Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to episode 2803 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 263 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with wine export manager Lucrezia Bencivenga to explore the story of Ribona and the dual soul of Le Marche.

They explore Ribona’s history and character, the influence of Le Marche’s coastal and mountain landscapes, and how local wines reflect the region’s food, traditions and sense of place.

More about the guest:

Lucrezia Bencivenga is a multilingual commercial executive whose career brings together international communication, strategic thinking and a deep passion for wine. Before entering the business world, she worked as an interpreter at the European Parliament, an experience that sharpened her ability to navigate different cultures, build connections and communicate with clarity in complex environments.

Today, as Commercial Director of Cantine Fontezoppa, she oversees sales development in Italy and abroad, manages key accounts and distribution networks, and contributes to the positioning and evolution of the brand. She is also actively involved in developing partnerships, hospitality projects and wine-tourism experiences that bring people closer to the identity of the Marche region.

Connect:

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

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

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 2802 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa Muoio is joined by award-winning Italian-born restaurateur, beverage director, and sommelier Jacqueline Pirolo in a conversation that focused on how Italian wines are positioned, sold and scaled across multiconcept restaurants in South Florida.

Key Takeaways:

How to position Italian wines across different restaurant concepts and guest experiences.

Strategies for introducing indigenous Italian grapes to consumers more familiar with Napa and California wines.

How seasonality, climate, tourism and distributor relationships shape the South Florida wine market.

More about the guest:

Born in Italy and raised in New York, Jacqueline Pirolo is an award-winning restaurateur, beverage director, and sommelier based in Miami. She began her hospitality career in New York before co-founding The Saint Austere in Brooklyn in 2011. In 2012, she joined her brother, Chef Mike Pirolo, and partner Jen Chaefsky to open Macchialina in Miami, where she serves as partner and beverage director, building a celebrated wine program focused on Italian terroir.

Her work has earned recognition from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Gambero Rosso and the James Beard Foundation. In 2025, she received the Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier Award. She also co-founded Bar Bucce, a casual Italian market, pizzeria, wine bar and bottle shop in Miami’s Little River neighborhood, which was named a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Bar in 2026.

Connect:

Website: https://macchialina.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lambrusco574/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jienna-basaldu/

More about the host:

Equal parts wine geek and storyteller, Marissa Muoio turns up the volume on the Italian Wine Podcast as a host of the Masterclass US Wine Market series! Marissa’s love affair with Italian wine started with a simple realization: behind every bottle of Nebbiolo, Brunello, or Fiano is a wild story of ancient history, passionate families, and incredible food pairings. But getting those stories onto American tables takes strategy.

In the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa bridges the gap between Italian cellars and the American trade. She brings high energy, sharp questions, and plenty of laughs while chatting with top industry insiders, sommeliers, and importers on the East Coast. When she’s not in front of the mic geeking out over volcanic soils and forgotten appellations, you’ll usually find Marissa on the hunt for the perfect plate of pasta, road-testing new wine bars, or swirling something new with friends. Her ultimate motto? No acqua, solo vino.

Connect:

Website: http://linktr.ee/marissamuoio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissamuoio/c

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-muoio/

More interviews on US Wine Market:

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

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

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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 16 of Study Smart and Episode 2801 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 15: Italy

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

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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 2800 and Episode 12 of The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ryan Robinson.

Episode 12: What Ancient Vines Can Teach Us About Wine Today?

In this episode, Ryan Robinson explores how ancient vine-training systems reveal the cultural boundaries between early Italian viticulture and that of ancient Greek colonizers. From vines trained on living trees in Italy to different practices in ancient Greece, these traditions offer clues about how viticulture developed across the Mediterranean.

Ryan also reflects on how we tell and understand wine stories today, from the limitations of wine tourism and maps to the importance of preserving a wine’s story as it moves through the three-tier system.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an eager student, or simply a curious wine lover, The Art of Wine Storytelling takes you on a journey that bridges ancient history with modern consumer culture. Discover how wine is much more than just a drink – it’s a narrative shaped by centuries of tradition, innovation and human interaction. Ignite your imagination, deepen your appreciation for wine, and be inspired to savor not just what’s in the bottle, but the remarkable story behind each and every glass.



About Ryan Robinson:

Ryan Robinson is the Director of Education for Brescome-Barton Inc., and Worldwide Wines in Connecticut, an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven, and is the Principal at SommCentric, a beverage education and consulting agency. He is a member on the USA Wine Tasting Team, representing the United States and the World Wine Tasting Championships and holds the credentials of Advanced Sommelier-CMS; WSET Diploma and WSET Educator in Wine, Sake and Beer; Rioja Wine Educator; VIA Italian Wine Ambassador; Wine Scholar Guild Educator and Italian and Spanish Wine Specialist; and Certified Scotch Whisky.

Connect:

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

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

The Art of Wine Storytelling by Professor Attilio Scienza is available now at:

https://mammajumboshrimp.com/products/the-art-of-wine-storytelling

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

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

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

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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 Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner and Episode 2799 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA is in conversation with Sue Tolson MW, exploring her path to achieving the prestigious Master of Wine title and her experience of the Hungarian wine market.

Sue shares insights into the development and character of the Hungarian wine market, including the role of importers, how consumers discover and purchase wine, and the changing dynamics of the local wine trade. The conversation also looks at the position of Italian wines in Hungary, exploring how Italian wine is perceived, where it fits within the market, and the opportunities and challenges for Italian producers.

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

About today's 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:

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

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

More about today's guest:

Sue Tolson is a Master of Wine Sue Tolson is a freelance wine writer, wine judge, wine educator, consultant and specialist translator and editor. Originally from England, she is now based in Hungary.

She focuses on Hungary and other Central and Eastern European countries as well as Italy. She is one of Vinitaly International’s few Italian Wine Experts. Interests also include indigenous varieties, volcanic wines and old vines. Sue has also contributed to Vince, Trink, Glug and Decanter supplements as well as writing regularly for online CEE wine magazine WineSofa (as Managing Editor) and Wines of Hungary. She also judges regularly both within Hungary and internationally, particularly within the CEE region, as well as at International Wine Challenge, Wine Vision at Open Balkan, Decanter and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

Sue studied Italian and French at university and also speaks fluent Hungarian and German, which she can put to good use in the wine world.

Connect:

Website: https://www.mastersofwine.org/sue-tolson-mw

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-tolson-mw-8661141/

_______________________________

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!

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!