Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James Atkinson

Italy's digestif amaro liqueurs, with bartender Federico Malavenda


Listen Later

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.
Italy’s wonderful array of digestif amari demands exploration.
Amari is the plural of amaro, which means ‘bitter’ in Italian. It’s also the name given the country’s unique liqueurs that are intensely bitter and often very sweet too, flavoured by infusing herbs, spices and other botanicals in a distilled wine or neutral spirit base.
You may also like:
  • The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1
  • UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1
  • Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2
  • Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8


  • The theme of this episode has been inspired by the amari degustation event organised by the Italian Cultural institute, Sydney at its premises in December 2021, during the World Week of Italian Cuisine.
    Presented by today’s expert bartender, Federico Malavenda, the degustation featured a tasting of seven Italian amari:
    • Braulio;
    • Cynar;
    • Poli Vaca Mora;
    • Cappelletti Sfumato;
    • Amara Blood Orange;
    • Toro Centerba; and
    • Averna.


    • The Italian Cultural Institute is an official branch of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of the Italian culture in Australia through the organisation and support of events, exhibitions and festivals, in collaboration with major local institutions.
      This episode has been produced with their support.
      Federico Malavenda is bar manager at Bistecca Restaurant in Sydney, which has a menu of no less than 85 different amari.
      This was recognised at the Wine List of the Year Awards in late 2021, when Bistecca picked up the gong for Best Digestif List.
      Stay with me as Federico gives you an overview of amaro and shares what he’s doing with digestif amari at Bistecca.
      First up, a little history. Federico says these unique and storied liqueurs have been an integral part of Italian culture for generations.
      More must-listen episodes:
      • Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6
      • Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4
      • Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6
      • Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5


      • Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants
        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James AtkinsonBy Wine, Beer & Whisky Network Australia

        • 4.9
        • 4.9
        • 4.9
        • 4.9
        • 4.9

        4.9

        7 ratings


        More shows like Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James Atkinson

        View all
        Dr Karl Podcast by triple j

        Dr Karl Podcast

        203 Listeners

        Conversations by ABC listen

        Conversations

        869 Listeners

        I'll Drink to That! Wine Talk by Levi Dalton

        I'll Drink to That! Wine Talk

        993 Listeners

        Chat 10 Looks 3 by Chat 10 Looks 3

        Chat 10 Looks 3

        243 Listeners

        Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps by Josh Szeps

        Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

        833 Listeners

        SBS Cycling Podcast by SBS

        SBS Cycling Podcast

        32 Listeners

        Politics Now by ABC listen

        Politics Now

        100 Listeners

        Betoota Talks by The Betoota Advocate

        Betoota Talks

        37 Listeners

        If You're Listening by ABC listen

        If You're Listening

        307 Listeners

        Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny by The Australian National University

        Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

        35 Listeners

        What's That Rash? by ABC listen

        What's That Rash?

        241 Listeners

        Roy and HG - Bludging on the Blindside by ABC Grandstand

        Roy and HG - Bludging on the Blindside

        118 Listeners

        Chanticleer by Australian Financial Review

        Chanticleer

        20 Listeners

        The Fin by Australian Financial Review

        The Fin

        18 Listeners

        The Crafty Pint Podcast by The Crafty Pint

        The Crafty Pint Podcast

        0 Listeners