Italian Wine Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 2759 Part 2 – The VIA Educational Program & Italian Wine | Heart-to-Heart Conversation with Sarah Looper Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2759 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this bonus episode, Stevie Kim sits down for the second part of a heart-to-heart conversation with Sarah Looper, better known as LooperSomm.

In Part 2, Sarah shares what motivated her to take the challenging Vinitaly International Academy exam and become a certified Italian Wine Ambassador. The conversation explores the wine education paths and her deep dive into the complexities of Italian wine, the styles she loves most, and the lesser-known Italian wines she believes deserve far more attention.

More about the guest:

Professional sommelier and wine educator Sarah Looper has worked in the food and wine world for over twenty-five years. She is a graduate of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma program, an expert-level qualification covering all aspects of wine; a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators; and she is a candidate for the Master Sommelier Diploma, the highest distinction a professional can attain in fine wine and beverage service, with the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Sarah has worked in several areas of the wine industry including journalism, retail, import and distribution, winery and cellar work, wine education, and she was a wine director in restaurants for many years running innovative wine and cocktail programs where she worked closely with the chefs and pastry chefs on food and wine pairings that would blow her customers’ minds .

Sarah is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A in European History and she holds a Baking & Pastry Certificate from The Culinary Institute of America.

Connect:

Website: https://loopersomm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-looper-dipwset-9ab1577/

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

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2758 Ep. 9: Southern Rhône | Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 9 of Study Smart and Episode 2758 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 9: Southern Rhône

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!

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2757 Wine Education and Business with Frank Smulders MW & Lisa Lazzaretto IWA | Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2757 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lisa Lazzaretto IWA is joined by Frank Smulders MW to discuss his long and varied career in wine and the future of wine education.

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

More about today’s host:

Lisa Lazzaretto, PhD, is a Switzerland-based entrepreneur, wine professional, and marketing strategist. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and a Diploma in Marketing, and is the founder of Wine Mood, an e-commerce platform dedicated to curated Italian wines. An Italian Wine Ambassador and WSET Diploma holder (DipWSET), Lisa bridges academic insight with hands-on industry expertise. Her recent research focuses on neuromarketing, consumer behavior, and modern wine communication. Active across international wine fairs and competitions, she combines research, storytelling, and business innovation to connect people with Italian wine.

Connect:

Website: http://www.winemood.ch

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lazzaretto/

More about today’s guest:

Frank Smulders MW is an internationally known wine professional. He has been working in the wine business since 1985 after finishing a bachelor’s degree in motel management. In 1992 he became a Master of Wine, as one of the youngest at that time and as the second continental European.

During his career he played various roles but he is best known for his 35 year long activity in international wine education, running and creating two of the most famous restaurant wine cellars in the world (Parkhotel Vitznau and Palais Coburg), creating Russia’s best supermarket wine selection (O’Key) and consulting producers (Campo Viejo, Abadia Retuerta, Goedmakers) and distributors (Selektion Schwander, HEMA, Thiessen, Da!).

Connect:

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

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2756 Inside Vietnam’s Wine Market with Le Hoang Khanh Vi | Asia Wine Market Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2756 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova is in conversation with Le Hoang Khanh Vi, Beverage Director and Head Sommelier at Nén Restaurant (Vietnam’s first Green Michelin Star) and the Vice President of the Vietnam Sommelier Association, to explore Vietnam’s wine market.

Key learning objectives:

Understand the Structure and Evolution of the Vietnamese Wine Market: Explore Vietnam's rapidly developing wine scene, key distribution channels, consumer demographics, and the role of hospitality and tourism in shaping demand.
Identify Consumer Trends and Opportunities for Italian Wines: Discover which wine styles and regions resonate with Vietnamese consumers, how local cuisine influences wine preferences, and where Italian wines have the greatest growth potential.
Learn How Education and Sommeliers Are Shaping Vietnam's Wine Culture: Gain insights into the role of the Vietnam Sommelier Association, wine education, Michelin dining, and how producers can successfully collaborate with sommeliers and educators.

The importers mentioned by Vi:

Don Vino, Malthop, Warehouse, Cellier d'Asie, Daloc wines

The wine bars mentioned:

HCMC - MAD wine bar, MOWE wine bar, Sturmfrei Haus;
Danang: RU wine bar, Gụ Wine bar;
Hanoi - Samé wine & bistro

More about today’s guest:

Le Hoang Khanh Vi is an experienced sommelier with over a decade of expertise in wine, blending academic excellence with professional accolades. Holding a WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines (2025) and a Master’s degree in Wine and Wine Tourism from the universities of Bordeaux (France), Porto (Portugal), and Rovira i Virgili (Spain) - 2020, she was runner-up in the 2016 Best Sommelier French Wine Competition in Vietnam, ranked #10 in the 2023 All-Japan Best Sommelier Competition, and proudly represented Vietnam for the first time at the ASI World Best Sommelier Competition in Paris 2023.

As co-founder and Vice-President of the Vietnam Sommelier Association (VSA), the nation’s sole representative body, she advocates for the growth of wine culture. She also serves as a lecturer at the University of Economics and Finance (UEF), Beverage Director and Head Sommelier at Nén Restaurant (Vietnam’s first Green Michelin Star), and is an owner of NOB - Natural Owl Bar (Vietnam's first Natural wine bar).

Connect:

Website: https://restaurantnen.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanh-vi-le-hoang-msc-dipwset-832b88267/

More about the host:

Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA), Italian Wine Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since the end of 2024, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine.

Connect:

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

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

_______________________________

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

Until Next Time Cin Cin!

Ep. 2755 The Longest Table: Honoring Nello Ghezzo’s legacy | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to episode 2755 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 255 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by John Brandon for a heartfelt conversation about their mutual friend Nello Ghezzo, a well known Italian chef who passed away in 1999. In this evocative trip down memory lane, Marc and John share their recollections and reflect on the life and legacy of the popular Italian chef.

Nello Ghezzo was a popular Italian restaurateur and community figure in Topsham, Devon, England, originally from the Venetian lagoon town of Rosolina Mare. He is best remembered for founding Ristorante Italiano and inspiring major charitable traditions in his memory following his death from cancer in 1999.

More about today’s guest:

John Brandon is a retired deputy head teacher who worked in secondary education in Exeter, England and Auckland, New Zealand. His original love was food and, after a year of voluntary work in the South Pacific, he enrolled in catering college. His career however took a different path but that passion for cooking was rekindled when he met Nello Ghezzo, a chef from Venice who had opened an Italian restaurant in Topsham, Devon. This is their story, of friendship, food, wine, and cycling.

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

https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

https://www.vino.co.uk

https://www.quaypress.com

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

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

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2754 Introducing New Co-Host Marissa Muoio | Masterclass US Wine Market Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2754 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this Bonus Episode of Masterclass US Wine Market, Stevie Kim, Barbara Fitzgerald and Juliana Colangelo and joined by the show’s new co-host, Marissa Muoio.

More about Marissa Muoio:

Equal parts wine geek and storyteller, Marissa Muoio turns up the volume on the Italian Wine Podcast as a host of the Masterclass US Wine Market series! Marissa’s love affair with Italian wine started with a simple realization: behind every bottle of Nebbiolo, Brunello, or Fiano is a wild story of ancient history, passionate families, and incredible food pairings. But getting those stories onto American tables takes strategy.

In the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa bridges the gap between Italian cellars and the American trade. She brings high energy, sharp questions, and plenty of laughs while chatting with top industry insiders, sommeliers, and importers on the East Coast. When she’s not in front of the mic geeking out over volcanic soils and forgotten appellations, you’ll usually find Marissa on the hunt for the perfect plate of pasta, road-testing new wine bars, or swirling something new with friends. Her ultimate motto? No acqua, solo vino.

Connect:

Website: http://linktr.ee/marissamuoio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissamuoio/c

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-muoio/

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2753 Part 1 – Changing How America Learns about Wine | Heart-to-Heart Conversation with Sarah Looper Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2753 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this bonus episode, Stevie Kim sits down for a heart-to-heart conversation with Sarah Looper, better known as LooperSomm.

In Part 1 of their conversation, Sarah—recently certified as a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador—shares her journey as a sommelier at il Buco NYC and a wine educator dedicated to making wine approachable, engaging, and unpretentious. Together, they discuss her passion for changing how Americans learn about wine and the importance of making wine education more accessible, confidence-building, and fun.

More about the guest:

Sarah is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A in European History and she holds a Baking & Pastry Certificate from The Culinary Institute of America.

Connect:

Website: https://loopersomm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-looper-dipwset-9ab1577/

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

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2752 Ep. 8: Northern Rhône | Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 8 of Study Smart and Episode 2752 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 8: Northern Rhône

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.

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

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2751 From Montalcino to Kazakhstan with Francesca Arquint of Collemattoni | Asia Wine Market Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2751 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova is in conversation with Francesca Arquint from Collemattoni winery in Montalcino. Together, they explore the history and philosophy of this family-owned winery, Collemattoni’s experience at the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow, and the opportunities they see in the Kazakhstani market. They also discuss how boutique wineries build successful export partnerships through trusted importers, education, and long-term collaboration.

Key learning objectives:

Discover Collemattoni and the Family Behind the Wines
Explore the Opportunities for Italian Wine in Kazakhstan.
Understand How Boutique Wineries Build International Partnerships.

More about today’s guest:

Francesca Arquint is a winemaker with an international background. Alongside her husband Marcello Bucci she runs the Collemattoni winery in Montalcino. Collemattoni is located on a hilltop on the south side of the municipal area of Montalcino. The wine cellar is an enchanting place from where the majestic countryside that extends from Sant’Angelo in Colle to the sea can be admired.

Connect:

Website: https://www.collemattoni.it/home-eng.php

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

More about the host:

Connect:

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

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

_______________________________

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

Until Next Time Cin Cin!

Ep. 2750 Planeta Winery: Discovering Sicily’s Marine Wines with Patricia Toth & Stephanie Johnson IWE | Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2750 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Stephanie Johnson IWE is joined by Patricia Tóth of the Planeta winery to discuss her role at the winery, the native grapes that are grown in the corner of Sicily, and the enduring characteristics of Sicily’s marine wines.

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

More about today’s host:

As well as being a certified Italian Wine Expert (IWE), Stephanie Johnson holds a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. Her wine career spans the journalism, retail and restaurant sectors. She joined Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2013 and later served as Italian Wine Editor from 2016 to 2024. Stephanie has judged at international competitions such as the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in Bordeaux and 5StarWines – the Book in Verona. She has led masterclasses for top sommeliers in New York City and presented at major industry events including Vinitaly and wine2wine Business Forum in Verona. A passionate educator, she teaches WSET Level 2, Level 3, and Diploma courses at NYC’s International Wine Center. Her upcoming venture, SteepleJack, will spotlight the heroic stories of Italian wine producers, blending deep expertise with compelling storytelling.

Connect:

Website: https://steeplejackwine.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-johnson-dws-b0a0121a/

More about today’s guest:

Patricia Tóth was born in Hungary. She attended the Corvinus University of Budapest where she gained an MSc in Food Engineering specializing in wine, beer and spirits. Having a particular love for vines she began to work as a winemaker, gaining experience in wine cellars such as Le Vigne di Zamò Friuli, Bava in Piemonte and Vylyan in Hungary. She has been collaborating with Planeta since 2005, first responsible for Planeta’s Buonivini and Dorilli cellars, after coordinating the startup of the new estates in Capo Milazzo – and Mount Etna. She is a member of the company’s Business Intelligence Team, covering the technical support in PR activities, and part of the Operative Table in SOStain (Foundation for the Regional Sustainable Agriculture Program). In between times, Patricia produces white grapes such as Furmint and Rieslings near Lake Balaton in her own 4-hectare vineyard.

Connect:

Website: https://www.planeta.it/en/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/t%C3%B3th-patricia-1571428a/

_______________________________

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!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected