Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2521 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Roza Zharmukhambetova sits down with Adriano Albanese, the Asia-Pacific Export Manager for Tommasi Family Estates. Together, they explore Adriano’s journey and the lessons he’s learned from working on both sides of the wine industry, for an importer and now as a wine producer representative.

Key learning objectives:

Understand the Chinese wine market: its structure, major players, consumer trends, and key cities.

Explore the Asia-Pacific market, and how Tommasi develops Valpolicella and Amarone wines across Asian markets.

Gain practical insights into cross-cultural adaptation, partnerships, and long-term brand strategy in Asia.

More about today’s guest:

Adriano Albanese is the Asia-Pacific Export Manager for Tommasi Family Estates. He brings extensive international experience in the wine industry across the UK, China, and Thailand, and is currently based in Bangkok.

With a background in Chinese language and translation studies, Adriano began his wine journey in Scotland before relocating to Beijing in 2018. There, he worked as On-Trade Sales Manager for EMW Fine Wines, one of China’s leading wine importers and distributors. During nearly six years in the Chinese wine industry, Adriano completed his WSET Level 4 Diploma before moving “to the other side” of the industry as Export Manager for Tommasi Family Estates.

Now at the heart of Asia’s dynamic food and beverage scene, Adriano frequently travels across the Asia-Pacific region, promoting Italian wine and embracing the diversity it offers to both a curious mind and palate.

Connect:

Website: https://www.tommasi.com/wines/?lang=en 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriano_albanese/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianoalbanese/ 

More about the 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:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vin_en_rose/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rozazharmukhambetova/ 

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