Welcome to Episode 2606 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the second episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico with Professor Attilio Scienza! This series, recorded in Italian, invites listeners to discover the deep roots of Italian viticulture.
Episode 2: Dalla Rivoluzione dei Vitigni alle Vie dei Pellegrini
This episode is a true oenological journey—a pellegrinaggio enoico led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim.
The narrative winds its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. In this pellegrinaggio enoico, topics such as genetics, morphology, climate change, and the concept of viticulture vocation come together to tell the story of our grape varieties and their inextricable bond with the territory.
Expect amazing stories, random digressions, curious anecdotes, and a new way of thinking about wine. Join us on this unique pellegrinaggio enoico (wine pilgrimage) with Professor Attilio Scienza to explore the cultural heritage of Italy.
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 and his contribution to the pellegrinaggio enoico series, 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. 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 like this pellegrinaggio enoico.
Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/
Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp
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Until next time, Cin Cin!
Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek 🙂
What is “Pellegrinaggio Enoico”?
“Pellegrinaggio Enoico,” meaning wine pilgrimage, is a narrative concept that frames wine exploration as a journey through landscapes, history, and identity. In this episode, it represents both a literal and symbolic path, connecting the routes of medieval pilgrims with the historical dissemination of vine varieties, emphasizing that wine culture evolved alongside human travel and exchange.
How does genetics shape wine?
Genetics determines how grape varieties respond to soil, climate, altitude, and human cultivation methods. Professor Scienza explains that understanding DNA mapping and vine lineage helps clarify why certain grapes thrive in specific regions and produce distinctive aromas, structures, and aging potential, reinforcing the scientific foundation of terroir.
How did vines spread in Italy?
Vines spread across Italy through trade routes, monastic networks, agricultural experimentation, and population movements over centuries. The episode emphasizes that grape diffusion was not random but influenced by geography, climate corridors, and socio-economic exchanges, resulting in localized adaptations and regional wine identities.
