Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2666 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Elisabetta Tosi and Giampiero Nadali, authors of “The Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage Atlas”. 

Highlights of the conversation include:

Living and working in Valpolicella: understanding the region, its pedoclimatic conditions, and the meaning behind the name.

Valpolicella in the glass: how to recognize the wines and the role of the appassimento method.

Amarone’s rise: from pioneers like Bolla and Bertani to the 1990s boom and the influence of Robert Parker.

Defining quality: what makes a great Amarone vintage and the standout years.

Amarone today: engaging younger consumers and pairing the wines at the table.

The Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage Atlas is available at: https://terroiramarone.net/.

The Book Review by Richard Hough:

“The Amarone della Valpolicella Vintage Atlas” is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the wines of the region. Elisabetta and Giampiero have deep roots in the local wine scene and have painstakingly analysed and evaluated every vintage since the 1960s to develop this comprehensive yet accessible guide to one of the true greats of Italian wine, Amarone della Valpolicella.”

About today’s guests:

Elisabetta Tosi is a freelance journalist and copywriter with extensive experience in publishing and mass media, focusing primarily on the wine industry. With a degree in philosophy, throughout her career she has collaborated with numerous wine magazines, both in Italy and internationally. In her spare time she manages her wine blog, VinoPigro and  she is the author of several titles dedicated to the local history and wines of Valpolicella, as well as other wine regions. When not travelling, she lives with her family in Valpolicella.

Connect: 

Website: https://vinopigro.it/ 

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy1501/ 

Giampiero Nadali is a seasoned digital wine marketer and a recognized thought leader in the intersection of wine, technology and global sales. Based in Valpolicella, Giampiero has worked since 2007 as an evangelist for digital transformation in the wine industry, helping wineries leverage new technologies to optimize marketing, sales and export strategies. Since 2005, Giampiero has been an influential wine blogger, sharing insights and trends through his well-regarded blog Aristide.biz.

Connect: 

Website: https://aristide.biz/ 

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

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

 

More interviews hosted by Richard Hough:

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

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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’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2665 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lisa Lazzaretto IWA interviews Andrea Bocchino of Vini Bée Imports in Switzerland, exploring the dynamics of the Swiss wine market in 2025. The conversation offers a comprehensive look at current trends, consumer behavior, and the positioning of Italian wines.

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

Key Learning Objectives:


Understand the Swiss wine market landscape: Gain insights into current dynamics, trends and consumer preferences.


Navigate distribution channels effectively: Learn how retail, on-trade, and online platforms operate in Switzerland, and what distributors look for when selecting wines.


Strategies for Italian producers: Discover practical tips on pricing, positioning, and portfolio selection to succeed in the Swiss market.

More about today’s host:  

Lisa Lazzaretto, PhD, is a Swiss-based entrepreneur, wine professional, and marketing strategist. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and a Diploma in Marketing, and is the founder of Wine Mood, an e-commerce platform dedicated to curated Italian wines. An Italian Wine Ambassador and WSET Diploma holder (DipWSET), Lisa bridges academic insight with hands-on industry expertise. Her recent research focuses on neuromarketing, consumer behavior, and modern wine communication. Active across international wine fairs and competitions, she combines research, storytelling, and business innovation to connect people with Italian wine.

Connect:

Website: http://www.winemood.ch 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lazzaretto/ 

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

More about today’s guest:  

Andrea Bocchino is General Director of Vini Bée, a leading importer of Italian wines based in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. With a degree in Economics from the University of Fribourg and a background in financial management and corporate marketing, Andrea has spent over 26 years with the company, dedicating more than half his life to the wine industry.

Under his leadership, Vini Bée has built a diverse portfolio of around 1,000 Italian wines, representing regions from north to south and spanning still, sparkling, and white categories. The company serves clients across all of Switzerland, supported by a multilingual team and integrated operations including sales, logistics, administration, and bottling.

Connect:

Website: https://vini-bee.com 

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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! 

 

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 2664 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the 12th episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian.

Episode 12: La Via Romea Germanica Imperiale

You want to dive into the stories and myths behind Professor Scienza’s new series, but Italian isn’t your thing? No problem! You’ll find all the conversations, translated in English, in the new Mamma Jumbo Shrimp book: An Italian Wine Pilgrimage: with Professor Attilio Scienza. Now available in English on Amazon.

A true oenological journey led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. Genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory. Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine.

Join us on A Wine Pilgrimage with Professor Attilio Scienza.

More about Professor Scienza:

Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti. 

He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff!

To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/ 

If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler:

https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/ 

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

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast 

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

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

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If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ 

Until next time, Cin Cin!

 

Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek 🙂

Welcome to episode 2663 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 240 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Vito Palumbo, CEO of Tormaresca and Bocca di Lupo, exploring the unique identity of Alta Murgia in Puglia and how it differs from the rest of the region.

From the historic influence of Frederick II and Castel del Monte to the evolution of Bocca di Lupo within the Marchesi Antinori project, the conversation connects history, family roots, and modern winemaking. They also discuss Puglia’s potential answer to “Super Tuscans.”

More about today’s guest:

Tormaresca is the Apulian project of Marchesi Antinori, created to explore and elevate the region’s winemaking potential through a combination of tradition, research, and innovation. The estate works across key areas of Puglia, focusing on both native and international grape varieties. At the heart of the project is Bocca di Lupo, located in the Castel del Monte area. This high-altitude estate is dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of Alta Murgia, with a strong focus on varieties such as Aglianico and Nero di Troia, alongside carefully selected international grapes.

Vito Palumbo is CEO of Tormaresca and Tenuta Bocca di Lupo. Originally from Puglia, he combines a background in finance with a deep connection to the region, leading the estates with a vision that blends cultural identity, sustainability, and innovation.

Connect:

Website: https://tenutaboccadilupo.it/ 

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

Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/company/tormaresca 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenutaboccadilupo 

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:

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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!

Welcome to Episode 2662 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald speaks with Philana Bouvier, President of Demeine Estates, where she leads the vision behind a best-in-class sales and marketing organization.

Key Takeaways:


Precision drives growth in a down market: focus on discipline, portfolio clarity, and reallocating resources to the segments that matter most


Demand generation is essential: distribution alone no longer guarantees sales—brands must actively build demand, even if it means exiting certain markets


Friction is the biggest barrier: simplifying how wine is bought and sold is critical for both consumers and the trade

More about the guest:

Philana Bouvier is the President of Demeine Estates which serves and supports the dynamic and growing portfolio of the Lawrence family and Managing Partner, Carlton McCoy Jr. owned fine wine estates and import supplier partners. The collection includes Heitz Cellar, Burgess, Stony Hill, Ink Grade, Philipponnat, Mazzei, Ca Rome, Roc de l'Abbaye, Villa Sandi, and La Chablisienne, and additional esteemed international producers across France and Italy. In a short amount of time, Demeine Estates has had the honor of being nominated for "Importer of the Year" in Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards in 2022, and Philana was recognized by Wine Enthusiast as a 2023 Future 40 Tastemaker. She has also been recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times and received a Trailblazer Award by North Bay Business Journal as part of their 2024 Women in Wine awards.

Connect: 

Website: https://demeineestates.com/ 

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/demeine-estates/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076889298090 

More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald 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/ 

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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!