Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 13 of Study Smart and Episode 2782 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 13: Germany and Alsace

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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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 2781 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova is once again in conversation with China-based wine educator and consultant Fongyee Walker MW.

In Part 2, the conversation explores the evolving role of wine education in China, from the changing motivations of wine learners to the growing influence of digital platforms and social commerce. Fongyee also shares her insights into wine pairing with Chinese cuisine, communicating wine heritage and regional identity to Chinese consumers, and building sustainable, long-term wine brands in the Chinese market.

Key Takeaways:

Understand Market Realities: Track how the Chinese wine market has transformed over the past two decades and where true growth opportunities lie today.

Decode Consumer & Culinary Psychology: Learn how Chinese wine lovers actually think about wine, wine education, premiumization, and family-style food pairing.

Execute Actionable Strategies: Discover practical, budget-conscious strategies for wineries seeking long-term success through storytelling, local relevance, and cultural understanding.

Listen to Part 1 of their conversation: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-2770-chinas-wine-market-from-misleading-import-numbers-to-todays-consumer-with-fongyee-walker-mw-part-1-asia-wine-market/

More about today’s guest:

Fongyee Walker MW is one of the world’s leading authorities on the Chinese wine market and the first Master of Wine based in mainland China. She became an MW in 2016 and is the co-founder of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting, one of China’s most respected independent wine education and consulting companies.

Fongyee developed her passion for wine while studying Classical Chinese at the University of Cambridge, where she captained the university’s blind wine tasting team. In 2007, she moved to Beijing and co-founded Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting with Edward Ragg MW, helping shape China’s wine education landscape through training, consulting, and market development.

A specialist wine educator and consultant in both English and Mandarin, Fongyee is also a highly regarded international wine judge, regularly serving on panels for competitions and wine shows in Australia, Chile, South Africa, and the International Wine Challenge (IWC).

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fongyee-walker-mw-1426514/

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/

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp

Until Next Time Cin Cin!

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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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!

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!