The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 323

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Destination Weddings, Wine, and the Language of Italy With Jennifer Martin

Get ready for an enchanting journey through the heart of Italy! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Marksit down with the multifaceted Jennifer Martin—the voice behind the acclaimed blog Vino Travels Italy and the author of the essential guide, Planning Your Dream Wedding In Tuscany.

Jennifer shares the captivating story of her Italian heritage and what inspired her to launch a blog dedicated to the vast world of Italian viticulture. Whether you are a wine enthusiast, a bride-to-be, or a lover of "La Dolce Vita," this episode is packed with expert insights.

In This Episode, We Explore:

The Story Behind the Blog: Why Jen started Vino Travels Italy and a sneak peek into her upcoming quarterly newsletter.

Destination Weddings: Pro-tips from Jen’s book on navigating the logistics and magic of planning a wedding in the Tuscan countryside.

Italian Wine 101: An overview of Italy’s complex wine laws, plus Jen’s personal bottle recommendations and authentic food pairings.

The Language of Italy: We discuss the beauty of learning Italian and how regional dialects and nuances change as you travel through the peninsula.

If you have an interest in destination weddings, regional culture, or world-class wine, you won’t want to miss Jen’s passion and expertise!

Learn more about Jennifer Martin: www.vinotravelsitaly.com

Listen to more episodes: www.thewww.wine

Cheers,

Kim and Mark

🍷🍷🍷

#WinePodcast #ItalianWine #TuscanyWedding #VinoTravels #WeddingPlanning #ItalyTravel #WineAndFood #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #WineEducation

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 322

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

A Masterclass With Deborah Parker Wong 🍷

Prepare to be inspired! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with one of the most influential figures in the modern wine landscape: Deborah Parker Wong.

From her deep academic roots to her editorial leadership, Deborah shares the incredible journey that led her to become a powerhouse in wine media and education. Whether you are a casual sipper or a dedicated professional, this episode is packed with "aha!" moments.

What’s Inside the Bottle:

The Editor’s Desk: Deborah reflects on 20 years of professional wine writing and her influential role as the Editor for Somm Journal.

The Slow Wine Revolution: Discover the philosophy behind the Slow Wine Guide—what it is, why it matters, and Deborah’s pivotal role in championing sustainable viticulture.

The Academic Vine: As a lecturer at three colleges and a high-level WSET instructor, Deborah breaks down how she shapes the next generation of wine experts.

Sensory Science & Master’s Wisdom: Dive into the fascinating world of sensory science. Deborah discusses her Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology and how technical knowledge enhances the tasting experience.

"Frankenstein" Wines: We get technical and provocative as we discuss what makes a wine "Frankenstein" and the ethics of winemaking.

A Motto to Live By: Deborah shares her personal motto and the driving force behind her relentless passion.

Expert Buying Tips: Wrap up with Deborah’s top advice for navigating the wine aisle like a pro.

The energy and excitement Deborah brings to the table are contagious. You don’t want to miss this deep dive into the heart of the industry!

Learn more about Deborah: www.deborahparkerwong.com Listen to more episodes: www.thewww.wine

Cheers,

Kim and Mark

🍷🍷🍷

#WineEducation #SlowWine #SommJournal #SensoryScience #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #WineIndustry #WinePodcast #Viticulture #WSET #DeborahParkerWong

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 321

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Crushin’ It in Boston: Redefining Wine Culture with Gabrielle Malina

Grab a glass and settle in! This week on The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark are joined by the powerhouse behind Boston’s most vibrant wine scene: Gabrielle Malina, owner of First Crush Boston

If you’ve ever felt that wine culture was a bit too "stiff," this episode is your antidote. Gabrielle shares her journey of moving beyond traditional tasting rooms to create a space that breathes new life into the Boston beverage scene.

Inside This Episode:

The Origin Story: Gabrielle walks us through her background and the spark that ignited First Crush Boston.

Shaking Up the City: Why Boston was craving a new kind of wine venue and how Gabrielle successfully captured the hearts (and palates) of the younger generation.

The Natural Wine Debate: We dive deep into the world of natural wine. Gabrielle reveals her witty response to critics who think natural wine is just "bad wine."

The Pop-Up Evolution: A look at how the Boston pop-up event landscape has transformed since First Crush first hit the scene.

Perfect Pairings: From the unconventional to the "match made in heaven," we talk about the food pairings that blew her guests away.

The Ultimate Myth: Do natural wines actually prevent hangovers?

The Future of First Crush: Gabrielle looks ahead to her dream events and what’s next for her growing wine empire.

Gabrielle’s passion is infectious, and her "wine for everyone" philosophy is exactly what the industry needs. You won't want to miss this one!

Connect with our Guest:

First Crush Boston: www.firstcrushboston.com

Follow The Wonderful World of Wine:

Website: www.thewww.wine

Cheers,

Kim and Mark

#WinePodcast #NaturalWine #FirstCrushBoston #BostonWine #WinePairing #WomenInWine #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #WineCulture #PopUpBoston #DrinkNatural

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 320

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Unveiling Perfection: Napa’s New Icon with Jayson Hu

From a world-class collector to a visionary creator, Jayson Hu is redefining the pinnacle of Napa Valley luxury. In this episode, Kim and Mark sit down with the founder of Fairest Creature to go behind the glass of some of the most exclusive wines in the world.

In This Episode, We Explore:

The Journey to Fairest Creature: Jayson shares his personal background and what drove him to transition from a passionate wine authority to a brand founder.

The "Leading Authority" Label: How does Jayson feel about being dubbed the foremost Chinese expert on Napa Valley wine? We get his candid take.

A Winemaking Dream Team: A deep dive into his collaboration with legendary "flying winemaker" Michel Rolland and his roster of world-class vintners.

The Art of the Blend: Why blending is the ultimate expression of a winemaker’s skill and how Jayson approaches it.

Does Terroir Matter? A provocative discussion on the importance of "place" versus the hand of the maker in modern viticulture.

Bottled Masterpieces: The story behind the stunning, artistic labels that make Fairest Creature as beautiful on the shelf as it is in the glass.

The 2020 Vintage Heartbreak: A transparent look at smoke taintand why Jayson made the difficult, high-stakes decision to produce no wine in 2020.

Why You Should Listen

Whether you’re a Napa devotee or a newcomer to the wine world, Jayson offers a "very interesting look" into the high-stakes reality of luxury winemaking. It’s a masterclass in quality, branding, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Cheers

🍷🍷🍷

Kim and Mark

Connect With Us & Our Guest

Fairest Creature: www.fairestcreature.com

The Wonderful World of Wine: www.thewww.wine

#WinePodcast #FairestCreature #NapaValley #MichelRolland #WineCollector #FineWine #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #Winemaking #Terroir #NapaWine

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 319

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Wine Digital Marketing With Molly Bossardt

In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Molly Bossardt of Bread & Butter Digital Marketing to pull back the curtain on the complex and rapidly evolving world of wine marketing.

If you think digital marketing is just posting a photo of a bottle on Instagram, prepare to be amazed. Molly shares her extensive background in the industry and dives deep into the intricate components that drive successful digital strategies today.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Snob Problem": A breakdown of Molly’s viral article, “The Wine World Has A Snob Problem,” and why accessibility is the key to the industry’s future.

Generational Shifts: How different age groups perceive wine and why a "one-size-fits-all" marketing approach is failing.

The Power of the Story: Why the narrative behind the label is often more important than the technical specs of the liquid inside.

Influencers vs. Marketing: The distinct roles of wine influencers and professional digital marketing, and how they can coexist.

The Adaptation Challenge: Why wine will endure, but only if marketing tactics adapt to modern consumer behavior.

Digital Tools & Trends: The current status of email marketing, the effectiveness of various social media platforms, and what many people—and AI—get wrong about wine communication.

From the technical nuances to the emotional heartbeat of brand storytelling, this conversation proves that there is a lot more to wine marketing than meets the eye.

Listen now to discover how the wine world is finally finding its digital voice.

Explore more from Molly: www.breadandbutterdigitalmarketing.com

Cheers

🍷🍷🍷

Kim and Mark

www.thewww.wine

#WineMarketing #DigitalStrategy #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #WineTrends #Storytelling #WineBusiness #Podcast #BreadAndButterDigital #WineInfluencers #WineEducation

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 318

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Sip, Sense, and Savor: Unlocking the Mindful Glass with Carrie Boyle

Cheers, wine lovers! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), your hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the incredibly multi-talented Carrie Boyle. Carrie isn’t just a wine specialist; she is a renowned educator, judge, and the author of the transformative book, “The Mindful Glass: Hands-on Wine Lab.”

If you’ve ever wanted to deepen your connection to what’s in your glass, this episode is a masterclass in sensory exploration!

Inside the Episode:

A Journey Through the Vine: Carrie shares her fascinating background in the wine world and gives us a peek into the exciting projects she is currently working on.

Health First: We dive into why The Mindful Glass begins with a health advisory and the importance of approaching wine with intention.

The Art of Mindfulness: Learn how to slow down and truly experience wine through the lens of mindfulness.

Building Aroma Memories: Carrie explains her unique method for building "aroma capsules" to help you identify and remember scents forever.

The Wine Lab Experiments: We get hands-on discussing Carrie’s experiments with acidity and glassware.

Demystifying the 20-Point Scale: We break down the professional 20-point scoring scale.

Entertaining & Future Flips: Carrie shares her secrets for entertaining with wine and gives us an exclusive scoop on her next book project!

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned sommelier, Carrie’s "Wine Lab" approach will change the way you pour your next glass.

Connect with our guest:

Explore Carrie’s book and educational resources at: 💻 www.the-mindful-glass.com

Keep up with Kim and Mark:

For more episodes and wine resources, visit us at: 💻 www.thewww.wine

Cheers

🍷🍷🍷

Kim and Mark

#WinePodcast #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #TheMindfulGlass #WineEducation #WineTasting #MindfulDrinking #AromaMemories #FoodAndWine #WineLovers #CarrieBoyle #WineExperiments

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 317

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Tariffs, Triumphs, and the Supreme Court: A Conversation with Victor Owen Schwartz

In this landmark episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with a true titan of the industry and a recent headline-maker: Victor Owen Schwartz.

As the founder and president of VOS Selections, a premier New York-based importer and distributor, Victor shares the incredible journey of his career—one that started not with a vineyard, but with a bold letter to the legendary British wine expert Steven Spurrier.

We dive deep into the mechanics of the industry, the complexities of the Three-Tier System, and the realities of wine taxes. However, the conversation takes a historic turn as we discuss Victor's role as the plaintiff in the 2025 Supreme Court case, Schwartz vs. Trump.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

The Spark: How a single letter to Steven Spurrier launched a lifelong career.

Industry Insights: A masterclass on importing, distributing, and navigating the Three-Tier System.

The Legal Battle: The inside story of the Supreme Court case that shook the trade.

The Win: Detailed analysis of Victor's successful challenge against tariffs and what it means for the future of wine.

A Surprising Correspondence: The story behind the personal letter Victor received from former VP Mike Pence.

Connect with Our Guest and Show:

VOS Selections: www.vosselections.com

The Wonderful World of Wine(WWW): www.thewww.wine

Cheers

🍷🍷🍷

Kim and Mark

#WinePodcast #VOSSelections #WineIndustry #SupremeCourt #SchwartzVsTrump #WineTariffs #ThreeTierSystem #WineEducation #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #WineImporting

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 316

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

From Food Critic to Wine Titan With Meridith May

In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with a true powerhouse of the industry: Meridith May. As the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of both The Somm Journal www.sommjournal.com and The Tasting Panel Magazine www.tastingpanelmag.com Meridith has her finger on the pulse of the global wine scene.

We trace Meridith’s fascinating journey from her days as a food critic to becoming a leading publisher and owner. Whether you are a casual enthusiast or a seasoned professional, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how wine media actually works.

What’s Decanting in This Episode:

The Origin Story: How Meridith transitioned from critiquing plates to publishing pages.

Tailored for the Taster: We break down which publication fits your wine style—whether you’re a wine lover or a dedicated retailer.

The "Who’s Who" of Wine: A look at the industry legends who contribute to the magazines (including some familiar voices from our show!).

The Power of Print: Why physical media still reigns supreme and the tactile joy of having a magazine in hand.

A Buyer’s Secret Weapon: Mark explains how he uses Meridith’s reviews to curate selections that match his profile and discover hidden gems.

The "Smooch" Factor: We dive deep into their unique rating system. Forget just numbers—we’re talking points and "smooches"!

Hot Topics & Red Flags: Meridith shares her insights on the current state of the wine world and the trends (or concerns) she’s watching closely.

The Big Question: How many wines does a professional reviewer actually taste in a single month? The answer might leave your palate exhausted just hearing it!

Get Connected

Ready to upgrade your coffee table? We wrap up by showing you exactly how to get your hands on these publications and share a few "insider" facts that will totally surprise you.

Cheers

🍷🍷🍷

Kim and Mark

www.thewww.wine

#WinePodcast #SommJournal #TastingPanel #WineReviews #WineCulture #PrintIsNotDead #SommelierLife #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 315

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

Sustainability with Sandra Taylor

In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark dive deep into the world of sustainable viticulture with special guest Sandra Taylor. As the author of Vines and Values: A Consumer’s Guide to Sustainable Wine, Sandra brings a unique perspective to the table, sharing her fascinating professional journey from law school to earning a wine MBA.

The conversation breaks down the complexities of what "sustainable wine" actually means, why it is becoming a critical focus for the industry, and—most importantly—how you can identify these practices on a bottle label. Sandra explores the nuances of sustainability in both the vineyard and the cellar, shedding light on the reality of wine additives and the ongoing debate between "Big Wine" and artisanal productions.

Key topics covered in this episode:

The Weight of Quality: Does a heavy glass bottle actually mean the wine inside is better?

Organic vs. Certified: Understanding the distinction between "wine made with organic grapes" and "certified organic wine."

Beyond the Soil: A look into biodynamics and vegan wine.

The Future of Buying: Sandra introduces her upcoming "Wine-Watch" 50-point sustainable rating system, a potential game-changer for conscious consumers.

To learn more about Sandra’s work, visit sandraetaylor.com. For more episodes and wine education, head over to thewww.wine.

Cheers,

Kim and Mark

🍷🍷🍷

#WinePodcast #SustainableWine #VinesAndValues #WineEducation #OrganicWine #BiodynamicWine #EcoFriendly #WineLabels #WineIndustry #TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #VeganWine #SandraTaylor

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)

Episode 314

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you!

From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery

In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Beth and Patrick Downing, the visionary owners of Franklin, Massachusetts’ own GlenPharmer Distillery.

It’s a fascinating look at how a professional background in pharmacy provided the perfect scientific foundation for transitioning into the world of craft spirits and hospitality. We dive deep into their incredible journey, from the initial concept to navigating the unprecedented challenge of launching a distillery and restaurant just as a global pandemic was beginning. Patrick and Beth share how they managed to make such a monumental feat sound easy.

Inside the Episode:

A Nod to Franklin History: We explore the storied past of the building that GlenPharmer calls home and its unique historical connection to the town's hat-making industry.

Science in the Glass: Learn about the distillery's seasonal focus on both its restaurant menu and its innovative cocktail program. Patrick shares some "science of the cocktail" tips that you can use at home.

Award-Winning Spirits: We discuss their lineup of acclaimed products and reveal the surprising production capacity of this local powerhouse.

The Business of Spirits: From the nuances of serving laws in the distillery versus their event space to the complexities of distribution and shipping.

The "Geeky" Details: We get into the nitty-gritty of the industry, discussing everything from distillery taxes to the mystery of the "Angel’s Share."

Whether you are a Franklin local or a spirits enthusiast, you will love the story of grit, science, and community behind GlenPharmer.

Learn More:

GlenPharmer Distillery: www.glenpharmer.com

The Wonderful World of Wine: www.thewww.wine

Cheers,

Kim and Mark

🍷🥃🍷

#TheWonderfulWorldOfWine #GlenPharmerDistillery #CraftSpirits #FranklinMA #ShopLocal #DistilleryLife #CocktailScience #PharmacyToDistillery #AngelsShare #WineAndSpiritsPodcast