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 
 
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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:
 
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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. 2464 Matt Irwin IWA interviews Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi | Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner

Welcome to episode 2462 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 208 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is the leading Italian wine sommelier Nicoletta Gargiulo.
 
More about today’s guest:

Nicoletta Gargiulo has built an extraordinary career in wine and fine dining. A professional sommelier since 2002, she worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in sommelier roles before winning the AIS (Associazione Italiana Sommelier) Regional Competition in May 2007 and later the prestigious Italian Sommelier Competition in October of the same year. From 2010 to 2022, she served three consecutive terms as President of AIS Campania while also teaching as a wine educator since 2005. Today, she continues her leadership as an AIS National Councilor. In April 2024, together with her husband, chef Luigi Tramontano, she opened her own restaurant, which was awarded one Michelin Star by November 2024.

Connect:
Website: https://www.aiscampania.it/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gargiulo_nicoletta/ 
 
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, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age.
Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. His other notable works include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, and Wine: A Global History.
In addition to his writing, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy and France in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. Since 2021, he has also been the engaging host of the “Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon” series on the Italian Wine Podcast. 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:
 
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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!
 
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. 2462 Nicoletta Gargiulo of AIS Campania | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

Welcome to Episode 2463 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of IWP On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is in conversation with Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of UIV (the Italian Wine Union) and President of the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi group. They discuss the recent developments on the long-awaited EU–Mercosur trade agreement, aimed at unlocking trade between the EU and South American bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay).

More about today’s guest: 

Lamberto Frescobaldi is President of the Italian Wine Union, having been reappointed to the role by the UIV General Assembly on 3 July 2025. Founded in 1895, the union represents over 800 member companies, accounting for 50% of total wine revenue in Italy and more than 85% of Italian wine export revenue. Frescobaldi’s new three-year term begins at a crucial time for the sector, amid global challenges, structural transformations, and the commitment to competitively innovate the entire wine ecosystem. 
Lamberto represents the 30th generation to lead Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi, whose holdings include the prestigious Ornellaia and Masseto estates, as well as various wineries around Tuscany and an estate in Friuli. He studied at Davis in California, the leading university in the world for the wine business, joining the family business in 1989 and taking over as president in 2013. 

Connect:  
Website (UIV): https://www.unioneitalianavini.it/ 
Website (Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi): https://www.frescobaldi.com/en/ 

More about the host: 

Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & Communication Expert, Brand Positioning Specialist, and Public Speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale.
The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series.
Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods!

Connect: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/
Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/ 

_______________________________

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!

Ep. 2463 ​​Lamberto Frescobaldi | On the Road with Stevie Kim

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!


Ep. 2465 Kevin Day | Book Club with Richard Hough

Cinema #12

A reflective sketch in the Cinematic series—this piece drifts into atmospheric space, less groove and more mood. At just over two minutes, “#12” feels like a moment from an unseen film: spacious, subtle, and evocative.

Cinema #12

losing our mind (bonus track)

siento que muero (bonus track)

She know's

de lo mio

ni cabida

(creador)
producer/dj/composer/clothing designer/dressmaker/stylist/editor/director

The Italian Wine Podcast is a storytelling project dedicated to the fascinating world of Italian wine. New episodes are published every day – so stay tuned!
With more grape varieties and more diverse grape growing regions than any other country in the world, the story of Italian wine is a rich and captivating one. 
While the popularity of Italian wine continues to grow in every corner of the globe, inspired by a deep affection for the Italian way of life, the Italian Wine Podcast seeks to entertain, educate and inform. Embracing Italian food, travel, lifestyle and culture, IWP has something for every taste!

I’m Randy Addy — a Southern California-based artist blending  sculptural rhythms with lo-fi electronic textures. I create cinematic sketches built for drift, mood, and visual storytelling.

This page features works-in-progress, ambient cues, and audio fragments from my Mohave Surfs Studio — a living project in sound and space.

New tracks tagged #Visual