Italian Wine Podcast

In this podcast Monty Waldin interviews Chiara Meloni, export manager at Tenute Olbios in the north-east of Sardinia. Tenute Olbios produces Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Vermentino di Sardegna as well as a native-grape-based red and a rosé. Chiara and Monty talk about the Gallura terroir, the local and foreign markets for the winery’s Vermentinos (Tenute Olbios exports 35% of their production), as well as some interesting wine and food pairings. Tune in to discover a beautiful region of Italy and its delicious wines!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Sergio Solinas, General Manager at Cantina Sociale Giogantinu in the Gallura area in Sardinia. Founded in 1955, this wine coop produces 1.5 million of bottles per year and it is one of the largest coops in Sardinia. Monty and Sergio talk about Giogantinu’s wines, including sparkling Vermentino and Cannonau-based wines such as their “Eja” (among others). Giogantinu also produces rosé, interesting blends with traditional and indigenous Sardinian grapes, and “mirto” the traditional berry liqueur from Sardinia. Learn more about the Gallura area and Sardinian wines in this podcast.

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Sarah Heller MW who is a member of the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) Faculty and teaches the Italian Wine Ambassador course. In this educational podcast dedicated to the iconic Italian wine denomination of Barolo, Sarah introduces the geology of the Barolo area, the profile of its grape variety, and different vinification styles which were also at the core of the famous traditionalist vs. modernist debate. Tune in to learn the ABC of one of the most iconic Italian wine appellations and discover Sarah’s personal connection to Piemonte and her proficiency in the Piedmontese dialect!

In this episode, Monty Waldin meets Ettore Nicoletto, CEO of the Santa Margherita Group, owned by the Marzotto family since 1935. Ettore tells Monty about the evolution of Santa Margherita’s iconic pinot grigio and reports some of the Group’s achievement for 2018: 22 million bottles of wines across 6 different wine regions of Italy. Ettore talks about the Group’s penchant for white wines along with its most recent investments and plans for developments. Monty and Ettore discuss Santa Margherita’s presence in the U.S. market, their marketing strategy, and how they are facing the challenges posed by climate change. Ettore also tells Monty about his personal approach to leadership, his past career in motorbike races, and his passion for golf and volleyball (Ettore is 1.97 mt. tall!).

March 10 2017 - March 10 2019: To celebrate the second "birthday" of the Italian Wine Podcast, we are releasing a special episode where podcast host Monty Waldin is interviewed by his son Arthur. In the interview Arthur asks Monty about his passion for wine, Biodynamics, and his favourite Italian wines and places to visit. Tune in to a fantastic interview and enjoy Arthur's flair for interviews, which -- of course -- runs in the family! Cin cin!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Tim O’Connell, Vice President of Vinitaly Wine Club. Monty and Tim talk about e-commerce for wine and the changed demographics of Italian wine consumers. Tim explains the ins and out of the e-commerce business for wine and the way Vinitaly Wine Club works, including the selection, logistics, and promotion of wines. Tune in also to find out which top wines are featured in the Vinitaly Wine Club and consumers’ latest trends for each season!

In this short bonus track, the Italian Wine Podcast host Monty Waldin talks about the second anniversary from the release of the first Italian Wine Podcast episode on March 10th, 2017!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Simon Taylor, wine merchant at Stone, Vine & Sun in Winchester, UK. Simon tells Monty about what is trendy in the UK market and talks about his passion for Italy’s wines. Simon talks about the appeal of the Italian wine industry to importers for Italy’s wine variety and quality. Tune in to find out Simon’s love for Recioto di Soave and his suggestions about potential pairing of Italian sweet wines and English cheese!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Andrea Sartori, whose family owns Casa Vinicola Sartori in the Veneto region in the North of Italy, near Verona. Andrea is the fourth generation of the family that started in the wine business in 1898, thus celebrating their 120th anniversary in 2018. Andrea tells Monty about the family history since the very beginning over a century ago, when the family also managed a hotel and restaurant business in Verona. Fast-forward to 2019 Casa Vinicola Sartori is now one of the most important in the Veneto area, with top wines such as Amarone, Valpolicella Classico and Ripasso, Bardolino, and Soave. Andrea also presents additional brands in the Sartori group portfolio such as the organic wines from the Mont’Albano estate in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Tune in to learn about 121 years of oenological and viticultural passion in the Veneto region and beyond with Monty and his guest Andrea Sartori of Casa Vinicola Sartori.

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Giovanni Mazzoni, manager at Podere Forte in the Orcia valley in Tuscany. Giovanni tells Monty about the origin of the estate, a 200-year-old “podere” that Pasquale Forte acquired in 1998 and developed as a biodynamic estate. Mazzoni talks about the biodiverse flora and fauna on the estate, its wheat production, Chianina cows, Cinta Senese pigs, and bees (among others!) which all contribute to a healthy vineyard ecosystem. Podere Forte produces Sangiovese-based wines, Petrucci, Petruccino, and Guardiavigna and its main market is Italy. Monty and Giovanni also go deep into technology for viticulture, such as the use of drones!