Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Episode 2388 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian.   Today’s question comes from Claudia Stern.   Today’s question(s):  🇬🇧What I learned from you is that the future of wine is based on relationships and on a deeper more honest connection to place.  Maybe Etna is the place to learn the most, because the volcano is speaking to us?  🇮🇹Quello che ho imparato da te è che il futuro del vino si basa sulle relazioni e su un legame più profondo e autentico con il territorio. Forse l’Etna è il luogo da cui possiamo imparare di più, perché è il vulcano stesso a parlarci?   More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti.  He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff! To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit:https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/    If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler: 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!   Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek :)

Welcome to Episode 2387 and the ninth episode of the new special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Elena Shtepa of Vintage Bishkek. This episode focuses on Kyrgyzstan.   Key Learning Objectives:   Understand the evolution of wine culture and consumer awareness in Kyrgyzstan Learn about the import and distribution landscape  Identify current trends, gaps and opportunities in Kyrgyzstan’s wine market    Asia Wine Market is a new podcast series from the Italian Wine Podcast that explores the fast-growing wine markets across Asia. Designed for wine professionals, importers, and producers, the series highlights regional trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities for Italian wine exports.   Through 10 exclusive episodes, this series offers insights from key industry players and builds up to the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strategic event connecting Italian wineries with Central Asian wine importers, sommeliers, and distributors. Whether you're looking to enter the wine market or expand your brand presence in Central Asia, this series is your starting point.   Today’s guest: Elena Shtepa is one of the key figures shaping wine culture in Kyrgyzstan. She is a WSET Level 3 certified wine specialist, co-owner of the VINTAGE wine restaurant chain (4 venues), and CEO of IWINE, the first sommelier school in the country. Together with her family, she runs “Enoteca”, Kyrgyzstan’s wine import company, which was inspired after a journey through Italy. There, among vineyards and local winemakers, the family discovered that wine in Italy is something more than drink. It’s about family, tradition, emotion, and the art of tasteful living. So “Enoteca” company has a mission: not just to import bottles, but to build a wine culture in Kyrgyzstan. Today, Enoteca’s portfolio is about 70% Italian wines, and Elena leads projects that train the next generation of wine professionals, nurture local taste, and make wine a meaningful, joyful part of everyday life.  Connect: Website: https://www.bishkek.wine/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shtttepa/profilecard/?igsh=MXN1MmppcXdoYnRzbQ==    Today’s 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 late last year, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine.   Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roza.zharmukhambetova Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vin_enrose/ 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  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!

Welcome to episode 2386 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 196 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Carlo Cavicchioli of Castel Faglia winery, the winner winery of BEST ITALIAN WINE – BANCO BPM TROPHY for 5StarWines - the Book.   More about today’s guest: Castel Faglia winery was established in 1989 in Calino, a hamlet of Cazzago San Martino. The winery, named after the castle of its former owner, Colonel Umberto Faglia, is located at 300 meters above sea level, in the heart of Franciacorta. In 2010, the Cavicchioli family took full ownership of the winery. Castel Faglia’s Brut Rosé Millesimato Cuvée Monogram 2016 won the 5StarWines – the Book 2025 Best Italian Wine. Connect Website: https://www.castelfaglia.it/en/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castelfaglia/    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:   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!   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 2385 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Russ Lorber, founder of Wide Roots, LLC.    Key takeaways:   Understanding the DC Metro market How important is the concept of agility in this kind of business?  Thoughts about the new US tariffs    More about the guest:  Russ is certified by Vinitaly International Academy as an Italian Wine Ambassador. He is also the subject of Wine Hunter, a documentary that follows his journey launching Wide Roots and his travels through the vineyards of Italy. Connect: Website: https://www.widerootsllc.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russlorber/  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!

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2384 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Giulia Stocchetti interviews the team from Cascina Elena, Filippo and Eugenio.   More about today’s guests:  Cascina Elena was founded in 2020 in a small natural amphitheater in Rocchetta Belbo, Alta Langa. Here it produces grapes and makes wine directly according to the dictates of organic farming. The vineyards cover just over four hectares, all clustered in a single plot adjacent to the winery and surrounded by forest.  The winery philosophy is to accompany the vines in their most natural expression, intervening minimally where necessary. Connect:  Website: https://cascinaelena.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cascinaelena16?igsh=bTFlZjNrNmFwbGFl&utm_source=qr  More about the host:    Giulia is an AIS Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. She has 360° experience in the cella, harvesting, tasting and teaching. Enthusiastic communicator of wine, she believes every bottle is a small universe to discover and her slogan in “sharing wine means love”. She’s passionate about terroir wine made with autochthonous grape varieties and constantly looking for them and their small producers. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinesoulgirl/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giulia.caravaggi/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulia-stocchetti-caravaggi-58a54ab0/ _______________________________   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!

Welcome to Episode 2383 of the Italian Wine Podcast On the Road Edition, 5 things about Bordeaux wineries, Part 3.   In this special On the Road Edition, Stevie Kim is in Bordeaux visiting some of the region’s most iconic wineries and discovering five must know facts about them. The three iconic Bordeaux wineries on Stevie’s itinerary are CHATEAU CLIMENS CHATEAU DROISY-VEDRINES CHATEAU COUHINS 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 and 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 also frequently joins Professor Attilio Scienza on his shows—helping keep our beloved professor in check! 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!

Welcome to Episode 2382 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian.   Today’s question comes from Giorgia.   Today’s question(s):  🇬🇧 Wine quality is deeply tied to human sensory perception and cultural context, yet AI is now being used to analyze vast datasets on terroir, fermentation, and even consumer preferences. Do you believe AI has the potential to redefine how we understand and classify wine styles, or will there always be an element of human intuition and tradition that technology cannot replicate? 🇮🇹 La qualità del vino è strettamente legata alla percezione sensoriale umana ed al contesto culturale, eppure si sta utilizzando l’intelligenza artificiale per analizzare molti set di dati sul terroir, sulla fermentazione e persino sulle preferenze del consumatore. Lei crede che l’intelligenza artificiale abbia il potenziale di ridefinire la nostra concezione e la classificazione dei diversi stili di vino, o ci sarà sempre un elemento di intuizione umana e di tradizione che la tecnologia non potrà replicare?    More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti.  He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff! To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit:https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/    If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler: 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!   Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek :)

Welcome to Episode 2381 and the eighth episode of the special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Alexandr Averianov of Champagne Wine Gallery.   Key Learning Objectives: Understand Champagne Wine Group’s import strategy and how Italian wines are positioned within their portfolio. Explore how Champagne Wine Group engages consumers through its restaurant, retail store, and wine education programs. Learn how a sommelier sells and positions Italian wines in a premium restaurant setting. Asia Wine Market is a new podcast series from the Italian Wine Podcast that explores the fast-growing wine markets across Asia. Designed for wine professionals, importers, and producers, the series highlights regional trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities for Italian wine exports.   Through 10 exclusive episodes, this series offers insights from key industry players and builds up to the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strategic event connecting Italian wineries with Central Asian wine importers, sommeliers, and distributors. Whether you're looking to enter the wine market or expand your brand presence in Central Asia, this series is your starting point.   Today’s guest: Alexandr Averianov is a certified sommelier with over 15 years of experience in the wine and hospitality industry. He began his career in Moscow, working in some of the city’s top fine dining restaurants while pursuing formal wine education at the Enotria Wine School. For the past decade, Alexandr has been based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he serves as Head Sommelier for a prominent hospitality group. This dynamic group includes an importing company, a wine school, and Champagne Wine Gallery—the largest wine store in Central Asia. The gallery not only showcases their own imports but also offers a curated selection from other importers, making it a hub for wine lovers in the region. In addition to his work as a consultant for Champagne Wine Gallery, Alexandr oversees the wine programs at two of the group’s flagship fine dining restaurants—Abay and Inzhu—both located in the scenic Koktobe area and known for their refined takes on traditional and Asian fusion cuisines. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averianovalexandr/    Today’s 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 late last year, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine.   Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roza.zharmukhambetova Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vin_enrose/ 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  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!

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2380 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. Today Richard is in conversation with Jessica Dupuy, the Texas-based writer, educator, and consultant, specializing in wine, spirits, food, and travel.   Amongst other things, the conversation covers Jessica’s career in wine writing, the cuisine of the American south, the thriving Texas wine scene, her forthcoming writing project with Italian Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi, and the potential impact of tariffs on the domestic and international wine market.   On the bookshelf:   Amongst the items discussed in today’s show were:    To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor  A Season for That by Steve Hoffmann A History of Philadelphia Sandwiches by Mike Madaio Another Bottle Down podcast Forbes Magazine, How Tariffs Could Make American Wine And Spirits More Expensive: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicadupuy/2025/03/14/why-wine-and-spirits-tariffs-are-bad-for-american-business/  About today’s guest: Jessica Dupuy is a Texas-based writer, educator, and consultant, specializing in wine, spirits, food, and travel. Her work features in notable publications such as Decanter, Forbes, Texas Monthly, Food & Wine, Imbibe, GuildSomm, SevenFifty Daily, VinePair, and Wine Enthusiast. She also  co-hosts the wine-focused podcast, Another Bottle Down.  In 2022, she earned a Diploma in Wine from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (DipWSET). She is also a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators.  In addition to written projects, she works with specific brands to help tell their story and project their presence into the global market. Connect: Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicandupuy/#  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/    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/ricksnotesfromverona  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!

Welcome to episode 2379 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 195 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Steve Edwards, operations director of Lympstone Manor Hotel, Restaurant and Vineyard.   More about today’s guest: Originally from Sydney Australia, Steve Edwards emigrated with his family to the UK when he was a teenager. He studied food preparation and food service at Newton College of Further Education before joining the RAF's catering squadron. After leaving the armed forces he came to Devon in 1987 to join the team at Gidleigh Park. Steve worked closely with Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park to achieve and maintain 2 Michelin stars, helping to deliver service and hospitality of the highest calibre, and developing his knowledge and passion for wine, working and maintaining one of the best cellars in the UK. In 2002, Steve took some time away from work to further his knowledge of wine, travelling extensively and visiting wineries and producers in France, Spain, Australia and the United States, working a full vintage at Chateau Routas in Provence. On his return to the UK in 2003, he joined up again with Michael as the Food and Beverage Manager for the Michael Caines Restaurant at the Royal Clarence. When ABode Hotels was formed by Michael and Andrew Brownsword, Steve was an instrumental member of the management team as Head of Group Services, responsible for general service standards within the ABode hotel group and for ensuring that Michael's unique 'service with style' was delivered in all of his numerous outlets. From 2012 - 2014 Steve was Group Operations Manager for Andrew Brownswords Hotels. Connect Website: https://lympstonemanor.co.uk/    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:   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!   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