Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2839 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Miki Yuzawa IWA interviews Mihoko Kizu Schenone IWA of Japan-Europe Trading Co. (JET), a veteran Japanese wine importer, about the changing landscape of Italian wine in Japan.

They discuss how the weak yen, rising import costs, evolving consumer preferences and growing competition are reshaping the market. Mihoko shares insights into the differences between Japan’s on-trade and retail sectors, the growing demand for lighter wines, the importance of strong branding and what Japanese importers look for in new producers. She also reflects on building long-term winery partnerships and why consistency, reliability and personal relationships remain essential to succeeding in Japan.

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

More about today’s host:

Miki Yuzawa is a Japan-based wine educator and judge with a passion for Italian wines. She holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and is a certified Italian Wine Ambassador with Vinitaly International Academy (VIA). She also holds the Italian Wine Scholar qualification from Wine Scholar Guild.  Since 2023, Miki has served as a judge at the Japan Wine Challenge and has organized wine education and tasting events to share her knowledge with wine enthusiasts.  Before focusing on wine, she built an international career in the technology industry, working with teams across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Connect:

Website: https://www.vitisarc.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vino.neve.days/ 

More about today’s guest:

Mihoko lived in New York from 1996 to 2003, where she developed a passion for Italian culture, learned Italian and immersed herself in its food and wine traditions. After returning to Japan, she worked in buying and merchandising at SISLEY and  Benetton Japan.

Since 2015, she has been with Japan Europe Trading (JET), overseeing marketing and brand management for more than ten Italian wineries. She also leads Italian wine courses as part of the company’s employee training programme.

Connect:

Website: http://www.jetlc.co.jp/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihoko-schenone-467860171/ 

More interviews on Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/clubhouse-ambassadors-corner/

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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!

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 2838 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 5 of the Italianity series with Jessica Dupuy. In this episode, Jessica is in conversation with wine educator and communications professional Sarah Bray, to explore Italian wine through the lens of the Italian language.

Sarah traces her path from a career in publishing to Sotheby’s, and shares how language and travel first drew her into wine. She talks about her time in Florence and Sicily, her experience working at a winery in Sicily, and her work as a brand ambassador in the US. She explains why she went back to working in imports, and the conversation closes on the role of hospitality.

More about the guest:

Sarah Bray, DipWSET, is a wine writer, educator and brand consultant. She began her career in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and later worked as a brand strategist for the wine auction and retail divisions at Sotheby’s. After a harvest split between Sicily and Tuscany in 2014, she spent several years working with leading estates, including as US brand ambassador for Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany and Passopisciaro on Mount Etna. She is a co-founder of the Bâtonnage Forum, a platform for women in the wine industry, and has contributed to Food & Wine, The Sommelier Journal, SevenFifty Daily, and GuildSomm. A Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker (2024) and emeritus director of the Wine Writers’ Symposium, Sarah holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma and an MBA in Wine Business. She currently serves as Sales Director at Vineyard Brands.

Connect:

Website: https://sarahhbray.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.h.bray/

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

More about the host:

Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. Her book Italianity, released this year and co-authored with Andrea Lonardi MW, explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. She also co-hosts the podcast Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/

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

More interviews on Italianity Series:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italianity-series-with-jessica-dupuy/

_______________________________

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!

Welcome to Episode 2837 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Episode 269 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc speaks with Pasquale Imperato of Sapori Vesuviani, a Vesuvian grower and champion of the Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio, about the story behind this unique tomato.

Together, they explore the tomato's history, the biodiversity of the slopes of Mount Vesuvius and the unique combination of volcanic soils and maritime influences that gives it its distinctive flavour. Pasquale explains what makes this tomato special, including its remarkable ability to stay fresh for almost a year, and discusses its export potential and how its flavours evolve over time.

Pasquale also offers an experiential farm tour called “Let’s Have a Diet… Mediterranean,” a 1.5–2-hour introduction to the Mediterranean diet and the traditional products of the Vesuvian region. The experience includes a visit to the farm, a hands-on workshop where participants create their own traditional piennolo (hanging bunch of tomatoes), and a tasting of bruschetta topped with Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio. A wonderful opportunity to discover local food traditions firsthand!

More about the guest:

Sapori Vesuviani is a family-run biodynamic farm located on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, within Vesuvius National Park. Dedicated to preserving the agricultural heritage of the region, the farm combines traditional cultivation methods with artisanal processing to produce local specialties, including Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP, Vesuvian apricots, seasonal vegetables, jams and preserves.

With a strong focus on seasonality, sustainability and short supply chains, Sapori Vesuviani celebrates the authentic flavours and gastronomic identity of Vesuvius. Its philosophy is captured in the motto riscoprire i sapori di un tempo — rediscovering the flavours of the past.

Connect:

Website: https://www.saporivesuviani.it

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saporivesuviani/?hl=it 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasquale.imperato2 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasquale-imperato-5b505b3b/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR9Tpt6rGBAaYh7z59rXkpw

More about the host:

Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is an award-winning author of 15 books on wine, food, and travel, and host of the ‘Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon’ weekly series, now well over 220 episodes. His latest book, “Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History,” won the Guild of Food Writers’ 2025 Drinks Writer Award and the World Gourmand’s 2025 Best Wine History Book award. Marc also hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy with Martin Randall Travel and lives along the River Exe in Devon, England.

Connect:

Website: https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon

More interviews on Wine, Food & Travel:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/food-travel/

_______________________________

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!

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 2836 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Juliana Colangelo is joined by brand marketer Jasmine Yook to explore how wineries can use digital tools, technology and storytelling to grow their brands.

Jasmine looks at how world-renowned brands build their communication, how wineries can choose the right digital tools for their marketing strategy, and how to make a winery discoverable online. They also dig into the use of AI in wineries and wine businesses, from research and copywriting to website building, and into how to leverage social media to amplify a winery’s story.

Key Takeaways:

• How a winery chooses the right digital tools to build its marketing strategy.
• How to make a winery discoverable using digital tools.
• Using technology to amplify the winery’s story.

More about the guest:

Jasmine Yook is a brand marketer and strategist with a background spanning technology, retail and consumer brands. She is the founder of frequency, a brand and marketing consultancy that helps consumer and technology companies build brands people care about, specializing in brand strategy, go-to-market, growth and content. Her career includes work with Amazon, Nike, Victoria’s Secret and Blackbird, where she led social and content marketing, including TikTok channels and campaigns. A WSET Diploma graduate, Jasmine combines her marketing expertise with her wine education and has spoken at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on why short videos are essential to wine businesses.

Connect:

Website: https://www.morefrequency.co

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

More about the host:

Juliana Colangelo is the Director of Marketing at T. Edward Wines & Spirits, the NYC-based national importer and distributor. She leads the company’s marketing strategy across a growing portfolio of global wine and spirits producers, driving brand development, trade engagement, and national visibility during a period of significant expansion.

Previously, Juliana was Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman & Sons, where she played a key leadership role in the Italian wine division, overseeing marketing strategy for shareholder brands within the Gruppo Italiano Vini and Cantine Riunite portfolios. Prior to that, she served as Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S., where she opened the firm’s first secondary headquarters in California in 2016, establishing its Bay Area office. Over the past decade, Juliana has become one of the most dynamic and influential marketing and communications executives in the wine industry. She is widely recognized as a mentor and connector for women in beverage alcohol, leveraging her network to create opportunities and elevate others in the field. Juliana has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and other leading publications speaking on the future of wine marketing and consumer growth.

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/

More interviews on the US Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/masterclass-us-wine-market/

_______________________________

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!

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2 the India Special Edition, a of a very exciting series of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Saloni Khanapurkar IWA is in conversation with Magandeep Singh, founder of Wi-Not Beverage Solutions and the Institute of Wine + Beverage Studies (IWBS), about the opportunities and challenges of entering the Indian wine market.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Magandeep offers practical advice for producers on finding the right importers and brand ambassadors, connecting with local consumers and key opinion makers, and building a lasting presence in India.

More about the guest:

Magandeep Singh is India’s first French-qualified sommelier, certified by Le Cordon Bleu and L’Université du Vin, Suze-la-Rousse. His journey began at the Institute of Hospitality Management (IHM), Mumbai, followed by a Master’s in hospitality management at Institut Vatel, France, where a small wine shop in the southern Rhône set him on a lifelong path.

Since founding Wi-Not Beverage Solutions in 2001, he has built India’s most recognised beverage consultancy — serving five-star hotels, standalone restaurants, corporates, and individuals. In parallel, he established the Institute of Wine + Beverage Studies (IWBS), India’s first dedicated wine and beverage education institute, which has trained thousands of professionals and enthusiasts.

He writes, judges, teaches, and speaks — always with the goal of making wine and spirits accessible, intelligent, and joyful.

Connect:

Website: https://magandeepsingh.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singh.magandeep 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magandeep.singh.personalprofile 

More about the host:

Saloni Khanapurkar is an Italian wine professional, educator, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of wine, culture, and India. She is India’s first and only Italian Wine Ambassador, holds WSET Level 3 in Wine, and is currently a DipWSET candidate. She has worked with Italian wineries and wine organizations across Piemonte, Tuscany, Lombardy, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, with experience spanning wine education, export consulting, communications, and cross-cultural projects. She is also one of the producers of the Italian Wine Podcast and the founder of SipSaathi, a women-first wine ecosystem focused on building education, professional opportunities, and global connections for India’s emerging wine community.

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saloni-khanapurkar/

More interviews on Asia Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/asia-wine-market-almaty-special-edition/ 

_______________________________

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!

Welcome to Episode 22 of Study Smart and Episode 2834 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon-Smith.

Ep. 22: Argentina and Chile 

Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET. 

With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way.

This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy, a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training. 

The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator Gill Gordon Smith. Gill is a VIA certified Italian Wine Expert, an artisan wine producer, retailer, writer, judge and educator based between Australia's McLaren Vale Region and Verona and Tuscany in Italy. 

Look out for new episodes every week wherever you get your podcasts!

More episodes from Study Smart for your WSET Level 3: 

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/study_smart_for_your_wset_level_3/ 

_______________________________

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!

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2833 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Ekaterina Vislinskaya IWA meets Lisa Anselmi of the family winery Anselmi in Soave, to explore a three-generation story and its bet on disease-resistant grapes as the future of Italian white wine.

Lisa shares the winery’s evolution across three generations, from its origins in 1948 to its focus on vineyard expression and distinctive white wines. The conversation explores Anselmi’s pioneering work with PIWI disease-resistant grapes as a response to climate change, alongside family heritage, resilience, and the evolving role of women in wine. Lisa also reflects on the winery’s journey through challenges such as the devastating 2010 flood and its growth into an internationally recognised family business, exporting 70% of its production.

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

More about today’s host:

Ekaterina Vislinskaya is a certified wine sommelier and content creator from Yekaterinburg, Russia, specializing in Italian wines. She holds WSET Level 3 and is an accredited Italian Wine Ambassador (IWA) through the Vinitaly International Academy. Ekaterina is also a guest blogger for the Italian Wine Podcast and a passionate wine traveler, sharing insights on wine tourism, viticulture, and Italian wine culture.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vislinskaya.wine/

More about today’s guest:

Lisa Anselmi is a third-generation member of the family behind Anselmi, based in Monteforte d’Alpone in the Veneto, and serves as the winery’s Director of Sales Worldwide. Founded in 1948 by her grandfather and transformed into a quality benchmark by her father, Roberto, the estate works with her brother Tommaso. The winery is best known for single-vineyard wines from Garganega, and is now one of the first in Veneto to invest in PIWI, or fungus-resistant, grape varieties.

Connect:

Website: https://www.anselmi.eu

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anselmi_winery/?hl=en 

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

More interviews on Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/clubhouse-ambassadors-corner/

_______________________________

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!

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 2832 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 4 of the Italianity series with Jessica Dupuy. In this episode, Jessica is in conversation with wine critic and author Michael Godel, to explore what it means to write about Italy.

Michael looks back at how his love of Italian culture began, shares how he reviews wines with WineAlign and the nuances of travelling and writing across Italy. The conversation then turns to his new book on Chianti Classico, The Next Rooster, which profiles the next generation of the region’s producers, and to the continuity of Tuscan winemaking across generations.

More about the guest:

Michael Godel is a Toronto-based wine writer, critic and partner at WineAlign.com, often known as “Godello.” He is also the Wine Director at Toronto’s Barque Smokehouse, a role he has held for 15 years, following a 25-year career in restaurants and catering. Michael has judged the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada since 2013, and in 2018 the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico named him one of its first five recipients of the Ad Honorem title of Ambasciatore. His first book, The Next Rooster: Chianti Classico’s Next Generation, tells the stories of the families shaping the region’s future.

Connect:

Website: https://godello.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgodello/?hl=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.godel.7/ 

More about the host:

Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. Her book Italianity, released this year and co-authored with Andrea Lonardi MW, explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. She also co-hosts the podcast Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/

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

More interviews on Italianity Series:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italianity-series-with-jessica-dupuy/

_______________________________

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!

Welcome to Episode 2831 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Episode 268 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc speaks with Paolo Librandi of Librandi, one of Calabria's leading family-owned wineries and a key contributor to the development of Cirò DOC.

Together, they explore Calabria's ancient Greek heritage, the philosophy behind wine, the evolution of Librandi and the region's native grape varieties, including Greco Bianco, Mantonico Bianco and Gaglioppo. The conversation also touches on local gastronomy, the region's wine culture and the growing opportunities for wine tourism.

More about the guest:

Paolo Librandi graduated in Philosophy from the State University of Milan and later completed a master's degree in Winery Management. Today, he is primarily responsible for the vineyards and international markets at Librandi, the family-owned winery founded in 1953 and based in Cirò Marina, Calabria.

Committed to promoting Calabria's indigenous grape varieties, Librandi has played an important role in raising the profile of Calabrian wines, particularly Cirò DOC. Paolo oversees the winery's relationships with markets across North America, Asia and Europe, including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and several European countries.

Connect:

Website: http://www.librandi.it 

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

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

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

Website: https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

Website: https://www.vino.co.uk

Website: https://www.quaypress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon

More interviews on Wine, Food & Travel:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/food-travel/

_______________________________

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!

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 2830 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Barbara Fitzgerald is joined by Stephanie Schlis, a Colorado-based wine specialist and Italian Wine Ambassador, to explore what American wine drinkers are really looking for and how Italian producers can connect with them.

Stephanie shares her Colorado perspective on authenticity, private labels, and the younger generation of wine consumers. They look at what new drinkers want beyond heritage and provenance, and at Italian wines beyond the classics that spark curiosity. Stephanie closes with practical tips for producers who want to enter the Colorado market.

Key Takeaways:

• What people buying wine are actually looking for.
• Demystifying the younger generation of wine drinkers.
• The best ways to connect with the American market, from a Colorado perspective.

More about the guest:

Stephanie Schlis is a wine specialist and beverage distribution professional based in the Denver metropolitan area. She holds WSET Level 3 and is an Italian Wine Ambassador through the Vinitaly International Academy. Her career spans retail at Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits in Colorado Springs, distribution at Republic National Distributing Company in Boulder, and Maverick Beverage Company. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-schlis-wset3-iwa-54897089/

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

More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald specializes in D2C marketing and business development. As 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. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara 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, she also owns and operates a boutique wine production company and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.

Connect:

Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/

More interviews on the US Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/masterclass-us-wine-market/

_______________________________

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!

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 1 the India Special Edition, a of a very exciting series of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Saloni Khanapurkar IWA is in conversation with Luca Bernardini to explore consumer consumption trends in India and how events can connect Indian drinkers with Italian wine.

Luca breaks down the free trade agreement signed between India and the EU and what it really means for the wine trade. He also shares his unique approach to wine events, which combines tastings with stand-up comedy to keep audiences engaged, along with practical tips on storing and enjoying wine. He closes with some practical ideas for the producers who wish to enter the market.

More about the host:

Saloni Khanapurkar is an Italian wine professional, educator, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of wine, culture, and India. She is India’s first and only Italian Wine Ambassador, holds WSET Level 3 in Wine, and is currently a DipWSET candidate. She has worked with Italian wineries and wine organizations across Piemonte, Tuscany, Lombardy, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, with experience spanning wine education, export consulting, communications, and cross-cultural projects. She is also one of the producers of the Italian Wine Podcast and the founder of SipSaathi, a women-first wine ecosystem focused on building education, professional opportunities, and global connections for India’s emerging wine community.

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saloni-khanapurkar/

More about the guest:

Luca Bernardini is an Italian wine and food educator based in Mumbai. He studied Philosophy and History at the University of Padua and worked with Slow Food in Italy before moving to India, where he has become a familiar presence on the Italian food and wine scene. He is a sommelier who leads wine tastings and food pairing events for audiences across India, including events organised with the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-bernardini-20705517/

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

More interviews on Asia Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/asia-wine-market-almaty-special-edition/ 

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Until next time, Cin Cin!