Italian Wine Podcast

• Ep. 2524 Tariffs and Trade with Blake Gray of Wine Searcher | Masterclass US Wine Market

  Welcome to Episode 2524 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo reconnects with Blake Gray, the US Editor at Wine-Searcher, for a follow-up conversation diving deep into the current status of tariffs, the VOS Selections vs. Trump legal case, and their broader implications for the wine trade. Key Takeaways:  The latest updates on the tariff situation. How tariffs are shaping the wine industry in the U.S. What these changes mean for Italian wine and its future in the American market. More about the guest:  W. Blake Gray is an award-winning wine writer and the US Editor for Wine-Searcher. He is known for his work as a journalist, blogger, and speaker, with a career that includes roles as the former wine editor for the San Francisco Chronicle and food editor for SF Weekly. Gray has also written for publications like The Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine, and is the author of the Japanese-language guide "California Winetopia".  Connect:   Website: https://www.wine-searcher.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-blake-gray-69b4b91ab/  More about the host: Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently, Juliana is a Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman, where she is focused on building their Italian wine portfolio. Prior to that, she led the California Division as a Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. for over 10 years.  During her tenure at C&P, Juliana led the development of the California office, growing the agency’s domestic presence to a dedicated office of 15 people with representation of leading wine companies such as Jackson Family Wines, Far Niente, Charles Krug Winery, Foley Family Wines and more. Juliana has completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University. In 2021, Juliana was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. In 2022, Juliana became a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julezcolang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/ _______________________________ 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!

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• Ep. 2523 James MacNay IWA and Cinzia Long from MacNay Travel & Wine | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

  Welcome to episode 2523 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 217 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc is in conversation with James MacNay and Cinzia Long from MacNay Travel & Wine, to talk about organizing wine tourism activities across Italy.  More about today’s guests: James grew up in East Sussex, studied humanities, and holds both British and Italian passports. He began his career as a walking tour guide before moving into the wine and food trade. In 2016, alongside his partner Cinzia, he founded MacNay Travel & Wine, launching their first itinerary, Heart of the Italian Alps. A top-scoring Italian Wine Ambassador, James is among fewer than 500 IWAs worldwide. He also holds other wine qualifications and loves sharing his passion for Italian wine and culture through writing and public speaking. Cinzia, originally from Piemonte and raised in the high Alps of Valle d’Aosta, studied Forestry and Environmental Science at the University of Turin, where she wrote her thesis on the wild red squirrel population of Gran Paradiso National Park. In 2022, she and her family returned to Italy, settling in Torre Pellice, Piedmont. In June 2025, she began her journey to become a Master Cheese Taster, passing the first level with ONAF, Italy’s national organization for cheese experts. Connect Website: https://travelandwine.co.uk/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macnay_travel_and_wine/  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, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Since 2021, he has been the engaging host of the “Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon” series on the Italian Wine Podcast. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the taste of history” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (this book won the Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025.Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 other acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. His other notable works include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, and Wine: A Global History.In addition to his writing, 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!

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• Ep. 2522 Mergers and acquisitions with Mike Hansen of Sotheby’s International Realty | Masterclass US Wine Market

  Welcome to Episode 2522 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Mike Hansen, an Associate Broker at Sotheby’s International Realty, specializing in the sale and acquisition of premium vineyards and wineries. Together, they explore the dynamics of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the global wine market. Key Takeaways:  What drives valuations in the global wine market? Mergers and acquisitions and their impact on Italian producers. How to build long-term value after an acquisition? More about the guest:  Mike Hansen is an Associate Broker at Sotheby’s International Realty, specializing in the sale and acquisition of premium vineyards and wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties. With an extensive background in business and real estate, Mike offers a rare combination of strategic insight and hands-on experience in the wine industry. Mike holds an MBA from Sonoma State University and is a Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional through the New York Institute of Finance, making him exceptionally qualified to navigate complex transactions. He functions in both brokerage and advisory roles on both the sale and acquisition side, providing valuable insight to maximize returns for sellers and source exceptional deals for buyers. In addition to brokerage, Mike draws personal farming experience through the management of his family’s historic ranch in the Petaluma Gap AVA, giving him direct expertise in vineyard management and agricultural operations. Connect:   Website: https://www.mikesellsvineyards.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hansen-mba/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hansen_land/ More about the host: With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara 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/  _______________________________ 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!

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• Ep. 2521 Adriano Albanese of Tommasi Family Estates | Asia Wine Market

  Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2521 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Roza Zharmukhambetova sits down with Adriano Albanese, the Asia-Pacific Export Manager for Tommasi Family Estates. Together, they explore Adriano’s journey and the lessons he’s learned from working on both sides of the wine industry, for an importer and now as a wine producer representative. Key learning objectives: Understand the Chinese wine market: its structure, major players, consumer trends, and key cities. Explore the Asia-Pacific market, and how Tommasi develops Valpolicella and Amarone wines across Asian markets. Gain practical insights into cross-cultural adaptation, partnerships, and long-term brand strategy in Asia. More about today’s guest: Adriano Albanese is the Asia-Pacific Export Manager for Tommasi Family Estates. He brings extensive international experience in the wine industry across the UK, China, and Thailand, and is currently based in Bangkok. With a background in Chinese language and translation studies, Adriano began his wine journey in Scotland before relocating to Beijing in 2018. There, he worked as On-Trade Sales Manager for EMW Fine Wines, one of China’s leading wine importers and distributors. During nearly six years in the Chinese wine industry, Adriano completed his WSET Level 4 Diploma before moving “to the other side” of the industry as Export Manager for Tommasi Family Estates. Now at the heart of Asia’s dynamic food and beverage scene, Adriano frequently travels across the Asia-Pacific region, promoting Italian wine and embracing the diversity it offers to both a curious mind and palate. Connect: Website: https://www.tommasi.com/wines/?lang=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriano_albanese/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianoalbanese/  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 late last year, 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/  _______________________________ 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!

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• Ep. 2520 From Critic to Sommelier: Mastering Italian Wine with VIA Benchmark Wines | wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum

  Welcome to episode 2520 of the Italian Wine Podcast from wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum 2025, “From Critic to Sommelier: Mastering Italian Wine with VIA Benchmark Wines” Speakers: Stephanie Johnson DipWSET & IWE, Torrence R. O'Haire IWE, Moderator: Alessio Planeta This 45-minute masterclass brings together two Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Experts Stephanie Johnson, long-time Italian Wine Editor at Wine & Spirits Magazine, and Torrence O’Haire, sommelier, wine educator, and hospitality group beverage director, for a dynamic tasting of VIA benchmark wines. From Stephanie’s vantage point as a journalist and critic, Italian wines tell stories of place, culture, and evolving styles that shape international perception. From Torrence’s role as a sommelier and educator, the focus shifts to how Italian wines live on the table: how to communicate their character to guests, pair them with food, and integrate them into diverse wine programs.Together, they will contrast their perspectives while sharing how the VIA tasting methodology sharpened their approach to Italian wines, both in writing and in practice. Participants will gain not just tasting insights, but also a deeper understanding of how critical and service driven lenses can complement one another in appreciating Italy’s extraordinary wine landscape. 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. Learn more about the event: wine2wine.net/programma/?lang=en  _______________________________ 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!

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