Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2701 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the 18th episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian.

Episode 18: La Puglia antica tra Greci, Bizantini e grandi vini

Want to dive into the stories and myths behind Professor Scienza’s new series, but Italian isn’t your thing? No problem! You’ll find all the conversations, translated into English, in the new Mamma Jumbo Shrimp book: An Italian Wine Pilgrimage: with Professor Attilio Scienza. Now available on Amazon.

A true oenological journey led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. Genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory. Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine.

Join us on A Wine Pilgrimage with Professor Attilio Scienza.

More about Professor Scienza:

Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti. 

He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff!

To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/ 

 

If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler:

https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/ 

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

 

Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek 🙂

Welcome to episode 2700 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 246 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Salvatore Santus of the Agricola Punica winery located in the Basso Sulcis region of southwestern Sardinia.

As well as  considering Sicilian wine and cuisine more generally, this conversation explores the contribution of Giacomo Tachis (1933–2016), widely regarded as the founding father of the modern Italian wine renaissance, to the transformation of Sardinian winemaking.

More about today’s guest:

Salvatore Santus is the export and logistics manager for Agricola Punica, a prominent Sardinian winery. He acts as the winery's ambassador, promoting Sardinian and French blends in the international market. Santus has contributed to Sardinian winemaking by championing the "Super-Sardo" model popularized by the late winemaker Giacomo Tachis. He plays a key role in strengthening the winery’s global presence and building long-term relationships with international partners.

Connect:

Website: https://www.agripunica.it/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatore-santus-13697327/ 

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

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 2699 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald sits down with the award-winning wine journalist and consultant Susan Kostrzewa.

Key Takeaways:

Explore current consumption behaviors in the American wine market and why opportunities still exist despite the overall decline in wine consumption.

Understand how experiential in-person events, trade fairs, and wine travel create stronger emotional connections between consumers and Italian wine brands.

How to reach American consumers with creative outreach regardless of your marketing budget or winery size.

More about the guest:

Susan Kostrzewa is a veteran wine writer, editor, global educator and the founder of Resplendent Ink, a content strategy consultancy specializing in storytelling and communications in the wine space. She is the former editor-in-chief of Wine Enthusiast Media, has co-authored numerous books on wine, food and travel and was previously named one of Wine Business’ Top 50 Most Influential Leaders as well as a Top Woman in Media by Folio Magazine. Kostrzewa is a former consulting editorial director for JamesSuckling.com and JancisRobinson.com, and has contributed articles to JamesSuckling.com. Food & Wine and Wine Business Monthly, among others. She is also a wine travel educator and co-host of global consumer tours with Gunnell Innovation and on the board of Les Dames D'Escoffer New York.

Connect: 

Website: https://www.resplendentink.com/ 

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-kostrzewa-81b796/ 

More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a 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. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries.

As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now 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, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.

Connect:

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

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

Website: https://www.aprilacreative.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 2698 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, Stevie Kim’s guest is Tim Marson MW, category director of wine.com, the largest online wine retailer in the United States.

In this conversation for the Italian Wine Podcast, Tim discusses his career and role at wine.com, the market for Italian wines, and recent trends in wines from Piemonte. Tim also reveals how wines are selected by wine.com, how they help customers make informed choices, and navigating fluctuating trading conditions. Finally, Tim discusses recent trends in the wine sector and the challenges facing the future.

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 the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2697 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Mustafa Özel, operational manager of Esperanza Hospitality Group in Almaty.

Key learning objectives:

Understand how multi-concept hospitality groups in Kazakhstan integrate wine into modern dining and entertainment experiences.

Explore how Italian wines perform across different restaurant concepts within the group.

Identify future hospitality and wine consumption trends shaping the next generation of Kazakhstani consumers.

More about today’s guest:

Mustafa Özel is an operational manager of Esperanza Group in Almaty. Originally from Turkey, Mustafa has lived in Kazakhstan for nearly two decades and has played an active role in the development of large-scale restaurant, entertainment, and hospitality projects across the region.

Esperanza Group brings together a diverse portfolio of concepts, including Georgian, Central Asian, Turkish, Mediterranean-inspired restaurants, as well as banquet halls, karaoke venues, coffee houses, and nightlife projects. Beyond hospitality, the group is also involved in hotel and infrastructure development, alongside social responsibility initiatives supporting the local community.

Connect:

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mustafa-ozel-b7217a22/ 

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:

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 

Until Next Time Cin Cin!