Italian Wine Podcast

Original educational podcast recorded in Italian language. Italian Wine Podcast favorite (and Vinitaly International Academy Chief Scientist) Attilio Scienza returns to go another round with Monty Waldin. This time the two discuss Vermentino—its origins, etymology, preferred climate, soil, and importance in Italian viticulture and oenology. Monty grills Professor Scienza in near perfect Italian with an ever-so-slight Tuscan lilt. The professor is up for the challenge and offers insight into this grape variety that will surely interest wine scholars such as VIA candidates. As in previous iterations we offer both the original, Italian version as well as the English language recording, read by future voice of the BBC and WSET Programme Provider, Rebecca Lawrence. Though we’ll dig deep and may mention terms such as “flysch,” attentive listeners will also catch food pairing suggestions. Please find a full Italian transcript of this interview at the show's official website, www.italianwinepodcast.com.

Annette Scarfe MW visits Monty Waldin at Itialian Wine Podcast home base to discuss her journey from corporate banking to Master of Wine. At the peak of a successful banking career in Singapore, Annette was asked by her company to pick up and move to South Africa. Instead, she “retired” to follow her passion for wine. Annette describes what she believes are the most important factors shared by successful MWs as well as the biggest pitfalls along the way. Listen in to a conversation that ranges from home wine bottling kits to the many Italian wines finding popularity in Singapore. Warning: this episode contains content that may cause the listener to travel to Singapore to experience “bottomless” brunch culture in person.

Senior Editor at Wine Spectator Bruce Sanderson joins Monty Waldin on the podcast to talk about his career in wine journalism and Italian wine trends in the United States. Former model and actor in Australia, Canada, and the United States, Sanderson tells Waldin how he got into wine and about his beginnings as a sommelier in New York. Sanderson also talks about his approach to wine writing and wine tasting and discusses his work at Wine Spectator, particularly in relation to Italian wine and his areas of expertise (Piemonte and Toscana). Tune in to learn more about current U.S. trends with regards to Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto and the rebirth of Montalcino and its Brunello.

Ondine de la Feld of Tenuta di Tavignano takes time out from wine2wine 2019 to speak with Monty Waldin and help us understand the wines that come from “le terrazze delle Marche,” or the stage that looks out from the Apennine Mountains toward the Adriatic Sea. Ondine paints a vivid picture of how the physical landscape coupled with calcareous and argillaceous soils help produce special wines, such as Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Rosso Piceno, near the town of Cingoli, Italy. She tells her story with a backdrop of Picene and Roman influences and we learn why the Marche of present day is a hotspot of organic agriculture, biodynamic wines, and cooperatives that add value to the region. Listen in to find out why Gambero Rosso rates Tenuta di Tavignano’s Misco.

Lawrence Francis, host of the Interpreting Wine Podcast, joins Monty Waldin in the wine bunker to discuss his path to become a prolific podcaster. Lawrence, previously a qualified business psychologist, only entered the “world of wine” in 2017 when he began driving around Spain to interview wine producers. The Interpreting Wine Podcast explores trends in the wine industry, and Lawrence interviews “…growers, importers, merchants, bar/shop/restaurants and everything in between.” Here, he describes what it took to find his voice, refine his craft, and leave a successful earlier career behind! Lawrence sees room for growth in the podcast space and he seeks to inspire others to launch their own creative endeavors — he even makes available a free guide to podcast startup equipment on his website: interpretingwine.com/kit. Get to know a fellow podcaster who embraces change and manages to find the positive side of every situation.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews US-based sommelier Yannick Benjamin, co-founder of Wine on Wheels and Wheeling Forward, owner of Contento restaurant, and Head Sommelier at the University Club in New York. Yannick talks about his beginnings in the hospitality sector in New York until a life-changing accident left him paralyzed from the waist down and forced him to reconsider his life and career choices. Yannick tells Monty about his struggles and the process that led him to return to work in hospitality and in the wine industry. Tune in for an amazing story of resilience that inspired attendees at wine2wine 2019.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Elizabeth Schneider, host of Wine for Normal People Podcast, a show for wine lovers and learners. Elizabeth tells Monty how the show came about in 2009 and talks about her focus on wine consumers. From the show, Elizabeth also published a book entitled Wine For Normal People, now widely available in print and ebook format. Tune in to also learn more about her outstanding work as a wine educator.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Gaia Gaja, co-owner of the Gaja Estates in Barbaresco, Montalcino, Bolgheri, and Etna. Gaia is the fifth generation of a family who started making wine in Barbaresco in 1859. Gaia tells Monty about the beginnings with her great-great grandfather Giovanni in the nineteenth century and about the work of her grandfather and father (both named Angelo). Gaia speaks about their “sori” or crus in Barbaresco, about her father Angelo’s groundbreaking work in the vineyard and his passion to embark in new projects such as the estates in Montalcino (Pieve di Santa Restituta), Bolgheri (Ca' Marcanda), and most recently in Etna, Sicily, with Alberto Graci. Tune in to listen to the history of an iconic family who shaped trends and styles in Piemonte and beyond!

In this podcast Monty Waldin interviews Heini Zachariassen, Founder of Vivino, world’s largest wine app. Heini, who is originally from the Faroe Islands, tells Monty how he founded Vivino and helped the project grow into a community of 30 million users. Heini also talks about life in California where he currently lives and some of his favourite Italian wines.

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Giovanni Luigi Brumat, Brand Manager at Cantina Toblino in Madruzzo, near Trento. This wine coop was established in 1960 and features more than 600 growers to date. 10% of its vineyards are organic and local grape varieties such as Nosiola, Schiava, and Rebo are grown. Monty and Giovanni talk about award-winning Vin Santo made with Nosiola grapes and Rebo, a crossing between Teroldego and Merlot, which was developed by Rebo Rigotti in the enological institute San Michele all’Adige in the province of Trento. Giovanni suggests some interesting food pairings with Cantina Toblino wines and discusses wine tourism in the area. Tune in to learn more also about Cantina Toblino’s latest experiments in the vineyard with the traditional “pergola trentina” training system and in the cellar with amphoras.