Welcome to Episode 2613 of the Italian Wine Podcast and the third episode of Pellegrinaggio Enoico con Professore Attilio Scienza! This series is recorded in Italian and represents the ultimate journey for any wine lover.
Episode 3: Quando l’Italia imparò a fare il vino.
A true pellegrinaggio enoico (oenological pilgrimage) led by Professor Attilio Scienza in the company of Stevie Kim, winding its way across the peninsula, following ancient Roman roads, paths of faith, and historical itineraries. 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 with Professor Attilio Scienza and explore the roots of Italian viticulture.
More about Professor Scienza:
Professor Attilio Scienza is the scientific heart of our pellegrinaggio enoico. He 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, his expertise makes every stop of this pellegrinaggio enoico a masterclass in oenology.
To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: Vinitaly – Attilio Scienza
If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler:
Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & Communication Expert and the driving force behind the Pellegrinaggio Enoico series. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, and wine2wine Business Forum.
The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible. 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, continuing her personal pellegrinaggio enoico by visiting wineries and interviewing producers to bring us great Pods!
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 🙂
Why does Italy have so many grape varieties?
Italy’s extraordinary number of native grape varieties is the result of centuries of localized adaptation and preservation. Because different communities cultivated vines suited to their specific climates and soils, genetic diversity flourished rather than being replaced by uniformity. The episode explains how this historical fragmentation ultimately became one of Italy’s greatest strengths in the modern wine world.
Did the Romans shape Italian wine?
Yes, the Romans played a fundamental role in structuring vineyard systems, improving agricultural techniques, and spreading viticulture throughout their territories. The episode explains how Roman organization and infrastructure accelerated the expansion of wine production and established practices that influenced European winemaking for generations.
How did wine spread in Italy?
According to the episode, wine spread across Italy through trade routes, migration, and conquest, particularly during the Etruscan and Roman periods. As techniques traveled from one region to another, local populations adapted them to their soils and climates, gradually forming distinct regional wine practices that would endure for centuries.
