On today's show, we have Riccardo Fratton, head winemaker of San Polo in Montalcino, Italy. Riccardo was raised in the Veneto region but didn't really blossom as a winemaker until working in California. He was so impressed by the level of experimentation and a sort of freshness to winemaking that he brought those points of inspiration back to his home country. Meeting and working for Marilisa Allegrina, the Queen of Amarone, brought him to relocate to another Allegrina estate in Montalcino, San Polo.

Jessica has spent a substantial amount of time in Montalcino over the last year and has the good fortune to taste the 2024 vintage and beyond with Riccardo. They talk about all of the particularities of Southeast Montalcino and the diversity and history of the San Polo Estate.

Here are some pertinent links:

Wineries of Marilisa Allegrini

San Polo Montalcino website

Jessica's article on the new Brunello FORMA

Riccardo Fratton on Instagram

On today's show, Mark and Jessica break down the current tariffs and other economic factors that are affecting the wine industry. This episode was recorded on April 30th, 2025, perhaps the situation has changed by the time you listen.

More information on the US Wine Trade Alliance.

Here are some of the articles Jessica has published on the impact of tariffs:

How Tariffs Will Impact the Wine Industry, Forbes, Jan 22, 2025

How Tariffs Could Make American Wine and Spirits More Expensive, Forbes, March 14, 2025

Tariffs and Trade Winds: VinItaly 2025, Forbes, April 10, 2025

On today's show, Jessica interviews Gus Zhu, a Master of Wine and author of the recently published book Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting. Gus does an amazing job of breaking down complex topics involved in wine chemistry and sensorial analysis to be understandable by wine lovers of all levels. In addition to talking about the book, Jessica and Gus delve into many misunderstood topics, from volatile acidity and cork taint to cultural shifts of flavor and aroma preferences within various populations. In Gus's words, a deeper undertanding of how we perceive aromas will lead to a more colorful human experience.

Purchase Behind the Glass through the Academie du Vin Library: Here

More about Gus Zhu from the Institute of Masters of Wine: Here

Gus Zhu's consulting company: Here