Italian Wine Podcast

• Ep. 2468 Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Tyler Balliet of Rebel School of Wine | Masterclass US Wine Market

  Welcome to Episode 2468 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Tyler Balliet of Rebel School of Wine, an entrepreneur, author, and innovator who has been reshaping how consumers experience wine. Key Takeaways: Using storytelling over education — focus on narratives, not lectures. Building confidence by making people feel comfortable with wine. Creating fun, engaging, and memorable experiences for consumers. More about the guest:  Tyler Balliet is an entrepreneur, author, and journalist who has been reshaping the wine industry since 2006. She is the author of Rebel School of Wine, nominated for a 2025 James Beard Book Award. Tyler created Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot, two groundbreaking wine experiences that drew more than half a million guests and redefined how a new generation connects with wine. A former Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 honoree, she has judged international wine competitions, traveled extensively through global wine regions, and appeared in outlets like the New York Times, LA Times, CNN, ABC News, and Good Morning America. Known for blending history, culture, and bold storytelling, she has spent nearly two decades making wine more accessible, inclusive, and fun for everyone. Tyler lives in New York City’s Chinatown with her partner. Connect:  Website: https://rebelschoolofwine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerballiet LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerballiet/ More about the host: With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a 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. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now 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, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarajeanfitz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/ Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/  _______________________________ 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  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!

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• Ep. 2467 McKenna Cassidy interviews Charlotte Aondio of Giovani Enoici | Next Generation

  Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2467 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In today’s show McKenna Cassidy interviews the Italian oenologist and wine communicator, Charlotte Aondio.   More about today’s guest:  Charlotte Aondio is an Italian enologist and communicator passionate about giving voice to the new generation of wine professionals. During the first year of her Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology, she founded Giovani Enoici, a podcast that tells the stories, challenges, and dreams of young people shaping the future of wine. Her work combines technical expertise with empathy and curiosity, bridging the gap between vineyards, wineries, and communication. Charlotte has collaborated with consulting firms, wineries, and educational projects, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and storytelling. She believes that wine is not only a product, but also culture, community, and dialogue — and she strives to create connections that inspire both professionals and consumers. Connect:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinellante/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-aondio/  More about the host: McKenna found her love of wine while serving in a Napa Valley tasting room. She later graduated from the University of Notre Dame and pursued wine on the East Coast with E. & J. Gallo Winery. She has worked in wine distribution for restaurants and luxury retail stores for the past three years. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, McKenna is a Certified Specialist of Wine (2021), Certified Sommelier (2022), and Italian Wine Ambassador (2023). She loves country swing dancing, hosting brunch parties, and sipping Italian wine. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckennacassidy/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenna-cassidy-cs-csw-66baa412b/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mckennacassidy _______________________________ 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  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

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• Ep. 2466 Jessica Dupuy interviews Amanda McCrossin | TEXSOM 2025

  Welcome to Episode 2466 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews sommelier and wine content creator Amanda McCrossin at TEXSOM 2025. This episode focuses on social media content creation, including where to start,  imposter syndrome, choosing content and paid content. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. More about today’s guest: Amanda McCrossin is a certified sommelier, wine personality, podcast host, and wine-focused content creator on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. With over 500k followers across  platforms, Amanda has been called “one of the most influential creators” in the wine community creating wine-focused, relatable content to help consumers via her @sommvivant channels. A 10+ year veteran in the industry, Amanda spent the majority of her career as a sommelier in NYC and California. Perhaps most notably, Amanda helmed the wine list at PRESS Restaurant in Napa Valley as both sommelier and  wine director, overseeing the world’s largest, deepest restaurant collection of all Napa Valley wines in the world  thusly earning her reputation as an expert on the region. She has been featured by Food & Wine Magazine, Decanter, Food Network, San Francisco Chronicle, on the cover of SOMM Journal and Wine Enthusiast who named her a Wine Star nominee for 'Sommelier of the Year.' Today, in addition to her career as a wine content creator and host of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast, Amanda is a contributor at Wine Enthusiast, the resident wine expert for Crate & Barrel, and a regular speaker around the world at various festivals and events including the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, Baha Mar Food and Wine, Premiere Napa Valley, World of Pinot Noir, and Wine2Wine in Verona, Italy. Connect: Website: https://www.amandamccrossin.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sommvivant/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/amandamccrossinsommvivant  More about today’s 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 forthcoming book, Italianity, with co-author Andrea Lonardi MW explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. (Release Spring 2026). She also co-hosts 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/#    _______________________________ 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  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

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• Ep. 2465 Kevin Day | Book Club with Richard Hough

  Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2465 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Kevin Day, discussing his new book, Opening a Bottle: Italy Stories from the Heart of Italian Wine and 100 Wines to Admire.  In a wide-ranging conversation, Richard and Kevin discuss Kevin’s career in wine, the local wine scene in Colorado, the stories behind some of the remarkable Italian winemakers Kevin has encountered, and the challenges of self-publishing, as well as taking a deep dive into some of the “heroic” wine regions featured in Kevin’s book, including Etna. Kevin also explains the thinking behind his choice of Italy’s 100 most compelling wines. On the bookshelf: The books and authors discussed in today’s show include:  Opening a Bottle: Italy Stories from the Heart of Italian Wine and 100 Wines to Admire by Kevin Day. Available now at: https://www.openingabottle.com/. In the glass: The wine Kevin described in his third reading was La Marca di San Michele “Passolento” Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva from Le Marche.  About today’s guest:  Kevin Day is a wine writer and photographer and the founder of www.openingabottle.com. He has passed the Wine Scholar Guild's Italian Wine Scholar and French Wine Scholar exams, both with Highest Honors. In 2019, he was shortlisted as the "Emerging Wine Writer of the Year" by the Louis Roederer Wine Writers' Awards. He has also been twice nominated for the Millesima Blog Awards in the Wine Reporter category. Opening a Bottle was also nominated for "Best Individual Blog" by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 2019, and Kevin was once again acknowledged by the IACP as a Finalist in the Best Narrative Beverage Writing category in 2024. He is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. He is based in Denver, Colorado, where he conducts his monthly online wine classes with subscribers, and where he lives with his wife, Hailey and two daughters. Connect:  Website: https://www.openingabottle.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openingabottle/    More about the host: Richard Hough is the editor, translator and project curator behind Wine Democracy and Vine and Prejudice. He has also published several books about life in Verona, chronicling the city’s history, culture and daily life, not forgetting, of course, its wine! With a long-standing passion for whisky and beer, he’s a relative newcomer to the world of wine and is now desperately trying to make up for lost time! He is the host of Book Club on the Italian Wine Podcast. Connect: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rickhough.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verona_campione  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhough/ _______________________________ 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  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

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• Ep. 2464 Matt Irwin IWA interviews Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi of Rocca di Montegrossi from Gaiole in Chianti Classico | Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner

  Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2464 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Matt Irwin IWA interviews Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi of Rocca di Montegrossi from Gaiole in Chianti Classico. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Gain a deeper understanding of the history of Chianti Classico and the legacy of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family. Explore the current estate of Rocca di Montegrossi, including the opportunities and challenges of managing the historic “San Marcellino” vineyard. Examine how shifting environmental, economic, and industry dynamics are shaping viticulture, winemaking, and future directions for Chianti Classico. More about our Co-host:  Matt Irwin grew up in Brisbane, Australia and graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Hospitality Management before moving to Europe to work as a Tour Manager for Contiki Holidays. It was whilst living in Venice and leading tours throughout Europe that his love for wine began. Moving to Calgary, Canada in 2005 with his Canadian wife, he started selling some of Italian greatest wines to Canada’s best restaurants and wine shops. Returning to Australia in 2012, he spent 11 years working for the leading Australian Italian wine importer, Trembath and Taylor, where he championed many of Italy’s greatest growers and winemakers. Recently taking a position as Business Development for Australia & New Zealand with the Wine & Spirits Education Trust to follow his passion for wine education. He is currently a Stage 2 Master of Wine Student with a motto of Never Stop Learning and, most importantly, was awarded the Italian Wine Ambassador in April 2023. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipwine/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-irwin-8b057533 More about today’s guest:   Rocca di Montegrossi is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, in the town of Monti in Chianti, within the municipality of Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany. The winery is situated near the Romanesque church of San Marcellino, in an area characterized by rolling hills, limestone soils, and an altitude ranging from 340 to 510 meters above sea level. The fortress Rocca di Montegrossi was established by Geremia, founder of the Ricasoli Firidolfi family, during the Longobard period (VII-VIII Centuries AD). It is strategically located, dominating much of Chianti and the Valdarno Superiore, and has had an adventurous, rich, and at times dramatic history. The estate produces two Chianti Classicos, both based on Sangiovese. To increase the complexity of the wines, two indigenous complementary varietals are added: Canaiolo and Pugnitello. Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi, the current owner, personally oversees all the operations in the vineyards. Connect:  Website: https://roccadimontegrossi.it/en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roccadimontegrossi/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoccadiMontegrossi/?locale=it_IT  _______________________________  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  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  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!

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