Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to the On the Road Edition and the Episode 2583 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stevie Kim chats with Amy Gross, President of Women For WineSense and CEO of VineSleuth and Wine4.Me, about wine marketing, personalized wine experiences, and her role in Houston’s prestigious Rodeo Wine Competition. They also explore the history and mission of Women For WineSense in reshaping how wine is perceived. More about today’s guest: Amy Gross is a wine technology entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of VineSleuth and Wine4.Me, platforms that use sensory science, data, and artificial intelligence to help people discover wines they truly enjoy. Her work focuses on flavor-based wine recommendations, moving beyond traditional scores toward personalized taste matching. VineSleuth’s technology is used by wineries, retailers, and restaurants to improve customer experience and increase engagement through data-driven personalization. Amy is a frequent international speaker at major wine and business events, where she explores the future of wine, AI, and consumer behavior. She is also National President of Women For WineSense and has been recognized as a rising leader in the global wine industry. Connect: Website: https://vinesleuth.com/ https://wine4.me/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycgross/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy_c_gross/  More about the host: Stevie Kim is an Italian wine marketing & communication expert, bandpositioning specialist, and public speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale. The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series. Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods! Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevie-kim-0646b04/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp  _______________________________ 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 2582 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, The Importance of Wine Tourism: How a Wine Media Company Created a Travel Division to Attract More Visitors to Wineries. Speaker: Jacqueline Strum Moderator: Alicia Lini Wine Enthusiast is a media and commerce company that stands as the leading source of innovation and information around wine. The Certified B Corporation has been bringing the wine lifestyle to wine lovers around the globe for more than 45 years, and the company launched a travel division in 2024. Jacqueline Strum, President and Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media, speaks to why the media business created the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Room Directory and Cork+Compass Travel, why it was important to incorporate the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Panel in the new wine tourism operation, and how these new resources can help attract more visitors to wineries. 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/.      _______________________________ 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 the Italian Wine Podcast Book Club and Episode 2581 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation  with Professor Edward Slingerland about his book “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization”. Amongst other things, this conversation explores Professor Slingerland’s academic background, his thoughts on effortless actions and the Chinese concept of Wu Wei, the Beer Before Bread Hypothesis, alcohol and creativity, how to emulate the Southern European drinking culture, the Evolutionary Hijack Hypothesis and Asian flush syndrome, as well as the rise of neo-prohibitionism and the importance of impactful first lines.  The Turkish archaeological site mentioned by Professor Slingerland is Göbekli Tepe. Archaeological evidence suggests it is one of the world's earliest sites for brewing beer, with massive stone troughs showing residue of fermented grain, indicating beer was central to large ritual feasts that may have spurred the development of agriculture. The other book mentioned in the show was “Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity” by Professor Edward Slingerland. The Book Review by Richard Hough: “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization” is a compelling and timely reminder of the central role that alcohol has played throughout the course of human history. Playful and entertaining, but also thought provoking and provocative, it explores, from an anthropological perspective, why we get drunk and even places alcohol at the heart of human evolution, making a powerful and persuasive case for the important role that moderate alcohol consumption can play in contemporary society.  About today’s guest:  Edward Slingerland is Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, with adjunct appointments in Psychology and Asian Studies, as well as Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Human Evolution, Cognition and Culture and Director of the Database of Religious History. Professor Slingerland is the author of two trade books, Trying Not to Try (2014) and Drunk (2021), as well as multiple academic books, translations, and edited volumes. His work has been featured in major media outlets, and he has done numerous interviews on TV, radio, blogs, and podcasts, including NPR, the BBC, PBS, CNN, the CBC, and the Joe Rogan Experience. Connect:  Website: https://www.edwardslingerland.com/    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/ _______________________________ 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 Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2580 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Mauricio de Chiaro IWA interviews Matteo Altare of Castell'in Villa in Chianti. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives: Understand the history and identity of Castell’in Villa, including its origins, location in Chianti, and how heritage, climate, and soil shape the estate’s wines. Learn how organic viticulture and sustainability are applied in practice, through real examples from vineyard management, winemaking, and long-term estate stewardship. Explore Castell’in Villa’s winemaking philosophy and portfolio, including flagship wines, other key labels, and the role of agrotourism in expressing the estate’s values. More about today’s host:   Mauricio de Chiaro, Italian Wine Ambassador based in Brazil and Piemonte, has visited more than 150 wineries across Italy and actively promotes Italian wines to Brazilian audiences worldwide, with a strong focus on lesser-known native grape varieties. With a 30+ year career in finance, he brings solid business expertise to the Italian wine industry. Mauricio is the founder of The Wine Partners, a buyers’ club connecting small, family-owned producers with engaged, hands-on wine lovers. The platform allows members to buy directly from producers and participate in unique winemaking experiences. The Wine Partners has chapters in Miami, Orlando, New York, Lisbon, and São Paulo. Connect: Website: http://www.thewinepartners.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauriciodechiaro/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.wine.partners/  More about today’s guest:   Castell’in Villa is a historic medieval estate located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the heart of Chianti Classico, near Siena. The winery is renowned for its traditional, age-worthy Chianti Classico wines, particularly its 100% Sangiovese, known for elegance, complexity, and longevity. The estate is also committed to organic viticulture and classic winemaking, including aging in large oak casks. In addition to wine production, Castell’in Villa offers accommodation and hospitality, providing an authentic Tuscan experience among vineyards and olive groves. Matteo Altare, born in Alba in 1994, is the Technical Director of Castell’in Villa. Although not from a winemaking family, his early years spent in the countryside with his grandparents fostered a deep respect for nature and agriculture. He studied at the Enological School of Alba and the University of Turin, and over the past sixteen years has gained hands-on experience in vineyards and cellars across Langhe and Monferrato. Alongside his practical work, Matteo taught enological chemistry at the Enological School of Alba, reinforcing his belief that teaching is an essential part of learning. Connect: Website: https://castellinvilla.com/en/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteo-altare-38318129b  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castellinvilla_official/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Castellin-Villa/100063678876676/#  _______________________________  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!    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 to episode 2579 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 226 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Andrea Girgenti, representative of Cantina Carlo Hauner, to explore the unique identity of one of Sicily’s most iconic island wineries, located between Salina and Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands. Together, they discover the winery’s deep connection to volcanic terroir, the artistic legacy of its founder Carlo Hauner, and the central role of Malvasia delle Lipari in shaping its history and wines. More about today’s guest: Cantina Hauner (Hauner Winery) is located on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Salina, part of the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. The winery was established by the artist and architect, Carlo Hauner, who uses his paintings depicting Aeolian architecture, volcanic colors, and sea, to create iconic wine and caper labels, making them instantly recognizable. Cantina Hauner is famous for revitalizing traditional wines from the Aeolian Islands, especially the sweet Malvasia delle Lipari, and for its high-quality Salina IGT wines (both red and white), alongside producing famous Salina capers, all presented with distinctive labels featuring the founder's art.  Connect: Website: https://www.hauner.it/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauner_winery/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantinaHauner/  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  _______________________________ 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!   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!