Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2842 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA is in conversation with Derek Li MS, a leading hospitality and wine industry professional based in Hong Kong, about the city’s restaurant and fine-wine scene, opportunities for Italian wines, the role of private membership clubs in fine-wine distribution, and strategies for successful brand activations. Derek also shares insights into his journey to becoming a Master Sommelier, the challenges of the examination, and advice for aspiring sommeliers, particularly in Asia.

Key Takeaways:

Understand Hong Kong’s restaurant scene: Explore the evolution of its restaurant scene, consumer preferences, and opportunities for Italian wines.

Explore fine-wine distribution channels: Understand the role of private membership clubs and effective strategies for building relationships with high-value consumers.

Learn from a Master Sommelier: Gain insights into Derek’s preparation journey, examination strategies, challenges, and practical advice for aspiring sommeliers.

About today’s guest:

With nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wine industry, Derek Li made history in 2026 by becoming the first Master Sommelier born and raised in Hong Kong—a monumental achievement following an intense five-year journey that made him the 301st person globally to earn the title since 1969. As one of the region’s most renowned wine experts, Derek has built an exceptional career shaping fine wine programs for iconic groups including New World Development, JIA Group, and Swire, as well as launching acclaimed lists for Michelin-starred establishments like Louise and Duddell’s.

His deep expertise and competitive drive earned him the title of Best Sommelier in Greater China in 2015, establishing him as a prominent voice in the global wine community and leading to roles as a judge for Decanter and the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) since 2019. Today, Derek continues to elevate wine culture as an independent wine consultant, certified WSET educator, and host of high-profile events for premier wineries and luxury brands.

Connect:

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-li-ms-721663121/

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/

More interviews on Asia Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/asia-wine-market-almaty-special-edition/

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

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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 23 of Study Smart and Episode 2835 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 23: South Africa

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!

More episodes from Study Smart for your WSET Level 3:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/study_smart_for_your_wset_level_3/

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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 Book Club and Episode 2840 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with David Way, author of the recently published Northern Piemonte Annual Report 2026.



Highlights of the conversation include:

The reaction to David’s previous book, The Wines of Piemonte.

The defining characteristics of Northern Piemonte and what distinguishes it from its better known southern neighbour.

The opportunities and challenges currently facing Northern Piemonte.

The principal grape varieties that have found their vocation in Northern Piemonte and some of the lesser-known native varieties.

Some exceptional wineries and hidden gems of the region.

David Way’s Northern Piemonte Report 2026, which contains details of all the wineries mentioned in this episode, is available free to download at: https://winefriend.org/.

The three exceptional wineries David mentions in the conversation are:

Le Pianelle in Bramaterra

Tenuta Roletto in Caluso

Sorpasso in Carema

Take a deeper dive into David Way’s career and writing at: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-1959-david-way-featuring-the-wines-of-piemonte-iwp-book-club-with-richard-hough/



About today’s guest:

David Way is an award-winning wine writer, educator and regional specialist with a particular focus on Piemonte and other Italian wine regions. He is Senior Researcher at WSET and author of The Wines of Piemonte and the annual Northern Piemonte Report.

Connect:

Website: https://winefriend.org/

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

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



More interviews hosted by Richard Hough:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italian-wine-book/

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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 Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2839 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Miki Yuzawa IWA interviews Mihoko Kizu Schenone IWA of Japan-Europe Trading Co. (JET), a veteran Japanese wine importer, about the changing landscape of Italian wine in Japan.

They discuss how the weak yen, rising import costs, evolving consumer preferences and growing competition are reshaping the market. Mihoko shares insights into the differences between Japan’s on-trade and retail sectors, the growing demand for lighter wines, the importance of strong branding and what Japanese importers look for in new producers. She also reflects on building long-term winery partnerships and why consistency, reliability and personal relationships remain essential to succeeding in Japan.

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

More about today’s host:

Miki Yuzawa is a Japan-based wine educator and judge with a passion for Italian wines. She holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and is a certified Italian Wine Ambassador with Vinitaly International Academy (VIA). She also holds the Italian Wine Scholar qualification from Wine Scholar Guild. Since 2023, Miki has served as a judge at the Japan Wine Challenge and has organized wine education and tasting events to share her knowledge with wine enthusiasts. Before focusing on wine, she built an international career in the technology industry, working with teams across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Connect:

Website: https://www.vitisarc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vino.neve.days/

More about today’s guest:

Mihoko lived in New York from 1996 to 2003, where she developed a passion for Italian culture, learned Italian and immersed herself in its food and wine traditions. After returning to Japan, she worked in buying and merchandising at SISLEY and Benetton Japan.

Since 2015, she has been with Japan Europe Trading (JET), overseeing marketing and brand management for more than ten Italian wineries. She also leads Italian wine courses as part of the company’s employee training programme.

Connect:

Website: http://www.jetlc.co.jp/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihoko-schenone-467860171/

More interviews on Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/clubhouse-ambassadors-corner/

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

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

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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 to episode 2838 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 5 of the Italianity series with Jessica Dupuy. In this episode, Jessica is in conversation with wine educator and communications professional Sarah Bray, to explore Italian wine through the lens of the Italian language.

Sarah traces her path from a career in publishing to Sotheby’s, and shares how language and travel first drew her into wine. She talks about her time in Florence and Sicily, her experience working at a winery in Sicily, and her work as a brand ambassador in the US. She explains why she went back to working in imports, and the conversation closes on the role of hospitality.

More about the guest:

Sarah Bray, DipWSET, is a wine writer, educator and brand consultant. She began her career in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and later worked as a brand strategist for the wine auction and retail divisions at Sotheby’s. After a harvest split between Sicily and Tuscany in 2014, she spent several years working with leading estates, including as US brand ambassador for Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany and Passopisciaro on Mount Etna. She is a co-founder of the Bâtonnage Forum, a platform for women in the wine industry, and has contributed to Food & Wine, The Sommelier Journal, SevenFifty Daily, and GuildSomm. A Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker (2024) and emeritus director of the Wine Writers’ Symposium, Sarah holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma and an MBA in Wine Business. She currently serves as Sales Director at Vineyard Brands.

Connect:

Website: https://sarahhbray.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.h.bray/

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

More about the host:

Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. Her book Italianity, released this year and co-authored with Andrea Lonardi MW, explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. She also co-hosts the podcast Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/

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

More interviews on Italianity Series:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italianity-series-with-jessica-dupuy/

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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!