically to promote their wines in the U.S. market.

Key Takeaways:

Designing regional marketing programs that genuinely resonate with U.S. trade professionals and consumers.

Most effective channels and activities for promoting Italian wines in the U.S. market.

Common mistakes to avoid when allocating OCM budgets and how to make the most of subsidized resources.

More about the guest: 

Luca Venturelli is an Account Director at Colangelo & Partners in New York, where he leads the Italian Division and oversees integrated marketing and PR programs for some of Italy’s most prominent wine regions and brands. He specializes in U.S. market strategy, OCM-funded initiatives, trade and media engagement, and large-scale consumer events. Luca has worked closely with consortia including Prosecco DOC, Chianti Classico, Barolo and Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, Alto Adige, and Sicilia DOC, supporting their efforts to strengthen awareness and market share in the United States. His work focuses on aligning institutional objectives with clear execution plans, measurable outcomes, and long-term brand development in the U.S. market.

Connect: 

Website: https://www.colangelopr.com/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-venturelli-62b795354/ 

More about the host:

Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently, Juliana is a Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman, where she is focused on building their Italian wine portfolio. Prior to that, she led the California Division as a Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. for over 10 years. 

During her tenure at C&P, Juliana led the development of the California office, growing the agency’s domestic presence to a dedicated office of 15 people with representation of leading wine companies such as Jackson Family Wines, Far Niente, Charles Krug Winery, Foley Family Wines and more. Juliana has completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University. In 2021, Juliana was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. In 2022, Juliana became a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador.

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/

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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 

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

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

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

 

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to episode 2610 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: Francesco Monchiero, President of Piemonte Land of Wine

More about Piemonte Land of Wine:

Piemonte Land of Wine was founded on July 29, 2011, with the aim of providing Piedmontese wine protection consortia with a meeting point where they could exchange ideas, identify shared operations, and develop common strategies to promote Piedmont wine in Italy and around the world. Today, Piemonte Land represents all 14 wine consortia officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. It promotes more than 44,000 hectares of vineyards across Piedmont, stretching from the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo all the way to the foothills of the Alps. This is an extraordinary oenological heritage, made up for 80% of the region’s 18 DOCG and 41 DOC appellations.

As the first Italian initiative to share promotional policies among consortia, Piemonte Land continues its tireless work not only in support of wine, but also in promoting agri-food excellence and the beauty of one of the world’s most important wine regions—whose landscapes were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Connect: https://www.piemonteland.it/ 

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 

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

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

 

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ 

 

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to episode 2609 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025: The promise and the perils of Generative AI in wine.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED ON 6 OCTOBER 2025

Speaker: Felicity Carter

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are democratizing access to sophisticated data analysis and marketing capabilities. Felicity Carter explores how wineries, large and small, can harness AI's potential while avoiding the pitfalls of generic and unoriginal content.

The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of conversations from Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum is an international wine business event, held annually since 2014. This year the Forum was held alongside Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, taking it outside of Verona for the first time.

Full details about this and all other wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum sessions available online at: https://www.vinitaly.com/en/forum/wine2wine-vinitaly-business-forum/programme/.     

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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 

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

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

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

If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ 

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Episode 2608 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Book Club with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with the award-winning wine and beer writer Katie Mather to talk about Katie’s career in hospitality, the wine scene in Tenerife, South Tyrol and Le Marche, as well as the meaning of pub culture and how natural wines can provide a more accessible entry point into the sometimes mystifying world of wine.

The places mentioned in the conversation:

Pubs: Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton and the New Inn in Clitheroe.

The craft beer brewery: Bowness Bay Brewing in Kendal.

The natural wineries: Rita & Rudolf Trossen and Staffelter Hof in Mosel and Katla Wines in Rheinhessen. 

WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a global, non-profit program that connects volunteers ("WWOOFers") with organic farmers for educational and cultural exchange. You can learn more here: https://wwoof.net/.

Other writing referred to in the conversation include:


Close to the Tree — Pochle, Edinburgh’s Communal Apple Spirit by Imran Rahman-Jones  


These Wooden Ideas — The Incomparable Theakstons’ Old Peculier by Katie Mather   


Exploring South Tyrol’s indulgent winter food scene by Katie Mather  


Con Altura — Making Wine and Preserving Culture in Tenerife’s Vineyard Heartland by Katie Mather    

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Meaning of Beer by Jonny Garrett

The Book Review by Richard Hough:

“Crisp, refreshing and extremely satisfying, Pellicle is an independent magazine dedicated to in-depth beer, wine, cider, food and travel journalism. Founded in 2019, it explores the stories behind what’s in your glass and explores the vital role of Britain’s vibrant pub culture in contemporary society, featuring original artwork and the very best in contemporary storytelling.” 

About today’s guest: 

Katie Mather is a Lancashire-based drinks culture and food writer, and Deputy Editor and Wine Lead at the independent drinks publication Pellicle. She has been writing about beer, wine, cider, non-alcoholic drinks, and food since 2018, quickly earning recognition with a Silver award for Young Beer Writer of the Year from the Guild of Beer Writers.

Katie also writes the newsletter The Gulp, which won Silver for Best Short-Form Beer Writing at the 2024 British Guild of Beer Writers Awards. In 2025, she expanded into luxury adventure travel writing for The Independent, and released her self-designed zine A Place To Be, published by Pellicle.

Connect: 

Website: https://www.katiematherwrites.com/ https://www.pelliclemag.com/ 

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

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

 

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/ 

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

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

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

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

 

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ 

Until next time, Cin Cin!