Italian Wine Podcast

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Christopher Barnes, wine writer, video maker, and founder of Grape Collective, an online magazine and store aimed at younger consumers. Christopher tells Monty about his previous career in the movie industry and how he founded Grape Collective. Monty and Christopher talk about Grape Collective’s video making techniques such as the 360 videos, the store in New York that features jars of soils from the different wine regions, and the latest Italian wine trends on the U.S. market.

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Roberto Di Filippo, owner of the Di Filippo Winery in Umbria. The Di Filippo winery is an organic and biodynamic estate producing Montefalco Rosso, Sagrantino, Grechetto, and other traditional wines from the region. Roberto explains his strategies for biodynamic vine growing—the use of draft horses and geese in the vineyard—and his ‘think global, act local’ philosophy. Roberto also tells Monty about the economics of biodynamic viticulture and his trip to the Hamish communities in the United States to learn how to build more efficient horse-working tools. Tune in to discover also how his Grechetto with no added sulphites is made!

In this episode Monty Waldin talks to Mario Napolini of the Napolini Winery in Umbria. Monty and Mario talk about Sagrantino, Grechetto, and Trebbiano Spoletino grapes grown in the estate and the winery’s foreign markets. Mario explains also his vine cultivation system and the process of cryomaceration for Sagrantino, that he uses to soften the grape’s tannins. Tune in to discover also some wine and food pairings for Sagrantino- and Grechetto-based wines!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Fillipo Mazzei whose family, the Mazzei, is the owner of three estates, two in Tuscany (Castello di Fonterutoli in Castellina in Chianti and Belguardo in the Maremma Toscana) and one in Sicily (Zisola in Noto). Mazzei talks about the recent Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and the main international markets for his Chianti wines. He also talks about his production of Morellino di Scansano in Maremma and his Nero d’Avola vineyards in Sicily. Tune in to learn more about a great producer of iconic Italian reds made from native grape varieties, Sangiovese and Nero d’Avola!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Leonardo Raspini at the Tenuta Alzatura (part of the Cecchi family) in Montefalco, Umbria. Monty and Leonardo talk about the (in)famous Sagrantino’s tannins, the winery’s softer style of Sagrantino, and Sagrantino as a restaurant wine. Leonardo also discusses the U.S. and Northern European markets for Sagrantino and recommends some his old-time favorite wine and food pairings!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Daniele D’Anna Bortolotto at the Bortolotti winery in Valdobbiadene, Veneto. Tune in to learn about all-things-Prosecco, including the way its grapes are cultivated and vinified! Monty and Daniele talk about different styles of Prosecco, Bortolotti’s Rive DOCG, and the winery export markets. Join us on our channels for a sparkling interview with an iconic Prosecco producer!

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews Giusy Moretti at the Moretti Omero Winery in Umbria. Giusy and Monty discuss the winery’s production of Sagrantino, Grechetto, and Trebbiano Spoletino and the winery’s organic viticulture. Giusy also tries to teach Monty how to make handmade pasta following her grandmother’s Quinta’s recipe! Tune in for another journey at the heart of Umbria’s wine and food traditions!

In this episode, Monty Waldin interviews wine producer, restaurateur, MasterChef TV star, and musician Joe Bastianich. Tune in for a fantastic interview where Bastianich talks openly about his Italian origins and his relationship with Italian culture. Joe tells Monty that his parents came to America from the contested North-Eastern territory of Istria (former Italian territory and now Croatian) and set up an innovative and successful restaurant business in New York City. After talking about his upbringing in New York, Joe unveils his passions for rock music, good food and good wine—the latter culminating in starting the family winery in 1997 in the Colli Orientali area of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Joe tells Monty about his non-interventionist wine-making philosophy, marketing wine to millennials, and wine and food pairings. Enjoy Monty Waldin’s exclusive conversation with Italian wine and food celebrity Joe Bastianich!

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Lamberto Spacchetti, owner of Colle Ciocco winery in Montefalco, Umbria. Before starting his wine business in Montefalco, Lamberto spent 40 years in the navy as a Commander. His experience taught him a great deal also on the weather and particularly on winds and their impact on grape growing. Monty and Lamberto also talk about pairing Sagrantino with local dishes such as wild boar, truffles, and T-bone steak and Sagrantino Passito with cheese. He also Lamberto also talks about one of Colle Ciocco whites, the Clarignano Umbria Bianco IGT, a blend of Grechetto and Viognier. Tune in for another gourmet stop in the wine heart of Umbria!

In this episode Monty Waldin interviews Simon Grosjean, owner of Grosjean Vins, an organic winery in the bilingual region of Valle d’Aosta. Monty and Simon talk about Valle d’Aosta’s indigenous grape varieties such as Petit Rouge, Fumin, Cornalin, and Vien de Nus. They also chat about the Torrette Valle d’Aosta’s appellation, Grosjean’s wines and viticulture in the mountains. Tune in to discover wine and viticultural traditions in a charming mountainous region in the North-West of Italy.