Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2780 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Alberto Rivera IWA is in conversation with Serena Costanzo from the Palmento Costanzo winery on the northern slope of Mount Etna.

The conversation explores the vineyard's use of the traditional Alberello Etneo training system, the restoration of the estate’s 18th-century lava stone Palmento, and the local native varieties used to produce authentic Etna DOC wines.

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

More about today’s host:

Alberto Rivera began his wine journey after serving as a diplomat at the Mexican Embassy in Japan. He later developed a private wine collection and hosted exclusive tastings before becoming Italian Wine Director for a Latin American online platform, where he educated wine professionals on Italian wine and culture. In 2024, Alberto earned the title of Italian Wine Ambassador through the Vinitaly International Academy in Verona and also became a Langhe Wine Ambassador. Today, he consults for Italian-focused restaurants in Chihuahua and northern Mexico, curating wine programs that celebrate Italy’s diverse wine heritage.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somm.albertorivera/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/y-alberto-rivera-o/

More about today’s guest:

Serena Costanzo is a young winemaker and co-owner of Palmento Costanzo, a visionary family-run organic winery located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Working alongside her mother, Valeria Agosta, who co-founded the estate, Serena represents the new generation of winemakers shaping the renaissance of Etna's volcanic wines.

Connect:

Website: https://www.palmentocostanzo.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-costanzo-3a56b4204/

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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 back to TEXSOM 2026 and Episode 2779 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Jessica Dupuy interviews the renowned wine judge, educator and sommelier, Debbie Zachareas.

In this conversation, Debbie provides a fresh perspective on fine wine retailing, drawing on her 23-year experience at San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, as well as exploring trends currently affecting the local and global wine trade.

The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the third year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America.

Join us at TEXSOM 2026 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry.

More about today’s guest:

Debbie Zachareas is the Proprietor and Managing Partner of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, located in San Francisco's iconic restored Ferry Building. A highly respected wine judge, lecturer, sommelier, and guest speaker, she is recognized nationally for her influence on American wine culture.

Connect:

Website: https://fpwm.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-zachareas-0a862b5

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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 2778 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 259 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by the renowned food, travel and restaurant writer Sudi Pigott.

Together, they discuss Sudi’s latest book, “Consider the Anchovy: A journey in pursuit of the little fish with the big flavour” and explore the fascinating world of anchovies—from their history with the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans to their enduring place in Italian cuisine.

They travel through Liguria and Piedmont, where anchovies were once known as the “Bread of the Sea,” as well as the Amalfi Coast, Salento, Lazio, and Sicily. Along the way, they explore traditional recipes, terroir, and the cultural stories behind this small but extraordinary fish.

More about today’s guest:

Sudi Pigott is one of the UK's most respected voices in food and travel writing with nearly 30 years experience in print and digital journalism. Her work spans restaurant criticism, culinary storytelling, recipes, and travel writing for various publications including The Telegraph, the i paper, Condé Nast Traveller, Departures, Harper's Bazaar, Club Oenologique, Brummell, Aston Martin Magazine and Fine Dining Lovers. She is the author of Consider the Anchovy, a journey of discovery to find out more about the little fish with the big flavour.

Connect:

Website: https://sudifoodie.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudi-pigott-b4589b12

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!

Want to improve your advanced wine knowledge?

In Episode 2777 of the Italian Wine Podcast Barbara Fitzgerald is in conversation with the internationally renowned wine educator and consultant, Sarah Heller MW.

In this conversation, Sarah provides insight into the VIA Advanced seminars and this year’s theme of defining quality in Italian wine, while discussing the value of advanced tasting, continued education, and the importance of staying curious and learning throughout a wine career—even after achieving the MW.

What is the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA)?

The Vinitaly International Academy is a leading wine education institution in Verona that trains wine professionals to master the complex diversity of Italian wines.

Key Takeaways:

What VIA Advanced Tasting Sessions are, who they are for, and why they matter.

How we define and recognise quality in Italian wine.

Why wine education shouldn’t stop after achieving a certification—even the MW.

The VIA Advanced Tasting Session will take place in New York City on Tuesday 27 October 2026. You can apply at:

https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/courses/via-advaced-tasting-session/.

For more information about the Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador program visit:

https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/.

More about the guest:

Sarah Heller MW is a U.S.-based Master of Wine and a leading voice in Italian wine on the global stage. She has been a faculty member of the Vinitaly International Academy since 2018, after being part of the first group of VIA Ambassadors to pass its inaugural edition in 2015. Sarah’s work explores wine’s cultural and sensory dimensions. Her Visual Tasting Notes and other artworks have been exhibited and published internationally. She speaks multiple languages, including Italian, French, German, Chinese, and English.

Connect:

Website: https://sarahheller.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-heller-mw-96a9713/

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

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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 12 of Study Smart and Episode 2776 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 12: Loire Valley

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!

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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!