The wine world is changing—and if you're drinking the same way you did five years ago, you're missing something.

In this episode, we dive into the 2026 wine trends behind a quiet but powerful shift in how people drink today. Prestige labels and power wines are losing ground to lighter, fresher, more drinkable styles chosen for real life—not status. Heavy reds aren't disappearing, but they are being rethought, chilled, and replaced by wines that feel better at the table and easier to live with.

We explore why crisp whites now outsell reds, how chillable reds and "bistro wines" became mainstream, and why forgotten categories like Marsala, sweet wines, and everyday bubbles are making an unexpected return. You'll hear how climate change, health awareness, sustainability, and rising prices are reshaping taste—and why value hunting has gone global, from Southern Italy to Greece and Portugal.

This conversation also looks at low-ABV and no-ABV wines as part of intentional drinking rather than abstinence, and how celebrity influence and storytelling are changing the way people discover wine.

If your wine preferences have shifted—or you're curious why the rules suddenly feel different—this episode will explain what's really going on. Wine in 2026 is lighter, colder, more affordable, and more human.

This week's podcast episode is a re-release from two years ago, but the story it tells remains timeless. It explores the deep roots of Carnival in Verona, why gnocchi are inseparable from the celebration, what locals eat and drink during Carnival season, what else to see while you're in town, and how easy it is to pair Verona with a quick day trip to nearby Venice. When people think of Verona, the first images are often Shakespearean: Romeo and Juliet, the small balcony in the historic center, and the romance that clings to the city's stones. Others think immediately of wine—Valpolicella, Amarone, Soave—some of the Veneto's most celebrated bottles produced just beyond the city.

But every winter, another identity takes center stage. Carnival in Verona transforms the city into a living expression of history, food, and neighborhood pride, and it does so earlier and longer than most Carnival celebrations in Italy.

Liguria Italy is often reduced to a handful of famous images: pastel houses clinging to cliffs, glamorous yachts bobbing in Portofino, hikers threading their way between the villages of the Cinque Terre. But as this conversation on my Flavor of Italy podcast reveals, Liguria Italy is far richer, deeper, and more nuanced than its postcard reputation suggests.

In this episode, I spoke with Anna Merulla, co-founder of Beautiful Liguria, a locally based travel company created to tell the story of Liguria Italy from the inside out. What emerges is a portrait of a region that rewards curiosity, slower travel, and a willingness to step beyond the obvious.

L'Aquila, Abruzzo — a place many people still don't seem to know about, but one that carries one of the most important cultural stories in Italy right now: this year the city holds the special title of Italy's 2026 Italian Capital of Culture!

Bologna food has a way of pulling people in quietly and then never quite letting go. It isn't flashy, it doesn't shout, and it doesn't rely on trends. Instead, Bologna food reveals itself through repetition: the rhythm of fresh pasta made by hand every morning, the clink of glasses in a neighborhood osteria, the steady hum of markets that have fed the city for centuries. That is exactly what emerged in my recent podcast conversation with Andrea Chierici, the founder of Taste Bologna.

If you've ever wished you could taste more deeply, pick up subtle flavors in wine, or understand why certain foods work beautifully together, you're not alone. The idea of improving how we taste has captured the curiosity of cooks, wine lovers, and travelers worldwide. It's the perfect moment to embrace the idea of how to train your palate, and perhaps even make it your New Year's resolution. Imagine entering the coming year with a heightened appreciation for food, wine, and ingredients—and the skills to pair them more confidently.

Discover why Passito di Pantelleria is one of Italy's most extraordinary wines—a liquid expression of sun, wind, and volcanic rock. Helen describes drinking it as "holding a Mediterranean sunset in your glass," and in this episode you'll find out exactly why.

We explore the ancient Zibibbo grape, the heroic sun-drying tradition that shapes every bottle, and the rugged island landscape that makes this wine unlike any other. You'll also learn how to serve Passito in surprising ways, from classic sweet pairings to bold savory combinations that reveal an entirely new side of this luminous island wine.

Every week on the Flavor of Italy Podcast, we explore the food, wine, history, landscapes, and everyday stories that shape life in Italy. But every now and then, a moment calls for reflection — and today is one of those days.

Because today, Tuesday, November 25, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It's a global day of awareness and remembrance, but here in Italy it carries deep cultural, social, and historical significance.

And yet this week is also Thanksgiving week — a time of cooking, gathering, connection, and gratitude, especially for my listeners in the United States. So today's post brings both worlds together: reflection and celebration, activism and nourishment, Italy and the Thanksgiving table.

AND My Italian Winter Table Recipe E-Book Is Here!

This episode is a special re-release of one of my most engaging and talked-about podcast conversations ever—an unforgettable look into true farm-to-table life in northern Tuscany.

James Martin brings to life one of his richest memories: a homestyle pig butchering carried out with his dear friend Armando in the most unassuming of places—Armando's mother's garage. Armando has since passed away, but the spirit of this story, and the tradition it captures, lives on as one of James's best.

James describes how he, Armando, and a handful of local men gathered at dawn, working shoulder-to-shoulder to break down the pig and transform it into an astonishing array of Tuscan specialties in the span of a single morning. He shares memories of Armando's skill, the camaraderie of the day, and the incredible lineup of pork delicacies they created: velvety sausages, rich head cheese, and the celebrated Lardo di Colonnata.

If you've ever wondered what happens when classic Italian-American comfort food intersects with modern creativity, look no further than Italianish by Danny Freeman. The term Italianish perfectly captures what Danny stands for: dishes rooted in Italian and Italian-American traditions but expressed with a playful, contemporary twist. His food is not bound by rules but inspired by heritage, simplicity, and joy.

The shape of your wine glass isn't just decorative—it actively affects aroma, taste, texture, and even how your guests perceive the wine.

This year, make sure that when the cork pops and the wine pours, you're not just enjoying the bottles—you're enhancing the moment by choosing the right wine glass shape. This fun and insightful podcast conversation - (and video soon to be on the Flavor of Italy YouTube channel) - with sommelier and Italian wine expert Cynthia Chaplin, shares the key take-aways so your table shines and your sip delivers with just the right glass this holiday season.